Here we are. The start of a new season is upon us. Some of you are coming off a championship campaign, with the bragging rights go along with it. Others have never even been to the Fantasy playoffs. None of that matters now. This is a fresh start. You did your homework this summer, drafted a solid team (hopefully) and now get to see how everything works when it matters.
But Week 1 is just the beginning. This is a long journey over the next four months, which will hopefully result in a rewarding finish. And we're here to help you each step of the way.
Along with my colleagues Dave Richard, Heath Cummings, Adam Aizer, Ben Gretch and Chris Towers, you get the best Fantasy Football advice (for free) in the world. Let me repeat that: we give you the best Fantasy Football information anywhere.
From our rankings, projections, waiver wire suggestions and trade chart, along with our Fantasy Football Today podcast and programs on CBS Sports HQ, we cover everything you need and more. And we do it in an entertaining and informative way.
This Start 'Em and Sit 'Em column is part of that as well. Whatever you need to be successful in your Fantasy leagues, we have you covered. We do the research for you, and all you have to do is set your lineup.
Now, we're not always going to be right. Far from it. We don't have control over what happens on the field.
But I promise we'll be successful more times than not, and your Fantasy roster will benefit from it. So let's get started. And good luck on your path to winning a Fantasy title this year.
Start 'Em & Sit 'Em
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Start of the Week
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There's so much to like about Jackson this week that I don't know where to begin. Maybe we should start with his beginning since this is a homecoming game for him: He was born in Pompano Beach, Fla., and went to Boynton Beach High School. That should provide some extra motivation in his first season-opening start.
Jackson also gets to face what could be one of the worst defenses in the NFL. For example, Miami's best pass rusher coming into Week 1 is likely Charles Harris, who has three sacks in his two-year career. And with the Dolphins offense likely to struggle this week, Jackson should have plenty of chances to score with Baltimore likely dominating time of possession.
I'm so excited about Jackson this week that he's my No. 3 ranked quarterback behind only Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes. I'm looking forward to watching him build off last year's quality start in his rookie season.
We've talked all offseason about how Jackson should be considered a No. 1 Fantasy quarterback, and I liked him as a top-10 guy in all leagues, especially where it's four points for passing touchdowns. This should be an excellent debut against the rebuilding Dolphins.
I'm starting Jackson over: Ben Roethlisberger (at NE), Aaron Rodgers (at CHI), Matt Ryan (at MIN), Kyler Murray (vs. DET) and Kyler Murray (vs. DET)
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Quarterbacks
Start 'Em
We'll see how much this 49ers defense has improved from last year, but this could be a perfect setup for Winston in Week 1 at home. In 2018, San Francisco was tied for the most passing touchdowns allowed at 35 and fewest interceptions at two. If the offensive line can keep Winston from taking too many hits and running for his life, he should have a field day with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and O.J. Howard. This is the start of Winston's breakout campaign.
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Rivers has a good track record in season openers, which is what I'm counting on here. He's also good in home openers, even if the Chargers don't exactly have a great home-field advantage. In his past eight season openers, Rivers is averaging 22.0 Fantasy points per game. And in his past eight home openers, Rivers is averaging 27.0 Fantasy points per game. I expect this Colts defense to be improved this season, but I still like Rivers in this spot as a top-10 Fantasy quarterback in Week 1.
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The Bengals defense was awful in 2018, and I don't expect a dramatic turnaround this season, especially for Week 1 on the road. That should help Wilson pick up where last season left off. He averaged 21.6 Fantasy points in eight games at home in 2018. It will help Wilson if D.K. Metcalf (knee) plays as expected, but I expect Wilson to find enough production to be a top-10 Fantasy quarterback this week.
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Goff got a huge contract extension Tuesday at four years, $134 million, including an NFL-record $110 million guaranteed. That's great for him, and Fantasy managers want to see him earn it on the field. He benefits with Cooper Kupp back (ACL); Goff scored at least 20 Fantasy points in six of the eight games Kupp played. I'm excited for Goff in this matchup against the Panthers, who allowed the sixth-most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in 2018.
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In five career home games against the Steelers, Brady has been dominant. He's 5-0 with a 71.9 percent completion rate, and he has 1,797 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and no interceptions over that span. The last time he faced the Steelers at home in a season opener was 2015, and he passed for 288 yards and four touchdowns. I doubt Brady does that again, but I like him as a low-end starting option in Week 1 at home.
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Sleepers
In his past four games against the Giants, Prescott is averaging 26.8 Fantasy points per game. He should have all of his weapons available with Ezekiel Elliott back and Amari Cooper (foot) healthy, and Prescott now has to earn a new contract. He's worth using as a low-end starting option this week.
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I'm hopeful we get 16 games out of Garoppolo this season, and if that happens he could emerge as a quality Fantasy quarterback. This is a good week to trust him against a rebuilding Buccaneers secondary. Tampa Bay allowed the fifth-most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks last year, and I don't expect things to improve much in 2019.
