Week 1 Start Em, Sit Em

Armando Marsal
Fantasy Writer
@Armando_fbguru

 

Quarterbacks

Start'Em

Colin Kaepernick, SF at DAL - The 49ers will head to Dallas to take on the Cowboys who were one of the worst defenses last year. They didn't do much to improve their defense this off-season and lost some key players as well. The Cowboys defense allowed 287 yards per game through the air last season and 33 passing touchdowns (tied for 2^nd most). Kaepernick kicked off last season with a huge game. He threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns against the Packers. While it may be difficult to duplicate those numbers, another big season opener is very likely. He only threw for over 300 yards twice last season. However, the Niners defense is not as threatening as it has been in years past, so the offense will have to produce more points in order to win games. Get ready to see Kaepernick's signature move after scoring, often in Week 1.

Other Starts

 Jay Cutler, CHI vs. BUF

Carson Palmer, ARI vs. SD

Tony Romo, DAL vs. SF

Russell Wilson, SEA vs. GB

Sleeper Alert: Jake Locker, TEN at KC

Sit Em

Cam Newton, CAR at TB- The Panthers decided to part ways with receivers Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell this offseason, leaving Newton with a handful of inexperienced receivers. They drafted Kelvin Benjamin to fill in the void, but he's a rookie and one who hasn't played many games in his young careers.  The team also added a couple of veterans, but it's still an underwhelming group of receivers. In addition, Newton is coming off ankle surgery and also suffered a hairline fracture in his ribs during a preseason game. One of Newton's biggest assets is his legs, and with his injuries and no outside threats it may be difficult to move the ball on the ground as defense will stack the box. While the Bucs defense is not one that frightens opposing offenses, new head Coach Lovie Smith is a defensive minded coach which will help them on the defensive side. I don't recommend you start this season with Newton under center on your fantasy team.

Other Sits

Alex Smith, KC vs. TEN

Eli Manning, NYG at DET

Andy Dalton, CIN at BAL

Joe Flacco, BAL vs. CIN

Bust Alert: Philip Rivers, SD at ARI

Running Backs

Start Em

Monte Ball, DEN vs. IND - Ball is expected to fill in some big shoes this season, as he will try to produce at the level that Knowshon Moreno did last season. He starts off the season by taking on the team that ranked 26^th against the run last season. The Colts allowed 125.1 yards per game and 14 rushing touchdowns last year. Ball averaged 4.7 yards per carries on 120 attempts as a rookie. He found the end zone three times seven games of the season in 2013. In what should be a high scoring, Ball should get several opportunities to score. He's one of my breakout candidates for this season, and I'm expecting him to start the year off with a bang.

Other Starts

Pierre Thomas, NO at ATL

Frank Gore, SF at DAL

Joique Bell, DET vs. NYG

Zac Stacy, STL vs. MIN

Sleeper alert: Fred Jackson, BUF at CHI

Sit Em

Steven Jackson, ATL vs. NO - Jackson is coming off an injury plagued season and already missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury. He is expected to be ready for Week 1 against the Saints. Jackson actually did well against the Saints last season. He totaled 140 rushing yards on 27 carries and one touchdown. He also caught eight passes for 61 yards. However, the Falcons lost a big piece of their offensive line due to injury and Jackson's hamstring issue this preseason shows that he has durability issues. Not to mention the Saints defense allowed just 11 rushing touchdowns last season. Lastly, Jackson averaged a career low 3.5 yards per carry last season. This is not the week to roll with Jackson.

Other Sits

Maurice Jones-Drew, OAK vs. NYJ

Trent Richardson, IND at DEN

Bernard Pierce, BAL vs. CIN

Bishop Sankey, TEN at KC

Bust Alert: Rashad Jennings, NYG at DET

Wide Receivers

Start Em

Michael Crabtree, SF at DAL - Someone has to catch passes from Kaepernick, and that someone is Crabtree. It's clear that Crabtree is Kaepernick's favorite target. As mentioned above, the Cowboys defense allowed 287 yards per game through the air last season and 33 receiving touchdowns (tied for 2^nd most). Crabtree is entering his contract year. He's penciled in as a breakout candidate, and what better way to start the season than with arguably the worst defense in the league. These types of matchups that fantasy football owners look forward too. If you own him in your league make sure you have him in your starting lineup for Week 1.

Other Starts

Eric Decker, NYJ vs. OAK

Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN at STL

Vincent Jackson, TB vs. CAR

Marques Colston, NO at ATL

Sleeper Alert: Terrence Williams, DAL vs. SF

Sit Em

DeSean Jackson, WAS at HOU - Jackson was a top 10 fantasy receiver last season. However a new team and new system has completely changed his value. There are more mouths to feed in Washington, which means fewer opportunities for Jackson. Jackson has boom-or-bust written all over him and that's not the way you want to start off your season. I'd like to see how much of the offense if geared towards Jackson before fully trusting him. For this week, I'd rather play it safe and keep him on my bench.

Other Sits

Cecil Shorts, JAC at PHI

Sammy Watkins, BUF at CHI

Mike Wallace, MIA vs. NE            

Torrey Smith, BAL vs. CIN

Bust Alert: Keenan Allen, SD at ARI

Tight Ends

Start Em

Zach Ertz, PHI vs. JAC

Vernon Davis, SF at DAL

Jordan Reed, WAS at HOU

Sit Em

Jared Cook, STL vs. MIN

Tyler Eifert CIN at BAL

Delanie Walker, TEN at KC

Defense/Special Teams

Start Em

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers

Sit Em

San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks