Week One Fantasy Football Matchups
Players to Start and Sit in the First Game of the 2007 NFL Season
A weekly close-up view of the easiest and toughest matchups on the fantasy football board.
Finally, the first week of the 2007 Fantasy Football season has arrived, and no matter how well your fantasy draft may have gone, it is imperative that you keep a close eye on who your players are matching up against each and every week. Here are the big ones to keep an eye on in Week One of the 2007 Fantasy Football season.
The Toughest Fantasy Football Matchups
1. Chicago Defense v. San Diego Chargers
Chicago will be a top three fantasy football defense in the 2007 season. But in Week One, the Bears play LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers in San Diego. That's a tough draw. Although the Bears didn't play the Chargers last season, several good quarterback-running back combinations had very big fantasy games against Chicago's defense in 2006.
- Marc Bulger had 356 yards and three touchdowns, and Steven Jackson had 140 total yards as the Rams scored 27 points against the Bears Defense in Week 14.
- Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck combined for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Divisional Round of the 2006 playoffs.
- Peyton Manning and Dominic Rhodes combined for 360 yards and three touchdowns in the Super Bowl.
The 2006 Chargers scored the most points and gained the fourth most yards per game, and they should only get better this year as QB Philip Rivers continues to mature. So, if you have the Chicago defense, congratulations, and get ready for some great performances from them this season. But think twice about starting them against one of the best offenses, and the best running back, in the fantasy football world.
2. Rudi Johnson v. Baltimore Ravens Defense
Unlike LT, who should run strong against the Bears defense, Rudi Johnson is in some trouble against the Ravens in Week One. Johnson faced the Ravens Defense twice last year and had 136 yards and one touchdown. Rudi is a great back, but if you can start somebody else, you may want to think about it.
3. Warrick Dunn/Jerious Norwood vs. Minnesota Vikings Defense
Dunn and Norwood are two backs that many owners may want to start this week. That may not be such a good idea. Minnesota held NFL runners to just 61 yards per game in 2006. That was the stingiest run defense in pro football. It may not be such a good move to start a back who shares carries against the best run stoppers in the game.
4. Cedric Benson v. San Diego Chargers Defense
Benson is another great hope of the future in the fantasy football world. But the Chargers ranked seventh in run defense last year, and they will be just as good, if not better, this season. Even though Benson may soon become a top fantasy running back, don't expect him to have his coming out party against the Chargers.
Good Fantasy Matchups
1. Marion Barber v. New York Giants
The Giants were 14th against the run in 2006. In the team's Week 13 matchup against the Cowboys, Barber had 78 yards and 2 touchdowns.
In Week One, the Cowboys will pound Barber against the Giants line every time they reach the red zone. He should get 75 yards and at least one score. Not too bad for a second fantasy running back like Barber.
2. Darrell Jackson v. Arizona Cardinals Defense
The Cardinals' offense showed some pretty strong signs of life last year, but their defense ranked 30th against the pass in 2006. In two meetings against Arizona, Jackson averaged 94 yards and scored one touchdown in each game. Look for him to do it again on September 9th, this time with the help of his new quarterback, San Francisco's Alex Smith.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Tennessee Titans Defense
Tennessee ranked 30th against the run in 2006, giving up 145 yards per game. The team didn't make any noticeable changes to its defensive line or linebacking corps in the off-season. If they can't stop the run in general, they certainly won't stop Jones-Drew from gaining close to 100 yards and at least one touchdown, even though he will have to share carries with Fraud Taylor.
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