Kaleb Johnson’s kickoff misread opened Week 2 with a Seattle kickoff TD, fueling a 31-17 Seahawks win over Pittsburgh and underscoring how nuanced live-ball rules can swing fantasy value in special teams. Denver’s Week 2 heartbreak at Indianapolis followed, as a leverage penalty on a missed 60-yard field goal produced an untimed down for Spencer Shrader, who cashed in from 45 yards to seal a 29-28 Colts victory. Both sides admitted late-game missteps that shaped the outcome and the fantasy ripple effects.

Shrader’s perfect 14-for-14 start and history of shorter kicks contrast with the risk of longer attempts, while Indianapolis’ late-game approach—and Jonathan Taylor’s usage—highlight how game flow can reshape kickers, running backs, and goal-line decisions. For fantasy managers, the Week 2 tape underscores volatility in kickers, return specialists, and coaching gambits in high-leverage moments.

As the season unfolds, the takeaway is clear: special-teams chips and clock-management decisions will drive weekly fantasy outcomes as much as offense and defense—making Week 3 a frontier of cautious optimism and contrarian pivots.