Fantasy Football Week 1 Projections: Which Players Will Put Up Major Points?

The start of fantasy football this week with the start of the NFL regular season should go a long way to molding the outcome of the NFL fantasy season.

Arian Foster established himself this time last year with a massive breakout game against the division rival Indianapolis Colts. This year there will be plenty of players looking to make a similar move in Week 1.

Not all of these players will be unknowns like Foster was but not all will be the established elite players that you expect either. The biggest thing that affects a player's projected performance is the matchup and situation he finds himself in from week to week.

Both quarterbacks of the curtain raiser should be able to put up respectable numbers against good defenses but Aaron Rodgers will be the one that tops the quarterbacks points on opening weekend. With Jermichael Finley, Greg Jennings and Donald Driver all being built like running backs, it will be almost impossible for the Saints' defense to matchup to them.

On the other side of the ball the Pittsburgh Steelers' cumulative defensive effort should see them top the fantasy totem poll as they take advantage of a overmatched Ravens offense. The Ravens' offensive line doesn't appear to be in the best shape while they lack depth at receiver to spread the field.

Steven Jackson may be considered an enigmatic option as the Rams face off against the Philadelphia Eagles but expect Jackson to get a lot of carries and expose the biggest flaw on the Eagles roster. The Rams will feature a lot of heavy sets and look to get Jackson into the Eagles' linebackers and safeties who will struggle to bring him down.

Ben Tate is another back that should have a huge day with the absence of Arian Foster from the Texans' starting lineup. The Colts defense is a notoriously poor rushing defense and the Texans will likely have a lot of reasons to run the ball because they should be playing with a lead.

With the Dallas Cowboys traveling to play the Jets in New York, neither Miles Austin or Dez Bryant will be favorable fantasy players this week. Expect Jason Witten however to have a huge game with most of the Cowboys passing game going through him. Witten is an elite tight end and well used to being the main offensive target so he should have no issues carrying the load.

Mike Williams will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' go-to guy once again this year as he enters his second season. While the Detroit Lions have drastically improved their front seven and slightly improved their secondary he should still have a big day this weekend. Josh Freeman wrestling Ndamukong Suh will be a sight to watch but whenever Freeman gets the better of him Williams will make plays and put up points.

Vincent Jackson's return to the San Diego Chargers offense for the whole season this year has made him a brilliant fantasy option. Jackson should get off to a good start also as he has a notable advantage over any of the Vikings' secondary men that will try to match up to him with his height. The decimated defensive line in Minnesota will really hurt the Vikings pass rush also giving Philip Rivers time to pick his passes.

Most of these players are likely to have big years for the whole season and getting off to a big start could give them a lot of momentum this week.