It's here. It's finally here. Week 1 of the 2020 season has arrived, and we've been waiting months for this moment. And now it's time to see how your Fantasy team will perform when actual games are happening. We didn't know if this season would even start because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and hopefully there's no issues during the year. This could be a wild season, but we'll help guide you along the way.
This is your destination for all the starts and sits you need all season. We'll provide you sleepers as well, and hopefully help lead you toward a Fantasy championship. So let's get started.
I'm fired up for Week 1, and hopefully you are as well. It's great to have the NFL back, as well as the ability to set your Fantasy lineup. Now, let's make sure the right guys are in — or out — to help you win in Week 1.
Start 'Em & Sit 'Em
Start of the Week
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For the first Start of the Week, I wanted to use someone who I've been promoting all offseason. And Josh Allen is a breakout candidate this year, especially with the addition of Stefon Diggs. He has the chance to be a top five Fantasy quarterback in 2020.
And it all starts this week against the Jets. While he didn't perform well against the Jets last season in Week 1 -- he barely played in Week 17 in the rematch to rest for the playoffs -- when he scored 17 Fantasy points, he should go off in this matchup at home.
The Jets defense is in rebuild mode, especially without Jamal Adams and C.J. Mosley. Allen should have success against this secondary with Diggs and John Brown, and hopefully Allen continues to make plays with his legs.
He was third in rushing among quarterbacks last season with 510 yards and first in rushing touchdowns with nine, and that's a big part of his Fantasy appeal. But this is the season he takes another step as a passer, and maybe Week 1 will be the first 300-yard game of his career.
I'm excited about Allen in 2020, and I'm expecting him to be great in Week 1. He should have the chance for a standout performance against the Jets this week.
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Quarterbacks
Start 'Em
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This game has shootout potential, as William Hill has the expected point total at 49. Ryan at home is always a good play, especially against a defense like the Seahawks, who could have a questionable pass rush. Ryan has top-five upside this week, and hopefully we'll see plenty of production from his playmakers in the passing game with Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Hayden Hurst.
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Roethlisberger is reportedly back at 100% from last year's elbow injury, and he should be excited to light up this Giants secondary on Monday night. Roethlisberger was a candidate for Start of the Week in Week 1, and I'm expecting a solid performance on a national stage. The Giants were one of eight teams to allow 30 touchdown passes in 2019, and this secondary is rebuilding once again. It might not be a top-five performance for Roethlisberger this week, but a top-10 outing is possible.
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Newton was another candidate for Start of the Week as well, and I'm hopeful he's back at 100 percent and ready to dominate. The Dolphins defense should be better from 2019, but Newton should still be successful with his arm and legs. It should be fun to watch offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels use Newton in their first game together, especially against former Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
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A repeat of last year's Week 1 performance against the Washington Football Team would be welcomed when Wentz had 313 passing yards and three touchdowns for 31 Fantasy points. I wouldn't go in expecting that, but I wouldn't be shocked if it happened either, especially against this secondary. It would be great if Wentz had his full complement of weapons, as well as a healthy offensive line, but he's still worth trusting in a big way in Week 1.
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This is another game expected to be high scoring, as William Hill has the point total at 51.5. Expect a shootout between Dak Prescott and Goff, and Goff should have the chance for a strong showing in his new stadium. While Goff didn't have a great year in 2019, he closed the season with five games in a row with at least 20 Fantasy points. I'm expecting that to be his floor in Week 1 against a rebuilding Cowboys secondary.
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Sleepers
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Taylor likely won't have Mike Williams (shoulder), but he should have enough weapons to be successful in this matchup. The last two times he started in Week 1 (2018 with Cleveland and 2017 with Buffalo) he scored at least 22 Fantasy points. He's an excellent streamer.
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Rivers usually starts off the season playing well, and he's scored at least 23 Fantasy points in three consecutive season openers. Hopefully that doesn't change with his new team, but facing the Jaguars defense should help.
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We'll see how often the Raiders are going to be road favorites, but this is a great matchup for Carr. My only concern is Josh Jacobs just dominating this game, but Carr is worth streaming in Week 1.
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Sit 'Em
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Rodgers hasn't fared well against the Vikings of late. In his past three years against Mike Zimmer's defense, Rodgers has scored 18 Fantasy points or less in four games in a row, as well as getting hurt against Minnesota in 2017. The Vikings are rebuilding in their secondary, but the pass rush could be a problem for Rodgers. In a tough matchup on the road, it's easy to fade Rodgers, and he's scored 18 Fantasy points or less in two of his past three season openers.
