Two of the toughest defenses in the league battle it out on opening night. Great teams, great game, great hype, but what about us fake football managers? Well, these are the games that try our will.
Do you really want to play any of your starters against the Titans and the Steelers? No, but you may have to! Much depends on your roster, but here is a closer look at the fantasy studs and duds for opening night in the NFL:
NFL Opening Night: Start/Sit
Quarterbacks:
Ben Roethlisberger (Pitt) -- Of course, if he is your only QB you have to start him, but hopefully he is your backup. SIT
Kerry Collins (Tenn) -- Double Ditto. SIT
Running Backs:
Willie Parker (Pitt) -- News has been good for Fast Willie this week. He has been named the sole starter and the goalline back. Does that mean he will do anything against the Titans? No, Parker is notorious for doing great against horrible D’s and horrible against great ones. On the other hand, as noted in this SB Nation Fantasy Football column, Fast Willie always starts the season fast. We recommend you SIT Willie if you have other options with favorable matchups, but START him if he is one of your two lead RB’s with a big drop-off after that.
Chris Johnson (Tenn) -- You didn’t draft him early to sit him, but lower your expectations. START
LenDale White (Tenn) -- The best you could hope for is the TD-machine getting in for one score, but don’t expect much yardage. It’s a tricky call, only START him if your options are limited.
Wide Receivers:
Hines Ward (Pitt) -- He is Ben’s smiling security blanket. You’re not going to get a multi-TD, 100 + yard game out of him, but as a third WR you should get a TD and 60 + yards. START
Santonio Holmes (Pitt) -- He will be off and on this year. Look for an off night. SIT
Justin Gage (Tenn) -- He’s high on my #3 receiver list this year, but the good thing about #3 receivers is you should have another one with a better matchup. SIT
Kenny Britt (Tenn) -- I want to say start Britt. Nate Washington will either be out or limited and this will be Britt’s chance to show what he’s about, but you should have better options on your bench. SIT
Tight Ends:
SIT them all.
Defenses:
You didn’t waste an early pick on Pittsburgh and Tennessee to sit them. START
Not a gold mine for fantasy in tonight’s game, but it’s September and it’s football!! Let’s get it on!
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