Week 2 of the Page 2 Fantasy Football Challenge is upon us. Each week, a guest picker chooses a quarterback, wide receiver and running back. The only players off-limits are those selected by last week's guest picker. This week's guest — Jeff Worden, who is in an almost unfathomable 10 fantasy leagues and would consider this a "hang your hat" kind of win — will go head-to-head against Star Tribune writer Michael Rand, who is not allowed to pick anyone projected by NFL.com to score in the top 10 at their respective positions:
Jeff worden'S WEEK 2 FANTASY PICKS
QB: Aaron Rodgers, Packers
NFL.com QB projection: No. 5
Matchup: Jets
This pick might not go over well with hard-core Vikings fans, but at least Rodgers isn't playing the Vikes this week, right? He goes up against a beat-up Jets secondary in the Packers' home opener at Lambeau, and he should easily put up 300-plus yards and 3-4 TDs.
RB: Arian Foster, Texans
NFL.com RB projection: No. 3
Matchup: Raiders
I was tempted to go with others here, but Foster is my sleeper pick for a big week. He looked good last week and now gets to face the Raiders, who gave up over 200 yards rushing to the Jets last week.
WR: Demaryius Thomas, Broncos
NFL.com WR projection: No. 6
Matchup: Chiefs
He didn't see a ton of passes Week 1, but playing at home against a Chiefs defense that looked subpar last week should result in a big game for one of the most physically gifted WRs in the game.
MICHAEL RAND's WEEK 2 FANTASY PICKS
QB: Colin Kaepernick
NFL.com QB projection: No. 13
Matchup: Bears
I don't want to brag, but league sources said I could play for the Bears in their secondary. Maybe not as a starter, but at least in some packages. And I've never played organized football, nor am I terribly athletic. That's the sorry state in Chicago, and Kaepernick will take advantage.
RB: Alfred Morris, Washington
NFL.com RB projection: No. 13
Matchup: Jaguars
Morris had 91 yards in Week 1, and even though he had a touchdown vultured away from him, I like his chances for a solid week against everyone's favorite get well card, Jacksonville.
WR: Calvin Johnson
NFL.com WR projection: No. 17
Matchup: Panthers
I got greedy last week in picking Aaron Rodgers when he was uncharacteristically outside the top 10 in QB projections. It did not pay off, but I'm doubling down with Megatron against a tough D.
SCOREBOARD WEEK 1 FANTASY RECAP (USING NFL.COM DEFAULT SCORING METHOD)
Winner: Nick Fritzen — Peyton Manning (22.5), Adrian Peterson (9.3), Brandon Marshall (11.1). Total: 42.9.
Loser: Michael Rand — Aaron Rodgers (9.6), Ben Tate (4.1), Emmanuel Sanders (8.8). Total: 22.5.
Overall standings: Guest pickers 1-0.