Fantasy Football 2012 Week 1: QBs with Tough Matchups You Need to Avoid

Nobody needs a tip when it comes to starting guys such as Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning and Drew Brees—you start them regardless of who they're going up against in any given week.

But there are only so many elite fantasy quarterbacks to go around, and for those owners who find themselves with multiple options that fall into that second and third tier of quarterbacks, it's a weekly struggle to decide on which player gives your team the best chance at fantasy success.

In an attempt to make things a bit easier for those folks, here are quarterbacks you would be wise to leave on the bench as Week 1 NFL action prepares to get underway. If you don't have what you consider to be a better option, then by all means, go with your guy. But don't be surprised if his numbers are well below what you expected.

Anyway, let's get to it.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

You might be saying to yourself, "No way!"

Way.

Consider this: The Chiefs had the sixth-best pass defense in the league last year, and they did it without their best player in the secondary, safety Eric Berry. He's back.

Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel knows a thing or two about putting a formidable defensive scheme together, and with as much time as he's had to prepare for "Matty Ice" and his formidable receivers, Crennel undoubtedly has something up his sleeve.

With the exception of a four-touchdown performance against a hapless Panthers defense in December, Ryan was mediocre when playing outdoors in 2011, throwing for five touchdowns and three interceptions in his other five outdoor excursions.

Could Ryan connect with Roddy White or Julio Jones on a deep pass against the Chiefs? Absolutely.

But those will be few and far between against one of the better defensive units in the game.

If you have another viable option, keep Ryan on the bench.

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

The Bills pass defense was a so-so unit in 2011, but this has more to do with the porous Jets offensive line and its lack of weapons around him than it does with the Bills secondary.

Unless the Jets can stifle Mario Williams and the Bills pass-rush early, Buffalo will rush Sanchez all day long. We've seen what happens to Sanchez when he's rushed—he makes poor decisions, decisions that often result in turnovers.

To be perfectly honest, until the Jets show the ability to provide a sound pocket for Sanchez to stand in and someone other than Santonio Holmes emerges as a legitimate weapon at his disposal, I'd keep Sanchez on your bench regardless of the matchup.

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Cols

There's no doubt that someone has bought into the hype surrounding Luck and drafted him with the intent of starting him in 2012.

While that's not the worst strategy in the world, his first professional football game is not the time to test it out. Especially with the Colts going up against the Bears.

While Chicago allowed the 28th-most passing yards last season, the difference in talent between the Colts and Bears is tremendous.

Reggie Wayne will draw double coverage, Chicago's linebackers are more than capable of covering Indy's tight ends and backs, and the Colts have no answer for Julius Peppers as he rushes the passer.

Luck might wind up with decent yardage on the day as the Colts play from behind, but those numbers will be cancelled out by turnovers.

Look elsewhere for a Week 1 quarterback.