The long anticipated NFL season will be underway tonight as the season kicks off with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the the Green Bay Packers. With the coming of the NFL season, so comes the fantasy football season, in which an estimated 31 million Americans partake. Fantasy football is quickly becoming a staple of the NFL, it’s hard to have one without the other. So without further ado, lets take a look at who you should start and sit for the 1st week of the NFL Season.
Quarterbacks
Start of the week:
Colin Kaepernick – Mid QB1 – I am not a fan of Colin Kaepernick as a QB1 in your average 10 or 12 team fantasy league, but for week 1 there is no other player with as juicy a matchup. Kaepernick and the Niners take on a Dallas Cowboys defense that has been ravaged by injury during camp, and will also be without CB Orlando Scandrick for the first 4 games of the season. All this is coming in a season after their defense was historically bad, allowing the most yards in the league to go along with the 3rd most yards through the air. Kaepernick is a threat with his legs as well and it is hard to see the Cowboys being able to contain him. Kaepernick is a must start.
Start Em:
Nick Foles – Mid QB1 – Although Foles is likely joining the rest of us back on planet earth this season, I still expect that he will have a pro bowl caliber season. While Foles lost his favorite target in Desean Jackson, he regains Jeremy Maclin who will be joined by much hyped rookie Jordan Matthews as well as breakout receiver Riley Cooper. Foles will also have 2nd year tight end Zach Ertz who had a decent rookie season and looks to take a huge next step during his sophomore season. Foles faces a Jacksonville team that allowed the 7th most passing yards in the league last season. While I look for the Jaguar defense to improve during their second year under Head Coach and defensive guru Gus Bradley, I still expect for Foles to have a huge day.
Russell Wilson – Low QB1 – Wilson has enjoyed a ton of success his first 2 NFL seasons including a Super Bowl blowout against my beloved Denver Broncos. Keeping my bias out of this, I believe Wilson will have a good day against a questionable Packer secondary. For years, this secondary has lived and died off of the big play. The team does have some bright spots, and a slew of new cast members, but we should expect some growing pains. Wilson also has all of his targets returning, sans Golden Tate, along with a healthy Percy Harvin and rookie Paul Richardson. Wilson is a Start.
Other Starts: Chad Henne, Carson Palmer, Geno Smith and Jake Locker
Sit of the Week:
Aaron Rodgers – Low QB1 – This is the point where you stop reading, but you shouldn’t. The last time the Packers played in Seattle, the Fail Mary happened. Something else happened though, Aaron Rodgers was held without a TD and to only 223 passing yards and 17 yards on the ground. Since then the Seahawk defense is even better. My advice, grab a guy like Carson Palmer off of waivers to fill in for a week. Whatever you do, sit Aaron Rodgers.
Sit Em:
Andrew Luck – Mid QB1 – Luck may have a very good game, but temper your expectations. The Broncos have the one of the deepest defensive lines in the NFL, couple that with a banged up Colts offensive line and a suspect running game, that all equals a long day for Luck. I still have difficulty understanding the fantasy love Luck has received this offseason.
Robert Griffin III – Low QB1 – RGIII had a rough preseason. It’s pretty rough to have one of the franchises most recognizable players call the backup QB a better option to start than you. It’s also pretty rough when the same backup outperforms you. A couple years back, RGIII was a stud, part of the new running age of QB, but now he is nothing more than an after thought. Sit em.
Other Sits: Matt Ryan, Jay Cutler, Joe Flacco and Josh McCown