Don’t get caught up in how high you drafted a specific player when setting the week 1 match-up. Fantasy football is all about match-ups, so here’s the match-ups we love, like and hate for quarterbacks in the first week.

Love

Sam Bradford and Matt Ryan

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan should have a solid match-up this week. Flickr/Keith Allison/http://bit.ly/1OmpAqE
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan should have a solid match-up this week. Flickr/Keith Allison/http://bit.ly/1OmpAqE

We can’t go with just one quarterback in this game.

When Philadelphia and Atlanta square off Sept. 14 in Atlanta, plenty of points will appear on the scoreboard. And it’s not just because of how good the offenses can be. It’s mostly about how bad both defenses were against the pass last season.

The Falcons and Eagles finished last and second-to-last against the pass last season. And while the Falcons were better against the touchdown pass (they allowed 20 touchdowns through the air last year), the Eagles allowed the second-most touchdown passes last season at 30.

The game is in the dome, so there’s no worry about weather, and although the Eagles do have DeMarco Murray as a running back, the Falcons will debut either a rookie or second-year player as their starting running back.

Both offenses will get plenty of opportunities in this game, especially with the quick pace the Eagles will employ. Bradford and Ryan will get off to good starts for their fantasy football owners in week 1.

Like

Ryan Tannehill

The Dolphins signal caller gets the Washington Redskins in week 1. That’s a great sign for Tannehill and the Dolphins.

The Redskins are a mess and if last year is any indication of how well they will play, especially on the defensive end, this will be another long year.

Washington allowed 249 yards passing per game last season, ranking them 24th in the NFL. What makes that number even more incredible is that teams didn’t pass often against Washington. Only the Seattle Seahawks saw less passes thrown against them last year.

That low pass attempt number, combined with the amount of passing yards allowed, meant the Redskins allowed the highest amount of yards per pass attempt.

This isn’t all about the Redskins’ ineptitude. Tannehill is getting better, and so far, the Dolphins quarterback has had quite a preseason. His numbers have consistently gotten better in each of his first three seasons, and with some added weapons at his disposal, he should continue to progress.

If the Eagles and Falcons weren’t playing each other, this might be the best quarterback to start in week 1.

Hate

Andrew Luck

The Indianapolis Colts face an over/under of 11 wins. Flickr/http://bit.ly/1PcfOIe/Erik Drost
The Indianapolis Colts face an over/under of 11 wins. Flickr/http://bit.ly/1PcfOIe/Erik Drost

We love Luck’s upside this season. And there’s likely no shot you’re going to sit your top draft pick in the first week.

But Buffalo’s going to turn this game into a slow, methodical football game. The Bills are going to run the ball and attempt to shave off clock time during its offensive possessions. Then, when the Bills take the field on defense, they will feature one of the better units in the NFL.

Buffalo allowed the third-least passing yards per game last season. Even more troubling for Luck owners is the Bills led the NFL in sacks last year.

The last time Luck took the field against Buffalo head coach Rex Ryan was his rookie year, so there’s not much reason to take stock into that effort. However, if you’d like to know, during that game, the New York Jets, Ryan’s former team, won by 26 points, and Luck tossed two interceptions and no touchdowns.

Luck will likely get some points, but it won’t be as many as owners should expect for the rest of the season.

 

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