This should be a great Week 1 starting with the Thursday night opener in Tampa. Thanks to a quick and low-key preseason, we don't have any quarterback injury decisions to wrestle with as we make our first lineup decisions of the season. However, that doesn't mean we don't have any tough decisions to make at a position that is traditionally ripe for streaming (32 start across the NFL every week before byes and only 10-12 start in your respective leagues).
It will be our objective to find you the quarterbacks you'll want to move in and out of your lineups based on matchups every single week. Playing matchups is key to the position and we're here to find you the perfect path. Jamey Eisenberg's Start 'Em & Sit 'Em calls at running back and wide receiver can help you find the answers for Week 1.
More Week 1: QB Preview | RB Preview | WR Preview | TE Preview
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Quarterbacks
Start 'Em
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The Falcons defense was bad against opposing quarterbacks last season, and things might not improve much this year. Hurts enters this season with a revamped offensive line and receiving corps, and he has the chance for a strong debut against Atlanta. He has top-five upside for Week 1, and hopefully we see plenty of running from Hurts this week -- and beyond.
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It hasn't been a smooth preseason for the Titans, who had Julio Jones, A.J. Brown and Tannehill all miss valuable practice time. But everyone is healthy now, and this should be a fun game between Tannehill and Kyler Murray. Tannehill has scored at least 20 Fantasy points in six of his past seven games going back to last year.
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Stafford averaged 24.5 Fantasy points per game against the Bears last season in two games with the Lions. He also averaged 25.0 Fantasy points per game in his past two season openers. It would be great to see him make a splash in his debut with the Rams, and he definitely has the weapons to get it done. I like Stafford as a low-end starter in all leagues.
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Lawrence looked the part of the top rookie coming into the NFL this year in his final preseason game against Dallas. He completed 11-of-12 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns, and it will be nice to see him perform with his receiving corps fully healthy with D.J. Chark (finger) and Marvin Jones (shoulder) back. This Houston defense could be bad, and Lawrence should have an excellent debut.
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Cousins has scored at least 23 Fantasy points in two of his past three season openers. He's facing a Bengals secondary this week that once again will be without cornerback Trae Waynes (hamstring), leaving Eli Apple to help defend Justin Jefferson or Adam Thielen. Cousins is more of a sleeper, but he could be a serviceable starter in deeper leagues.
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Sleepers
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Ryan might be one of the players that by the end of the season I wish I had ranked higher than where he was when the year started. He could flourish if Kyle Pitts and Russell Gage help the Falcons move on from Julio Jones, with Calvin Ridley the new lead singer. This week, he could be in a shootout with the Eagles, which would be fun. He's also averaged 25.0 Fantasy points per game in his past two season openers.
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Mayfield might be throwing a lot this week if the Browns are in a shootout with the Chiefs, and he gets Odell Beckham (knee) back. Mayfield averaged 25.6 Fantasy points per game in his final five road games last season, but he struggled at Kansas City in the playoffs with 204 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception, with 11 rushing yards. I have higher expectations for Mayfield this week.
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You know I love the revenge game angle, and Darnold is facing his former team this week. We'll see how he does in his debut with the Panthers, but he has plenty of weapons around him with Christian McCaffrey back, D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson and Terrace Marshall. Darnold is only a starting option in two-quarterback and Superflex leagues, but this could be a strong start for him in Carolina.
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Sit 'Em
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It's great to have Burrow back following last year's knee injury, and hopefully he's at 100 percent. But this won't be an easy game for him against a revamped Vikings defense, which gets a huge boost with guys like Danielle Hunter, Anthony Barr and Michael Pierce back, along with additions in Patrick Peterson, Dalvin Tomlinson, Mackenzie Alexander and Xavier Woods. I'd take a wait and see approach with Burrow in Week 1 if you can in a one-quarterback league.
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I'm excited for Winston as the starter for the Saints, but I'd also like to wait and see how he does before starting him in a one-quarterback league. For starters, he doesn't have Michael Thomas (ankle) for at least the first five games, which is a downgrade. And we don't know how Sean Payton will use Taysom Hill in tandem with Winston to take him off the field. This isn't an easy matchup against the Packers, and the Saints lost their home-field advantage with the game moved to Jacksonville because of Hurricane Ida. Give Winston time, if you can, before making him a Fantasy starter.
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In seven road games last year, Roethlisberger averaged just 19.6 Fantasy points per game. Included in that was a trip to Buffalo in Week 14 when Roethlisberger was 21-of-37 passing for 187 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for 17 Fantasy points. Hopefully, he does better than that this week, but Pittsburgh's revamped offensive line will be tested against the Bills. I'd only be starting Roethlisberger in two-quarterback and Superflex leagues this week.
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With safety Derwin James (knee) back and edge rusher Joey Bosa (concussion) healthy, this Chargers defense could be scary, including a promising young linebacker in Kenneth Murray. This game isn't expected to be high-scoring based on the projected points total (44.5 from William Hill), and Fitzpatrick shouldn't be started in one-quarterback leagues this week. You might need him in two-quarterback and Superflex leagues, but I'm not expecting a big game from Fitzpatrick in this matchup.
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Bust Alert
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Similar to Fitzpatrick, I don't expect a lot of points from Herbert given the defense he's facing in Washington. The pass rush will be a problem for him, led by Chase Young and Montez Sweat, and the secondary isn't easy either, which features Kendall Fuller and Landon Collins back. Herbert is not a must-sit quarterback in all leagues, but he could struggle relative to normal expectations. That's why he's listed in this category, so use caution with him this week.
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So who should you start and sit this week? And which surprising quarterback could lead you to victory? Visit SportsLine now to get Week 15 rankings for every position, plus see which QB is going to come out of nowhere to crack the top 10, all from the model that out-performed experts big-time last season.
