Two of the NFL's most famous teams open their season against one another Sunday afternoon, when the San Francisco 49ers travel to Texas to take on the Dallas Cowboys in a 4:25 p.m. ET game. There's a lot going on in the matchup, but the biggest point entering the game might be the atrociousness of the Cowboys' defense, which could easily be the worst in the league this season.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 1: 49ers vs. Cowboys
There aren’t many teams more famous than the two opening their season in Dallas Sunday afternoon.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
That could lead to big fantasy games from a lot of participants in Sunday’s game:
49ers
Start in every league: Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Phil Dawson
Start if you're desperate: Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, Defense/special teams
Bench: Carlos Hyde, Steve Johnson
Most weeks, Kaepernick profiles as a back-end starter or high-end QB2. This week, though, against that awful defense, he’s much higher in the rankings. ... Gore won’t be great forever, but he looks to have another season in him. ... Davis is one of the league’s top tight ends, and moves even higher if Crabtree ends up scratched. ... Dawson was a high-performing kicker a year ago.
Crabtree would be a must-start if he were healthy, but he’s shaping up like a game-time decision, and in a 4:25 game, that’s scary. ... If Crabtree plays, Boldin is a dicey fantasy play. If Crabtree sits, Boldin becomes close to a must-start. Keep an eye out. ... The 49ers’ defense isn’t as good as it has been in the past, and the Cowboys’ offense is good. I’d look elsewhere if I had the opportunity.
Hyde is a handcuff, and might get a small handful of carries, but shouldn’t be used in fantasy. ... I suppose, if Crabtree is ruled out, Johnson might have value, but that’s just digging too deep.
Cowboys
Start in every league: DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Dan Bailey
Start if you're desperate: Tony Romo, Terrance Williams
Bench: Defense/special teams
The main knock against Murray entering the season is his long-term health; on a week-by-week basis, he’s an easy top running back. ... Nope, nothing to worry about out of Bryant. ... Some are down on Witten this season, but I’m still in on him. ... Bailey had seven different double-digit fantasy days last year.
Romo looks like he’ll spend the year as a low-end QB1 or high-end QB2. It’s QB2 this week. ... Some are super high on Williams, but I think he’s too touchdown-dependent to trust.
Hahahahaha, the Cowboys’ defense.