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If there was ever a week to trust Stafford, it's this week against the Cardinals. With Arizona standout cornerback Patrick Peterson (suspension) out, this secondary can be exposed. Look for Stafford to lean on Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Kerryon Johnson and T.J. Hockenson a lot this week. I like Stafford as a streaming option in deeper leagues and a quality starter in two-quarterback formats.
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Sit 'Em
Murray has the chance to be good. But I need to see it first before starting him, especially in a matchup against a tough defensive front. My biggest concern is the Cardinals offensive line holding up, and Murray might get hit a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if Murray goes off, although he might not have much success on the ground. Last year, in matchups against Prescott, Wilson, Mitchell Trubisky, Cam Newton and Josh Allen, the Lions held each to fewer than 20 yards rushing.
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Roethlisberger is 0-5 against the Patriots in New England in his career, and he's averaging 19.7 Fantasy points in his past three meetings with them. He's not a horrendous starting option against this defense, especially if the Steelers are chasing points, but I'd like to avoid Roethlisberger on the road if possible. He's a low-end starting option at best in Week 1.
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In three career meetings with the Packers, Trubisky is averaging just 17.3 Fantasy points per game. I can see him in that same range this week. Green Bay's defense should be improved this year with the additions of safety Adrian Amos and linebackers Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith, and this defense could be a surprise as the season goes on. For Trubisky, he's just a No. 2 Fantasy quarterback until he proves otherwise on a consistent basis.
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Don't judge the Falcons defense based on what happened last year because it was a mess due to injuries, especially with Deion James and Keanu Neal out. Atlanta will be better this season, and it should show in Week 1 against Cousins. He also struggled in the preseason, and we'll see if the Vikings will remain committed to running the ball as they've talked about all offseason. I would only use Cousins in two-quarterback leagues this week.
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I'm excited about Darnold this year, but he's not someone to trust in Week 1 against the Bills. In one start against Buffalo last season, Darnold was held to 11 Fantasy points. The Bills also allowed the fewest Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks last season, and Robby Anderson (calf) might not be 100 percent this week. Eventually, I can see Darnold as a top-15 Fantasy quarterback this season, but I'm only using him in two-quarterback formats at best in Week 1.
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Bust Alert
Ryan should be a weekly starter in most leagues, but this is a tough matchup against Minnesota on the road. The Vikings allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in 2018 with 15, and they were second in Fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Ryan only had four games with fewer than 20 Fantasy points in 2018, but two of them came on the road, including the season opener at Philadelphia. I would only plan on using Ryan in two-quarterback leagues this week.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Running Backs
Start 'Em
It will be a common theme throughout the season to stack players against the Dolphins, and Ingram should have a great debut with the Ravens in Week 1. He's had 15 games over the past two seasons with at least 13 carries as a member of the Saints, and he's failed to score at least 12 PPR points just three times, while averaging 17.3 PPR points over that span. It would be a shock to see him get fewer than 13 carries, and he's got top-10 upside in all formats given this matchup.
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I was initially skeptical of Michel this preseason, when he had an issue with his knee in the offseason and the Patriots added a prominent rookie running back with Damien Harris to this backfield. But Michel has apparently been fine during training camp and looked great in the third preseason outing against Carolina. In his final three games in the playoffs last season, Michel had 71 carries for 336 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and six touchdowns, so hopefully he'll pick up where last season ended.
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Melvin Gordon isn't going to play against the Colts because of his contract holdout, which means Ekeler and Justin Jackson will share the workload until he returns. I consider Ekeler a must-start running back this week, with Jackson a high-end flex as a sleeper. Last season, Ekeler averaged 15.3 PPR points in four games when Gordon was either out or injured, and I'm expecting that kind of production this week. Jackson also scored at least 14 PPR points in two of the final three games Gordon missed in 2018. It could be a good week for both Chargers against the Colts.
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Lindsay probably has mixed feelings facing the Raiders. His first ever 100-yard outing came against Oakland in Week 2 last year, as he scored 11 PPR points in that matchup. But he also suffered a serious wrist injury against the Raiders in Week 16, which ended his season and forced him to miss the Pro Bowl. He's healthy now, and he should be ready to dominate Oakland's defense one more time. We'll see how his workload is shared with Royce Freeman, but I'm confident in Lindsay as a starter in all leagues this week.
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We've only had one glimpse of Montgomery in uniform during the preseason, but it was enough to turn heads. In Chicago's first preseason game against Carolina, Montgomery had three carries for 16 yards and a touchdown, as well as three catches for 30 yards on three targets. I'm hopeful he'll be used in the passing game to that level, and I'm ready to trust him in the season opener against the Packers. We'll see how the Bears use Tarik Cohen and potentially Mike Davis alongside Montgomery, but I'd be surprised if he gets fewer than 15 touches. I'm expecting him to perform like a top-15 Fantasy running back against the Packers at home.
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Sleepers
Even with Ezekiel Elliott signed and expected to play, I would still consider Pollard a potential flex option, especially given the NFL Network report of Elliott being limited to 20-25 reps. Pollard should get the chance for at least 10 total touches in a plus matchup, and he could be the one killing the clock at the end of the game if Dallas is playing with a lead.
