Curtis Martin was one of the few Week 1 surprises to repeat with another big performance. AP

If you needed more reminders of why you need to rely on consistency with your fantasy football team, Week 2 should do it. Drew Brees, Doug Gabriel, David Terrell and Antonio Gates were among the most sought-after players on the waiver after big first-week efforts. If you had any of them starting this week, you're probably in a hole.

That's why it's often good to stick with known quantities. In a week with plenty of very good performances, but not many outstanding efforts, a little bit of consistency goes a long way. Using the "traditional" SI.com fantasy football scoring system, there were plenty of players in the 21-25 range.

Studs

1. Curtis Martin, RB, Jets (32 carries, 119 yards, 2 TDs; 6 catches, 25 yards): OK, so his first two opponents were the Bengals and Chargers. I'm still trying to figure out when he hit the time machine to bring back the 1,500-yard runner from 2001, which seems even longer ago.

2. Edgerrin James, RB, Colts (21 carries, 124 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 3 yards): Had he actually scored and not fumbled in the red zone last week, he would've had a place in the studs category. This time he earned it with some clutch runs to put away the Titans.

3. Kevan Barlow, RB, 49ers (20 carries, 114 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 9 yards): This was the type of performance many expected from him once he finally got the starting job to himself. He got dinged up a bit, but still came away with big numbers, albeit in a losing effort.

4. DeShaun Foster, RB, Panthers (32 carries, 174 yards, 1 TD): Stephen Davis is out of the lineup, and the Chiefs' defense was on the docket. Who didn't expect a big game from Foster?

5. Aaron Brooks, QB, Saints (25-34, 279 yards, 3 TDs; 6 carries, 4 yards): With Deuce McAllister out with an injury, Brooks had to carry the New Orleans offense and made use of his receivers in a big way.

6. Hines Ward, WR, Steelers (6 catches, 151 yards, 1 TD): Win or lose, it appears Ward will get his numbers. Could things get better with rookie Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback? At least Big Ben gets a solid target.

7. David Carr, QB, Texans (23-34, 313 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; 5 carries, 30 yards): He couldn't beat the Lions, but since he had to deal with a deficit, he came up throwing a lot. And he's making use of a lot of his receivers and running backs -- but what about tight end Billy Miller?

8. Chris Brown, RB, Titans (26 carries, 152 yards, 1 TD; 1 catch, 8 yards): He wasn't the dreaded game-time decision, but many may have been wary because he was questionable with an ankle injury. At this point, there's no reason to bench him unless he's actually out. He's opened the season with back-to-back 100-yard games.

Stud: Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles (19-28, 245 yards, 2 TDs; 3 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD: He looked very sharp in his battle with Daunte Culpepper, even if his late TD pass to Terrell Owens probably shouldn't have counted. Stud: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Vikings (37-47, 343 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 8 carries, 41 yards): He piled up big stats, but he couldn't score when it counted, fumbling on the goal line and having a TD run wiped out by a penalty. But for fantasy owners, stats are stats. Dud: Onterrio Smith, RB, Vikings (10 carries, 28 yards; 8 catches, 65 yards): The Eagles usually struggle to stop the run, but they contained Smith, who still did some damage through the air. Dud: Marcus Robinson, WR, Vikings (2 catches, 14 yards): I guess Nate Burleson is stepping up as the No. 2 guy, but it's always a crap shoot behind Randy Moss. 300-yard passers Player Team C-A Yds TD Vinny Testaverde Cowboys 23-35 322 1 David Carr Texans 23-34 313 2 100-yard rushers Player Team Carries Yds TD DeShaun Foster Panthers 32 174 1 Corey Dillon Patriots 32 158 0 Chris Brown Titans 26 152 1 Thomas Jones Bears 23 152 1 Ahman Green Packers 24 128 0 Edgerrin James Colts 21 124 2 Curtis Martin Jets 32 119 2 Kevan Barlow 49ers 20 114 2 Michael Vick Falcons 12 109 0 100-yard receivers Player Team Rec Yds TD Hines Ward Steelers 6 151 1 Torry Holt Rams 9 121 1 Reggie Wayne Colts 7 119 1 David Givens Patriots 6 118 0 Donte Stallworth Saints 9 113 1 Curtis Conway 49ers 8 112 0 Derrick Mason Titans 8 104 0 Isaac Bruce Rams 8 102 0 Javon Walker Packers 7 102 0 Laveranues Coles Redskins 9 100 0

9. Thomas Jones, RB, Bears (23 carries, 152 yards, 1 TD; 1 catch, 7 yards): Maybe he really did need to leave Arizona to be a stud. After a decent first week, he lit up a Packers team that shut down Stephen Davis last week, thus proving anything really can happen.

