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2012 NFL Fantasy Football Week 1: Flex Play Rankings / Projections

Sean E. DouglasMay 31, 2018

Both Marshawn Lynch and Dwayne Bowe were likely drafted to be starters on your squad this summer, but we should temper our expectations for top-flight production this week.

Uphill Battle For Lynch, Week 1

Lynch has been battling back spasms throughout the preseason, but it's expected he will play week one. This same problem gave him trouble early last season and forced him to miss a game against the Browns.

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Even if Lynch was well he will face a respectable defense in the Arizona Cardinals on the road. Let’s assume Lynch is healthy enough to carry the football 20 times and Russell Wilson can move the chains when called upon.

It’s still going to be a difficult game for Lynch to amass more than 75 yards on the ground, and there’s no guarantee he will find the end zone.

In 2011, Lynch averaged 19 carries in both games against Arizona but posted 73 yards and 86 yards in both games and was held without a touchdown.

Slow Start For Bowe?

I’m concerned about Bowe after watching him work in the third preseason game. He looked out of sync in Brain Daboll’s offense, and his timing with Matt Cassel needs work. Bowe has a lot ridding on this season as he’s likely headed for free agency next off-season and is in the running for 'Vincent Jackson-type' money.

We should expect Bowe to have a Pro Bowl season by years end, but if he has a poor showing early, it wouldn’t be the first time. Back in 2010, Bowe ripped off one of the more impressive seven game stretches I’ve seen from a receiver in the past twenty years of playing fantasy football.

That said, outside of a long touchdown bomb against the 49ers week three, he had a horrible first month of the season and many fantasy owners were asking me if they should trade him, or cut him all together!

Hopefully we won’t see Bowe start out the same way this year, but the writing is on the wall after a lengthy holdout throughout training camp. If you have a quality option on the bench, it might be a good idea to sit Bowe down and see how he looks during the game.

1LeSean McCoy@ Browns
2Calvin JohnsonRams
3Darren McFaddenChargers
4Arian FosterDolphins
5Ray RiceBengals
6Brandon MarshallColts
7Julio Jones@ Chiefs
8Matt ForteColts
9Andre JohnsonDolphins
10Chris JohnsonPatriots
11Jamaal CharlesFalcons
12Steven Jackson@ Lions
13Dez Bryant@ Giants
14DeMarco Murray@ Giants
15Jordy Nelson49ers
16Fred Jackson@ Jets
17Doug MartinPanthers
18Pierre Garcon@ Saints
19A.J. Green@ Ravens
20DeAngelo Williams@ Bucs
21Brandon Lloyd@ Titans
22Victor CruzCowboys
23Ahmad BradshawCowboys
24DeSean Jackson@ Browns
25Antonio Brown@ Broncos
26Larry FitzgeraldSeahawks
27Roddy White@ Chiefs
28Percy HarvinJaguars
29Greg Jennings49ers
30Wes Welker@ Titans
31Hakeem NicksCowboys
32Marshawn Lynch (I)@ Cardinals
33Frank Gore@ Packers
34Torrey SmithBengals
35Jeremy Maclin@ Browns
36Eric DeckerSteelers
37Willis McGaheeSteelers
38Steve Smith (I)@ Bucs
39Peyton HillisFalcons
40Vincent JacksonPanthers
41Rashad Jennings@ Vikings
42Michael Turner@ Chiefs
43Demaryius ThomasSteelers
44Stevan Ridley@ Titans
45Dwayne BoweFalcons
46Marques ColstonRedskins
47Titus YoungRams
48Shonn GreeneBills
49Mark IngramRedskins
50Malcom Floyd@ Raiders
51Reggie Wayne@ Bears
52Trent Richardson (I)Eagles
53Stevie Johnson@ Jets
54Kevin Smith (I)Rams
55Darren Sproles (I)Redskins
56Nate WashingtonPatriots
57Cedric Benson49ers
58Reggie Bush@ Texans
59Michael BushColts
60Justin Blackmon@ Vikings
61Mike Wallace@ Broncos
62Miles Austin (I)@ Giants
63Michael Crabtree@ Packers
64BenJarvus Green-Ellis (I)@ Ravens
65Darrius Heyward-BeyChargers
66Beanie Wells (I)Seahawks
67Jonathan Dwyer @ Broncos
68Toby GerhartJaguars
69Mike WilliamsPanthers
70Ronnie Brown@ Raiders
71Alshon JefferyColts
72Donald Brown@ Bears
73Roy Helu@ Saints
74Beanie Wells (I)Seahawks
75Ryan WilliamsSeahawks

Week 1 Rankings – QB | RB | WR | Start / Sit | Waiver Wire |

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