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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