NFL Predictions Week 1: 5 Star Players Guaranteed to Struggle

This is the one area of fantasy football that can really cause frustration, and that's when your start players struggling at anytime, but especially in the beginning of the year.

It also, however, happens to be extremely frustrating for the franchise of that particular player, and the fans of that specific team.

For what was expected to be a dominating performance, turns into immense disappointment.

Only thing about it is that no one is immune.

However, for the first week of the NFL season, these following players are ones that you can expect to comes out of the gates struggling.

Chris Johnson

It wasn't until late August when Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans finally came to an agreement about his contract.

And although he's arguably the best RB in pro football, missing out on that much of the preseason and training camp will show in the beginning of the season.

Regardless of how much chemistry there is between a back and his QB and offensive line, it must be reinvigorated at the opening of training camp.

There, they can hit the ground running and pick up right where they left off the previous season.

In Johnson's case however, he will catch back on quicker than most, but it's going to take at least a week or two before he does.

Remember, this is the NFL and everybody is good.

And missing out on most of training camp is only going to set him back a bit.

Ray Rice

It's not so much that Ray Rice isn't a beast of a running back as it is the fact that Baltimore plays Pittsburgh in Week 1.

For starters, the Steelers allowed only 62.8 rushing yards per game last season which, as you might have guessed, ranked them No. 1 in rush defense.

As for Ray Rice, he compiled only 84 yards on 29 carries in three games against Pittsburgh, while also only amassing 10 receptions for 59 yards.

Rice is one of the most complete RBs in the league, and the Steel Curtain limited him to only 113 total yards in three games.

There's no way he doesn't struggle in Week 1.

Reggie Bush

Now that the Miami Dolphins are without Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to run the wildcat, you can bet on Reggie Bush taking over that role.

Only problem for that this week is that Miami plays host to New England, and you know Bill Belichick "won't get fooled again" (for the fans of The Who).

Also, it's a position that Bush has never done before, but it's not like Tony Sparano has much of a choice with Chad Henne and Matt Moore as his two QBs.

In addition, the Pats' did have a solid rush D in 2010, by allowing only 108 yards per game, ranking them No. 11 in the league.

Bush will produce this season, just not against New England in Week 1.

Adrian Peterson

He's arguably the best player in pro football right now, and is the heart and soul of the Minnesota Vikings.

Adrian Peterson is also arguably more important to his team than any other player is to their's.

That said, the Vikings travel to sunny San Diego, CA. this week and take on the Chargers.

Here's why he's going to struggle:

1. San Diego has a top five defense both rushing and passing

2. Minnesota has an old QB who is washed up, and

3. The Chargers offense will force Minnesota to throw, and the Vikings aren't a threatening passing offense.

Therefore, expect Norv Turner's defense to put at least seven guys in the box more than 70 percent of the time, while playing man-coverage across the board.

Minnesota's one-dimensional with Peterson regardless, and stopping him will force the Vikings to pass.

Advantage Chargers.

Eli Manning

Despite his actual play on the field, Eli Manning is still considered one of the NFL's top QBs because of his marketability.

Yes, he is a solid QB, but he's in the spotlight quite a bit mainly because of being in the USA's biggest market -- New York City.

Nonetheless, he is still a star player that gets much deserved recognition for the Giants' success but, in turn, a team like the Washington Redskins has the tools to stop him.

For starters, the Giants offensive line, although good, is old and Washington's LBs and DL are getting better.

In addition to team captain LB London Fletcher, fellow LB Brian Orakpo and rookie DL Ryan Kerrigan will cause a lot of unwanted pressure on Eli.

Also, safety LaRon Landry is one of the best in the game, and DB DeAngelo Hall is solid in coverage.

The Redskins' defense is a lot better than given credit for, and it will show when they host New York in Week 1.

Be sure to check on John on Bleacher Report.

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