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Welcome back to meaningful football.
It’s time to spend your Sundays in front of the tv screen, refreshing your lineups every second.
Here are your players who help you put a smile on your face after the first and ones that could leave you crying your flat beer and cold wings.
Quarterbacks: Who To Start Week 1
Russell Wilson vs. Bengals
Although Wilson lost a huge target in Doug Baldwin due to retirement, he gained the 6’3” 229lb D.K. Metcalf.
Wilson will have the pressure off him with the ground game of Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny to rely on.
The Bengals were one of worst ranked defenses last year giving the most passing yards (4,414), and most passing yards per game (275.9).
Tom Brady vs. Steelers
Brady has a not only a great history against the Steelers but especially at home, going 4-0 including the playoffs in which he’s thrown for 18 touchdowns and zero interceptions with a 69.01 competition percentage.
This looks to be a high scoring event on both sides.
Other QBs to start: Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, Kirk Cousins
Sleeper: Josh Allen vs. Jets
The Jets have a solid front defensive line that includes Steve McLendon and this year’s number three overall pick Quinnen Williams, but the Bills have made improvements at their offensive line including Quinton Spain.
Allen’s is going to have some time in the pocket, and with a less than stellar secondary, he’s going to have a good opening week.
Quarterbacks: Who To Sit Week 1
Cam Newton vs. Rams
Newton had off-season shoulder surgery and developed an all-new throwing motion to complement it.
His first-week matchup could not get any worse as he’ll have the reigning defensive player of the year Aaron Donald coming after him.
I think he’ll be a slow start to the season but will surge after a few games.
Sam Darnold vs. Bills
The Jets made a major overall by bringing in former Dolphins coach Adam Gase, then without even coaching a single game, he was promoted to general manager.
Gang Green added some offensive weapons in the offseason including Le’Veon Bell.
Darnold had a decent rookie campaign but does not start the season with favorable matchup; the Bills gave up the least amount of fantasy points to quarterbacks last year.
With the Bills much-improved offense, this game could be over quick.
Matt Ryan vs. Vikings
Matt Ryan has been one of the best fantasy quarterbacks throughout his career, and I’m sure he will have another great season, I just don’t think it starts this week.
The Vikings were one of best pass defenses at home last year only giving up four touchdown passes while only giving up a little over ten fantasy points per game to visiting quarterbacks
Other QBs to sit: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Marcus Mariotta, Derek Carr
Running Backs: Who To Start Week 1
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Chris Carson vs. Bengals
I feel very comfortable starting offensive players on the Seahawks in the opening week.
Carson earned the lead back slot from the Seattle’s 2018 1st pick Rashaad Penny for the second year in a row.
The Bengals’ defense ranked fourth worse in allowed rushing yards per game with 137.8.
Penny is also is a strong flex option, but Carson will be getting the bulk of the carries.
Mark Ingram vs. Dolphins
While Alvin Kamara was the bulk of the running game in New Orleans, Ingram was the brute.
Primarily used for 3rd down and goal-line plays, the Ravens brought him in to be the workhorse in that offense. The Dolphins were the second-worst rushing defense in 2018.
The Ravens will have control of this game, so they’ll rundown the clock and pound the rock.
Sleeper: Matt Brieda vs. Buccaneers
With Jerrick McKinnon missing his second consecutive season with a knee injury, San Fransisco will look to Brieda to lead that running game.
Last season, Brieda ran for 106 yards against Tampa Bay, I see him going over the century mark again.
Tevin Coleman will see some carries himself, but I don’t think that will hurt Brieda’s value too much.
Others RBs to start: Kerryon Johnson, Phillip Lindsay, David Montgomery
Running Backs: Who To Sit Week 1
Marlon Mack vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Another player who saw his value drop with Luck’s retirement is Mack.
I don’t think he’s going to be a bust this season, but I just don’t he’ll be the low-end RB1 we we’re once expecting.
Going against a high-powered offense in the Chargers, the Colts will probably play from behind early and abandon the run game.
LeSean McCoy vs. Jaguars
McCoy’s stock his risen significantly since he’s returned to play for his old coach in Andy Reid.
This isn’t the same LeSean from Philadelphia; he’s coming off his worse statistical year and now 31 years old.
The Chiefs’ backfield situation is complicated when you add Damien Williams and Jaguars defense.
Stay away from this situation completely for the time being.
James White vs. Pittsburgh
I love White for the season, especially as a PPR running back, but I don’t see him having success this week.
White overall has not played well against the Steelers.
In four games, he only has 77 yards from scrimmage and 1 touchdown, hold off on him for this week.
