After all of the summer worries that we would not have an NFL season, there will be plenty of intrigue this week in the league’s 2011 debut.
To help focus your attention on the top questions that are soon to be answered on the field of play, here’s your fantasy preview for Week 1.
Thursday
Saints at Green Bay
A couple of great offences meet to kick off the NFL season. That’s the good news. The bad news for fantasy managers is that both teams also have solid defences that can force turnovers.
This is a very interesting situation for both franchises as rookie Mark Ingram makes his debut for the Saints, while Ryan Grant hopes to prove he’s back to his 2009 form with the Packers after missing nearly all of last season due to injury.
While I do expect Ingram to be the top running back for the Saints, I have my doubts with Grant. On that note, look for James Starks to leapfrog Grant for the starting gig sooner rather than later. There is a lot on the line for Grant in this contest.
Sunday
Eagles at Rams
The Eagles may have been loud during the beginning of training camp, but they failed to soar in the preseason. Have they shaken off the rust? I’m sold on the offence, but it’s the defence that has me worried.
The Rams will provide that Eagles defence with a great test. Fantasy managers should be paying attention to who ends up being the top target for Sam Bradford? Another question mark for the Rams is just how good will Steven Jackson be with a solid passing attack to divert attention? I like the Rams this season.
Bills at Chiefs
This should be interesting for the Bills as they look to form an identity without Lee Evans. Will Stevie Johnson remain a valuable wide out despite being the center of attention for opposing defences? Will Brad Smith be more than a special teams’ threat? What about the backfield for the Bills, is Fred Jackson going to get the bulk of the carries? These are a few of the big questions we hope to have answered this weekend.
The Chiefs don’t have as many questions, but there are still a few to answer. How many carries will veteran Thomas Jones get? Can Steve Breaston play second fiddle to Dwayne Bowe? Is Matt Cassel healthy and will he be able to put last year’s playoff stinker in the rear view? I sense that this will be a rush-dominated offence with Jamaal Charles carrying the bulk of the fantasy value.
Falcons at Bears
The Falcons are a popular pick for the Super Bowl and with good reason. They were good last season and should be even better this season. Don’t expect a hot start from Julio Jones. The rookie will be worked in gradually, making him a solid mid-season trade target.
The Bears should be desperate to open up with a bang. Jay Cutler had the world second-guessing him and he is better than you think. Matt Forte will have to carry the ground attack while Marion Barber recovers from an early injury. The big question in this game for the Bears is which wide receiver rises to the occasion. I like Johnny Knox over Roy Williams.
Lions at Buccaneers
The Lions should be just as exciting on defence as they are on offence, which says a lot. After all, a healthy Matthew Stafford combined with Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew means big things in fantasy circles. The question for the Lions centres around the running game. Can Jahvid Best take a big step forward in Year 2? I’m thinking he will since Best is more of a decoy than a featured weapon. In other words, the pressure is off.
The Buccaneers will have its offensive line tested. LeGarrette Blount needs to shake off a poor preseason, while I look at Arrelious Benn as the team’s top sleeper.
Titans at Jaguars
There is a lot to be concerned with for Titans fans. First of all, Matt Hasselbeck takes over a new offence and is bound to have a learning curve. Next, Kenny Britt has been dealing with injuries throughout the preseason. Finally, Chris Johnson struts into training camp just before the season kicks off. Seems like a team to avoid the first few weeks, though you have to take your chances with Johnson.
The Jaguars created their own drama by waiving David Garrard this week. In other words, focus on Maurice Jones-Drew and that’s pretty much it. Both Mike Thomas and Mercedes Lewis became riskier fantasy options this week.
Bengals at Browns
The battle of Ohio involves two very young quarterbacks, but for the Bengals’ Andy Dalton, it’s his first NFL game. He doesn’t have many experienced targets either. This will be Cedric Benson’s game to dominate.
The Browns should be a team on the rise as Peyton Hillis looks to enjoy a second Pro Bowl-calibre season and Colt McCoy will be more aggressive on offence. Fantasy managers should be eager to find out who will be on the receiving end of his throws.
Steelers at Ravens
This will be one of the top games in reality, but not so much in fantasy. It will be hard for the playmakers to shine bright with the stellar defences on the field. On that note, I am interested to see what kind of game Mike Wallace can offer against the Ravens secondary, and the same can be said about veteran wide out Lee Evans, who joins the Ravens as a second option.
Colts at Texans
This game just lost a lot of its intrigue because of the absence of Peyton Manning. The best quarterback will be Matt Schaub, who should have a field day in this one with Andre Johnson. The potential loss of Arian Foster in this game only puts more pressure on the Texans passing game.
As for the Colts, this is a game to avoid for just about everyone in Manning’s absence.