Fantasy Football 2012: Good and Bad Wide-Receiver Matchups in Week 1

Week 1 of the NFL and fantasy football is here! It's finally time for the first NFL Sunday of the 2012 season. Fantasy football owners will be glued to their computers and TVs, hoping to get off on the right foot.

With this year's deep wide-receiver crop, it's worth taking a look at matchups across the board week to week to see if you can anticipate whom to play.

It's as hard to predict as ever, but here's a look at some of the most promising and least opportune matchups for Week 1.  

Good Matchups

Brandon Marshall vs. Indianapolis

Even though the Colts traded for Vontae Davis, Marshall should have a good game, regardless of whether he's matched against his old teammate.

The Colts won't have much in the way of safety help, and Marshall will be out to prove that he and Jay Cutler can be a dynamic duo.

Davis had a rough camp with Miami and is still getting acclimated in Indy, so he may not even start as the top corner. 

Malcolm Floyd vs. Oakland

Floyd had seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown against Oakland last season and is the unquestioned No. 1 WR in San Diego this year.

With Vincent Brown on the IR, Philip Rivers will rely heavily on Floyd in the passing game. 

Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd vs. Tennessee

The Titans have an average all-around defense and no top corner after the departure of Cortland Finnegan.

With Welker, Lloyd, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, the Patriots have more firepower than any defense can deal with. The Patriots will dominate this game, and fantasy owners should expect Welker and Lloyd to put up good numbers.

Nate Washington and Kendall Wright vs. New England

Kenny Britt is suspended for Week 1, so Washington will be the No. 1 receiver and Wright the No. 2 against the Patriots. Belichick's defense allowed the most points to WRs last season, so Jake Locker should be confident.

The Titans will also have to throw a lot, because they could be losing all game.

Percy Harvin vs. Jacksonville

The Jaguars have a pretty average secondary, and the game should be close enough that the Vikings pass a good amount. Harvin established a good connection with Christian Ponder in the second half of last season, so expect that to continue.

Bad Matchups

Stevie Johnson vs. New York Jets

Last year, Johnson put up 11 total catches for 159 yards and a touchdown against the Jets. You know Darrelle Revis has been preparing to shut down Johnson, and I think he'll be successful this time. 

Michael Crabtree vs. Green Bay

As talented as he is, Crabtree has yet to prove that he's a great NFL wide receiver, and I definitely don't think that'll change when he's lined up opposite Charles Woodson. 

Steve Smith vs. Tampa Bay

Aqib Talib shut down Smith both times the two faced off last season, holding Smith to a mere three catches in two games.

Smith is also coming off a foot infection, so it would be surprising if he had a good game.

Anquan Boldin vs. Cincinnati

Boldin caught a touchdown pass last season against Cincy, but it was also his only catch of the game. He'll get a tough cornerback matchup, whether it's Leon Hall or Nate Clements.

And Joe Flacco will probably be too busy overthrowing Torrey Smith to check if Boldin is open anyway.

Vincent Jackson vs. Carolina

Jackson faces off against Chris Gamble, who might be the most underrated cornerback in the league now that everyone recognizes how good Joe Haden is.

A lot of people are doubting Josh Freeman after his brutal 2011 season, and Jackson's success is unfortunately dependent on Freeman's unreliable arm.