The NFL season has arrived.
Fantasy team owners love Week 1 because it is a fresh slate. Everyone is undefeated, has the best roster in their league, and has a great new reason to ignore their significant others for 12 hours every Sunday.
The entire week really should be observed as a national holiday.
Opening week is also one of the hardest weeks to predict of the NFL season.
Last year in Week 1 the Bills won in a blowout, the Jaguars won, and the Redskins beat the eventual Super Bowl Champion NY Giants.
There isn’t really much info to be gained in Week 1 so DON’T FREAK OUT if one of the players you are counting on doesn’t perform or if your favorite team loses on opening day…again…for the 8th year in a row.
Fact: Nick roots for the Browns. So fantasy football is really his only way of getting joy out of the NFL season.
Fantasy Football Week 1: Sit ‘Em!
Peyton Manning – QB – Denver Broncos
It is pretty odd seeing Manning suited up in a Broncos uniform. The QB obviously isn’t expected to produce as much as he has in the past for fantasy owners. The Sheriff is still being drafted around the fifth round in most 12-team leagues though (right behind his little brother Eli).
Peyton’s week 1 opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers, had the best pass defense in the NFL last year. The Steelers’ D is a veteran group that has seen Manning a few times before. There are also reports that the QB is having problems throwing to his right.
This is why it would be a good idea to sit Peyton in Week 1 if you have another viable option at QB.
As he is in this picture, Peyton Manning should be sitting when you fill out your Week 1 fantasy football lineups. (Image source: Denver Post)
In fact, the Broncos’ early season schedule is pretty rough. Drafting Manning will pay off later in the year though as the schedule gets a little softer and he gets more comfortable in Denver driving a Subaru Outback and going snowboarding.
Maurice Jones-Drew – RB – Jacksonville Jaguars
It was initially unclear what role the Jaguars would be using MJD in due to his hold out during the offseason, but it was recently reported that MJD would be used as the third down back this weekend.
This does not bode well for fantasy owners with MJD on their team.
While I foresee the Jags getting into a lot of third down situations, I don’t see them being running situations. You may be thinking “but my league is PPR.” Okay…great…but the person throwing him the ball is Blaine Gabbert, so you get a point or half a point every time Blaine Gabbert throws an accurate pass.
Owners might want to wait on MJD until he factors a little more into the Jags’ game plan. That won’t be a long wait, considering the wealth of offensive weapons the Jaguars don’t have.
Cedric Benson – RB –Green Bay Packers? (….really?)
I guess the Green Packers need a running back since all the other teams have one. But their quarterback is Aaron Rodgers, who should throw the ball about 90 times a game this season.
I especially don’t see the Packers running the ball a lot against the 49ers this weekend. San Francisco did an amazing job stopping the run last year giving up less than 80 yards a game on the ground and giving up only three rushing touchdowns all year. San Fran didn’t allow their first rushing touchdown until week 15.
Benson isn’t exactly lightning in a bottle, and sometimes he is pretty high…so I wouldn’t expect much from him this weekend.
Fantasy Football Week 1: Start ‘Em!
Your stars!
When it comes to Week 1, don’t be the GM that tries to get creative with their starting roster. There is a reason that you drafted the players early that you drafted early: it’s because they are expected to put up big numbers.
So, why not count on them in the opening week?
We don’t know who this year’s Victor Cruz is yet. And we don’t know which QB might endure a Josh Freeman-like tumble in value. And no big injures have hit yet to shake the fantasy landscape.
So play your supposed studs this week. And probably next week too. Then you can start thinking about reassessing values.
*****
[Editor's note: Our fantasy coverage will be a bit different this year. Due to time constraints, I have to take a bit more of a backseat this year, which will likely include not being able to answer questions in the comment section. I simply won't have the time to study/research, so you don't want my uninformed opinion anyway!
But, we are very fortunate to have guys like Nick, Pat, and Kurt, along with many others, who will be providing weekly fantasy football coverage you can count on. And if you ask nicely, they might help out with your questions...]
About Nicholas Gerlach
Line up advice?
2 WRs: H. Nicks, E. Decker, Hey-Bey, Bouldin, J. Blackmon
2 RB: A Peterson, K Smith, M Forte
Thanks!
Ok I have Peterson. He most likely won’t be a factor this week. With that being said in my PPR I have s.Jackson starting I need a second rb to start. My reserves are J.Stewart B.Tate J.Rodgers I.Pead. would tate be the best option? Also i can grab tolbert if needed. One more miles or nicks?
nicks and decker and forte and smith
PPR League should i start as a flex option
Blackmon or Ammondola?
Ok so I know you said to sit MJD, but my backups are Felix Jones and CJ Spiller. Would you still sit him or will one of those 2 be a decent fill in?
pick 2 running backs: rice martin jennings or greene
rivers or cutler at quarterback
thanks man
Rice and Martin
Rivers…but I’m tempted to say Cutler bc he is playing at home.
