Fantasy Football Matchups
In our weekly Fantasy Football Matchups series, Dan Croop will analyze all of the NFL games on the slate that week and rate the fantasy players in each matchup. Look for this series friday of every week, with the Thursday Night game getting it's own analysis every wednesday.
Indianapolis at Chicago
Colts: The Andrew Luck era begins in Chicago, where Indy will face off against an always tough Chicago defense. You can be sure Julius Peppers plans on introducing himself to Luck as soon as he gets the opportunity. Keep expectations low for Luck in the early going, while the Colts use Donald Brown heavily to ease the pressure on Luck. Colts receiving options should improve over the course of the season as Luck gets more adjusted to the pro game.
Andrew Luck *
Donald Brown ***
Reggie Wayne **
Austin Collie *
Coby Fleener **
Adam Vinatieri **
Indianapolis DEF *
Bears: With the return of injured starters Jay Cutler and Matt Forte and the addition of wideout Brandon Marshall, this revamped Chicago offense will try to establish themselves early as one of the best in the league against a weak Indianapolis defense. Start your Bears! I’d expect big numbers from Marshall, but at least a touchdown from Forte. The Bears would be wise to keep runs mostly up the middle to avoid the Colts’ dynamic OLB duo of Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney.
Jay Cutler ***
Matt Forte ****
Michael Bush **
Brandon Marshall *****
Alshon Jeffery **
Kellen Davis *
Robbie Gould ***
Chicago DEF ****
Philadelphia at Cleveland
Eagles: Let’s be honest for a second. Who would be surprised if Michael Vick leaves this game with an injury? Anyone? Mr. Kevlar flak jacket aside, health was obviously the main opponent of the Eagles in 2011. They broke camp with Jeremy Maclin at less than 100%, and Vick battled injuries all season long. Philly starts this season off healthy, but with Vick having suffered a rib contusion in the preseason, how long can he last? Look for the Eagles to lean heavily on both Vick and LeSean McCoy on the ground as Cleveland had last season’s 2nd best pass defense in the NFL.
Michael Vick ****
LeSean McCoy *****
Jeremy Maclin ****
DeSean Jackson ***
Brent Celek ***
Alex Henery ****
Philadelphia DEF ****
Browns: With rookies in quarterback Brandon Weeden and running back Trent Richardson, the Browns look to jump start what has been a poor offense the past few years. The issue with those rookies is that Weeden did not look good in his preseason reps, and Richardson is coming off yet another knee surgery in his young career. Greg Little is a good under-the-radar receiving option who should receive a ton of looks from Weeden if Weeden can find him through the Eagles’ star-studded secondary.
Brandon Weeden *
Trent Richardson ***
Greg Little ***
Josh Gordon *
Benjamin Watson **
Phil Dawson **
Cleveland DEF *
New England at Tennessee
Patriots: The Titans’ defense is young. By young, I mean several starters who were still in college in the last 2-3 years. Who better than Tom Brady to take advantage of this youth movement? The high-flying New England offense will get their first action of the regular season while still trying to put together offensive chemistry with new wide receiver Brandon Lloyd. The Patriots offense should be what is always is: strong through the air, with fewer rushing attempts than most teams.
Tom Brady *****
Stevan Ridley **
Wes Welker ****
Brandon Lloyd ***
Rob Gronkowski *****
Aaron Hernandez ****
Stephen Gostkowski ****
New England DEF ***
Titans: Unfortunately for the Titans’ defense, the Pats upgrade their offense with the addition of Lloyd in the offseason. Fortunately for the Titans, however, they failed to improve on their biggest weakness from last season: the defense. While he’s not a rookie, Jake Locker is yet another young quarterback looking to make his mark in his first regular season opener. Expect Locker to avoid linebackers Jarod Mayo and Brandon Spikes with his cannon for an arm and go deep often against New England’s no-name secondary.
Jake Locker ***
Chris Johnson *****
Nate Washington ***
Kendall Wright ***
Jared Cook ***
Rob Bironas ***
Tennessee DEF *
Atlanta at Kansas City
Falcons: The season of Julio Jones has arrived. Rarely will you ever see a second-year pro take over the starring role from a proven top wide receiver still in his prime, but Jones looks like he’s about to do just that. Atlanta debuts a highly anticipated full-speed offense this season. Matt Ryan had a big season in 2011 and could be even better if Jones breaks out this season, as expected. The Falcons will get young running back Jacquizz Rodgers more playing time with veteran Michael Turner piling more mileage on his heavily-used tires, and they should be able to move the ball well enough on the ground against Kansas City’s defense.
