NFL Week 1: Start/Sit

Quarterbacks

Joe Flacco -- He has been more than impressive in preseason completing 40 of 61 passes for 470 yards and no interceptions. That is what we call efficient. TD’s will be hard to come by but he is a good matchup play especially at home verse the KC Chiefs.

Matt Hasselbeck -- If you have Hass you may want to run him out there before he sneezes and ruptures his back again. And at home against the Rams is the time to do that. With a consistent receiver in Houshmandzadeh, a well rested back and a game in the Emerald City against a bad defense there isn’t much else you can ask for.

Carson Palmer -- Is he back? His ankle sprain has some worried, but he has been practicing and looking fine and he gets the Broncos poor pass D in the Jungle. With the reemergence of Chris Henry and talk of a Ochocinco comeback things look good for Palmer. If you drafted him you have to play him here.

Running Backs

Mike Bell -- As long as Pierre Thomas is dinged up, Bell should get the bulk of the carries (goaline included), while Bush gets the passes out of the backfield and maybe lined up out wide. Against the Detroit Lions you have to throw him out there. There is more than a good chance he’ll get a touchdown and 75+ yards.

Cedric Benson -- Nobody wants the Bengals Benson, really, but some of you have him, right? He is the starter on a NFL team and his backup Bernard Scott has yet to learn how to block, so he doesn’t have much competition, and he actually looked decent in preseason. Add to that, he’s at home against the Broncos and he’s a must start.

Ray Rice -- Ray Rice has pretty much won the starting tailback job in Baltimore. Yes, he won’t get 30 carries a game, but he will get 15-20 carries with 5 receptions a game and that adds up to 100+ yards, especially against the Chiefs.

Wide Receivers

Lance Moore -- Well, you are starting Colston and Brees and any Saint RB that has a pulse, you might as well get Moore in there. The Lions will do their best to keep Colston from beating them and that means Moore will get his work in.

TJ Houshmandzadeh -- Hass and Housh have already shown some chemistry. There is no way he doesn’t catch 7+ for 100 yds and a TD against the Rams. No WAY!!!!

Donnie Avery -- He’s practicing again, and playing against the Seattle secondary will probably be easier than practice. Check to make sure Bulger is playing, which he looks to be, and get Avery in your lineup. Seattle’s pass D was already bad when they lost Marcus Trufant until week 7. I think I could catch a ball or two against them.

Quarterbacks

Matt Cassell -- This may be a bit of a no-brainer, but if you haven’t been paying attention, Cassel is hurting and they are playing in Baltimore. It won’t be pretty.

Kyle Orton -- I have some hope for Orton this year. He has a great offense to work with and eventually will get things going, but the guy didn’t look great in preseason and has stitches in his throwing finger. Add to that Brandon Marshall doesn’t completely know the offense and Knowshon Moreno isn’t 100%, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Rookie QB’s -- Sometimes as fans of a team we get a little excited about our new young stud QB’s. This year Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez have looked strong and poised and, well, green. If you have any inkling to throw them out there because of their good matchups against the Saints and Texans, don’t. No matter how poor the defense they will confuse and cause rookie QB’s to make mistakes. many mistakes.

Running Backs

Larry Johnson -- I still believe LJ has some gas in the tank, but don’t expect anything from the Chiefs’ RB in Baltimore. With Cassel hurting, the Chiefs traveling northeast, and the Ravens being, well, the Ravens it will be a long day for LJ.

Knowshon Moreno -- I am high on Moreno this year, but his week one is fraught with peril. First, even though he says he is ready, he also says he isn’t 100%. Second, he has barely played in preseason. Third, the Bengals rush defense isn’t nearly as bad as their orange and black colors make them seem. Fourth, Kyle Orton will be playing with a bum finger. Fifth, Buckhalter and Hillis could easily get the bulk of the carries. Stay far away.

Jamal Lewis -- You drafted Lewis because he is a starter for a NFL team. And that’s all he is. If he averages over 2 yards a carry against the Vikings I will spit out this iced coffee and blame it on someone else. I’m not just writing this just for week 1, he needs to just be sat for the rest of the season.

Wide Receivers

Dwayne Bowe -- Well, I guess that makes all the Chiefs players now.

Vincent Jackson -- In a full body cast Nnamdi Asomugha could hold VJax to 3 receptions. With just a cast on his wrist Jackson might as well just scrape out a little depression in the field for napping.

Patrick Crayton -- The Bucs were tough on #2 receivers last season. Look for Witten and Williams to get the bulk of passes.