More Start/Sit

The first game is in the books, but we have 15 more contests this weekend that should have infinitely more fantasy impact than last night’s low scoring game. Week one is always the hardest to predict because we had preseason surprises from guys who probably won’t actually play this week, and we didn’t get to see much of the guys who will be fantasy staples each week. I’ll try to avoid the obvious top-tier guys. We all know you play guys like Tom Brady and Adrian Peterson, regardless of match up.

Quarterbacks:
Matt Hasselbeck, QB SEA ~ Playing this week against a weak St. Louis defense you can almost pencil in a 2-3 TD performance and 300+ yards passing.
Shaun Hill, SFO - The Cards rank 31st against the pass. Nuff said.
Joe Flacco, BAL - Yes, I called his number. The Ravens are playing the lowly Chiefs this weekend and the team is opening up Flacco’s play book. With the running game doing most of the work, look for Flacco to get some nice open shots, and a lot of yardage. His primary target will be Todd Heap, who is regaining some of his old luster and is playing against a team who was 27th in points allowed to TE’s last year.
Carson Palmer, CIN - Play him while he’s healthy, and facing a weak defense.
Mark Sanchez, NYJ - I like this kid a lot, and so does my colleague Mike Sholty.

So you think I’m a certified nut for recommending Sanchez in the first game of his NFL career? Am I really that crazy though? Sanchez has been very impressive in the preseason throwing 24 – 37 with 347 PaYds, 3 TDs and only 1 INT. Forget what you learned about Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco last year. This kid is beyond a “spot starter” in 12 team leagues. This kid is the real deal, and he will show us all from the start why he was one of the top draft picks. I expect him to be in the top 15 QBs this year but I really really wouldn’t be surprised if he was a top 10 QB by the end of the year.
Running Backs:
Mike Bell, NO - Pierre Thomas is likely out this week, and Bell will make the most of it. He’s a waiver grab in most leagues.
Ray Rice, BAL - I’ve received several e-mails this week about whether to play Rice, and my answer is Hell Yes. The Chiefs rush defense is terrible, and Rice should easily eclipse 100 yards.
Cedric Benson, CIN - I loathe to call this guy’s name, ever, but this is the week I’m forced to. I expect a big game from Benson, then I recommend selling him while his value is high.
Fred Jackson, BUF - The lone bright spot this week for the Bills may be Jackson, who will be fed the ball often, as their passing game struggles.

Julius Jones, RB, SEA. Jones is terrible, and I ultimately see him giving way to Edgerrin James and Justin Forsett, but in week one I think he’ll hit the 100 yard mark. St. Louis was tragic against the run last season, and in game three last year Jones lit them up for 140 yards, 1 TD and a 6.4 YPC clip. It was his best performance of 2008.
Wide Receivers:
Josh Morgan, SFO - Shaun Hill’s top receiving threat will get plenty of looks, especially if the Arizona offense gets off to a sizable lead. The Cards rank 31st against the pass.
Donnie Avery, STL - Seattle ranked dead last against the pass, and Marc Bulger will need to open it up early and often to keep up and take some pressure off Steven Jackson.

Chris Henry, CIN - Henry converts his preseason magic in week one against the Broncos, while Champ Bailey is busy lock-stepping Ochocinco.

Anthony Gonzalez, IND ~ This is Gonzo’s year to break it big, and he starts this week, while the Jags double team Reggie Wayne.
Tight Ends:
Jeremy Shockey, NO - This might be the only week I call his name. Detroit surrendered the third most points to tight ends in 2008, and Brees likes to find his tight ends. With Billy Miller out, that leaves Shock-monkey. Not to mention Sean Peyton is the man you want coaching your fantasy player.
Dustin Keller, NYJ - I think Keller begins his breakout campaign this week against the Texans.
Vinsanthe Shiancoe - While the Browns play tight ends tough, my gut tells me Favre finds him for a score this weekend.
Todd Heap, BAL - He may not be all he once was, but he and Flacco have been connecting this preseason.
Kellen Winslow, TB - Winslow may be the lone bright spot for the Bucs this week.

