Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 1: Top Matchup Plays and Sleepers for Opening Games

For the most part, setting your fantasy football lineup for Week 1 of the NFL season is the easiest time of the year. After all, the majority of players are healthy and most of the projections haven't changed since you took these players in your draft.

Make sure no late injury news develops, give a final spin through your roster and you should be set.

But maybe you're weak at a position or two. Or you missed out on some of your potential draft targets and are entering the season planning to stream a position, knowing you're going to have to be busy on the waiver wire on a weekly basis to find a player or two to plug into your lineup.

In those cases, you may need early start/sit advice and some sleepers to consider. With the 2021 NFL season beginning Thursday night, here are some tips for the opening week.

Quarterbacks

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Start 'Em

Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts at ATL

Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence at HOU

Sit 'Em

Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert at WAS

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger at BUF

Sleeper: Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan vs. PHI

There hasn't been a ton of hype around Matt Ryan as he enters his age-36 season in an offense that no longer has its former top playmaker (wide receiver Julio Jones). It's also likely that the Falcons will run the ball much more with Arthur Smith now the head coach.

It may not lead to Ryan's biggest fantasy season, but he should still have some strong weeks. And that is likely to be the case in a favorable Week 1 home matchup against the Eagles.

Although Philadelphia has added some veterans to its secondary (safety Anthony Harris and cornerback Steven Nelson), it's still a beatable unit. Atlanta's defense isn't a top-tier unit, either, meaning it's possible this could be a high-scoring matchup with strong fantasy options on both sides.

Ryan still has a strong No. 1 wide receiver in Calvin Ridley, while rookie tight end Kyle Pitts is going to be a mismatch for many opposing defenses.

Expect the veteran signal-caller to put up numbers that make him worthy of streaming consideration if you need a Week 1 QB.

Running Backs

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Start 'Em

Los Angeles Rams RB Sony Michel vs. CHI

San Francisco 49ers RB Raheem Mostert at DET

Sit 'Em

Miami Dolphins RB Myles Gaskin at NE

Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs vs. BAL

Sleeper: San Francisco 49ers RB Trey Sermon at DET

The 49ers will use more than one running back this season, as has often been the case under head coach Kyle Shanahan, which can make it tricky to know who to start in fantasy. In Week 1, it's simple: Play both Raheem Mostert and Trey Sermon.

While Mostert is likely to have the bigger workload early on as the veteran RB, Sermon's touches should only increase as he gets more NFL experience. But this is a matchup that should yield big numbers for both, as the Lions' defense is one that will likely struggle in 2021.

Sermon has the potential to be a breakout fantasy player during his rookie season, as he has the skills and talent for immediate success in the NFL. And it helps that he'll be playing in such a run-heavy offense.

If you're looking for somebody with high potential to play in the flex in Week 1, the 22-year-old is worth consideration.

Wide Receivers

Bruce Kluckhohn/Associated Press

Start 'Em

Houston Texans WR Brandin Cooks vs. JAX

Denver Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy at NYG

Sit 'Em

Dallas Cowboys WR Michael Gallup at TB

Cleveland Browns WR Jarvis Landry at KC

Sleeper: Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. vs. SEA

Michael Pittman Jr. is poised to have a big second season after his solid rookie campaign. And while he'll have to develop a connection with new Colts quarterback Carson Wentz early, he should have plenty of opportunities to do so.

That's because veteran wide receiver T.Y. Hilton recently underwent neck surgery and is going to miss at least the first three games of the season after being placed on injured reserve. So Pittman and Parris Campbell are likely going to be the receivers who get the most targets during those early weeks.

Pittman scored only one touchdown in 2020, but that number should take a big jump this year. It's possible he'll even get into the end zone in Indianapolis' season opener.

If the Colts want to knock off the Seahawks, they're going to have to keep up with their offense. Wentz should throw a lot, with plenty of balls going to his 23-year-old teammate, who is a solid fantasy option this week.

Tight Ends

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Start 'Em

Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Rob Gronkowski vs. DAL

Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee vs. CHI

Sit 'Em

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Eric Ebron at BUF

New England Patriots TE Hunter Henry vs. MIA

Sleeper: New England Patriots TE Jonnu Smith vs. MIA

The Patriots' offense is going to look a lot different this season, with a rookie quarterback (Mac Jones), an overhauled receiving corps and a pair of new tight ends in free-agent acquisitions Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry.

So, until we see this New England unit in action, it's hard to tell who may be the fantasy stars this season.

However, it seems likely that Smith is going to be the better TE to play over Henry early in the year. Throughout his career, Henry has been impacted by injuries, and he missed his entire first preseason with the Pats due to a shoulder ailment.

So, Smith should be more up to speed and could become a reliable target for Jones in a favorable home matchup against the Dolphins.

If you're streaming the TE position this year, the 26-year-old could be a sleeper option for Week 1 who may break out with a big showing in his debut for the Patriots.