Monday Night Football: Flacco Among Fantasy Players Worth Watching

Monday Night Football kicks off tonight with a doubleheader. 

Wait, so there is a game other than the Ravens and Jets on?

The night begins in New York at 7 p.m. EST then moves Kansas City at 10:15 p.m. EST for the Chargers and Chiefs game. 

So assuming Ray Lewis doesn't kill them first (he's kind of pissed at the Jets), what players should you be keeping an eye on tonight?

Joe Flacco and His Receivers

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BALTIMORE - AUGUST 28: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens passes against the New York Giants at M&T Bank Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens lead the Giants 17-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Fantasy wise, Flacco is an almost much bench against the Jets defense, which ranked No. 1 last year in total defense.

But his owners should watch him closely. 

This will be Flacco's first real NFL game with two legit receiving targets (Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin), and it comes against possibly the best secondary in the league.

The Ravens also added a third possible legitimate threat in T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Keep an eye on him to see if he can pass an aging Mason on the depth chart.

If Flacco can put up numbers against the Jets, then expect him to have a huge year.

Likewise for whoever his top two receivers may be.

LaDainian Tomlinson

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 19: LaDanian Tomlinson #21 of the San Diego Chargers runs with pressure from Leodis McKelvin #28 of the Buffalo Bills on October 19, 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo won 23-14. (Photo by Rick Ste

After being slowed by injuries and the emergence of Darren Sproles, LaDainian Tomlinson made his way to New York in the offseason.

Then in the preseason he showed the NFL he still has something left in the tank.

Unlike some of his other running back comrades in recent year, Tomlinson looks like he could re-emerge.

While he probably isn't worth starting against the Ravens defense, he is another player to keep on your bench in hope he will have a productive season.

A good game against the Ravens means a good season for Tomlinson, and the Jets.

Dustin Keller And Jerricho Cotchery

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 24: Dustin Keller #81 of the New York Jets celebrates his touchdown in the second quarter with teammate Jerricho Cotchery #89 while playing against the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Jan

Keller and Cotchery should be Mark Sanchez's top receiving targets.

However, none of the players I just named should be started in fantasy.

They are playing the Ravens, and well Sanchez has problems throwing a football. 

Sanchez only completes 54 percent of his passes, and managed to throw 20 interceptions last year.

Don't be surprised if he finds the Ravens's defense more often than his own receivers. 

Ravens and Jets Defense

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NEW YORK - APRIL 21: NY Jet's Darrelle Revis attends ESPN the Magazine's 7th Annual Pre-Draft Party at Espace on April 21, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Getty Images for ESPN)

Both defenses are must starts.

I don't care what the over/under (36.5 points) is for this game.

Bet the under!

This is a match-up of two stud defenses. The Ravens are no longer amazing, but they are still good, and the Jets don't exactly have anything on offense that should be cause for concern. 

As for the Jets, almost everyone has them ranked as the number one defense in the NFL, and for good reason.

They have the names, they have the talent, now tonight we get to see just how good they are. 

Philip Rivers and His Receivers

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NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 27: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers in action against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on August 27, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

For some reason, people have been doubting that the Chargers will be prolific on offense this year.

Don't.

Yes, Vincent Jackson and Tomlinson are gone. But Rivers is as good as ever.

He still has Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd, and now Ryan Matthews.

Gates and Floyd become must starts as Rivers' go-to options.

The Chargers will put points on the board against the Chiefs, so make sure to start Philip if you haven't already.

Ryan Matthews

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 21: Running back Ryan Matthews #24 of the San Diego Chargers rushes during the pre-season NFL football game against Dallas Cowboys at Qualcomm Stadium on August 21, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Imag

So what if Ryan Matthews is a rookie?

He might run for 150 yards tonight. Sound insane? Well it is.

But it might happen, and easily could.

Coach Norv Turner has said he will get 20-22 carries tonight, so maybe 150 yards is unlikely. But 100+ and a few touchdowns isn't out of the question.

If Matthews runs wild, do you want to be the person explaining to your friends why you didn't start him?

Jamaal Charles

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ATLANTA - AUGUST 13: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on August 13, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Charles is the only Chiefs player worth a start tonight.

Why? Well because he is their offense, and that Matt Cassel fellow isn't 'there' yet, which means Dwayne Bowe likely won't put up great numbers either. 

Charles tied for the NFL lead last year in yards per carry, averaging nearly six yards a carry, and he ran for 93 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers in his only game against them last year.

Expect similar numbers out of him tonight, especially since he will be expected to carry the Chiefs' offense.

Chargers Defense

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 14: Linebacker Shawne Merriman #56 of the San Diego Chargers works out before the game with the Chicago Bears on August 14, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Merriman signed his one year tender contract on Friday and

The Chargers' defense is adequate, and they're playing the Chiefs.

Their offense should take up large chunks of times with their drives, and expect a lot of three-and-outs from the Chiefs. 

Enough said. Start them.