Fantasy Redemption: Week 1 Aww’s and Naw’s

Aww Quarterbacks

Sam Bradford, Minnesota Vikings (home vs. New Orleans Saints) – It’s an ideal matchup against one of last year’s worse defenses against opposing quarterbacks. He should post great numbers with Adam Thelien, Stefan Diggs, and Kyle Rudolph.

Eli Manning, New York Giants (away vs. Dallas Cowboys) – I’m expecting Eli to throw a lot against a shaky Cowboys secondary. Manning has the weapons in Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Brandon Marshall to post good fantasy numbers.

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans (home vs. Oakland Raiders) – Here’s a great stat that’ll make you want to believe in Mariota this season – In his career in the red zone, Mariota has threw 33 touchdowns and no interceptions. This could be a shootout in Nashville.

 

Naw Quarterbacks

Phillip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers (away vs. Denver Broncos) – I love Phillip Rivers this season as a fantasy quarterback starter but not week one in Denver. I rather start Sam Bradford, Andy Dalton and even Brian Hoyer instead of Rivers. Denver has allowed the second fewest points to opposing road quarterbacks last season.

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (home vs. Arizona Cardinals) – Even though it’s a home game and Stafford will be hyped to go, I just don’t think he will have a good game against a tough Cardinals defense.

 

Aww Running Backs

Bilal Powell, New York Jets (away vs. Buffalo Bills) – If there’s one New York Jet that should be drafted in all leagues, Bilal Powell should be that one.

Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams (home vs. Indianapolis Colts) – After a disappointing sophomore fantasy season, their home game against the Colts is a perfect opportunity for Gurley to shine and start off hot.

CJ Anderson, Denver Broncos (home vs. Los Angeles Chargers) – Anderson has a good hold on being the bell cow going into the season and the best way to attack the Chargers defense is pounding them on the ground.

 

Naw Running Backs

Paul Perkins, New York Giants (away vs. Dallas Cowboys) – Perkins did not do much during the preseason to scare defenses and with a healthy Shane Vereen coming back, it’s hard to see Perkins run the ball 20 plus times. The Cowboys run defense was better than their pass defense last season.

Adrian Peterson, New Orleans Saints (away vs. Minnesota Vikings) – As much as I would love to see A.P. torch his old team in Minnesota, the Vikings defense will make sure that won’t happen. The Vikings defense allowed the eighth fewest points to running backs last season.

 

Aww Wide Receivers

Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings (home vs. New Orleans Saints) – The Saints defense is not good and the duo of Thielen and Diggs will take advantage in what could be a high scoring game.

Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers (away vs. San Francisco 49ers) – Benjamin had a great game last season in San Francisco before he faded away from being a top 15 fantasy receiver. I’m high on him this season and he looks ready to rebound.

Zay Jones, Buffalo Bills (home vs. New York Jets) – This is just a gut feeling by yours truly. Someone other than LeSean McCoy and Clay has to catch the ball. I think this will be a “Welcome to Buffalo Zay Jones” game.

 

Naw Wide Receivers

T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts (away vs. Los Angeles Rams) – It will be difficult benching the league leading receiver in yards last season but I’m a bit worried about the chemistry between Scott Tolzien and Hilton.

Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars (away vs. Houston Texans) – After a disappointing fantasy season last year and now a tough preseason trying to connect with Blake Bortles, it’s tough trusting Robinson this week against a tough Texans defense.

 

Aww Tight Ends

Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles (away vs. Washington Redskins) – Carson Wentz’s favorite weapon should have a good start to the season and plenty of looks as Josh Norman will be guarding Alshon Jeffrey.

Charles Clay, Buffalo Bills (home vs. New York Jets) – I truly think Clay will have a great game against a Jets defense who allowed the third most scores to opposing tight ends last season.

 

Naw Tight Ends

Martellus Bennett, Green Bay Packers (home vs. Seattle Seahawks) – Yes, Bennett is a very talented player but Aaron Rodgers rarely uses his tight ends and not sure if they have the chemistry just yet to be a safe fantasy starter this week.

Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions (home vs. Arizona Cardinals) – Here’s an interesting stat. The Cardinals defense allowed just an average of three fantasy points to home tight ends last season.

 

Aww Team Defense

Los Angeles Rams (home vs. Indianapolis Colts) – The Rams first home game of the season and they’re playing Scott Tolzien and the Colts. Take advantage of this opportunity fantasy owners.

 

Naw Team Defense

Seattle Seahawks (away vs. Green Bay Packers) – Most fantasy owners have no choice but to start the Seahawks defense but just know it’s in Aaron Rodgers house.