Week 1: Start Em, Sit Em

Quarterbacks

Start Em

Sam Bradford, PHI at ATL - Bradford has looked good in the preseason and appears to be healthy. He had a big game against the Packers in the team's third preseason game, as he threw for 121 yards and three touchdown, and led the Eagles to three consecutive touchdown drives. Bradford has the potential to be a very good quarterback under this system so long as he can remain healthy. To begin the season, the Eagles head to Atlanta to take on the Falcons who surrendered the most passing yards last season (4,478). This game has shootout written all over it. Vegas opened the lines at 53.5 O/U and Falcons +1. Since then the O/U has moved to 55 and Falcons are +3. This implies that it should be close and a lot of points will be scored. This Eagles offense expects to run 80+ offensive plays on a weekly basis. This could present plenty of opportunities for the Eagles to score. For those who drafted Bradford in hopes that he pans out and stays healthy, Week 1 is the time to plug him in and give him a go.

Other Starts

Eli Manning, NYG at DAL

Ryan Tannehill, MIA at WAS

Tony Romo, DAL vs. NYG

Tom Brady, NE vs. PIT

Sleeper Alert: Teddy Bridgewater, MIN at SF

Sit Em

Cam Newton, CAR at JAC - Newton doesn't have a ton of weapons to choose from in Week 1.  His group of receivers are as follows: Corey Brown, Ted Ginn, and Devin Funchess. It's tough to have any type of excitement for Newton with that list of receivers, especially when he struggles with accuracy. Of that group, only Funchess is taller than six feet, meaning his targets aren't that big. The Jaguars defense isn't elite by any means, but they did play well at home. Of their eight home games, they only allowed more than one touchdown pass in two of those games. He's always capable of getting it done with his legs, but the Jags only surrendered 189 yards and one touchdown to opposing quarterbacks on the ground. With the lack of weapons and a respectable defense, Newton can't be trusted in Week 1. There are better options to choose from this week.

Other Sits

Colin Kaepernick, SF vs. SEA

Jay Cutler, CHI vs. GB

Joe Flacco, BAL at DEN

Kirk Cousins, WAS vs. MIA

Bust Alert: Russell Wilson, SEA at STL

Running Backs

Start Em

Doug Martin, TB vs. TEN - Martin separated himself from all of the other backs in the Bucs offense during the preseason and now has a strangle hold on the starting gig. He takes on a Titans defense that struggled immensely against the run last season. The Titans defense surrendered the second most rushing yards (2,195) and allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing backs (21.2) last year. Not to mention the third most rushing touchdowns (17). The Bucs have rookie quarterback Jameis Winston under center to start off the season, so chances are they will try to run as often as possible to keep the pressure off of him, especially against such a vulnerable run defense. Martin could be in for a big game.

Other Starts

Latavius Murray, OAK vs. CIN

Andre Ellington, ARI vs. NO

Lamar Miller, MIA at WAS

Ameer Abdullah, DET at SD

Sleeper alert: Ryan Mathews, PHI at ATL

Sit Em

Alfred Morris, WAS vs. MIA - Morris takes on Miami who has improved dramatically on the defensive line with the addition of Ndamukong Suh. If you look at last year's numbers, you may consider Morris as a solid option, but Suh makes all the difference and this line has a shot to be elite against the run. Last season, the Lions were one of the best run defenders in the league and he had a lot to do with that. Morris is also running behind a mediocre offensive line that may have trouble opening holes for him. Another concern is if the Redskins fall behind, Morris could be a victim of fewer carries. He can't catch out of the backfield and is likely to receive less snaps if the team playing catch up. While it may be difficult for some to bench Morris, this matchup is not one I'd like to have him in my lineup for.

Other Sits

Tre Mason, STL vs. SEA

Isaiah Crowell, CLE at NYJ

Melvin Gordon, SD vs. DET

Alfred Blue, HOU vs. KC

Bust Alert: Mark Ingram, NO at ARI

Wide Receivers

Start Em

Jordan Matthews, PHI at ATL - If I have Bradford on this list, it only makes sense to start Matthews, right? The Atlanta Falcons surrendered the most receiving yards last season (4,618). That equates to 288.6 receiving yards per game. I'll take that every day of the week. As a rookie, Matthews displayed his ability to be a reliable and consistent receiver. He starts off the season with a great matchup and a perfect situation to get his season started off right. Like I mentioned above, this game has a high O/U and could be a potential shootout. Matthews should see plenty of targets and be in a good spot to score some fantasy points.

Other Starts

Davante Adams, GB at CHI

Jarvis Landry, MIA at WAS

Allen Robinson, JAC vs. CAR

John Brown, ARI vs. NO

Sleeper Alert: Charles Johnson, MIN at SF

Sit Em

Sammy Watkins, BUF vs. IND - Believe it or not the Colts actually allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. I'm also concerned with the injuries that Watkins has dealt with in the offseason. Add a shaky passing quarterback into the mix and there's not much to like about Watkins in Week 1. This offense will strive on the run game because they will rely on their defense to win games. I'd also like to see Watkins and Tyrod Taylor build some chemistry, before I can start having faith in Watkins. He was inefficient last season as far as catch rate is concerned (caught just 51% of his passes) and has a quarterback that isn't known for his passing abilities. There's a lot of red flags surrounding Watkins in Week 1, so I'd keep him on your bench.

Other Sits

Brandon Marshall, NYJ vs. CLE

Torrey Smith, SF vs. MIN

Brian Quick, STL vs. SEA

Steve Smith, BAL at DEN

Bust Alert: DeSean Jackson, WAS vs. MIA

Tight Ends

Start Em

Jordan Cameron, MIA at WAS

Delanie Walker, TEN at TB

Kyle Rudolph, MIN at SF

Sit Em

Heath Miller, PIT at NE

Vernon Davis, SF vs. MIN

Charles Clay, BUF vs. IND

Defense

Start Em

Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins

New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns

Sit Em

Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts

Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos

Twitter: @Armando_Marsal