There’s been endless analysis on what quarterbacks will succeed throughout the season and we’re finally in week 1.
Here’s the quarterbacks with the best and worst chances to shine in their week 1 match-up.
Start
Sam Bradford vs. Atlanta
Philadelphia is home to fantasy football studs and Bradford’s biggest weakness is his injury history. While he’s on the field, he should put up big numbers at the quarterback position.
Monday’s game against Atlanta also helps since the Falcons were horrendous against the pass last season. Atlanta was last against the pass, so expect the Eagles to run plenty of plays through the air.
The only worry about the gameplan may surface with head coach Chip Kelly utilizing his two quality running backs, DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews, more than putting Bradford in harm’s way in week 1. With the ideal conditions inside the dome, and the Falcons being known more for their offense than their defense, it’s a safe bet that Bradford will string
together plenty of points.
Matt Ryan vs. Philadelphia
See above for the reasons why we love Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. The Monday night game between the Falcons and Eagles should feature fast-paced, up-and-down offenses flinging the ball all over the field.
Ryan may be a better start than even Bradford, with the running back situation in Atlanta. The Falcons will showcase two running backs with only one year of NFL experience between them. It’s doubtful Ryan will have the ball taken out of his hands for most of the game, making him an ideal play against the Eagles.
The Eagles defense can allow a lot of passing yards, and with Philadelphia’s offense moving so quick, the defense will be on the field for plenty of this game. Ryan should put up a solid amount of points.
Ryan Tannehill vs. Washington
The Miami Dolphins signal caller keeps getting better every year. His passing yards, completion percentage, touchdowns and interception rate have improved every year in his career, and with added weapons this year, he should continue to be on the rise.
The match-up sets up well for Tannehill in this one, too, with Washington being dealing with plenty of turmoil. Even when there wasn’t that much drama happening last year, the Redskins were susceptible to the pass game.
Running back Lamar Miller will get his touches in the game for Miami, but Tannehill also should get his fantasy
football points. There will be a lot of those going around on Sunday.
Ben Roethlisberger vs. New England
Le’Veon Bell’s absence will force Roethlisberger to throw all day in week 1 against New England. And that shouldn’t be too much of a worry for people backing the Steelers.
New England lost secondary starters Brandon Bower and Darrelle Revis off last year’s Super Bowl winning team. There has to be some effect from losing players at that caliber, and the Patriots got a tough draw to work their way through early adjustments. The Steelers are loaded offensively and Roethlisberger has the weapons on offense to make the Patriots stay on their heels.
There also are plenty of question marks for the Steelers’ defense, so this could be a shootout. We’ve paid attention to Tom Brady during the entire offseason, so now it’s time for Big Ben to take center stage. No one’s talking about the Steelers in this one, and oddsmakers have them as touchdown underdogs. Roethlisberger will use the lack of respect to his advantage and will be a quality start this week.
Sit
Andrew Luck vs. Buffalo
If Luck is on your regular fantasy football roster, you’re likely going to start him over your back-up of, let’s say, Andy Dalton. But if you’re participating in a one-week league, avoid Luck at all costs this week.
Buffalo will slog through this game, running the football and attempting to shorten the game. The Bills’ defense also is one of the better units in the NFL, which recorded the most sacks in the league last year. That doesn’t bode well for Luck putting up big numbers in week 1.
He’s good enough where he likely won’t have a complete bomb of a game, but don’t expect him to put up big numbers. The Bills defense is too good and this game should be a low-scoring contest.
Alex Smith vs. Houston
A road game in week 1 against J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans. That doesn’t register must optimism for fantasy football owners looking to start Smith.
The Texans were close to a top-1o team against the pass last season, and they had ball hawks in the secondary. Houston registered the third-most interceptions as a team last year with 20 and allowed the fourth-lowest completion percentages for opposing quarterbacks.
But this isn’t all about the Texans’ defense. This game should be another slow contest, with the Texans looking for an identity on offense, and Smith looking to find his way with new receiver Jeremy Maclin and the best way to utilize Jamaal Charles. Smith may have a more productive year for fantasy football owners, but this is not the game to trust him as your signal caller.
Matthew Stafford vs. San Diego
Detroit must go on the West Coast in that late afternoon game. That’s not a great way to start for Stafford.
We believe the Lions will take a step back anyway this year and the Chargers showed they can be good against the pass last season. San Diego allowed the fourth-least amount of passing yards last season and actually turned in a top-10 total defense.
This isn’t totally on San Diego’s shoulders. The Lions did less in the passing game last season compared to years past, and we’re anxious to see if that continues. He had one of his lowest outputs in passing yards and touchdowns last season. If that trend continues, this will tough match-up in week 1.
Joe Flacco vs. Denver
It will be interesting to see how Flacco adjusts without Torrey Smith, the team’s second-leading receiver in 2014. Steve Smith, the Ravens leading receiver last season, is starting his 14th season, and it’s hard to expect him to match last year’s total of more than 1,000 yards.
With some uncertainty at the wide receiver position, the Ravens may focus more on running back Justin Forsett, who was a Pro Bowler last year and should be even better this season.
That may be the best option for the Ravens on Sunday against the Broncos. Denver was stingy against the pass last season, and should once again be better in the secondary than up front.
