Week 1: Start Em, Sit Em

Week 1 Start Em, Sit Em

By: Armando Marsal

Quarterbacks

Start Em

Derek Carr, OAK at NO -€” There was one thing I did last season that worked out for me and that was start my quarterbacks against the Saints defense. The Saints surrendered the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks last season. They allowed 284 passing yards per game and 45 passing touchdowns which was the most allowed by a defense last season. The implied point total in this matchup is 51 points with just a one point spread. Plug Carr into your lineup and grab some popcorn because this game should be a shootout.

Other Starts

Matthew Stafford, DET at IND

Jameis Winston, TB at ATL

Tyrod Taylor, BUF at BAL

Eli Manning, NYG at DAL

Sleeper Alert: Brock Osweiller, HOU vs. CHI

Sit Em

Philip Rivers, SD at KC -€” I am a fan of Rivers this season, but not this week. He has struggled immensely against the Chiefs in his last four outings. Last season he failed two score double digit fantasy points in any of the two games against the Chiefs. Opposing quarterbacks in general struggled against them. They allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points and just 231 passing yards per game. They also accounted for 22 interceptions which was the second most last year. If you able to, it may be best to leave Rivers on your bench this week and wait for a better matchup.

Other Sits

Ryan Tannehill, MIA at SEA

Jay Cutler, CHI at HOU

Marcus Mariota, TEN vs. MIN

Bust Alert: Andy Dalton, CIN at NYJ

Running Backs

Start Em

Mark Ingram, NO vs. OAK -€” Ingram could be in for a big week against the Raiders. They allowed 87 rushing yards and 46.8 receiving yards per game to opposing backs. They also allowed 13 total touchdowns and 98 receptions.  Ingram averaged five receptions per game last season and accounted for 68.1 percent of the Saints red zone rushes. He should be very active in what should be a high scoring game.

Other Starts

Ryan Matthews, PHI vs. CLE

Latavius Murray, OAK at NO

DeAngelo Williams, PIT at WAS

Frank Gore, IND vs. DET

Sleeper alert: Spencer Ware, KC vs. SD

Sit Em

Jonathan Stewart, CAR at DEN -€”   Stewart is a high volume back and normally offers a safe floor. However, this week he heads to mile high stadium to face one of the stingiest run defenses in the league. The Broncos allowed just one 100+ rushing yards game last season and they surrendered only three rushing touchdowns at home. Stewart scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl against the Broncos, but rushed for just 29 yards. This is not a spot where I would feel confident having Stewart in my lineup.

Other Sits

Melvin Gordon, SD at KC

Carlos Hyde, SF vs. LAR

Chris Ivory, JAC vs. GB

Arian Foster, MIA at SEA

Bust Alert: DeMarco Murray, TEN vs. MIN

Wide Receivers

Start Em

Donte Moncrief, IND vs. DET -€” I have really high expectations for Moncrief this season and I think he begins to do well as early as Week 1. This game has the highest implied point total of the slate. Andrew Luck played in seven games last season, in those games, averaged 7.7 targets, 4.6 receptions, 50 yards, and 14.3 fantasy points (PPR formats) per game. He also scored a touchdown in five of those games. The only two games he struggled in were versus the Panthers and Broncos, who are good defenses. The Lions are not nearly as good defensively and Moncrief should have himself a solid outing.

Other Starts

Golden Tate, DET at IND

Michael Crabtree, OAK at NO

Sammy Watkins, BUF at BAL

Willie Snead, NO vs. OAK

Sleeper Alert: Marvin Jones, DET at IND

Sit Em

Julian Edelman, NE at ARI -€” There are several things that concern me about Edelman. The first and most obvious is that Tom Brady is not playing in this game. The second is that he heads to Arizona to take on a really good defense. The Cardinals allowed the sixth fewest fantasy points per game to opposing receivers last year. Lastly, Edelman is coming off of multiple foot surgeries which is concerning. He can be a PPR machine, but this is not an ideal situation.

Other Sits

Emmanuel Sanders, DEN vs. CAR

Kelvin Benjamin, CAR vs. DEN

Stefon Diggs, MIN at TEN

Kenny Stills, MIA at SEA

Bust Alert: John Brown, ARI vs. NE

Tight Ends

Start Em

Jason Witten, DAL vs. NYG

Dwayne Allen, IND vs. DET

Clive Walford, OAK at NO

Sit Em

Antonio Gates, SD at KC

Jordan Cameron, MIA at SEA

Martellus Bennett, NE at ARI

Defense

Start Em

Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears

Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers

Sit Em

New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals

Oakland Raiders at New Orleans Saints