The first Monday Night Football game of the season features two teams who struggled last year in different ways. The season was a disaster for the New York Giants from the start, as they started 0-6 before improving down the stretch. On the other side, the Detroit Lions started out well, sitting at 6-3 through Week 10, but they lost six of seven to close the season and fall out of playoff contention.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 1: Giants vs. Lions
The Giants started 2013 poorly; the Lions finished it that way. Both teams look to shake off their 2013 Monday night in the season opener.
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Monday night in Detroit, the teams open their seasons at 7:10 p.m. ET. A handful of fantasy names are available for consideration:
Giants
Start in every league: Rashad Jennings, Victor Cruz
Start if you're desperate: Rueben Randle, Jerrel Jernigan, Josh Brown
Bench: Eli Manning, Andre Williams, Odell Beckham Jr., Adrien Robinson, Defense/special teams
Some are down on Jennings, who is getting his first chance at a real starting gig, but I think he’ll be fine -- he’s my No. 21 running back entering the week. ... Cruz is still a big star, even if the Giants don’t bounce back.
Either Randle or Jernigan could develop into a decent No. 2 receiving option in New York. Both are ranked low, but things are possible. ... Brown put up a handful of big kicking games a year ago.
No, you aren’t using Manning, stop it. ... Williams has been rising in attention as the preseason has gone on, but I don’t buy it yet. ... Beckham isn’t healthy yet, and looks unlikely to play. ... I list Robinson because I have to list a tight end, but the Giants don’t really have a tight end worth considering. ... No to the Giants’ defense. Just no.
Lions
Start in every league: Matthew Stafford, Reggie Bush, Calvin Johnson
Start if you're desperate: Joique Bell, Golden Tate
Bench: Eric Ebron, Nate Freese, Defense/special teams
You can’t really question starting Stafford -- he’s a tier below the top three, but he’s still a must-start. ... Bush likely won’t stay healthy all year, and Bell is on the rise, but for now it’s still Bush. ... Hi, Johnson. Love ya.
As I said above, Bell is on the rise, and it wouldn’t remotely shock me if he outperforms Bush on the season, but I don’t think it happens quite yet. ... Tate is interesting as a Johnson running mate, but he’s a very low-end starter for now.
Ebron (and the other Detroit tight ends, Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria) won't do enough for fantasy use yet. ... Maybe Freese does great, but even at kicker, I'm nervous about a rookie in his first game. ... The Lions' defense could do well if the Giants are as bad as they were a year ago, but you don't want to count on them.
