Fantasy Football Week 1 Start 'Em and Sit 'Em

Fantasy football owners will be looking to get off to a fast start by putting their best possible lineup together, and with that in mind, here are our “Fantasy Football Start and Sit ‘Ems” for Week 1 of the 2011 season.

POTENTIAL QUARTERBACK SLEEPER PICK OF THE WEEK

Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Seattle

It may seem like a bit of a stretch to have Smith as our sleeper quarterback for the season’s opening week, but the offense brought to San Francisco by new head coach Jim Harbaugh seems to be quarterback-friendly.  A matchup with the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks may be just what the doctor ordered for Smith getting off to a nice start in 2011. 

The Seahawks allowed 31 passing touchdowns and the third-most fantasy points (standard scoring) to opposing quarterbacks last season, and Smith himself had a three-touchdown game without an interception against them last season. 

In 2009, Smith threw for a career-high 310 yards in the one game he played against Seattle.  Fantasy owners may find it hard to consider using him most of the time, and with good reason, but this week’s favorable matchup makes Smith solid option as a QB2 in leagues where starting two signal callers is required.

POTENTIAL RUNNING BACK SLEEPER PICK OF THE WEEK

Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) at Washington

The Giants re-signed Ahmad Bradshaw this offseason, and he will form a one-two punch with Jacobs again this season.  That potential carry split limits the fantasy potential of both guys, but Jacobs’ role as the likely goal line guy may make him an intriguing fantasy option. 

Week 1’s matchup against the Washington Redskins could be good news for Jacobs, as he scored three touchdowns against them last season on just 21 carries and also had one 100-yard rushing game.  Washington did allow the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2010 as well. 

Health is always a concern with Jacobs if you have him on your roster, but this week’s matchup makes him a solid choice as a RB3 or flex option.

POTENTIAL QUARTERBACK DUD PICK OF THE WEEK

Sam Bradford (St. Louis Rams) vs. Philadelphia

As much as he exceeded expectations as a rookie last season, St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford still has a way to go before he becomes the superstar he’s supposed to be. Opening the NFL season against the Philadelphia Eagles is certainly not an easy way to make that transition.

As mediocre as Philadelphia’s linebackers are, the defensive backs are more than enough to make up for it with two elite cornerbacks in Nnamdi Asomugha and Asante Samuel, as well as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and two underrated safeties in Jarrad Page and Kurt Coleman.

As good as Bradford is his receivers simply are good enough to deal with those defensive backs.

That’s not to say Bradford is going to play poorly and throw a bunch of interceptions, but his coming out season will be put on hold for at least this week.

POTENTIAL RUNNING BACK DUD PICK OF THE WEEK

Marshawn Lynch (Buffalo Bills) at San Francisco

It’s easy to remember how dominant Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was in the team’s playoff win against the New Orleans Saints last season and think maybe he’s finally turned a corner. However, playoff success does not equal regular season success, and when it came to the 2010 regular season Lynch was very inconsistent and often bad.

Lynch never rushed for more than 89 yards in a regular season game last year and rushed for less than 50 yards eight times. While the Seattle offense is likely to be ran through Lynch the majority of the season it’s best to stay away from him in Week 1.

The 49ers allowed just seven rushing touchdowns to running backs last season and their defense against the run is expected to be even better this year. Plus, Lynch has been nursing a sore ankle and while he’s expected to play, he’s not going to be 100 percent.

Also Consider Reading:

Week 1 Start 'Ems

Week 1 Sit 'Ems

Week 1 Quarterback Rankings

Week 1 Running Back Rankings

Week 1 Wide Receiver Rankings