Week 1 Fantasy Advice

Something I'll do every week is give you brilliant readers fantasy football advice from the other site I write for. Enjoy, and don't make me look stupid!

Writer’s Note: This doesn’t include the Thursday Night MIN/NO game.


Who to Start:

QB: Jay Cutler (CHI) vs. DET: The Lions pass D was awful last year and despite their improvements, Cutler is still a great start here. The O-Line may be a problem, but this matchup is too good to pass up.

RB: Ryan Mathews (SD) vs. KC MON: He is one of the prime rookie of the year candidates, and for good reason after his game on Monday. The Chiefs gave up tons of points to fantasy running backs last year, making him a complete must start.

WR: Malcolm Floyd (SD) vs. KC MON: Vincent Jackson is holding out, so Floyd is the new #1 in San Diego. With a great fantasy QB throwing to him; he will shine against a porous pass D.

WR: Michael Crabtree (SF) vs. SEA: The Seahawks had plenty of trouble defending wide-outs last season, and minus their starting strong safety from last year, it will continue. Alex Smith is primed for a breakout year, and Crabtree will have a great full season.

TE: Jermichael Finley (GB) vs. PHI: He is one of the biggest breakout candidates in fantasy this year, and for good reason, having one of the best QB’s throwing to him. And, the Birds had a lot of trouble defending the TE in ’09, making him a must-start this week.

DEF: Tennessee vs. OAK: The Titans will be motivated to perform well in the beginning of the year, after last year’s disaster, and it will help that Oakland’s 2 best offensive players (Jason Campbell, Michael Bush) are nursing injuries that may keep them out of the game.

Who to Sit:

QB: Joe Flacco (BAL) vs. NYJ MON: He is one of the best fantasy QB’s out there, and now has 2 great wide-outs at his disposal. But, he’s now facing the Jets, with Revis Island now above water, and that will enable the Jets to blitz, blitz, and blitz.

RB: Clinton Portis (WSH) vs. DAL: He’s only a shadow of his former self when he played under Mike Shanahan in Denver, and it doesn’t help he’s averaged 82 yards in his last 4 games against Dallas.

WR: Lee Evans (BUF) vs. MIA: With Buffalo having no receiving corps outside of Lee Evans, and sketchy QB play, Miami will try to instantly take Evans out of the game. Because of that, he’ll struggle.

WR: Hines Ward (PIT) vs. ATL: Other than the obvious QB problem in Pittsburgh, which will already limit Hines’ catches, he will be matched up against new Falcon Dunta Robinson, one of the best cover corners in the NFL.

TE: Owen Daniels (HOU) vs. IND: Gary Kubiak has stated that Daniels will see limited action against the Colts after his reconstructive surgery, and until he’s 100% healthy, that will stay the same. So, keep him out of action until he’s healthy.

DEF: Philadelphia vs. GB: The Eagles are younger and more inexperienced on defense this year, but are still a decent fantasy option through the rest of the year, but against Aaron Rodgers and the Pack, they will struggle.

3 Super Sleepers for Week 1:

1. RB Cadillac Williams (TB) vs. CLE: He’s facing one of the worse rush D’s in the league on Sunday, and without Derrick Ward in the mix, he’ll get the backfield focus. He’s a great sleeper for this week.

2. QB Derek Anderson (ARZ) vs. STL: Yes, I have picked him. The Rams struggled to stop QB’s last year, so he’s a decent option off the waiver wire for those who don’t have great QB options this week.

3. WR Brandon Lloyd (DEN) vs. JAX: Against a porous Jags secondary, with 2 new starting safeties, Kyle Orton will find Lloyd early and often this week.

Have a great week 1!