Fantasy Fix: Start/Sit Week 1
We're ready for some football and it's time to set those fantasy rosters.
You do not need your Guru to tell you that Adrian Peterson and Drew Brees should be in your starting lineup. If you liked the players enough to draft them with your two first picks, they should be in your lineup almost every week. But, with deep rosters and it being week one, let's run down some players that have favorable matchups and will help you kick off the fantasy season with a win.
Quarterback
Start
Tony Romo (DAL) vs. the Giants: In two meetings last year, Romo torched the G-men for over 700 yards and four touchdowns. The Giants will shut down the run, but their secondary can be beat. As long as this isn't a playoff game you're safe with Tony Romeo.
Michael Vick (PHI) vs. the Redskins: Washington's secondary was the third worst in the NFL last season. Not much will change this year. Vick looks poised for a comeback year in Chip Kelly's up-tempo offense and the Eagles will need to score 224 points to win.
Sit
Jay Cutler (CHI) vs. the Bengals: Cincinnati has a tough defense and did not allow a 20-plus fantasy QB in its last seven games last season. Cutler is in a new offense and may need a few weeks to get things *holds pinky to mouth* n'sync. Bye, bye, bye.
Josh Freeman (TB) vs. the Jets: Freeman is in a make or break year. While the Jets are a mess, the secondary is one of its strengths. If Freeman is your starter, let's hope your team is strong in other areas like running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and your opponent auto-drafted Tim Tebow.
Running Back
Start
Stevan Ridely (NE) vs. the Bills: Buffalo's run D was 31st in the NFL last year. In two games, Ridley ripped off 200 yards and two touchdowns. The Pats will be looking to run the ball more in the early portion of the season and expect Ridley to carry more rocks than Lamar Odom on a Saturday night.
Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) vs. the Chiefs: Jones-Drew looks fully recovered from last years foot injury and has a lot to prove this season. MJD gets a nice opener in Kansas City who gave up 20 points a game to fantasy running backs a year ago. Who else is going to do anything in Jacksonville? Mark Brunell?
Sit
Eddie Lacy (GB) vs. the 49ers: While Lacy may end up a rookie of the year candidate, he's opening up against one of the NFL's best defenses. If you have a better option on the bench, give him a start this week. That does not mean you start Felix Jones no matter how much you like him.
Giovani Bernard (CIN) vs. the Bears: Bernard is another rookie to watch this season, just not against Chicago. The Bears defense was number three against fantasy backs last season. Welcome to the NFL rook, but you were great on Hard Knocks.
Wide Receiver
Start
Pierre Garçon (WAS) vs. the Eagles: Philly's secondary gave up the sixth most fantasy points to wide receivers last season and that was with Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. They are gone and have been replaced by two guys named Bradley and Cary. Those two names don't exactly strike fear into a guy that has that cool "C" on his jersey.
T.Y. Hilton (IND) vs. the Raiders: Hilton is one of my fantasy sleepers for 2013. He's a solid WR3, has WR2 upside and the Raiders think tackling looks hard.
Sit
Mike Wallace (MIA) vs. the Browns: It's going to take some time for the Wallace/Tannehill tandem to get it going this season. Wallace will have Cleveland cornerback Joe Haden in his hip pocket all day.
Stevie Johnson (BUF) vs. the Patriots: Johnson opened his mouth again this week and said the Pats can't stop him. Patriots nose tackle and amateur meteorologist, Vince Wilfork, said the forecast in New England Sunday calls for pain.
Tight End
Start
Zach Sudfeld (NE) vs. the Bills: Mini-Gronk will be one of Tom Brady's favorite targets until THE Gronk makes it back in week three.
Sit
Greg Olsen (CAR) vs. the Seahawks: Olsen is being drafted too high for my liking this year and he opens the season against the best fantasy defense versus tight ends from a year ago. No, Aaron Hernandez is not available. Is there a prison fantasy league?
Defense/Special Teams
Start
New England Patriots vs. the Bills: The Patriots will let running back C.J. Spiller get his yards, but the Bills are going to have a tough time scoring. Head Coach Bill Belichick usually has his way with rookie QB's and it'll be a long day for Elvis Jesus Manuel.
Sit
Baltimore Ravens vs. the Broncos: Tough first week for the defending champs. The Ravens have a retooled D and face Peyton Manning at home with the best receiving trio in the league. Ray Lewis is not walking through that door. Unfortunately, he'll be evangelizing on ESPN.
Check out The Guru's Top 101 Fantasy Players for 2013.
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