Our first full week of the 2026 season is behind us, meaning it’s on to NFL Week 2, beginning with the Bills debuting the brand-new Highmark Stadium vs. the Lions on Thursday Night Football.
As usual, we’re sifting for any fantasy football value across the board. After featuring promising volume in Week 1, Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard and Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten are running backs drawing attention to make starting lineups in fantasy football this week.
In NFL Week 2’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em battle, let’s jump into each player's matchup with their projections via PrizePicks, followed by a verdict for who should get the start in Week 2.
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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em RBs, Week 2: Chuba Hubbard vs. Bhayshul Tuten
Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard travels to take on the Falcons in a divisional battle on Sunday, September 20 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten gets a much tougher matchup on the road vs. the Broncos with a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday, televised by CBS.
However, Jacksonville’s offense was a humming machine with 34 points vs. the Browns in Week 1, and the Broncos lost 31-10 to open 2026. Carolina’s defense struggled in a 59-37 loss vs. the Bears, but the offense certainly did its part.
With each offense coming off a 30+ point performance, which running back could thrive in PPR leagues for Week 2?
Why Start Chuba Hubbard
Chuba Hubbard Week 2 PrizePicks Projections: 55.5 Rush Yards, 13.5 Receiving Yards, 0.5 Rush TDs (Demon), 14.5 Rush Attempts
Week 1 Fantasy Point Total: 23.7 points (RB10)
Despite Week 1’s lopsided 22-point loss vs. the Bears, the Panthers kept pace for most of the game, proven by a 38-31 deficit with about three minutes remaining in the third quarter. That allowed Carolina to show off its backfield, featuring RBs Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks.
Entering the season, Brooks — who is coming off a torn ACL — was tabbed as a player who could dig into Hubbard’s workload. However, Brooks had just a 19.1% snap share with 4 rushing attempts and 2 targets, while RB AJ Dillon logged a 10.3% snap share and 5 carries.
Hubbard was undoubtedly RB1, featuring a 70.6% snap share, 10 carries, and 3 targets. His strong 23.7 fantasy points (RB10) were carried by 1 rushing TD and 1 receiving TD, with Hubbard tallying 49 rushing yards and 38 receiving yards.
While scoring 2 TDs usually isn’t sustainable, the Panthers’ rush-play rate will likely increase. The offense featured a massive 64.5% pass-play rate in Week 1, but Carolina head coach Dave Canales led an offense with a 55.1% pass-play rate (20th) in the 2025 season.
Week 2’s opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, gave up only 58 rushing yards and 2.8 yards per carry in a 20-13 loss vs. the Steelers. According to RBSDM, the Falcons conceded -0.252 EPA per rushing attempt (sixth) and a 27.8% rush success rate (fifth).
Additionally, ESPN gave Atlanta a 30% run stop win rate (ninth), but the Panthers may have the answer thanks to an elite 83% run block win rate (first) in Week 1. Plus, Hubbard was efficient with 4.9 yards per carry and a 60.0% success rate — which was tied for the second-highest mark among RBs with at least 8 carries, per Sumer Sports.
Add Chuba Hubbard to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Why Start Bhayshul Tuten?
Bhayshul Tuten Week 2 PrizePicks Projections: 49.5 Rush Yards, 0.5 Player TDs (Demon), 1.5 Receptions, 12.5 Rush Attempts
Week 1 Fantasy Point Total: 9.8 points (RB28)
The Jaguars’ offense looked nearly unstoppable in Week 1, racking up 360 yards, 6.4 yards per play, and 34 points. A 59.3% success rate (first) and 0.310 EPA per play (third) provide even more comfort.
Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence, who has the fourth-shortest payout to win the MVP award (10x) on PrizePicks, continued to look the part with 245 passing yards, 10.7 yards per passing attempt, 4 passing TDs, and 0.716 adjusted EPA per play (second).
In short, finding exposure to this offense seems like a wise idea. Bhayshul Tuten registered 15 carries, 66 rushing yards, 1 catch, 22 receiving yards, and 9.8 fantasy points (RB28) in Week 1. While that doesn’t touch Hubbard’s Week 1 output, Tuten’s high ceiling is undeniable.
In fact, he was one of Week 1’s most efficient tailbacks. Among RBs with at least 10 carries, Tuten’s 4.47 yards after contact per carry was fourth, per Pro Football Focus. Furthermore, his 9 forced missed tackles were tied for the third-highest mark in Week 1.
Most importantly, Tuten was the Jaguars’ most-used halfback, as his 15 rushing attempts were comfortably above RBs Chris Rodriguez Jr. (6) and Ameer Abdullah (4). Tuten posted a 49.1% snap share compared to Rodriguez’s 40.4%.
After allowing 18.5 PPG (fourth) and 4.5 yards per play (first) last season, the Broncos are a tough matchup. But the unit struggled in Week 1, giving up 31 points, 392 yards, and 5.9 yards per play.
Denver surrendered 220 rushing yards, 5.8 yards per carry, and a 40.6% success rate (16th). Most of this was fueled by Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker III tallying a ridiculous 7.78 yards after contact per carry on 23 rushing attempts.
As mentioned, Tuten was excellent after contact in Week 1. The Broncos posted a 25% run stop win rate (25th), drawing concern against the Jags’ 77% run block win rate (11th).
Pick Bhayshul Tuten + the Jaguars to win on PrizePicks!
Week 2 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Start Chuba Hubbard
Ultimately, this running back start/sit decision boils down to scoring potential. While Tuten performed well in Week 1, his red zone touches remain a concern.
According to Pro Football Reference, RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. took the Jaguars’ only red zone carry in Week 1. If Rodriguez continues to dominate the short yardage and red zone touches, Tuten’s scoring potential plummets.
Meanwhile, Hubbard took 60.0% of the Panthers’ red zone rushing attempts, featuring 3 carries within 10 yards of the end zone.
Furthermore, PrizePicks tabs Carolina as a 2.5-point favorite vs. the Falcons. The Jaguars are 2.5-point underdogs on the road. Jacksonville could be in a negative game script, while the Panthers run the rock in a positive game script.
The Jags have a 1.66x payout to go over 20.5 points vs. Denver, and the Panthers feature a 1.69x payout to surpass 21.5 points vs. the Falcons.
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Make NFL Week 2 Picks on PrizePicks
Chuba Hubbard and Bhayshul Tuten could become valuable fantasy football pieces as the 2026 season marches on, but for Week 2, Hubbard wins the Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em debate thanks to red zone usage.
Don’t wait until kickoff — make your NFL Week 2 picks on PrizePIcks now! You can make picks on the winner, spread, and over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks, now available in 36 states. With PrizePicks, just pick players and predict More or Less on their stats!
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