Fantasy Football 2014: Stars Who Will Bounce Back from Disappointing in Week 1

A slow Week 1 from one of your fantasy football players isn't the end of the world. Some stars will make up for the opening week's letdown with a much better outing the second time around.

This isn't to say their Week 1 flops were flukes. There's legitimate concern for all three aging stars discussed below, but the iron is hot for a strong Sunday showing. Better matchups put them all in a better situation to succeed in Week 2.

Don't panic and trade them now. If anything, wait for them to heat up this Sunday, and then test their trade value. 

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots (at Minnesota Vikings)

Is Tom Brady regressing, and many of us are simply too stubborn to admit it?

The warning signs existed last season, when he posted his lowest completion percentage (60.5) since 2003 and the least yards per attempt (6.92) and passing touchdowns (25) since 2006, excluding the 2008 season he missed.

Rather than rebounding with the return of Rob Gronkowski, Brady went 29-of-56 for 249 yards and one touchdown against the Miami Dolphins. He averaged just 4.45 yards per attempt during the inefficient outing and didn't possess his usual synergy with his star tight end, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

Questions about an injured calf lingered before the AFC East upset, but Brady wouldn't blame it for the poor performance, per NFL Network's Albert Breer:

Even in a down year, Brady played pretty darn well considering the circumstances. One poor week shouldn't relegate him to the bench, especially given his matchup.

The Minnesota Vikings may seem scary after dismantling the St. Louis Rams, but they ripped apart Shaun Hill and Austin Davis. Let's not forget they rank No. 31 in passing defense last season.

Brady's days as a top-five fantasy quarterback are numbered, but he'll finish near the top of the leaderboard this weekend.

Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Chicago Bears)

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Frank Gore gets yet another chance to exploit a weak rushing defense.

He figured to tear apart the Dallas Cowboys defense ranked last in 2013, but he only generated 66 yards on 16 carries. Meanwhile, Carlos Hyde recorded 50 yards and a score on seven runs.

Gore's fantasy owners should worry about the rookie rusher assuming a healthy portion of his workload. Sports Illustrated's Andy Benoit thinks he'll surpass the veteran, and ESPN's Matthew Berry also hopes to see Gore replaced as the San Francisco 49ers' No. 1 back:

All grave concerns for all of 2014. For this week alone? Both men will produce plenty of yards against the Chicago Bears, who showed no signs of improving last season's last-ranked rushing defense in Week 1.

Last Sunday, the Buffalo Bills combined for 193 rushing yards in their 23-20 overtime victory. While speedster C.J. Spiller only averaged 3.5 yards per run, Fred Jackson turned his seven carries into 61 yards. Both Gore and Hyde are physical, bulldozing runners who emanate Jackson's power more than Spiller's finesse.

Really, it's more a matter of reaching the end zone. Vernon Davis caught two touchdowns last week, and Hyde pierced through for the other one. Gore has generated 25 rushing touchdowns in the last three seasons combined, so predicting goal-line carries against a putrid run defense isn't much of a stretch.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals (at New York Giants)

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In the final game of Week 1, several fantasy managers held Larry Fitzgerald as their last hope of starting the season with a victory. Instead, they found themselves wondering if he was even playing.

Fitzgerald finished the Monday night affair against the San Diego Chargers with one 22-yard catch. Through the opening three quarters, Carson Palmer had not targeted him once. According to NFL on ESPN, that had never happened before in 156 previous games:

Meanwhile, Michael Floyd caught five passes for 119 yards. Just like with Gore and Hyde, there's a changing of the guard in progress, but it's much easier for two wide receivers to both thrive. Floyd's emergence could actually help Fitzgerald, who won't have to overcome double-teams anymore. 

Right before his quiet evening, the Detroit Lions scorched the New York Giants for 341 passing yards. While Calvin Johnson dominated New York's secondary, Golden Tate excelled in his shadow, collecting six catches for 93 yards.

Floyd will finish 2014 as the Arizona Cardinals' top fantasy wideout, but that doesn't mean Fitzgerald will fade into obscurity. He's still well worth starting this Sunday.