2010 NFL Fantasy Football Week 1: Start and Bench Advice

The fantasy football season is about to begin, and it’s time to go over our start and bench advice for standard leagues. Below we will have a writeup for a player at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end to start and sit.

After discussing the featured player you can also find a listing of the other players that have good or bad fantasy matchups directly below.

Quarterback Start'em

Jay Cutler vs Lions: I know much has been made of Jay Cutler’s discontent with his offense, and the Bears may be doomed for another underachieving season, but this quarterback will still have strong fantasy days. Some weeks Cutler may not be a good play for your squad, but in Week 1 he gets the Lions.

The Lions have done a great job on the front line of their defense and will be a better group overall. That said their secondary will still be one of the worst in football, and it doesn’t help that they have Cutler, Brett Favre, and Aaron Rodgers in their division.

Look for Cutler to throw over 300 yards and at least two touchdowns to begin the season.

Other Starts

Always Start: Brady, Manning, Romo, Schaub, Brees, Rivers, and Rodgers.

Solid Matchups: Carson Palmer @ Patriots, Brett Favre @ Saints, Matthew Stafford @ Bears

Quarterback Sit’em

Joe Flacco @ Jets: I held out some hope for Joe Flacco before the Jets re-signed cornerback Darrelle Revis. Now with Revis in the lineup, the Jets have the best secondary in football once again, and this won’t be a great situation for Flacco.

Poor Matchups: Kevin Kolb vs Packers, Chad Henne @ Bills, Donovan McNabb vs Cowboys, Matt Ryan @ Steelers

Running Backs Start'em

Ahmad Bradshaw vs. Panthers: The Panthers are going with a rotation on the defensive line, but it may be hard for them to handle a shifty back like Ahmad Bradshaw, who had 11 carries for 53 yards against the Panthers’ defense last year.

Now that Bradshaw is the clear starter in New York, I expect him to get at least 17 touches in the first game of the season. Look for Bradshaw as a nice flex play option for your squad to begin the season.

Other Starts

Always Start: Chris Johnson, Peterson, Jones-Drew (Pending Health), Gore, Rice, and Turner.

Solid Matchups: Cadillac Williams vs Browns, Jerome Harrison @ Buccaneers, Arian Foster vs Colts, Beanie Wells @ Rams, Matt Forte vs Lions, Jahvid Best @ Bears, Ronnie Brown @ Bills, Felix Jones @ Redskins, Ryan Mathews @ Chiefs, Jamaal Charles vs Chargers, C.J. Spiller vs Dolphins

Running Back Sit’em

Shonn Greene vs Ravens: I don’t normally recommend you bench a No. 2 running back to begin the season, but Shonn Greene has one of his hardest Week 1 matchups. Some stout defense can be prone to having an off-game to start the season, but the Ravens don’t slump against the run.

With upgrades in depth upfront for the Ravens’ defense, the Jets will have to win by attacking the Ravens secondary. Greene and his Coach Rex Ryan have made jokes about how bad Greene’s hands are, so don’t expect him to be active in that area.

Poor Matchups: LeSean McCoy vs Packers, Justin Forsett vs 49ers,  Darren McFadden @ Titans, Knowshon Moreno @ Jaguars (More because of health than matchup), Larry Johnson vs Cowboys 

Wide Receivers Start'em

Jabar Gaffney @ Jaguars: The Broncos may not have household names, but they might be a better passing offense than many think. Kyle Orton has had a strong offseason and his top target should be Jabar Gaffney.

Look for the Broncos to find success in the passing game as the Jaguars have one of the worst pass defenses in football. 

Other Starts

Always Start: Andre Johnson, Moss, Calvin Johnson, Austin, DeSean Jackson, Wayne, and White

Solid Matchups: Johnny Knox vs Lions, Michael Crabtree vs Seahawks, Dwayne Bowe vs Chargers, Larry Fitzgerald vs Rams, Percy Harvin @ Saints, Robert Meachem vs Vikings, Pierre Garcon @ Texans, Mike Wallace vs Falcons, Mike Williams (Bucs) vs Browns, Lee Evans vs Dolphins

Wide Receiver Sit’em

Wes Welker vs Bengals: Wes Welker has been a solid fantasy receiver for the past three years and a stud in PPR fantasy football leagues. While the Patriots should throw the football early and often this year, I suggest that fantasy owners keep Welker on the bench until he proves he can produce close to his previous seasons.

Even Welker himself admitted that he didn’t feel the same playing on the field this preseason. No one should be surprised by this as he suffered a horrible knee injury in the final regular season game last year. Welker probably won’t be back to his former self until next season.

If he should prove he can rack up five plus receptions in a game, then you can go ahead and use him.

Poor Matchups: Anquan Boldin @ Jets, Roy Williams @ Redskins, Derrick Mason @ Jets 

Tight End Start'em

Dallas Clark @ Texans: Last season Dallas Clark owned the Houston Texans as he posted 23 receptions for almost 200 yards and a touchdown in both meetings combined. This success was highlighted by his 14 reception performance in Week 9 when they play the Texans at home.

The Texans may give the Colts all they can handle this week but Clark should have another big game in all fantasy formats.

Other Starts

Always Start: Clark, Davis, Finley, and Gates

Solid Matchups: Visanthe Shiancoe @ Saints, Jason Witten @ Redskins, Kellen Winslow vs Browns

Tight End Sit’em

John Carlson vs 49ers: Some fantasy owners waited until the very end of their draft to get John Carlson because he had a strong end to the season in 2009. While I liked Carlson as a breakout player this summer, I can’t recommend you go with him early on.

The Seahawks offensive line coach abruptly retired a week before the season began, and it’s time to be very concerned about Seattle’s offense. The 49ers can be shaky in the secondary but with so many problems on the front line, it’s going to be a long day for Matt Hasselbeck.

Poor Matchups: Tony Gonzalez @ Steelers, Zach Miller @ Titans, Chris Cooley vs Cowboys 

Team Defense Start'em

49ers @ Seahawks, Jets vs Ravens, Cowboys @ Redskins, Ravens @ Jets, Dolphins @ Bills, Cardinals @ Rams, Titans vs Raiders, Packers @ Eagles

Team Defense Sit’em

Bengals @ Patriots, Saints vs Vikings, Vikings @ Saints, Eagles vs Packers, Bears vs Lions, Giants vs Panthers 

Kickers

Start as you normally would for Week 1. Should be good weather around the country.

NFL fantasy football player rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

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