Fantasy Football Week 1 Rankings: 5 Players Guaranteed to Score Big Points

These are the players that you can count on every single week, provided that they're on your teams.

But, they're also the players that you dread to face anytime your opponent has them.

Now, obviously these five players aren't the only ones who light it up every week, but more so, those who perform better above the rest, and are undoubtedly a lock for a solid game every time they take the field.

So to get started for the 2011 NFL season, here are five players guaranteed to burn the scoreboard in the first week of fantasy football.

Philip Rivers

Every year, regardless of his targets and the number of injuries in Southern California, there's always one guy you've been able to count on—Philip Rivers.

He's become the second-coming of the Peyton Manning-esque QB who can accumulate stats quickly.

Rivers has established himself as a top five NFL QB (top ten at worst), and possesses the ability to get his Chargers a win on any given Sunday.

And this week, San Diego plays host to the Minnesota Vikings, a team in the midst of rebuilding, while the feeling of "Air Coryell" seems to have re-emerged in San Diego, CA.

Jamaal Charles

He's debatable with Adrian Peterson as the current best RB in the NFL, but with Peterson up against the Chargers this week, Charles gets the "Joe Namath guarantee" this week.

Why?

Because, the Chiefs are playing host to the Buffalo Bills, a team that finished ranked No. 32 in rush defense last season, whereas K.C. was No. 1 in rush offense.

In 2010 the game came down to OT, with the Chiefs winning 13-10, but this time around, Buffalo no longer has LB Paul Posluszny or safety Donte Whitner to help stop the run.

Therefore, Charles will be in charge all game long.

Tom Brady

How could a list of guaranteed fantasy football performers not include Tom Brady?

It doesn't matter who's around him, Brady always performs at the highest level, and even some of his worst games are better than most average NFL QBs.

If you're lucky enough to have Brady dropping back for you in fantasy football, it sometimes won't matter how badly the rest of your team performs, since Brady can carry you into the playoffs by himself.

He's simply just that good, and this season, much like any other season he's played, will be dominant.

Aaron Rodgers

The current incumbent of the Super Bowl MVP award, Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers has quickly risen as a top five NFL player.

After sitting behind Brett Favre for three years, Rodgers has shown his dominance by shredding defenses as good as anyone has in the three seasons he's been a starter in Titletown.

Much like Tom Brady, it really doesn't matter who his receiving targets are, because as we saw last season, the Packers had so many injuries that it seemed unlikely that they'd make the postseason.

Well, Rodgers stepped up his play, even if his WRs only consist of Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Donald Driver, and Greg Jennings.

Jennings is the best, but even he can be argued as only being a Top 15 WR.

Don't be surprised when Rodgers' tosses for over 4,000 yards and 30 TDs.

Andre Johnson

He is arguably the best WR in the game, and has a trusty sidekick in Kevin Walter for QB Matt Schaub to defer to.

In addition, the Texans appear to finally have a consistent rushing attack in Arian Foster, which will open up Johnson a lot more.

This season, Houston has yet another window opportunity to compete for the AFC South, and with that in mind, Johnson could have his best season yet.

All the other years when he dominated, Houston's ground game was nowhere near as effective as it was in 2010, and more is expected for 2011.

In turn, you'll get more productivity from Johnson, and it all begins in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts, as their pass defense is very skeptical.

Be sure to check on John on Bleacher Report.

And, you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.