Others RBs to sit: Kenyan Drake, Aaron Jones, Jordan Howard
Wide Receivers: Who To Start Week 1
Kenny Golladay vs. Cardinals
The Lions’ wideout is coming a successful 1,000+ receiving yard season.
He will take on an Arizona defense that was not very good against wideout; they were the fifth worse with an average of 22.4 fantasy points per game.
Golliday also will not see star corner Patrick Peterson, he’s serving a four-game suspension for PEDs, or Robert Alford who suffered a broken leg in the preseason.
Dede Westbrook vs. Chiefs
Westbrook was the favorite target for new Jaguars’ quarterback Nick Foles.
Last year, the Chiefs gave up the fourth-most receptions and receiving yards to wide receivers, and although they have made some improvements to their defense.
The Chiefs will try to outscore opponents instead of stopping teams.
Sleeper: Tyler Boyd vs. Seattle
With AJ Green not suiting up this week, Dalton will look to Boyd to fill the void.
This is going more of a case of volume; the Bengals will probably be playing from behind most of the game, Boyd will have a ton of opportunities.
Other WRs to start: Julian Edelman, Will Fuller, Chris Goodwin
Wide Receivers: Who To Sit Week 1
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T.Y. Hilton vs. Chargers
To all the Hilton owners who drafted him before Andrew Luck’s retirement, I’m sorry.
You can also put his value out to pasture as he no longer should be a start ‘em and forget ‘em.
Brissett has never had a good rapport with Hilton, and with the Chargers giving up the fourth-fewest touchdowns to wide receivers at home, he rides the bench.
Dante Pettis vs. Tampa Bay
I’m not high on any 49er pass-catchers besides George Kittle for the time being.
This week they’re going to look to establish the run game against the weak Bucs run defense, Pettis isn’t going to get the volume to make an impact.
Jarvis Landry vs. Tennesse
Another notable receiver I’m not high on this week or the foreseeable future is Landry.
A dependent PPR receiver in the past, the addition of Odell Beckem Jr. is going to diminish his targets significantly.
Keep him on the bench for the time being and see how this plays out.
Other WRs to sit: Calvin Ridley, Corey Davis, Robby Anderson
Tight Ends: Who To Start Week 1
Jared Cook vs. Texans
Cook comes to New Orleans after leading the Raiders in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in 2018.
This year he gets to be in a much better offense with all-time great Drew Brees as the quarterback and the league’s top offensive players in running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Michael Thomas.
The Texans took a hit to their defensive line when they traded Javeon Clowney this week; this will give Cook more breathing room.
Hunter Henry vs. Indianapolis Colts
Henry missed the entire 2018 regular season when he suffered a torn ACL in OTAs.
He returns for the Chargers lineup with a favorable matchup.
The Colts gave up the most receptions and receiving yards to tight ends last season, and 9.4 fantasy points per game were the fourth-most.
Sleeper: Mark Andrews vs. Dolphins
Everything about the Dolphins is terrible. I’m confident starting any offensive starter in a Ravens uniform.
Last year, Miami gave up nine touchdowns to tight ends, third-most in the league.
I forecast Andrews getting into the end zone at least once this week.
Others TEs to start: Evan Engram, Delanie Walker, O.J. Howard
Tight Ends: Who To Sit Week 1
Eric Ebron vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Seeing a trend here?
Eric Ebron has tremendous success with Andrew Luck, but when Brissett is behind center, his targets have significantly dropped.
There’s also has a healthy Jack Doyle who Brissett was the more favorable target when he had the starting the job a couple of years ago.
David Njoku vs. Los Angeles Rams
The tight end is such a thin position and most drafted Njoku as their TE1, but I don’t he should be in your lineup this week.
It’s hard to feel confident about any Browns pass catcher besides Beckem Jr. till we see how Baker Mayfield spreads the ball.
Secondly, the Ram defense tallowed he fewest amount of touchdowns to tight ends with only two last year.
Austin Hooper vs. Minnesota
Another player that owners are looking to as a top option this year at the tight end is the Hooper.
His starts the season with a tough matchup in Minnesota who only gave up one touchdown at home to the position last year.
Others TEs to sit: Jimmy Graham, Greg Olsen, T.J. Hockenson
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John “Supi” Supowitz is graduate from Quinnipiac University with a Masters in Sports Journalism. He is also currently a part of the Game Day Production Staff for a minor league baseball team. If you want to pique his interest, bring up the Yankees, pro-wrestling, or King of The Hill. You can follow him on Twitter @Imthatsupi85 and Instagram @Imthatsupi.
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