Zach Miller, OAK - He may be the lone Raider to find the end zone this week.
Kickers:
Josh Brown, STL - Seattle surrendered the most points to kickers last year, and Brown is coming home. I like him to have a nice day.

Joe Nedney, SFO - Something tells me he’ll be kicking a lot Sunday.
Defense:
Cincinnati Bengals Defense - They make a nice plug and play option against a struggling Denver Broncos team.
San Diego Chargers Defense - The Raiders are just not much of a threat right now. Their passing and running games are a mess. I break down all the defensive angles here team by team.

Quarterbacks:
Matt Cassell, KC - Or whoever plays in his place. Week one is going to be a fantasy wasteland this week for the Chiefs.
Matthew Stafford, DET - He may have a few viable weeks, but he’ll barely be on the field in week one, and his 4-1 interception to TD rating doesn’t bode well for a grand start.
Kyle Orton, DEN - Why would you ever play this guy? Plus Brandon Marshall is just now getting back into action and Orton isn’t 100%.
Trent Edwards, BUF - I like Edwards this year, but he hasn’t had time to gel with his receivers, and they play the Pats on the road.

Eli Manning, NYG - The G-men rely on the running game, and Manning has yet to find confidence with any of his young receivers. The Redskins gave up the 7th fewest points to QB’s last season. I expect a tight air game.
Running Backs:
Jamal Lewis/James Davis, CLE - Bench any running back playing the Minnesota defense if you have better options.
Pierre Thomas, NO - He’s not likely to play and if he does, he will lose a lot of snaps to Bell and Bush.
Larry Johnson, KC - He’ll have the weight of the team on his shoulders, and the weight of the Ravens defense on his back.
Clinton Portis, WAS - Portis still has gas in the tank, but he’ll be stuck in a traffic jam of defensive linemen this week. He won’t have much fantasy value in week one.

Darren McFadden, OAK - Too many questions, too few opportunities.
Wide Receivers:
Lee Evans/Terrell Owens, BUF. This week against the Pats does not bode well for either Bills receiver. If you have a better option play them. Otherwise, cross your fingers.
Dwayne Bowe, KC - It’s hard to bench a starter, but against the Ravens D, and a wobbly quarterback situation, I don’t see any value this week for Bowe.
Torry Holt, JAX - Torry was a nice pick up for the Jags, but he won’t pay dividends this week. If any Jacksonville receiver breaks out, look for Troy Williamson to get behind the secondary.
Ted Ginn, Jr., MIA - He has bust written all over him this preseason, and I certainly don’t see him breaking out against Atlanta.

Antonio Bryant, TB - He had his 15 minutes of fantasy glory, the Cowboys will help bring him back to earth this week.
Tight Ends:
Tony Gonzalez, ATL - Love me some G, but not against the Miami defense which were murder on tight ends last season (4.2 fantasy points per game). That said, unless you have a stud back up, you may be stuck playing him. And of course, Tony is the one tight end who can defy all the odds.
Chris Cooley, WAS - If you have a solid back up, bench him against the G-men this week who surrendered a mere 3.7 fantasy points per game last season to tight ends.

John Carlson, SEA - I really like Carlson to have a big season, but in week one I think the heroes will be Julius Jones, Houshmandzadeh and Nate Burleson. Carlson will get some looks, but not enough to count.

Kickers:
Adam Vinitieri, IND - The golden leg is rusty and hurt. He will play but I have more confidence in him missing than hitting his marks.

Phil Dawson, CLE - It’s going to be an ugly day for the Browns all the way around and I don’t have any love for their lonely kicker this week.
Defense:

Chicago Bears Defense - I seldom recommend sitting these guys, but this week’s game looks to be a shoot out.

by: Rustyn Rose @ Top Fantasy Football