This is week 1 of the starts and sits article series from Belly up. That means we are ready for some football, and fantasy owners are ready to win some championships. I’m here to give you some insight on the ideal week 1 matchups and the ones you should avoid. This is going to be a weekly article and I hope you all find it helpful.

Quarterbacks

Starts

Ryan Tannehill vs Arizona

Ryan Tannehill has a lot of weapons now in Tennessee. While the Cardinals have a good defense, the Titans might have too many weapons to worry about overall. I see this playing in Tannehill’s favor, he can utilize Derrick Henry’s presence to effectively use the play-action game. The Titans should overwhelm the Cardinals this week and Tannehill will benefit greatly Sunday. My Prediction, 260-300 yards, 2 TDs.

Matthew Stafford vs Chicago Bears

Matthew Stafford is playing for a new team against an old rival. I think Stafford’s familiarity with the Bears will come in handy. Adding in his plethora of new weapons and a solid run game, we might just see the best Stafford we’ve ever seen. The slot receivers are going to help Stafford get the ball out before the Bears pressure engulfs him. My prediction is 290-320 passing yards, 2-3 TDs.

Sits

Tua Tagovailoa vs New England Patriots

It won’t be Tua time this week, the Patriots’ defense should make sure of that on Sunday. Tua Tagovailoa is going to have a tough time finding an open receiver with the Patriots’ secondary draping the Will Fuller-less receiver corp. Another thing to consider is the pressure coming from Matthew Judon who looked elite in the preseason. My prediction, 200 yards, TD, 2 INTs.

Andy Dalton vs LA Rams

Andy Dalton drew some bad luck with his first game, having to go against this strong defense. Dalton will have pressure in his face, his number 1 receiver Allen Robinson will be covered by Jalen Ramsey and David Montgomery will face a stout run defense. I don’t see Dalton having a good game today, my prediction is 250 yards, TD, INT.

Running Backs

Starts

James Robinson vs Houston Texans

Last year Robinson’s stat line vs the Texans was 38 carries, 147 yards, TD | 5 receptions, 22 yards. Not the most impressive, but to be fair the Texans knew they didn’t have to worry about the QB so they stacked the deck against Robinson. This season we’re going to get a look into what James Robinson can do with the threat of a good QB keeping defenses on their toes. The Texans are looking like a lock for the number one pick in the 2022 draft and a possible 0-16 candidate for this year. They have a solid linebacking core but are lacking in the front four with the departure of J.J. Watt. I fully expect the Texans to play from behind in most if not all their games, tiring out their defense and giving up unnecessary yards and TDs. Robinson should have no problem with the Texans, my prediction: 25 carries, 100-120 yards, 2 TD | 2 receptions, 20 yards.

Raheem Mostert vs Detroit Lions

Mostert should have a good/great game Sunday against the Lions. The Lions gave up 1,855 yards and 9 TDs last season and Mostert has proven he can accelerate in space. Mostert will be given the lead role in San Francisco and should be given 15-20 carries. While limited in 2020, Mostert did own the two fastest TDs, clocking in at 23.09 MPH on an 80 yard run against the Jets and then 22.73 MPH on a catch and run 70 yard TD against the Cardinals. My prediction: 20 carries, 100 yards, 2 TD | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 20 yards.

Sits

Clyde Edwards Helaire vs Cleveland

Edwards Helaire is going into week 1 with a revamped offensive line, but will also be facing a strong defensive front seven. The Browns in 2020 allowed the 23rd most yards and was top 5 in containing runs of 20 yards or more. The addition of John Johnson at safety will make this team even more formidable against the run as he boasted a run defense score of 83.9 according to Pro Football Focus. CEH should be good this year but this is a tough first challenge for the sophomore running back and his new line. Prediction: 15 carries, 40 yards | 6 targets, 5 receptions, 20 yards, TD

