Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 1: Breaking Down Biggest Fantasy Football Decisions

Some decisions in fantasy football—like starting Adrian Peterson—are easy to make, but every team only has a handful of elite players and the rest is left to educated guessing based off matchups and recent history. 

While going with a safer pick can sometimes prove beneficial, other times you can really cash in by choosing an under-the-radar player who comes out of nowhere for a huge performance.

Here is a list of players who could make it hard to choose between starting or sitting this week and how to differentiate between the tough choices.

Start 'Em: RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts

Bradshaw's ability to play in Week 1 was in question as he missed all of the preseason rehabbing from offseason foot surgery, but he's slated to make his Colts debut Sunday, per Mike Wells of ESPN. 

His availability is very much desired for Indy, who relied heavily on then-rookie Vick Ballard last season and struggled to develop a two-back system. Against Oakland, they should be able to get out to an early lead and emphasize the run game.

That should allow both Ballard and Bradshaw to have big games, especially the former Giant, as they look to get him acclimated and see what he's capable of. 

Sit 'Em: WR Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers pass offense enters treacherous territory to start the 2013 regular season as the Seattle Seahawks come into town.

Cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner quickly became one of the best—if not the best—defensive duos in the country by ranking sixth in the NFL in pass defense last season. No matter who Smith gets covered by, it'll be a long afternoon for the target.

Add that to a formidable Seahawks pass rush and the chances of Cam Newton getting the ball to Smith very often on Sunday diminish even further.

The Seahawks are dead set on slowing down Carolina's passing attack, and that very clearly starts with shutting down Smith. That should worry fantasy owners. 

Start 'Em: WR Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins

Pierre Garcon was the most valuable receiver I saw in fantasy football heading into the season. It's not very often that the top receiver of a quarterback like Robert Griffin III is available so late. 

His missing a lot of time in the 2012 season with torn ligaments deterred him from breaking out like he had the potential to, but he still finished with 633 yards on 44 receptions and was an elite downfield threat for RG3. Garcon's foot has fully healed for the Week 1 opener, according to NFL.com.

They'll face the new-look Philadelphia Eagles who will be bumping up the pace, and that means more possessions for Griffin and company. That inevitably means more scoring and yards for his receivers. 

Given you don't have too many star receivers ahead of him on your squad, Garcon is definitely worth 100 yards and a score in Sunday's opener. 

Sit 'Em: RB Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals

There are a ton of games in this standout rookie's future where he'll be on the other end of this argument, but his NFL debut isn't one of those. Especially against the Chicago Bears defense.

Bernard has shown the ability to make guys miss and beat you with his elusive speed, but he's still adjusting to running between the tackles. The Bears are exceptional at containing the run game, especially when it reaches the outside.

Against this big-boy defense, expect the Bengals to rely more heavily on the experienced BenJarvus Green-Ellis to tote the rock.

Bernard's days this season will come, but don't expect Marvin Lewis to put a lot on his plate in this tough career debut.  

Start 'Em: RB Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins

The starting job in the Miami backfield is up for grabs and Lamar Miller looks to have the inside track as he was slated as the starter for Week 1, per ESPN's James Walker. 

Miller thrived with limited playing time during his rookie campaign last season, finishing with 250 yards on a productive 4.9 yards per carry. With Reggie Bush departing for Detroit, the door was opened straight up for him.

Against the Cleveland Browns, the Dolphins shouldn't have too many problems running the football, and with Ryan Tannehill as the odds-on better performer at quarterback between the two teams, Miami should be able to get out to an early lead and give Miller plenty of carries.

Sit 'Em: RB Chris Ivory, New York Jets

Running back Chris Ivory has long been one of the most undervalued players in the league, as he stood out nearly every chance he got with the Saints but wasn't able to garner significant playing time.

Things changed in an instant when he arrived at the Jets, where he'll step right into a starting role on a team that is itching for production.

That sort of transition would be tough in Week 1 regardless of the opponent, but New York just so happens to be facing Tampa Bay. The Bucs gave up fewer rushing yards than any other team in the NFL last season. 

It's looking like Ivory will be baptized by fire in his new role, so don't expect him to tear it up from the get-go—especially against the league's best run defense.