Every week, I will highlight a few players to start and a few players to sit at each position. I’m a firm believer in starting your studs, so I won’t suggest you bench Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson because they have tough matchups – just go ahead and keep them in your lineup. Instead, I’ll focus on the borderline guys – players you’ll only start under the right circumstances. It’s important to note that depending on your roster and situation, you may not be able to follow these recommendations. For example, if I suggest you bench a solid starter like Tony Romo, only do so if you have a clearly better option on your bench.
The “love ‘em” players are listed in the order that I’d start them this week.
Phillip Rivers is a great start against a Chiefs pass defense that was really sketchy last season…I get the sense that Thursday’s matchup between the Vikings and Saints is going to be a high scoring affair, so that bodes well for Brett Favre, who will probably be in a position to pass a lot as Minny tries to keep pace with New Orleans…Looking for a few sleepers? Kyle Orton (@ JAX), Josh Freeman (vs. CLE), Alex Smith (@ SEA) and David Garrard (vs. DEN) all have good matchups this week.
Ronnie Brown should find plenty of running lanes against the Bills, who were 30th in the league against the rush last season…Don’t be surprised if Jerome Harrison has a big week against a Bucs’ rush defense that was last in the league in 2009. The Browns have a good offensive line and Harrison’s major competition for touches (Montario Hardesty) is out for the season…Matt Forte couldn’t ask for a better matchup than the Lions this week, though only time will tell whether or not Mike Martz is willing to give him enough touches to be a full-time fantasy starter…Carnell Williams should be able to take advantage of the Browns’ rush defense, which finished 28th last season.
Malcom Floyd steps into the Chargers’ WR1 role and has a great matchup with the Chiefs to begin the season…Pierre Garcon is a sneaky good start against a rather mediorce Texans pass defense…Mike Williams (TB) should have his coming out party against the Browns, who were 29th against the pass last season…Johnny Knox and Devin Hester face the Lions, so assuming Jay Cutler can stay upright long enough to throw the ball, they should be able to post nice numbers…For a couple of sleepers, look no further than Louis Murphy (@ TEN) and Laurent Robinson (vs. ARI). Both players have been thrust into WR1 roles and they have favorable matchups this week.
Three solid starters have tough matchups this week: Joe Flacco (@ NYJ), Matt Ryan (@ PIT) and Eli Manning (vs. CAR). They’re still startable, but don’t expect big numbers in Week 1…I’d still run Matt Schaub out there, but Indy had a good pass defense last season, so Schaub’s numbers may be depressed a bit…Don’t touch Mark Sanchez (vs. BAL), Matt Moore (@ NYG) or Jake Delhomme (@ TBB) this week.
There are a number of good running backs with bad matchups this week, so lower those expectations: Ray Rice (@ NYJ), Deangelo Williams (@ NYG), Pierre Thomas (vs. MIN), Ryan Grant (@ PH), Shonn Greene (vs. BAL) and Michael Turner (@ PIT)…Marion Barber has a tough matchup against the Redskins, who only allowed 10 rush TDs in 2009…In that same game, Clinton Portis faces a Cowboys defense that was 4th in the league against the rush and only allowed seven rush TDs last season.
I’d stay away from Mohammed Massaquoi, as the Bucs’ pass defense wasn’t terrible last season…Carolina excelled against the pass last season, so don’t expect Hakeem Nicks or Steve Smith 2.0 to go off in Week 1 (though both players are both startable)…Steer clear of all Seattle (vs. SF) and Tennessee (vs. OAK) receivers this week until we know more about who’s going to get the most targets. Both teams have bad matchups this week.
