Week 1
Games through Sept. 12

Finally, football is here again. I mean real meaningful football, not those boring preseason warm-ups. This means that after long draft preparations, after reading dozens of cheat sheets and way more articles on who to draft and who to avoid, and after a lot of trash talk, the fantasy football season is finally starting. And it starts with what may be the toughest week of the entire season. All those depth charts can turn out to be just so much speculation once the games begin in earnest (as any owner of a Denver RB in recent years can tell you), and of course, you never know who will break out and who will fall well behind expectations. Week 1 will provide us with many answers, but for now, we have to find the best starting lineup without having as much information as we’d like. Still, everyone wants to get off to a good start, and we will try to help you with our suggestions on who to play and who to leave on the bench this week in our first Start & Sit column of the 2005 season.

START

QB:

Chad Pennington, NYJ: After his breakout campaign a couple of years ago, Pennington has disappointed almost every fantasy owner who has had him on his roster. While we can’t be sure he’ll turn things around this year, the return of Laveranues Coles certainly helps. And in week 1, a weak Chiefs defense is the best reason to put him into your lineup.

Jake Delhomme, Car: Delhomme surprised many last year and provided his owners with above average stats when the matchup was right. This should continue this season, and he can start right away by going up against a vulnerable Saints defense that has not improved too much against the pass.

Others to start:
Brett Favre, GB
Jake Plummer, Den
Kerry Collins, Oak
Tom Brady, NE
Aaron Brooks, NO
Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
Brian Griese, TB
Drew Brees, SD

No-brainers:
Marc Bulger, StL
Donovan McNabb, Phi
Daunte Culpepper, Min
Trent Green, KC
Peyton Manning, Ind

RB:

Willie Parker, Pit: Want to open this season with a high upside gamble? Well, here it is. With injuries to Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley, Parker burst onto the scene in the preseason with a fine performance. While we will probably see a RB-by-committee approach when Staley and Bettis are back, Parker is likely to get the majority of the carries in week 1. He is a true gamble, but starting him against the Titans could pay off nicely.

Kevin Jones, Det: Jones finished last season on a high note, and he will continue right where he left off last season. The Packers have problems stopping the run at times, and will have considerable trouble with Jones this week.

Others to start:
Fred Taylor, Jax
Clinton Portis, Was
Curtis Martin, NYJ
Corey Dillon, NE
Domanick Davis, Hou
Mike Anderson, Den
JJ Arrington, Ari
Steven Jackson, StL
Warrick Dunn, Atl
Brian Westbrook, Phi

No-brainers:
LaDainan Tomlinson, SD
Jamal Lewis, Bal
Shaun Alexander, Sea
Rudi Johnson, Cin
Deuce McAllister, NO
Ahman Green, GB
Willis McGahee, Buf
Priest Holmes, KC
Edgerrin James, Ind

WR:

TJ Houshmandzadeh, Cin: The guy whose name nobody spells right emerged as a valuable starter opposite of Chad Johnson last year, and has good fantasy value if the matchup is right. This week, it is. The Browns have trouble against the pass and will allow the Bengals to move the ball through the air consistently. Of course, Johnson will get the majority of the looks, but Houshmandzadeh will get more than enough to make him a nice fantasy option.

Keyshawn Johnson, Dal: With a new QB in town and a young, strong running back, the Dallas offense seemed to be poised for success this season. Of course, it’s “only” Drew Bledsoe at the helm, but the veteran should be able to make good use of Keyshawn’s hands and will look for him very often. That should translate into nice stats for Johnson, so do not hesitate to start him.