Matt Ryan ****
Michael Turner ***
Jacquizz Rodgers **
Roddy White ****
Julio Jones *****
Tony Gonzalez ***
Matt Bryant ****
Atlanta DEF ***
Chiefs: With the addition of Peyton Hillis, the Chiefs will debut what is expected to be a very run-heavy offense against Atlanta. With many questions about how the workload will be split, rumors are flying that both Jamaal Charles and Hillis could total over 200 carries. One has to wonder if this will bring down Dwayne Bowe’s productivity or increase it by keeping the defense thinking run.
Matt Cassel *
Jamaal Charles ****
Peyton Hillis ***
Dwayne Bowe ***
Jon Baldwin *
Tony Moeaki *
Ryan Succop **
Kansas City DEF *
Jacksonville at Minnesota
Jaguars: Man, rookie quarterback expectations are usually pretty low, but can they be any worse than Blaine Gabbert’s debut last year? After an impressive preseason, Gabbert looks to continue turning the page on last season this week against Minnesota, unless Jared Allen has something to say about that. Star running back Maurice Jones-Drew should have an mild workload as the team eases him into action after he just ended his holdout. Backup Rashad Jennings should have plenty of work in this one.
Blaine Gabbert *
Maurice Jones-Drew **
Rashad Jennings ***
Justin Blackmon **
Laurent Robinson *
Marcedes Lewis *
Josh Scobee **
Jacksonville DEF **
Vikings: The big question for the Vikings in this one will be the workload of Adrian Peterson. While both he and the team claim that he is as healthy as ever, Peterson never got any preseason game action and is expected to be limited in some capacity in the opener. I’d expect a decent amount of work for Toby Gerhart in this one, making him a decent flex play. However, neither one may be much of a factor against this underrated Jacksonville defense that ranked 9th in the NFL against the rush last season.
Christian Ponder *
Adrian Peterson **
Toby Gerhart ***
Percy Harvin ****
Michael Jenkins *
Kyle Rudolph **
Blair Walsh *
Minnesota DEF ***
Washington at New Orleans
Redskins: Much-hyped rookie Robert Griffin III, who has drawn comparisons to Cam Newton, will show off what he’s got in his first regular season action in the NFL. The Redskins will display a running back-by-committee approach, as is the norm under head coach Mike Shanahan. Rumor is that Shanahan was raised by Satan to be a consistent thorn in the side of fantasy owners for all of eternity.
Robert Griffin III ***
Evan Royster **
Roy Helu **
Alfred Morris *
Santana Moss *
Pierre Garcon **
Fred Davis ***
Billy Cundiff ***
Washington DEF *
Saints: With his shiny, new contract in hand, Drew Brees will continue to do what has made him so successful thus far in his NFL career. He shouldn’t have too much trouble against the Redskins’ defense, and look for his pass-catching running backs and receivers to reap the benefits.
Drew Brees *****
Darren Sproles ****
Pierre Thomas **
Mark Ingram **
Marques Colston ****
Lance Moore **
Jimmy Graham *****
Garrett Hartley ***
New Orleans DEF *
Buffalo at NY Jets
Bills: Health has been hard to come by for the Bills lately, but they enter this season well-rested and ready to show more of what made them such an offensive threat early last season. Ryan Fitzpatrick gets his lethal running back as an option again with Fred Jackson’s return, and the always exciting matchup of Stevie Johnson and Darrelle Revis will certainly be re-ignited.
Ryan Fitzpatrick *
Fred Jackson ****
C.J. Spiller **
Stevie Johnson **
Donald Jones *
Scott Chandler **
Rian Lindell **
Buffalo DEF ***
Jets: The always newsworthy New York Jets get back to worth with a highly debated newcomer in tow: Mr. Tim Tebow. Skip Bayless vs. Stephen A. Smith aside, Tebow is expected to get at least a few reps in every game this season, including against Buffalo. This brings down not only Mark Sanchez’s value, but that of the Jets’ receivers, as well.
Mark Sanchez **
Tim Tebow *
Shonn Greene ***
Santonio Holmes **
Stephen Hill *
Dustin Keller ***
Nick Folk **
New York DEF **
St. Louis at Detroit
Rams: Any game against the Lions is usually looked to as a shootout. This is because the opposition is usually a) hopeless to stop Detroit when defending them and b) playing from behind. Sam Bradford should get plenty of pass attempts, and his receivers should benefit. This includes Steven Jackson, always a great receiver out of the backfield.