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Stafford didn't face the Bears in 2019 because of his back injury, but he scored a combined 24 Fantasy points in two games against Chicago in 2018. A lot has changed since then, but the Bears pass rush should be a problem for Stafford this week. I wouldn't be surprised if he scores more than 20 Fantasy points based on volume, so he's more of a bust alert than an outright sit. But I'd be hesitant to start Stafford this week in 10-team leagues and would consider other options in larger formats as well.
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Jones should have a rough time against the Steelers this week. In their final six games in 2019, only Kyler Murray had multiple touchdowns against this defense, but Murray also had three interceptions in that outing. Pittsburgh's defense returns all of its key defensive starters, and the Giants passing game should be in trouble in Week 1. Saquon Barkley is the lone Giants player I would want to start in this matchup.
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In four career games against the Ravens, Mayfield has three outings with 19 Fantasy points or less. You're likely starting Mayfield in two-quarterback and Superflex leagues, but that's likely the extent of it. Only three quarterbacks had multiple passing touchdowns against the Ravens last year, including Mayfield, but he passed for fewer than 200 yards and had an interception in that Week 16 matchup. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a similar performance this week.
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Burrow's NFL debut could be tough, even with the Chargers missing star safety Derwin James (knee). Burrow could be seeing a lot of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram as the Chargers pass rush will be in his face most of the day. And the Chargers secondary should be able to frustrate A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd. It would be great to see Burrow come out and light up the Chargers at home, but I'd be hesitant to start him even in two-quarterback and Superflex leagues.
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Bust Alert
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Brady was a late addition to the column because of the injury status of Mike Evans (hamstring). Even if Evans does play he clearly won't be at 100 percent, and I'm not sure Brady can have success in this matchup on the road with just Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski, Scott Miller and O.J. Howard. I downgraded Brady from a top-10 Fantasy quarterback to a high-end QB2, and I'm hesitant to start him with Evans banged up.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Running Backs
Start 'Em
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Mostert is expected to share touches with Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon, but Mostert should still be the lead rusher this week against the Cardinals. He closed last season with a touchdown in six games in a row, and he has a good chance to find the end zone again this week. Anything he does in the passing game will be a bonus.
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I'm going with Mack over Jonathan Taylor if you rostered both, but I have no problem starting both Colts running backs this week against the Jaguars. The Colts offensive line should dominate the Jaguars defense up front, and Mack and Taylor should each get enough touches to be successful. It wouldn't be a surprise if Mack and Taylor each scored touchdowns in this matchup.
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We'll find out the status for David Montgomery (groin) by the end of the week, but Cohen should play a prominent role regardless. And if Montgomery is out, hopefully Cohen gets some additional carries on top of his work in the passing game. Cohen has scored a touchdown in three of his past four games against the Lions, and he's a must-start running back in PPR. In non-PPR leagues, Cohen is a high-end flex.
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Damien Harris (hand) is on injured reserve, and reports are Sony Michel could be limited with his snaps as he continues to work his way back from offseason foot surgery. White is the only Patriots running back to trust, and he should be good against the Dolphins. He's scored a touchdown in three of his past four meetings against Miami, and hopefully Cam Newton leans on White the same way Tom Brady did.
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I'm going with Moss over Devin Singletary as the Buffalo running back to trust this week against the Jets. Both are expected to play a lot, and I would prefer to use Moss as just a high-end flex option if possible. But all the reports in training camp indicate Moss has earned a prominent role, while Singletary has struggled. We'll see what Buffalo has planned, but I like the outlook for Moss, especially in a game the Bills should win.
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Sleepers
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We'll see how the Washington Football Team uses its backfield in Week 1, but Gibson should get quality playing time, especially if the team is chasing points. I like Gibson as a high-end flex, especially in PPR.
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Clyde Edwards-Helaire should be the star of this backfield, but Williams will get work against the Texans. He had three games in 2019 with at least 10 total touches, and he scored at least 12 PPR points in each outing.
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While James Robinson is getting all the hype, Thompson should lead the Jaguars running backs in snaps this week, with the team likely chasing points. Thompson is a good flex option in PPR against the Colts, who led all teams with receptions allowed to running backs in 2019.
