Week 1

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Football is here again. Finally! I mean real meaningful football, not just preseason warm-ups. After long draft preparations, after reading dozens and dozens of cheat sheets and even more articles on how to draft, who to draft and who to avoid, and after tons of trash talk, the fantasy football season has arrived. And immediately, we are facing maybe the toughest week of the entire season. We know all those depth charts, but they can turn out to be just speculation once the games begin in earnest (think no further than the Denver RB situation), and of course, you never know who will break out and who will fall below 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 2006 season.

 
START

QB:

Alex Smith, SF: Smith might even have gone undrafted in a lot of leagues, but he has tremendous upside at least this week. The Cardinals defense was mediocre at best last year, and they did nothing to improve it. We can expect a shootout in Phoenix, and if you want to play the matchup at the QB position, this is exactly where to look.

Jake Plummer, Den: The Rams defense remains suspect, and we fully expect Plummer to take advantage of that. Loaded with another weapon in Javon Walker, the Broncos passing game should be due for a big game this week.

Others to start:
Jake Delhomme, Car
Eli Manning, NYG
Brad Johnson, Min
Drew Brees, NO
Tom Brady, NE

No-brainers:
Peyton Manning, Ind
Carson Palmer, Cin
Donovan McNabb, Phi
Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
Marc Bulger, StL
Trent Green, KC
Kurt Warner, Ari

RB:

Thomas Jones, Chi: Jones will be the starter in Chicago for now, and despite losing some carries to Benson, he should be in for a big day against a Packers defense that has some questions against the run.

Reuben Droughns: Droughns’ value dropped during the preseason due to injuries in the offensive line. Still, he is more than a useful back if the matchup is right. Playing at home against the Saints, it may not get any better. The Saints will not be able to stop the run at all, so be sure to have Droughns active this week.

Others to start:
Mike Bell, Den
Chester Taylor, Min
Deuce McAllister, NO
Willis McGahee, Buf
Carnell Williams, TB
Julius Jones, Dal
Edgerrin James, Ari
Frank Gore, SF

No-brainers:
LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
Shaun Alexander, Sea
Larry Johnson, KC
Steven Jackson, StL
Rudi Johnson, Cin
LaMont Jordan, Oak
Clinton Portis, Was (if healthy!!!)

WR:

Reggie Brown, Phi: While everyone expects Stallworth to be the top receiving option in Philly, we think Reggie Brown will be the top target this week as he simply knows the playbook better than his new teammate. Against the Texans, both should get plenty of looks, and Brown should have a really good game.

Lee Evans, Buf: While there remain big question marks at the QB position in Buffalo, Evans still should be able to haul in enough passes to make a fantasy impact against a New England defense, that remains a bit suspect against the pass.

Others to start:
Rod Smith, Den
Javon Walker, Den
Plaxico Burress, NYG
Eddie Kennison, KC
Reggie Wayne, Ind
Hines Ward, Pit
Joe Horn, NO
Roy Williams, Det
Matt Jones, Jax
Keenan McCardell, SD
Derrick Mason, Bal
Terry Glenn, Dal
Antonio Bryant, SF
Donald Driver, GB
TJ Houshmandzadeh, Cin

No-brainers:
Steve Smith, Car
Marvin Harrison, Ind
Larry Fitzgerald, Ari
Anquan Boldin, Ari
Randy Moss, Oak
Terrell Owens, Dal
Torry Holt, StL
Chad Johnson, Cin
Chris Chambers, Mia
Santana Moss, Was

TE/K/D:

Ben Watson, TE, NE: Two years ago we had Antonio Gates in this spot, and is a no-brainer from here on. While we do not say that Watson will reach Gates’ fantasy stardom, he is one breakout game away from being a top tier fantasy TE. That could very well happen this week given the Patriots’ problems at WR, so be sure to have him in your lineup.

Phil Dawson, K, Cle: With no need for a bye-week replacement at this position right now, the need for a fill-in kicker is not there. Still, if your starting kicker has a bad matchup it could be worth to give Dawson a look this week. The Browns should be able to move the ball, and Dawson is capable of cashing in when provided with lots of scoring chances.

Philadelphia: The Eagles defense is due for a bounce-back this year, and could have a monster week against a weak Texans offense that has lots of question marks.

 
SIT

QB:

Daunte Culpepper, Mia: Before I jump the Culpepper bandwagon, I want to see him revert to his 2004 form first. While he may indeed prove to be a good #1 fantasy QB again, it will be very tough for him The Steelers, playing without their QB, will try to compensate the loss of Big Ben with more intensity on defense, and they will be able to stop the Dolphins for most of the time.

Michael Vick, Atl: Reports tell us that we should expect an improved passing game in Atlanta, with an improved Michael Vick. While the Falcons indeed might take a step forward with the offense, it will simply not be this week. The Panthers have arguably one of the best defenses in the league, so better avoid Vick on Sunday.

RB:

any Houston running back: Regardless of who will start and who finishes with the majority of carries, we do not think starting any Texans running back will reward you with many fantasy points this week. Whether it is Lundy, Morency or even Ron Dayne, no one will be able to do much damage against a stingy Eagles defense in Philadelphia.

Jamal Lewis, Bal: Lewis might be the starter in Baltimore for now, but unless he can prove he is a capable fantasy running back again, we urge you to stay away from him against the better defense units of the league. While the Buccaneers defense is not the best anymore, Tampa still belongs in the upper tier against the run, so stay away from Lewis this week.

WR:

Greg Jennings, GB: This rookie indeed may surprise this season, but against the Bears stingy defense the whole Packers offense will be overmatched. Keep Jennings on the bench for now, but monitor his progress closely as he may be worth starting in a few weeks.

David Givens, Ten: The Titans QB problems may not be solved in the near future, and against a Jets defense that is the bright spot on this team, we do not expect the Tennessee passing game to click. Better keep Givens on the bench this week.

TE/K/D:

Heath Miller, TE, Pit: Miller had a nice first half last season, but his was production was down in the final games in 2005. With Roethlisberger out for this week, the Steelers’ passing game is in question anyway, so better look for other alternatives this week.

Michael Koenen, K, Atl: Koenen is one of the top sleeper kickers for this season, and he very well may produce nice numbers behind a rejuvenated Falcons offense. However, Atlanta will struggle this week against the Panthers, so better keep Koenen out of your lineup.

Cincinnati: The Bengals defense was a surprise last year, but against the explosive Chiefs offense it is much advised to search for other options, as the Bengals won’t be able to stop Kansas City’s offense.

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