Sam Bradford **
Steven Jackson ****
Danny Amendola **
Brandon Gibson *
Lance Kendricks **
Greg Zuerlein ***
St. Louis DEF *
Lions: The high-flying Lions will be expected to keep the ball in the air with their all-too-common ailments at running back, and the Rams defense shouldn’t do much to stop them. Everyone knows Calvin Johnson as the best wide receiver in the game, but don’t be surprised to see Titus Young start getting more and more work. Reports are that Young was virtually unstoppable in camp.
Matthew Stafford *****
Kevin Smith **
Calvin Johnson *****
Titus Young ***
Brandon Pettigrew ****
Jason Hanson ***
Detroit DEF ****
Miami at Houston
Dolphins: Miami opens this season looking completely different than they did last season. Ryan Tannehill is one of many rookie starting quarterbacks this season, and he can’t be expected to succeed right off the bat against one of the better pass defenses in the NFL in Houston, but he may be getting more credit than he deserves. A “franchise quarterback?” Really, Gary Kubiak? Reggie Bush is the only player worth starting in this matchup.
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Ryan Tannehill *
Reggie Bush ***
Davone Bess *
Legedu Naanee *
Anthony Fasano *
Dan Carpenter **
Miami DEF *
Texans: Guess last season’s 3rd ranked run defense. Doubt anyone guessed Miami, but if you did, pat yourself on the back. That being said, Miami should have trouble stopping the best running attack in the NFL. Arian Foster can be relied on just as much as usual in this game due to the dynamic nature of the Houston offense. Pay attention to the targets and health of wide receiver Andre Johnson in this one where the Texans may be forced to air it out more than they prefer.
Matt Schaub ***
Arian Foster *****
Andre Johnson *****
Kevin Walter *
Owen Daniels ***
Shayne Graham ***
Houston DEF *****
San Francisco at Green Bay
49ers: Arguably the best defenses in the game faces off against one of the best offenses in the game, but the offense will probably win this one as the Niners’ pass defense is above average this best. This means more work than the usual from Alex Smith as San Francisco tries to keep up with the Packers, which consequentially means less work for Frank Gore. Receivers Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham and tight end Vernon Davis should all fare well against Green Bay’s weak secondary.
Alex Smith **
Frank Gore ***
Michael Crabtree ***
Mario Manningham **
Vernon Davis ****
David Akers ***
San Francisco DEF **
Packers: Despite San Francisco’s strength on defense, Green Bay should still be able to pass with relative ease behind nearly unstoppable quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Don’t expect much from new arrival Cedric Benson, who will struggle to find running room through the 49ers’ front seven. All Packers receiving options are worth starting in this one. And no, Benson has never been anything close to a receiving option in his NFL career.
Aaron Rodgers *****
Cedric Benson *
Greg Jennings ****
Jordy Nelson ***
Jermichael Finley ****
Mason Crosby ***
Green Bay DEF **
Seattle at Arizona
Seahawks: All hail the year of the rookie quarterback! We meet yet another in Russell Wilson, who gets his first regular season start against the soft defense of Arizona. Keep an eye on the health of running back Marshawn Lynch, who looks like he may sit due to back spasms that he’s been battling throughout camp and the preseason.
Russell Wilson **
Marshawn Lynch ***
Sidney Rice ***
Doug Baldwin *
Evan Moore *
Steven Hauschka ***
Seattle DEF *****
Cardinals: Both quarterbacks John Skelton and Kevin Kolb struggled through the preseason, but Skelton was given the designation as starter over Kolb. He won’t get an easy start against a tough Seattle defense, but don’t expect it to hinder the production of star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who has been known to succeed in even the worst conditions.
John Skelton *
Beanie Wells **
Ryan Williams **
Larry Fitzgerald *****
Andre Roberts *
Todd Heap **
Jay Feely **
Arizona DEF **
Carolina at Tampa Bay
Panthers: The ever-exciting Cam Newton steps back into the spotlight against a team that he crushed twice last year while putting up big numbers in both games. The health of running back Jonathan Stewart will be a factor in this one. As a game-time decision, he determines the value of both himself and teammate DeAngelo Williams, who gets a spike in value regardless. Also keep an eye on the health of wide receiver Steve Smith, who should play, but may be limited.