Josh Jacobs vs Baltimore Ravens

Josh Jacobs should get plenty of opportunities to make a good game for himself, but he’s going up against a stout front seven. A defense that allowed a league-low 7 TDs to opposing running backs. Jacobs proved last year that he could be a 1,000 yard back while posting 3.9 yards per attempt. My prediction: 60 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 25 yards

Wide Receiver

Starts

Antonio Brown vs Dallas Cowboys

Last season the Cowboy gave up the most TDs (27) to wide receivers, they also gave up the 2nd most yards (2,807). Antonio Brown has still looked like a starting receiver in Tampa Bay and will be the slot going into this game. Look for Brown to manhandle whoever is put on him in this secondary and with Godwin and Evans drawing Trevon Diggs, Brown should have an easy night. My prediction is Brown will have 5 receptions, 50-100 yards, 1-2 TDs.

DeVonta Smith vs Atlanta Falcons

DeVonta Smith draws the best matchup for a rookie wide receiver in the Falcons. Last year the Falcons allowed the most yards to receivers (3,348). While still, a rookie Smith has shown us that his fluid route running is a gamechanger. Jalen Hurts should be feeding Smith early and often, it might be a big game for the Heisman Trophy winner. My prediction, 7-10 receptions, 100 yards, TD.

Sits

Jakobi Meyers vs Miami Dolphins

Jakobi Meyers is going to draw a tough challenge this week going against Xavien Howard and Byron Jones. I think he’ll get targets and a few catches but it’s probably not going much further in the terms of yards after the catch. My prediction for Meyers is a pedestrian one, 4 receptions for 40 yards.

Kenny Golladay vs Denver Broncos

Kenny Golladay has a tough matchup this week going against the Denver Broncos and Kyle Fuller. The newly paid star receiver will be earning his money in this game. This game is already going to be rough for the Giants passing game, with the Broncos pass rush finally getting Von Miller back. Golladay will have a hard time getting open and Jones should have a hard time finding time to throw the ball. My prediction for Golladay is 2 receptions for 15 yards.

Tight Ends

Starts

George Kittle vs Detroit Lions

George Kittle looks to start off the season with a bang against a bottom-tier Lions squad. Last season the Lions were ranked middle of the road against opposing TEs. They seem to lack the players to cover the 49ers’ best receiver, and that why he’ll take off this week. Jimmy Garoppolo has a great connection with Kittle and leans on him whenever the team needs a play. My prediction is 5 receptions, 80 yards, TD.

Jonnu Smith vs Miami Dolphins

The Miami secondary is going to lock up the perimeter receivers for the Patriots, but this should give Jonnu Smith an excellent chance to cash in. Last season Smith had 8 TDs on the run-heavy Titans offense and should thrive with the Patriots. Smith possesses great speed for a tight end and is a match-up problem for most linebackers and safeties. My prediction is 5 receptions, 60 yards, TD

Sits

T.J Hockenson vs San Francisco 49ers

Hockenson’s week one matchup is the 49ers, who were the best team against TEs last season. The 3rd year tight end was already going to draw tough matchups due to him being the best receiver on the LIons. This week will be no different as he’ll have two of the better cover linebackers (Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw) in the game on him Sunday. Last season the Niners allowed only 4 TDs and 481 yards on 53 catches to opposing TEs. This game should be no different, my prediction is 4 receptions for 30 yards.

Anthony Firkser vs Arizona Cardinals

Firkser should have a tough outing in week one, going against an athletic Cardinals defense. The Cardinals were the sixth-best defense against TEs, that was in part because Budda Baker was excellent in coverage against opposing tight ends. Even with the addition of Julio Jones to the perimeter game, we would still see converted safety Isaiah Simmons covering Firkser. My prediction is 2 receptions for 20 yards.

Conclusion

It feels great to have football back, and it feels even better to have fantasy football back. I hope you guys enjoy this start and sit article, there will be plenty more to come. Keep tuning in for championship material each and every week. Have a wonderful first week of football and may your fantasy squads win this week.

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