@Megan The sexy pick here is CJ Spiller because he was productive late in the year last year. But Fred Jackson was the top producing fantasy RB until he got hurt last year and will probably be the featured back on Sunday. If you are going to sit MJD I would play Spiller but I might still stick with MJD in your case.
Guys need help! Do i play D murray,Bush,Richardson, Ridley, Toby Gerhart Pick 3.
WR- B Marshall, Torrey Smith, stevie johnson
RB- D Mcfadden, Fred jackson, payton hillis
Two RB’s, Two WR’s, One Flex
I also have Nate Washington, Kendall Wright, and Danny amendola on my bench..
who to start non ppr i got heyward bey vs sd, titus young vs StL, Reggie Wayne vs Chi
What wr is best to pickup Kendall Wright Tenn or Simpson MN i think both will have good year also debating packers or Bills D ? Is Leshoure worth keeping ? or do i drop him for either of the wr i mentioned
i got Peterson Leshoure Mccoy Matthews and Redman is Redman worth keeping ?or do i go for dwyer his backup
so you say sit Manning would you start Williams (SEA) instead?
i need a third wr: ppr leauge
i have:
J. Jone – #1
S. Johnson
J. Blackmon
D. Amendola
Pick two
QB Matthew Stafford, Det QB
RB Darren McFadden, Oak RB
RB Fred Jackson, Buf RB
RB/WR Steve Johnson, Buf WR P
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Ari WR
WR Torrey Smith, Bal WR
TE Vernon Davis, SF TE
D/ST Seahawks D/ST D/ST
K Jason Hanson, Det K
BENCH Justin Blackmon, Jac WR
Bench Rashad Jennings, Jac RB
Bench Nate Washington, Ten WR
Bench David Wilson, NYG RB
Bench Greg Little, Cle WR
Bench Kendall Hunter, SF RB
Bench Jacquizz Rodgers, Atl RB
…Hey all, this is my first PPR season and I’m really hoping to begin my season with a win! any suggestions on who to start? or should I keep the lineup as is?
Pick two, WR non ppr
Harvin, Antonio Brown, AJ Green.
Value of R Jennings over AP or Sproles for week 1?
Rashad Jennings could be a solid start in Week 1 given the issue surrounding MJD.
pick 2
ppr
miles austin
torrey smith
dwayne bowe
Bowe
and Austin and Smith are pretty similar but I would go with Austin because I think the Cowboys/Giants game is going to have a lot of passing.
Guys…I need help big time…Who is a better option @ QB? Romo or Schuab?
I was thinking of starting Dwayne Bowe AND Nate Washington over Steve Johnson this week.I feel Nate has the upper hand with Kenny Britt out and neither him nor Dwayne Bowe have to deal with Reevis Island. I’m really confused with this one so I’m hopin for some help. What would you do and why?
That seems like the good play. It’s pretty tough to tell during week 1. It looks like Johnson is still questionable for week 1. Dwayne Bowe should be a top 10 receiver this year and Nate Washington has some nice upside. If STeve Johnson can play I would play him anyways because he is your stud and it is week 1. Don’t get cute.
Hey guys i could use some help with my flex…any tips? Peyton Hillis and Jaamal Charles are both listed as starting running backs, but Nate Washington could be a good play against the with Kenny Britt out. PLEASE HELP
My Starter as of now
WR- B Marshall, Torrey Smith,
RB- D Mcfadden, Fred jackson,
FLEX- Peyton hillis??????????
Two RB’s, Two WR’s, One Flex
I also have Nate Washington, Kendall Wright,Stevie Johnson, and Danny Amendola on my bench..
Peyton Hillis is a great flex. The Chiefs have said they want to get their RBs a lot of carries this year (at least 500) and Hillis is underrated as a receiver which makes him a great option in PPR leagues.
I have a steve johnson question. He is questionable for week 1, should I be concerned? He is my flex and my other options are:
Justin Blackmon, Jac WR
Rashad Jennings, Jac RB
Nate Washington, Ten WR
Greg Little, Cle WR
Kendall Hunter, SF RB
Jacquizz Rodgers, Atl RB
also, Mark Ingram is available on the waiver wire. Is he worth picking up? who do you suggest I drop?
I currently have Jason Witten for TE. With so many weapons in Dallas right now and Wittens injury lingering I am thinking I should drop him for another TE. I have the option of Pettigrew, Tamme, and Cook. Im actually leaning towards Cook but I was hoping to get another opinion. Thank you. I truly appreciate it.
16 Team Non-PPR League, so it’s slim pickings! Should I go:
Redmond
Amendola or
Alfred Morris
Thanks!