Cam Newton ****
Jonathan Stewart ***
DeAngelo Williams ***
Steve Smith ***
Brandon LaFell **
Greg Olsen **
Justin Medlock **
Carolina DEF *
Buccaneers: Tampa Bay kicks off their season against one of the easier defenses in the NFL in Carolina. Josh Freeman looks to rebound from a poor season last year in which he threw more interceptions than touchdowns. Rookie Doug Martin has been given the starting running back job over incumbent LeGarrette Blount, but both should have significant work in Greg Schiano’s ground-and-pound system.
Josh Freeman ***
Doug Martin ****
LeGarrette Blount **
Vincent Jackson ****
Mike Williams *
Dallas Clark **
Connor Barth **
Tampa Bay DEF ***
Pittsburgh at Denver
Steelers: In a battle between two of the better teams in the AFC, the Steelers make their debut against a tough Broncos defense. Ben Roethlisberger should be able to get going with the return of holdout wide receiver Mike Wallace to pair back with 2011 breakout receiver Antonio Brown. Look for him to prefer whichever receiver Champ Bailey isn’t covering in this matchup. Running back Isaac Redman should have little fantasy value in this matchup.
Ben Roethlisberger ***
Isaac Redman **
Mike Wallace ****
Antonio Brown ****
Heath Miller **
Shaun Suisham ***
Pittsburgh DEF ***
Broncos: The long-awaited debut of Peyton Manning in anything other than a Colts uniform has finally arrived. In his first action since the end of the 2010 season, Manning will face the stout Pittsburgh defense. Young receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas continue to get better, and get a huge uptick in value this season with Manning at the helm.
Peyton Manning ***
Willis McGahee ****
Eric Decker ***
Demaryius Thomas ***
Jacob Tamme **
Matt Prater **
Denver DEF ***
Cincinnati at Baltimore
Bengals: Only known for a while as the team with the most arrests, the Bengals shed that title last season to be one of the more surprising teams in the NFL. The Cincinnati running game got completely rebuilt with the addition of BenJarvus Green-Ellis. He’ll look to prove himself in a new system where he’ll get far more work than he did in New England, but he’ll have a tough time getting going against the aging, yet still threatening Baltimore defense. A.J. Green looks to continue his ascent into the category of the NFL’s best receivers.
Andy Dalton **
BenJarvus Green-Ellis ***
A.J. Green ****
Mohamed Sanu *
Jermaine Gresham ***
Mike Nugent **
Cincinnati DEF ***
Ravens: This offense goes through Ray Rice. He rarely gets shut down. These are observations even a single-celled organism can make. What isn’t really known is just how much Joe Flacco will be worth this season. With much of the talk this offseason in Baltimore about how Flacco will be throwing a lot more this season, he’ll get a tough opening test against Cincinnati’s strong secondary. Torrey Smith will be the main recipient, as he has clearly passed veteran Anquan Boldin as the team’s best receiver.
Joe Flacco **
Ray Rice *****
Torrey Smith ***
Anquan Boldin *
Ed Dickson *
Justin Tucker **
Baltimore DEF ****
San Diego at Oakland
Chargers: The Fightin’ Norv Turners get the opportunity of facing an Oakland defense that ranked 27th last season in both passing and rushing defense. Much of the talk early in the offseason was on how great Ryan Mathews would be this season. All the hype collapsed when he went down with a shoulder injury. As a game-time decision, Mathews’ injury may force quarterback Philip Rivers to rely more on his unproven receiving corps than he’d prefer. A healthy Antonio Gates should be a big factor in this one.
Philip Rivers ***
Ryan Mathews **
Robert Meachem **
Malcom Floyd * *
Antonio Gates *****
Nate Kaeding ****
San Diego DEF **
Raiders: Oakland holds an offense full of questions. Can Carson Palmer improve on last season and show he still has what it takes to be a great quarterback? Will Darren McFadden finally be able to stay healthy enough to be considered one of the best in the NFL? Are any of the wide receivers going to be able to make their flashes of brilliance more consistent? Week one against San Diego should provide many answers to these questions. A healthy dose of McFadden will be in the forecast for Monday night’s AFC West battle.
Carson Palmer **
Darren McFadden *****
Darrius Heyward-Bey ***
Denarius Moore *
Brandon Myers *
Sebastian Janikowski ***
Oakland DEF **
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