NFL Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Week 1

Sam Crnic highlights two players at each position that are facing particularly favorable or daunting matchups this week.

With a couple of days before the 2020 NFL season kicks off, fantasy football season is in full stride. With most drafts out of the way, the continuous search for sleepers to boost your positional depth begins. No matter the depth one brings to the table, your decisions of who to start and who to sit can make or break the season.

Throughout the season, I will be covering potential matchup advantages and disadvantages that appear on a week-to-week basis. All player recommendations will be based upon a Points-Per-Reception (PPR) scoring format.

Today, I’ll take a look at the Week 1 matchups that could be the difference between a win and loss to start out your season.

Start ‘Em

Quarterbacks

Carson Wentz

Even with a banged-up receiver core to start out the year, look for Carson Wentz to thrive against Washington. Although Washington generates fear with its much-improved defensive front (featuring No. 2 pick Chase Young) against Philadelphia’s injured offensive line (without Pro Bowler Brandon Brooks), it is too early to tell how improved Washington’s defense will be. In 2019, Washington allowed 35 touchdown passes, third-most in the NFL.

Philip Rivers

Heading to Indianapolis off a rocky 2019 season, Philip Rivers is looking to prove himself and take his new team back to the playoffs. With a Week 1 matchup against a talent-depleted Jacksonville team, he’s given the perfect opportunity to start off on the right path. The Jaguars allowed the league’s third-highest passer rating (103.6) over their final eight games last year, and they lost their only accomplished corner to Denver via free agency, A.J. Bouye.

Running Backs