2010 NFL Fantasy Football: Start 'Em/Sit 'Em, Week 1

Week 1 of the NFL season is just over a week away. You’ve got your team, you know your studs, and you know your duds, but what about those guys that are in between?

The following list won’t be made up of locks. Always start Chris Johnson and Drew Brees; that’s a no-brainer. It also won’t be made up of busts. Don’t start Toby Gerhart unless AP goes down.

Now, onto the list!

Start 'Em: Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers

Crabtree and the 49ers play in arguably the worst division in the NFL, the NFC West, so the whole team is going to be a safe bet either way. The 49ers get the luxury of kicking off the season with a game against the transitional Seahawks.

Seattle will have to load up the box to slow running back Frank Gore, which will set up a play action for Crabtree. Despite missing the first five games last season, Crabtree established himself as a sure-handed receiver. With the departure of Antonio Bryant, Crabtree is going to get more looks when Alex Smith passes downfield. Start him. 

Start 'Em: Jay Cutler, QB, Bears

Cutler isn’t a guy I’m big on this year. He throws too many interceptions and he doesn’t have a strong receiving corps. But in week 1, he gets a juicy matchup against the Lions.

The Lions do have improving safety Louis Delmas, but the team’s corner situation isn’t anything special. Dre Bly isn't what he used to be. Cutler should have no problem exploiting the confused defense of the Lions with Mike Martz’ offensive schemes.

Start 'Em: Arizona D/ST

Arizona, like San Fran, plays in the NFC West. They start the season against the anemic St. Louis Rams. With the exception of Steven Jackson, the Rams aren’t going to scare defenses.

The Cardinals should hold the Rams to less than 15 points and force a couple turnovers. The Rams' line is a mess also. So, especially if your league gives you points for sacks, starting this defense is a no-brainer.

Start 'Em: Pierre Garcon, WR, Colts

The Colts should get in a shootout with the high-flying Houston Texans in Week 1. If fantasy owners know anything, it’s that high scoring games equal high scoring receivers and quarterbacks.

The Texans are going to do what they can to silence wide receiver Reggie Wayne as much as possible. But Peyton Manning has to thrown to someone. That someone will likely be Pierre Garcon. Last season, Garcon established himself as a big play threat last season, posting 16.3 yards per catch average.

Start 'Em: Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, RB, Dolphins

Any team that plays the Buffalo Bills is going to have a great game. That goes double for the Miami Dolphins backfield. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are going to run a lot to begin with. But when the Dolphins get a big lead (and they likely will), they are going to turn to this two-horse backfield to run out the clock.

Start either of these runners at the flex position or as your second running back if you are really desperate.

Sit 'Em: Brett Favre, QB, Vikings

After sitting out much of training camp, Favre is clearly falling behind. Even though preseason doesn’t mean much, Favre hasn’t played up to expectations. He has tossed two interceptions, zero touchdowns, and only has 16 competitions.

To make matters worse, The Vikings play the Saints, the same team that plagued Favre in the NFC Championship. The Saints know how to get to Favre, rattle him, and make him make mistakes. Favre is a big risk Week 1. If you can avoid it, start someone else.  

Sit 'Em: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos

The upstart Moreno injured his hamstring in the beginning of training camp and hasn’t played since. The Broncos have also brought in back up running back LenDale White and rookie quarterback Tim Tebow to run the rock.

It’s not clear how much Moreno will be slowed by this injury, but he should be back in Week 1. With so many running options in Denver, it’s likely the Broncos will lighten Moreno’s load in Week 1. Less touches means less points in the fantasy world.

Sit 'Em: Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush, RB, Saints

There is no doubt that Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas have talent. I am particularly high on Thomas, who I think will have a great season in the Saint offense. But the Saints' rushing tandem will face a stout Vikings defense in Week 1.

The Vikings’ secondary is a question mark. And when you have Drew Brees, what do you think the Saints are going to exploit in this game? Exactly. Pass on Bush and Thomas this week.

Sit 'Em: Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers

Wallace is a big sleeper this year. Pittsburgh’s No. 1 receiver last year, Santonio Holmes, in now on the Jets and the team’s second receiver, Hines Ward, is aging. That being said, Wallace is far from a sure thing.

Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will miss the first six games of the season. That means Byron Leftwich could be throwing to Wallace in Week 1. Who knows? Wallace could have a monster game in Week 1. But it’s unlikely and too risky to warrant a start.

Sit 'Em: Braylon Edwards, WR, Jets

Quarterback Mark Sanchez has been inconsistent this preseason. The Jets are also a run-first offense with LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene in the backfield. Even if Sanchez manages to toss the ball downfield, stone-handed Braylon Edwards will probably just drop it.

The Jets Week 1 matchup against Baltimore is winnable for the team, but it ain’t going to be easy. The Ravens’ defense will clamp down on the Jets’ passing and running game. This game is going to be slow, on the ground, and far from a shootout. None of that is conducive to big fantasy receiving games.