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I'm curious to see how the Broncos are going to use Melvin Gordon and Lindsay against the Titans, but all reports indicate it could be a 50-50 split. As such, I'll still use Lindsay as at least a flex option this week.
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I'm hopeful Miles Sanders (hamstring) is going to be 100 percent this week, but Scott should have a prominent role no matter what happens with Sanders. Scott closed last season with at least 13 PPR points in three of his final four games, including Week 15 at Washington. Scott is a solid flex option in Week 1.
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Sit 'Em
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Fournette might end up as the best running back for the Buccaneers this season, but it's hard to trust him this week against the Saints. He's had little practice time with the team, and Ronald Jones should lead the backfield in snaps, with LeSean McCoy mixing in, likely on passing downs. I'd be hesitant to play Jones as well, but I'd lean toward Jones over Fournette against New Orleans.
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Even if Darrell Henderson (hamstring) doesn't play this week, it could be hard to trust Akers against the Cowboys since the Rams plan to play Malcolm Brown as well. I'm hopeful that I'm wrong on this one, and Akers comes out with a dominant performance to establish himself as the lead running back for the Rams this year. But the safe play is to keep him reserved in most leagues and just see what he does in his NFL debut.
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Swift is in a similar scenario to Akers in that he could be hard to trust in his NFL debut. The Lions will start Kerryon Johnson, and we'll see if newly signed Adrian Peterson plays as well. Swift also has been banged up in training camp with a leg injury, and he might not be 100 percent. Long-term, I love the outlook for Swift, but I'd keep him reserved in Week 1 against the Bears in most leagues.
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The Patriots defense might not be as stout in 2020 as it was in 2019, but I still expect New England to be tough against the run. Last year, the Patriots allowed just two total touchdowns to running backs, and Howard will likely need to score to have a successful week. He'll also be sharing touches with Matt Breida, who should have more opportunities than Howard in the passing game. At best, use Howard as a flex option in non-PPR leagues.
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Hunt is more of a bust alert than an outright sit, and I'm fine using him as a flex option this week. But this is a tough matchup against the Ravens on the road, and he struggled against them in Week 16 last year at home with two carries for 8 yards, as well as four catches for 33 yards. I'm curious to see how the workload is split between Hunt and Nick Chubb this season, but Chubb should still lead the Browns in carries this week. Hunt should have a prominent role in the passing game, but Baltimore allowed the fewest receptions to running backs in 2019.
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Bust Alert
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Bell had a great Fantasy outing against the Bills in Week 1 last year in Buffalo with 17 carries for 60 yards, along with six catches for 32 yards and a touchdown. If I knew he was getting 23 total touches again this week then he wouldn't be in this spot, but who knows what Adam Gase has planned when it comes to Bell and Frank Gore. Bell is still worth using in most leagues as a low-end starter or flex, but I have little confidence in him to succeed, especially in a tough matchup. This feels like a game the Bills can dominate, and Bell could struggle if his workload is limited.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Wide Receiver
Start 'Em
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The Broncos just lost standout pass rusher Von Miller (ankle) for the season, and Bradley Chubb (knee) is expected to be limited Monday night. That should allow Ryan Tannehill plenty of time to find Brown -- and hopefully often. He had at least seven targets in three of his final four games last year in the regular season, and he scored at least 22 PPR points in all of them. He's on his way toward a sensational sophomore campaign, starting this week.
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The first game for Diggs in Buffalo should be a good one as he and Allen should have the chance for a big week. I also like John Brown as a sleeper, but expect Diggs to get plenty of targets in this matchup. Last year, the Jets were one of seven teams to allow at least 20 touchdowns to receivers, and Diggs should make a splash in his first home game for the Bills Mafia.
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Hilton is out to prove that he's still among the best receivers in the NFL after missing six games in 2019 with a calf injury. With a new quarterback in Rivers, Hilton should exploit favorable matchups like he has this week against the Jaguars. The Jacksonville defense is in rebuild mode, and Hilton should have the chance for a big Week 1. Hilton has scored a touchdown in each of his past two season openers.
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Fuller has been one of my guys all offseason, and I'll stick with him this week against the Chiefs in what should be a high-scoring game. And Fuller could be in line for plenty of targets if Brandin Cooks (quad) is out or limited. I'm expecting the Texans to be chasing points this week, and Fuller has top-15 upside. If he stays healthy all year, he has top-15 upside for the season.
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