Fantasy Football 2012: 5 Players with a Lot to Prove in Week 1

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Ah yes, football is finally back. While Wednesday’s opener between the Giants and the Cowboys whet the appetite of many football junkies, Sunday is the full course we are all set to devour.

There will be plenty of intriguing storylines to follow and players to watch as we get set for another exciting NFL season. That said, here are five players who have a lot to prove this week and hence the year.

Peyton Manning: Denver Broncos

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Everything looks A-OK with Manning thus far, as he looks fully recovered from his neck injury that cost him all of the 2011 season.

So which Manning will we see this year? A healthy one set to connect with an emerging duo of receiving threats in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker? Or a QB, who at age 36, is ready to break down?

We will get to see right away how effective Manning is when he and his Broncos face off against the Steelers on Sunday night.

Andrew Luck: Indianapolis Colts/ Robert Griffin III: Washington Redskins

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

These two rookie signal-callers have a lot riding on their young, right arms.

The first and second overall picks in April’s draft have a lot to live up to with the praise that is being bestowed upon them. You can add Russell Wilson, Ryan Tannehill and Brandon Weeden to the mix, as rookie quarterbacks will be front and center this weekend.

However, the spotlight will be glaring on Luck and Griffin III more intensely. Both will visit hostile environments as Luck will have to go up against the Bears at Soldier Field, while Griffin III takes on the Saints in the Superdome.

Chris Johnson: Tennessee Titans

Jim Brown-US PRESSWIRE

After a protracted holdout that wiped out his preseason last year, CJ2K never recovered en route to his career-worst season.

Johnson has a lot to prove this year. Can he be trusted as an elite running back once again?

Johnson opens up with a solid matchup as he goes up against the Patriots’ vulnerable defense. The thinking here is Johnson simply never got into a groove last year, and with a full year of practice and a set routine he’ll get back to putting up beastly numbers.

Andre Johnson: Houston Texans

Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

Another Johnson with a lot on the line this season is Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans.

Can he stay healthy and validate the early-round pick fantasy players are investing in him? Can he finally record double-digit touchdowns in a season for the first time?

There is no doubt that Johnson is an all-world talent and if he can stay healthy, he can challenge Calvin Johnson for wide receiver supremacy.

Johnson should have little trouble with the Dolphins on Sunday.

Brandon Marshall: Chicago Bears

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

After being traded from the Dolphins in the offseason and being reunited with Jay Cutler, the consensus is Marshall will get his act together and rebound to post fantastic numbers once again this season.

Will a change of scenery and reconnecting with Cutler get Marshall back to being a dominant top-10 wide receiver?

Marshall has all the tools, and if he can’t succeed with Cutler in Chicago, then where else would he succeed?

Marshall and the Bears will have a nice matchup right off the bat when they host the Colts on Sunday.

 

Follow me on Twitter @Stacdemon