10. Michael Vick, QB, Falcons (14-19, 179 yards, 1 TD; 12 carries, 109 yards): These are the types of numbers people expect from Vick. He confounded the Rams with his feet, although he probably disappointed some fantasy owners by throwing to fullback Justin Griffith and tight end Alge Crumpler. Still, it's good to see Vick able to do what he can do best within the West Coast offense.

Other top performances: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers (19 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD; 3 catches, 76 yards); Torry Holt, WR, Rams (9 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD); Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts (7 catches, 119 yards, 1 TD); Donte Stallworth, WR, Saints (9 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD); Domanick Davis, RB, Texans (25 carries, 78 yards; 11 catches, 95 yards); Roy Williams, WR, Lions (4 catches, 73 yards, 2 TDs); Jamal Lewis, RB, Ravens (24 catches, 62 yards, 2 TDs); Peyton Manning, QB, Colts (24-33, 254 yards, 2 TDs; 2 carries, 5 yards); Joey Harrington, QB, Lions (18-25, 176 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT; 4 carries, 17 yards); Chad Pennington, QB, Jets (22-29, 258 yards, 2 TDs; 2 carries, 1 yard).

Duds

Quentin Griffin, RB, Broncos (25 carries, 66 yards; 5 catches, 29 yards): You shouldn't have expected the same numbers this week, but still, some will feel that way. That drive-killing fumble hurt in many ways.

David Terrell, WR, Bears (1 carry, -15 yards): Last week's waiver wire monster showed this week why he wasn't drafted in many leagues. Chicago didn't do much passing, and little of it went Terrell's way.

Deuce McAllister, RB, Saints (3 carries, 1 yard): After a subpar first week, now he could miss a few weeks after injuring his ankle on a play in which he also fumbled.

Shaun Alexander, RB, Seahawks (17 carries, 45 yards): An injured knee and the Bucs' defense equal bad numbers, even for a stud running back. But he did play.

Jeff Garcia, QB, Browns (8-27, 71 yards, 3 INTs; 4 carries, 34 yards): When you don't have TO at your side, a trip to Dallas is a bit scary.

Justin McCareins, WR, Jets (2 catches, 9 yards): This week, Santana Moss showed up as the No. 1 guy (4 catches, 97 yards).

Drew Brees, QB, Chargers (8-19, 146 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs): Did you really think he'd do it two weeks in a row?

Jerry Rice, WR, Raiders (0 catches, 0 yards): And there goes his streak of 274 games with a reception. At the same time, Doug Gabriel's streak stops at one.

Boo Williams, TE, Saints (0 catches, 0 yards): We're still waiting for that breakout game.

Waiver Wire Wonders

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers (12-20, 176 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs): Could this be the start of the Big Ben era? He had a decent start, especially considering he made his debut against Ray Lewis and the Ravens. He'll have growing pains, but throwing to Hines Ward is a plus.

Chris Simms, QB, Buccaneers (21-32, 175 yards, 1 INT; 4 carries, 13 yards): It could also be the changing of the guard in Tampa Bay as Simms stepped in for Brad Johnson in a loss to the Seahawks. The future could be bright for Simms, though -- he doesn't have to face Oklahoma.

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Patrick Ramsey, QB, Redskins (9-18, 142 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs; 2 carries, 17 yards): Mark Brunell went down with a hamstring injury, but Ramsey wasn't much relief, turning the ball over three times. It doesn't get much better with a trip to Dallas next.

Curtis Conway, WR, 49ers (8 catches, 112 yards): With Cedrick Wilson sitting out, the veteran Conway stepped into the starting lineup and put up numbers that haven't been seen in years. With second-stringer Ken Dorsey starting, maybe it's not a surprise the two were comfortable together.

Aaron Stecker, RB, Saints (15 carries, 41 yards; 6 catches, 19 yards): The former Bucs backup filled in after Deuce McAllister sprained his ankle and probably will be a popular pickup this week. Nice timing for Stecker, since New Orleans cut Ki-Jana Carter before the game, making him the backup by default.

