Well the NFL season is about to kickoff so that means it is fantasy football time. The trash talk has commenced and the bitter rivalries are flaring up. Everyone believes that their team is the most dominant in their league, but everyone knows what teams will make playoffs. Week 1 offers some tough match-ups for your usual fantasy studs and hurricane Irma will sideline a few beasts. Here are my week 1 top performers.
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger – Pit
The Steelers travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns who gave up the most fantasy points to QBs last year. I know the Browns added some firepower this off-season, but the Steelers weren’t asleep at the wheel either. With his obvious weapons of Brown and Bell, Big Ben will also get Bryant back from suspension. The Steelers added Vance McDonald in recent weeks to give the TE position a little boost. Since 2010 Ben has 3,056 yards, 21 TDs and 9 INTs against Cleveland.
Prediction: 295 yards 3 TDs 1 TO
Running Back
Todd Gurley – LAR
Todd Gurley and the Rams take on a deflated Colts organization that is without their $100 million dollar man. The Colts gave up the 5th most fantasy points to the running back position last year. Hopes are high for Gurley after his letdown year a season ago. Running lanes should open up a little more with the passing attack starting to take shape. Although Gurley looked sluggish running the ball, he doubled his targets and receptions last year as a receiver.
Prediction: 128 total yard 3 catches 1 total TD
Wide Receiver
AJ Green – Cincy
Green is playing against a defense that isn’t what they once were. Last season the Ravens gave up the 9th most fantasy points to WRs. Before Green’s injury he was on pace for a 1,500 yard season and 6TDs. Dalton has been looking better each season since entering the league and this year shouldn’t be any different. In Green’s last 3 games vs the Ravens he has posted 20-392-4TDs. Crazy!
Prediction: 7-128-1TD
Tight End
Zach Ertz – Eagles
Ertz will be Carson’s man week 1. Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith are still trying to work on their timing with Wentz leaving the door open for a big week for Ertz. Jordan was Carson’s go to guy last season when healthy, but he was shipped off to Buffalo. Last year Ertz had 31 targets for a 22-218-3TDs line when Matthews was gone. Seeing the Skins gave up the 7th most fantasy points to the TE position last year I expect big things week 1.
Prediction: 6-85-1TD
These are my week 1 top performers for each position. We will find out on Tuesday if I was accurate with my predictions. Good luck and dominate those self proclaimed “fantasy football advantages” in your league!
Twitter – @Tlip_ThePAS