The San Diego Chargers won nine games a year ago and made the playoffs. The Arizona Cardinals won 10 and missed them. Divisions are difficult. The two teams cap off Week 1 with a 10:20 p.m. ET matchup Monday night in Arizona, and there will be a handful of fantasy contributors offering last-minute points to their fantasy owners:
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 1: Chargers vs. Cardinals
Two teams that were right on the fringes of greatness a year ago cap off the NFL’s Week 1 Monday night.
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODA
Chargers
Start in every league: Ryan Mathews, Keenan Allen, Antonio Gates, Nick Novak
Start if you're desperate: Philip Rivers, Danny Woodhead, Ladarius Green
Bench: Donald Brown, Malcom Floyd, Eddie Royal, Defense/special teams
After years of injury frustrations, Mathews was finally healthy and productive a year ago. Even against what ought to be a decent Arizona defense, he’s a fine RB2. ... Allen was a revelation in 2013, and I rank him as a high-end WR2 this year. Good times. ... The Arizona defense was famously awful against the tight end a year ago, and I’ve been higher on Gates than Green all along. He’s a must-starter. ... Novak should put up good production.
Rivers had a good bounce-back season last year, and he looks like a fine quarterback going forward, but this week he’s only a mid-level QB2 in my rankings. ... Woodhead is of course more valuable in PPR leagues than standard, but in a desperate situation he could produce in standard, too. ... If I’m wrong about Gates, Green could also be really interesting.
Brown had a great year in Indianapolis last year, but now he’s a third-string running back. ... Floyd and Royal lag far behind the team’s other pass-catchers. ... Nope, nothing there for the Chargers’ defense.
Cardinals
Start in every league: Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd
Start if you're desperate: Carson Palmer, Defense/special teams
With Ellington likely shelved, it stands to reason the Cardinals might lean more on the pass, which could mean really good things for Fitzgerald and Floyd.
It’s a good week for Palmer, who closed 2013 on a hot stretch. He shapes up to be a mid-level QB2. ... Things are looking a little bad for the Cardinals’ defense. They’re no longer a must-start, and I have them ranked as my No. 17 defense this week.
This Ellington news sucks. I thought he was a prime breakout candidate this season. It looks like he’ll miss multiple weeks now, making him a fantasy non-factor for a while. ... Even in Ellington’s absence, Dwyer and Taylor aren’t worth much more than flyer pickups. ... The team might go more pass-heavy, but that likely won’t translate to fantasy dominance for Brown or Carlson. ... Serious question: Is Catanzaro related to Kacy Catanzaro of American Ninja Warrior fame?
