Fantasy Football Week 1 - Sizzle or Fizzle Picks

Each week we’ll pick unobvious names who we believe are slated to SIZZLE, or fated to FIZZLE. Each SIZZLE player must be started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues to qualify. Each FIZZLE player must be started in at least 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues to qualify. Whether, good, bad or ugly, we will post the results the following week.

Week 1 Sizzle Picks –
***players must be started in fewer than 60% of Yahoo leagues

Matt Stafford – QB (DET) vs. Tampa Bay
Stafford seems to be on everyone’s “breakout” list this season (mine included)! The only knock on Stafford is his health. No one knows how long or if he’ll stay healthy. But there’s one sure thing, he’s healthy this week and should be in your lineup Week 1.

Kevin Kolb – QB (ARI) vs. Carolina
Kolb opens up his season against the clawless Panthers. This is a great matchup for Kolb. Expect him to exploit weak Panthers secondary early and often. I’m definitely smoking the Corn Kolb pipe this weekend!

Beanie Wells – RB (ARI) vs. Carolina
Beanie is currently only 47% started in Yahoo leagues. That is simply way to low for a RB that will get most of the touches against a soft defense. Expect around 20 touches, 100 yards (total) and a TD. In other words, don’t be a weenie and play Beanie!

Reggie Bush – RB (MIA) vs. New England
“South Beach” Bush could mean many, many things! In this paragraph I’m referring to the Reggie variety. Perhaps no RB benefited more from their off season change of scenery than Reggie. He’s now the starting RB in Miami. I expect Miami to get down early and neglect the run (never Reggie’s strong suit anyway) and opt for an aerial attack. If you are in a PPR league, insert this Bush into your lineup and hope for 5+ catches.

Joseph Addai – RB (IND) vs. Houston
Not the worlds sexiest pick for sure. With Peyton Manning officially out Week 1, the Colts will rely more on the ground game. Nothing ground breaking here. Addai is an excellent blocker, so he will see the field a lot. I’m expecting 40-50 rushing yards, 3-4 catches for 30-40 yards for a total of 12-14 points (1 pt PPR).

Julio Jones – WR (ATL) vs. Chicago
It’s tough to endorse a rookie WR in his 1st professional game, but that’s exactly what I’m doing with Jones. He’s a tough, physical WR and should see consistent targets opposite Roddy White. The Falcons and Michael Turner will have an uphill battle in the running game. This should force them to air it out a bit more, which obviously favors Jones.

Nate Burleson – WR (DET) vs. Tampa Bay
If I like Stafford, it must mean I like his WR’s. Burleson is a sneaky good play this week. With the Bucs focused on Calvin Johnson, Burleson will be free to roam. He’s got a good chance to post top 20 numbers this week.

Andre Roberts – WR (ARI) vs. Carolina
Common theme here, if I like the QB, I’ve got to like the WR’s! I like Roberts for the same reasons I like Burleson. Larry Fitzgerald will be the primary focus of the Panthers secondary. Roberts had a solid preseason and is starting opposite Fitz. Only thing that might hurt his chances are if they get up early. Or if Kolb focuses on Todd Heap more. I’m still rolling the dice on Roberts in several leagues.

Lance Kendricks – TE (STL) vs. Philadelphia
He’s getting plenty of hype from other sites and rightfully so! The Eagles will lock down the Rams WR’s. Bradford will look to Kendricks a lot. He’s a rock solid option in PPR leagues. He has a chance to lead the team in receptions in this game.

Jermaine Gresham – TE (CIN) vs. Cleveland
A rookie QB starting in his 1st NFL game, who’s WR1 is also a rookie being covered by Joe Haden! Yuck! Dalton will be forced to check down often. Expect Gresham to be his security blanket. I think Gresham is severely undervalued this season.

Week 1 Fizzle Picks –
***players must be started in 50% of Yahoo leagues

Ben Roethlisberger – QB (PIT) – vs. Baltimore
I’m thinking you can bank on 250 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. His completion percentage is notoriously lower against Baltimore. It’s a home gave for the Ravens in a big divisional matchup. The last regular season game between these two was a low scoring defensive struggle.

Tony Romo – QB (DAL) vs. New York Jets
You’re still playing Romo and you should. This is a tough matchup. Hope that you’re playing against Romo this week and he plays awful. Then try to buy low on him!

Michael Turner – RB (ATL) vs. Chicago
The Burner will be more like The Bummer this week. Chicago’s run defense is stout. Even with his heavy work load, I don’t expect stellar fantasy output. Expect Atlanta to have to air it out and Turner couldn’t catch the clap at a West Virginia strip club.

Ray Rice – RB (BAL) vs. Pittsburgh
Outside of PPR leagues, Rice is a tough play this weekend. You took him in the 1st round and there is no way you’re benching him. Things will get easier for him, but not this week. Be happy if he nets you 12-14 fantasy points (very happy!).

LeGarrette Blount – RB (TB) vs. Detroit
Detroit’s front line is dastardly. We all know about Suh, but they have other quality pieces as well. There was news last week that Blount was giving up 3rd down duties to Earnest Graham. Blount’s not a polished receiver out of the backfield, which lowers his PPR value. He has a chance to prove me wrong. I could see him finishing with around 65 total yards, although a TD might be a stretch.

Mario Manningham – WR (NYG) vs. Redskins
This one is more a knock on Eli Manning, than Super Mario. The Giants ran all over the Redskins last season. Brandon Jacobs had a field day. I suspect more of the same to happen this season. Try to buy low on Manningham after this weekend.

Miles Austin – WR (DAL) vs. New York Jets
He’s got his 1st class ticket booked to Revis Island this weekend!

Chad Ochocinco – WR (NE) vs. Miami
There have been many reports about Ochocinco having trouble picking up the new offense. I suspect he’ll start the season slow. He’ll be behind Welker and Aaron Hernandez in targets this game.

Tony Gonzalez – TE (ATL) vs. Chicago
There are too many other options with Roddy White and Julio Jones. He’s 61% started which I think is too high. There are probably better options on most waiver wires. Kendricks, Cook and Olsen are all better options.

Dallas Clark – TE (IND) vs. Houston
He could be leaned on with Peyton out. You’re still playing him, but I’d temper expectations. He’s a better option in PPR. He might rack up some catches, but a TD is unlikely. He’ll need time to gel with Kerry Collins.