The Fantasy Footballers’ Week 1 Starts
Yogi Berra would say that Fantasy Championship teams are half made in the draft and 90% from in-season decisions including shrewd start decisions. You can’t argue with Yogi Berra. Your path to a 2016 #FootClanTitle starts right here with The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week, featuring players that may not be weekly plug-and-play starters but have great opportunities.
Mike’s Starts
QB Derek Carr @ NO
Ride the snake, and send in the Carr. The Vegas over/under is set at 51 at almost even odds which points to an extremely high implied team scoring. Get in on this action.
RB Charles Sims @ ATL
Atlanta’s defense gave up the most receptions to opposing RBs in the league last year and Sims will be involved in the Tampa Bay passing game. Sims is a very sneaky play for the flex spot.
WR DeSean Jackson vs PIT
Jackson is a physical specimen of greatness and has looked great in the preseason with Cousins targeting him frequently. Look for him to have a 60-yard bomb-maybe two!
TE Jesse James @ WAS
Go outlaw, 6-shooter, full KEEEEYAAAHHH with Jesse James! Ladarius Green will not be playing and James has a great chance for a TD, for a guy that’s probably on your waiver wire. Think, “Heath Miller with legs,” on a team that’s missing several playmakers.
Andy’s Starts
QB Kirk Cousins @ PIT
In what should be a high-scoring game, Andy has Cousins ranked as his third quarterback this week.
RB Christine Michael vs MIA
Michael is wide awake and has impressed teammates all through the preseason. With Rawls likely limited, Michael will run wild…in Seattle…against the Dolphins…favored by 10.5 points.
WR Vincent Jackson @ ATL
Jackson was marred by injury in 2015, but still had a 10 reception-147 yard-1 TD performance against Carolina. Jackson is more than capable of taking a big role in the Tampa offense. Look for him to turn back time.
TE Jason Witten vs NYG
Witten should be a race horse for rookie Dak Prescott. He’s just a consistent player with a good shot for a TD.
Jason’s Starts
QB Matthew Stafford @ IND
This is a matchup between two offenses that want to play fast against two weak defenses. Neither team has a run game capable of slowing the clock down. Vegas has the over/under at 50.5 and often those high totals are exceeded. There’s going to be a ton of points scored in this game and Stafford benefits from it.
RB Ryan Mathews vs CLE
Nobody is scared of the Cleveland run defense and Philadelphia will try to establish the run to help their rookie QB Carson Wentz in his first start.
WR Michael Crabtree @ NO
The floor on Crabtree is extremely safe and his ceiling is high in what should be a high-scoring game. He pairs nicely with third-ranked Derek Carr. He could have 7 receptions and maybe a TD.
TE Dwayne Allen vs DET
In Allen’s opening game of the year through his career, Allen has never NOT scored a TD. It’s practically a guarantee- lock it in.
Eric’s Starts
QB Tyrod Taylor @ BAL
Taylor will be facing a Baltimore defense that will be missing one of its top pass rushers Elvis Dumervil. If Baltimore’s offense puts up points against Buffalo’s depleted defense, Taylor could have a big day in the air and don’t forget he averaged over 7 carries and 40 yards rushing per game last year.
RB Spencer Ware vs SD
Ware rushed 19 times for 148 yards and 2 TDs against San Diego in 2-15. San Diego gave up rushing 18 TDs and allowed 125 rushing yards/game last year. Even in Charcandrick West gets touches and Jamaal Charles makes an appearance, West is primed for a big game.
WR Marvin Jones @ IND
The red zone guy for Detroit hasn’t been identified, but Jones could easily take that spot. Jones established chemistry with Stafford early and should be in line for some red zone looks against a weak Indianapolis defense.
TE Julius Thomas vs GB
Thomas opened the season injured last year but finished by catching a TD in four out of the five games where he had 5 or more receptions. Green Bay has a pretty good pass defense so Bortles may look for his big target early and often if it’s a shootout.
You can jump straight to the Footballers’ Starts of the Week segment for their full take. Also, check out the full show where the Footballers climb through the first set of matchups, and cover a wide variety of news and notes relevant to your fantasy team and roster.