NFL Week 1 Predictions: Projecting Top Fantasy Stars for Prime-Time Matchups

The NFL schedule makers treated the fans with four prime-time matchups in the season's opening week, and these matchups feature several fantasy stars primed for big performances.

First on the schedule was the Denver Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens, a game in which Peyton Manning and Co. stole the show. Fantasy owners with either Manning, Demaryius Thomas or Julius Thomas reaped the benefits of a huge passing performance.

Sunday's action will bring one prime-time game to the people, as the New York Giants will head to Arlington, Texas to face the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants are looking to restore the defensive presence that has led them to two Super Bowl victories since 2007, while the Cowboys will be trying to overcome some injuries on the defensive side of the ball.

Monday night has two games scheduled, as the Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Washington Redskins in the early game, and the San Diego Chargers and Houston Texans will square off in the later contest. With several teams that figure to be in the thick of the playoff hunt come season's end, the NFL's first-week of prime-time matchups should be exciting.

Several players from all six of the aforementioned teams could lead their squads to victory, but only a few will perform well enough to lead your fantasy squad to victory. There are certainly a few players primed to put up gaudy numbers this week.

David Wilson, RB, New York Giants

The Giants, 4-0 at AT&T Stadium, will try to put the pressure on the Cowboys defense right from the outset. Dallas should look to do the same offensively, but the Giants have a new crop of talent on defense that Tony Romo will have to deal with. This makes the wide receivers and running backs for the Giants fantasy options to keep an eye on.

Dallas allowed 125.2 rushing yards per game in 2012, and with defensive end Anthony Spencer doubtful for the game, the run defense will be even more suspect. Safety Danny McCray, who started 10 games in 2012, is out for the game, so that is yet another hit for Dallas.

With these holes on the Dallas defense, look for running back David Wilson to have a stellar game.

Wilson was far from a consistent threat in 2012, though he did have his fair share of strong outings. He totaled 358 rushing yards and four touchdowns, with a strong 5.0 yards per attempt. He also tallied four receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown.

Expect Wilson and Eli Manning to hook up early in the game on checkdowns out of the backfield, as the Giants offense relies on such plays when the defense storms the backfield and nobody is open past the line of scrimmage. Wilson could easily post five receptions for 40-plus yards in this one.

Running the ball is where Wilson will make the biggest impact. Without Andre Brown behind him, Wilson is the unquestioned back over Da'Rel Scott and Michael Cox. With Spencer likely out of the game, look for the Giants to attack the line with stretch runs and tosses to the left side. Wilson has the speed and elusiveness to find some holes, shed some tackles and break off some sizable runs.

Wilson could presumably top 100 yards in this one with a touchdown along the way. Couple that with his impact in the passing game, and this matchup against the Cowboys could be his coming-out party as a starter.

It's easy to look to Manning, Victor Cruz or Hakeem Nicks for big-time points from week to week, but this matchup against the Cowboys is just too good to sit Wilson.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins

In a battle of mobile quarterbacks, expect the one who makes the fewest mistakes and has the biggest impact on the running game to lead his team to victory. It's really that simple. Quarterbacks like Michael Vick and Robert Griffin III can lead both their NFL teams and fantasy teams to victory because of their abilities to rack up rushing yards.

This dual-threat makes them both enticing fantasy options week after week.

Don't be shocked if Vick has a down week, though, as it will be his first time running Chip Kelly's offense for an entire game. Expect there to be some growing pains as he learns to fine-tune an offense that could develop into a dangerous one by midseason.

Robert Griffin III, fresh off the knee injury that sidelined him in the playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks, is primed for a huge game. Griffin will not only be motivated to show that he is 100 percent following his extensive rehab; he will also be motivated to continue moving the Redskins franchise into a new era.

Against the Eagles last season, Griffin was great with both his legs and his arm. he ran for 88 yards on 14 carries and completed 30 of 39 passes for six touchdowns and an interception in the two games against his NFC East rivals.

The Redskins won both games on the strength of Griffin's performances.

Expect more of the same on Monday night. Griffin will turn to running back Alfred Morris to both gain yards and set up his explosive play-action plays. Griffin possesses one of the best play-action fakes in the league, and this creates easy opportunities for Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan to go over the top of defenses. When things don't unfold as planned through the air, Griffin will simply keep the chains moving with his legs.

Expect at least 200 yards passing, 50 yards rushing and three total touchdowns from Griffin. The Eagles defense couldn't handle him last season, and there's no reason to think that they can do so in Week 1.

Matt Schaub, QB, Houston Texans

The game between the Chargers and Texans has the makings of a one-sided matchup.

The Texans have one of the top defenses in the NFL, while the Chargers offense is loaded with question marks. Philip Rivers and Ryan Matthews form a questionable tandem behind an equally questionablex offensive line, while Antonio Gates is far from the weapon he once was.

If you want to see offense, then look no further than the Texans. Matt Schaub and Co. should bust out big time against a Chargers defense that ranked 24th in the NFL last year, and it's because of his weapons that Schaub will be a big-time producer on Monday night.

Arian Foster and Ben Tate will be rotated throughout the game, reports Bryan T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle, but both backs are playmakers who can put up points for Houston. As receiving weapons out of the backfield, Foster and Tate will both be used by Schaub on screen plays and checkdowns when San Diego brings pressure.

Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels and DeAndre Hopkins are potent weapons as well, though the contributions of of the rookie Hopkins will depend on how well the rookie handles the pressure in his first NFL start.

As a 4,000-yard passer in 2012, Schaub has shown his ability to light up the scoreboard. He and Johnson are a formidable duo and, as long as both stay healthy this season, should put up insane numbers. Week 1 against the Chargers could be especially productive, as San Diego had the 15th-ranked passing defense in 2012.

Look for Schaub to go downfield to Johnson early and often, while also checking down to his backs from time to time. A game where Schaub tallies 300-plus yards and three touchdowns isn't out of the realm of possibility.