The Houston Texans had a miserable 2013, but almost everyone expected them to rebound in 2014, and they did, rising to 9-7. The Kansas City Chiefs' own miserable season was a year earlier in 2012. and they had a similar rise. Both teams finished second in their respective divisions last year, both with 9-7 records. On Sunday, they play one another in their first games of the 2015 season, looking to make a leap.
Fantasy football advice, Week 1: Who to start/sit for Chiefs vs. Texans
Two teams who finished 9-7 and second in their respective divisions look to start 2015 on the right foot Sunday.
Both teams come into Sunday appearing to be fairly healthy, with one notable exception. The Texans will be without star running back Arian Foster, who suffered a groin injury in the preseason and will miss most or all of September. On the Kansas City side, tight end Travis Kelce had an ankle injury late in preseason, but there doesn't appear to be any worry about his status for Sunday.
The Chiefs will travel to Houston for Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET start. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
Kansas City Chiefs
Start 'em: The continents shift, empires rise and fall, Jamaal Charles is a top-flight fantasy running back. ... I'm admittedly higher on Jeremy Maclin than just about anyone, but he is a super-appealing option and should be a target monster in Kansas City. ... Travis Kelce's usage and production a year ago were frustratingly sporadic, but most everyone expects a leap forward this season. ... The Chiefs' defense won't be as good as some recent years, but it's still decent and gets a below-full-strength Houston offense.
Start 'em?: There might be no more middle-of-the-road kicker in the game than Cairo Santos. He's fine, if there isn't anything better, but look for something better.
Sit 'em: The days of Alex Smith as a viable fantasy quarterback -- well, they never really existed, but they also don't exist now. ... There aren't really any appetizing wide receivers in Kansas City behind Maclin; Albert Wilson and De'Anthony Thomas are the best of a bad lot, but you can't realistically use them in fantasy.
Houston Texans
Start 'em: With Andre Johnson gone to Indianapolis, the targets will now be predominantly DeAndre Hopkins' to haul in. He's a low-end WR1 or a high-end WR2. ... For whatever this offense lacks, J.J. Watt will make sure the Texans' defense doesn't miss a beat.
Start 'em?:If you're stashing Foster for the first few games, Alfred Blue is a possible fill-in, though he wasn't super-impressive in spot duty a year ago.
Sit 'em: There have been occasional small things to like about Brian Hoyer as an NFL quarterback, but they have been far too rare to count on. ... While there is some argument for using Blue at running back, there really isn't one for Chris Polk or Jonathan Grimes. ... Cecil Shorts and Jaelen Strong make for interesting complements to Hopkins in Houston, but they aren't much in fantasy as of now. ... Garrett Graham is the team's lead tight end, but he doesn't offer much for fantasy. ... The offense might struggle to get Randy Bullock into regular kicking territory.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Jamaal Charles, Jeremy Maclin, Travis Kelce, Kansas City defense, DeAndre Hopkins, Houston defense
Start if you're desperate: Cairo Santos, Alfred Blue
Bench: Alex Smith, Albert Wilson, De'Anthony Thomas, Brian Hoyer, Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes, Cecil Shorts, Jaelen Strong, Garrett Graham, Randy Bullock