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Murray should have the chance for about 15 total touches, and I plan to start him as at least a flex option in several leagues. He's going to handle most of the workload vacated by Ingram, and it's always good to trust the Saints at home in a prime-time game.
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The Eagles should have the chance to play with a lead in this game, and Sanders might get to showcase his talents in his home debut. I don't consider him a must-start running back yet because of all the mouths to feed in Philadelphia, but I would start Sanders as a flex in most leagues.
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I'm expecting Seattle to have its way with Cincinnati this week at home, and Penny should have the chance for a decent workload as the No. 2 running back behind Chris Carson. While Carson is a must-start running back in all leagues, Penny should be considered a high-end flex.
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The 49ers listed Breida as the starter on their first depth chart, ahead of Tevin Coleman, which was a surprise. While both running backs will play a lot – and I like Coleman as a starting Fantasy option – Breida should be at least a flex in all leagues. He played at Tampa Bay in Week 12 last year and had 14 carries for 106 yards (7.6 yards per carry) and three catches for 34 yards.
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Sit 'Em
I was already leery about the matchup for Williams against the Jaguars before the Chiefs added LeSean McCoy, and now the uncertainty of his workload makes me want to stay away. While Williams should get the majority of touches, it would not be shocking to see McCoy step in and be heavily involved, not to mention the possibility of rookie Darwin Thompson also getting some looks. I would only consider Williams a flex option this week against what should be a dominant Jaguars defense once again.
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I'm expecting the Titans to be chasing points in this matchup, which isn't ideal for Henry on the road. Along with that, not having left tackle Taylor Lewan (suspension) will hurt the offensive line, and we'll see how Henry is after dealing with a calf injury early in training camp. He should be fine, but I don't love this set up for him, especially in PPR. He's a flex option at best in that format.
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I'm excited that Washington coach Jay Gruden said Guice will get the majority of touches in this backfield ahead of Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson, but I want to see it first. I also want to see this Washington offense show me something to have confidence in starting Guice in a tough matchup on the road. I'm confident that will happen eventually, but I'm not there in Week 1, especially with left tackle Trent Williams still away from the team. I'd only use Guice as a flex option for now.
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We'll see how the Dolphins plan to use Drake and Kalen Ballage, but this could get ugly fast. With Miami trading left tackle Laremy Tunsil to Houston, a bad offensive line got significantly worse. And now the Ravens are coming to town. I don't know about you, but starting any Dolphins player in Week 1, including Drake in PPR, makes me nervous. This Miami offense could be atrocious all year, especially in a tough matchup against Baltimore.
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The Bills apparently let McCoy go because they have confidence in Singletary, but that doesn't mean he's going to get a significant workload in Week 1 against the Jets. Remember, Frank Gore and T.J. Yeldon are still on the roster, and all three running backs will likely get touches. Gore could even be the starter, and Yeldon could be the primary running back on passing downs, meaning Singletary isn't in line for the main role – yet. It could happen, but I'd rather take a wait-and-see approach against what should be a good run defense for the Jets.
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Bust Alert
You're most likely going to start Jones on Thursday night against the Bears, but you shouldn't be surprised if he struggles. Playing the Bears has been a nightmare for Jones, who suffered two knee injuries in his only two trips to Chicago in his career. We have yet to see how the Packers will use Jones in tandem with Jamaal Williams under new coach Matt LaFleur since both were injured in the preseason. It could be a split, although that would be a surprise, and I'm hopeful Jones just dominates touches because he's the better running back. Still, given the uncertainty, the tough matchup and Jones' history in Chicago, I wouldn't prioritize starting Jones this week. He's a low-end No. 2 running back at best in all formats.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Wide Receivers
Start 'Em
He's back, and you should start him with confidence this week against the Steelers. Gordon averaged 103.7 yards per game in the three games he played without Rob Gronkowski last season, and hopefully that will be the norm now that Gronkowski is retired. I like Tom Brady at home in this spot, and Gordon and Julian Edelman should be started in all leagues.
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I'm so ready to see Godwin play a full game for Bruce Arians, and this is an amazing matchup against the 49ers at home. Godwin is headed for a third-year breakout campaign, and it should start this week. The 49ers allowed the most touchdowns to opposing receivers last season, and Godwin and Mike Evans should feast in Week 1.
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I'm also excited that Kupp is back, and Jared Goff should rely on him once again in a big way. Kupp is someone Goff trusts in the red zone, and last year he was on pace for 16 touchdowns if you look at the six healthy games he played before suffering a torn ACL. There could be some rust since we haven't seen Kupp in the preseason, but all the reports about his recovery have been positive. I have no hesitation starting him again in Week 1 at Carolina.
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With Patrick Peterson suspended for this game, along with Robert Alford (broken leg) out, this is a good spot to trust Golladay and Marvin Jones. Golladay has the higher ceiling and should be considered a must-start Fantasy receiver, and Jones is worth starting in three-receiver leagues as a sleeper. Stafford should rely on both of his top options this week.
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