Others to start:
Isaac Bruce, StL
Laveranues Coles, NYJ
Steve Smith, Car
Lee Evans, Buf
Javon Walker, GB
Michael Clayton, TB
Roy Williams, Det

No-brainers:
Torry Holt, StL
Darell Jackson, Sea
Terrell Owens, Phi
Randy Moss, Oak
Joe Horn, NO
Hines Ward, Pit
Chad Johnson, Cin
Andre Johnson, Hou
Nate Burleson, Min
Marvin Harrisson, Ind
Reggie Wayne, Ind

TE/K/D:

Todd Heap, TE, Bal: After the injuries, Heap has become something of a forgotten man at the TE position. But Todd is finally healthy again, and should be able to make an immediate impact, espcially against a weak Colts unit.

Matt Stover, K, Bal: Baltimore had trouble scoring TDs last season, and it remains to be seen if this has changed. Still, they should be able to move the ball well against Indy, and therefore give Stover several scoring opportunities.

Cardinals Defense: The Arizona defense surprised many experts last year with their success, and should be even better this season. On the other hand, the Giants offense still seems to consist only of Tiki Barber, who will be forced to carry a heavy load as opponents stack the line. So look for the Cardinals to stop New York early and often, and do not hesitate to start this unit.

 
BENCH

QB:

Michael Vick, Atl: Vick was probably the most unpredictable QB last year, and many owners soured on him as a result. Nevertheless, he was drafted early in many leagues based on his reputation and highlight-reel heroics. While I do expect him to improve this season, I don’t think he will do so in week 1 against a tough Eagles defense.

Kurt Warner, Ari: Touted by many as a nice sleeper this season, Warner turned into a sought-after commodity again. Surrounded by lots of talent at the WR position, he indeed may surprise this season. Still, it will be very tough for him to put up good stats against the Giants, who will have one of the better defenses of the league again. Sit him, but watch him closely; he may be worth starting in future games.

RB:

Thomas Jones, Chi: Jones may be the starter in Chicago for now, but he will most likely still struggle against the better defenses of the league. And that’s exactly what will happen this week against the Redskins, who were the second-best team against the run last season, and appear to be equally tough this year.

Ronnie Brown, Miami: Much-hyped rookie Ronnie Brown will get the start, and he won’t even have to share carries with ex-retiree Ricky Williams due to the veteran’s suspension, yet Brown still looks like a very risky start against a Denver defense that was ranked fourth against the run last season. If you have other options, leave Brown on your bench for now.

WR:

Santana Moss, Was: Moss can be a good fantasy option if the matchup is right, but this week, that simply is not the case. The Chicago defense is on the rise once more and will make it very tough for the Redskins to find success through the air.

Plaxico Burress, NYG: After an injury, Burress struggled last season in Pittsburgh, and is now looking for a new start in New York. However, the passing game there is a work in progress, and it does not seem that Burress can make an immediate impact. Play it safe here and sit him for now.

TE/K/D:

Heath Miller, TE, Pit: Miller was clearly the best TE in this year’s NFL draft, but he needs some time to adjust in the Steelers’ offense. Besides, Pittsburgh’s passing game is not exactly the best in the league, so do not expect too much from the rookie for now.

Kris Brown, Hou, K: For a kicker, traveling to Buffalo sounds a lot better in early September than in the middle of winter. But even though the weather won’t be a factor, the Bills’ stingy defense will be. Houston may not score a lot, so be sure to sit Brown this week if you have other options.

Tampa Bay Defense: Tampa Bay’s defense still has a strong reputation among fantasy owners, but it may be time to revise that opinion. The Buccaneers were quite vulnerable against the pass last season, and with lots of guys aging, things probably won’t improve anytime soon. The Vikings’ explosive offense could have a field day behind the passing of Daunte Culpepper – better play it safe and bench the Bucs.

 
Fantasy Football Cafe’s Start & Sit lists are suggestions intended to give fantasy football players an edge in their weekly matchups. Savvy owners will see these lists not as an absolute ranking, but as an indication of possible outcomes of a given week, and use them together with their own opinions and hunches to field the lineup that will give their team the greatest odds of winning. The Start & Sit lists are compiled by Dan Spazierer (not Madame Zelda). For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section.