Ronald Curry, WR, Raiders (5 catches, 89 yards, 1 TD): Last week, it was Doug Gabriel. This week, it's Curry, the former North Carolina quarterback, with the big game. With the progression of youngsters coming through, maybe Justin Fargas is next.

Keary Colbert, WR, Panthers (3 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD): He played opposite Mike Williams at USC, but now he could be the go-to guy with Steve Smith injured. He had a reasonably slow start, but he could get there.

Injuries

Deuce McAllister, RB, Saints: He suffered a high ankle sprain early and was replaced by Aaron Stecker. He may be out a couple of weeks.

Todd Heap, TE, Ravens: He missed a good part of the game after twisting his ankle after an alleged cheap shot by Joey Porter.

Kellen Winslow, TE, Browns: He injured his ankle trying to recover an onside safety kick late against the Cowboys.

Drew Brees, QB, Chargers: Not only did he have a mediocre game, he also suffered a concussion in the third quarter. He played a couple of more series before being replaced by Doug Flutie.

Tommy Maddox, QB, Steelers: A bad day got worse when he suffered an elbow injury, opening the door for rookie Ben Roethlisberger to come in. Big Ben probably will start next week.

Kevin Mawae, C, Jets: The All-Pro center broke his hand, which could affect Curtis Martin and Chad Pennington.

Warrick Dunn, RB, Falcons: After scoring two short TDs, he sprained his ankle. T.J. Duckett filled in for him late in the game as Atlanta was running out the clock.

Deion Branch, WR, Patriots: He hurt his knee trying to make a tackle on the last play of the first half.

Mark Brunell, QB, Redskins: A hamstring injury knocked him out in the second half, with Patrick Ramsey replacing him. Brunell is day-to-day.

Fantasy Game of the Week

Jets 34, Chargers 28: It's not the running back TD fest of last week's Broncos-Chiefs game, but it was a chance to see two big-time fantasy backs, Curtis Martin and LaDainian Tomlinson, do their thing.

News, notes and observations

Roy Williams stepped in nicely for the injured Charles Rogers to score his first two NFL TDs. Look for more of the same, although I'm still not sold on Detroit's offense. I'm still waiting for Kevin Jones to go off.

Where was The Bus this week? I guess when you don't get too close to the goal line, he's stuck in park. On the other hand, it was nice to see Eddie George score a touchdown for the Cowboys, although it's hard to figure out how useful he'll be on a weekly basis.

Marshall Faulk wasn't as sharp this week against Atlanta as he was against the Cardinals, one reason the Rams lost Sunday. He's a bit too inconsistent for my taste now.

How aggravating is it for fantasy owners when QBs turn to fullbacks, second-string tight ends and fifth-string wide receivers for touchdowns? Chad Pennington's two TD passes were to Jerald Sowell and Chris Baker. Michael Vick's only TD pass was to Justin Griffith. Kurt Warner's only TD pass was to Tim Carter. Vinny Testaverde's only TD pass was to Jeff Robinson. Even in leagues that give points for receptions, it's hard to recommend any of these guys, and yet they're getting the scores you hope would go to Santana Moss, Peerless Price, Amani Toomer, Keyshawn Johnson, etc.

Speaking of leagues giving points for catches, Domanick Davis is turning into a stud, even if he doesn't score many TDs and fumbles the ball too much.

While Jerry Rice's streak ended, fellow geriatric receiver Tim Brown had seven catches for the Bucs.

It's probably been mentioned before, but the Patriots' offense can be aggravating for fantasy purposes. Tom Brady is a great leader, but on a week-to-week basis, he's maddeningly inconsistent. He was OK but nothing special against Arizona this week. It's hard to pinpoint which receiver will put up big numbers, although anyone could explode in a given week. And now they have Corey Dillon, who despite running over the Cardinals for 158 yards this week is still waiting for his first TD.

It goes without saying, but avoid Baltimore's passing game, especially if Todd Heap can't go. Kevin Johnson led the team with 32 yards receiving, and perennial disappointment Travis Taylor was deactivated in favor of unproven Randy Hymes. And to think there were rumors of using Kordell Stewart and Deion Sanders at receiver.

While it wasn't the same letdown as Quentin Griffin or David Terrell, Priest Holmes had a middling game by his standards with just 82 total yards and a score. Meanwhile, Charlie Garner rebounded after a terrible opener with 99 total yards, but he's still not that highly regarded.

James Quintong is a producer at SI.com