It's the first Monday night of the football season, so that means it's also time for Monday Night Football! As has been tradition the past few years, the first Monday night of the football season will give us two games. First the Eagles will take on the Redskins, followed by the Texans matching up against the Chargers. We here at Rotoballer.com will guide you through the matchups and tell you who to sit and who to start for Monday night.
Week 1 NFL Matchups: Recap of Our Picks From Sunday
Matchups We Loved:
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- The running backs we really liked who didn't put up eye popping numbers, but they were solid: Rams RB Darryl Richardson had five receptions and a combined 99 yards (63 rush, 33 receiving). Darren McFadden helped lead a surprising Raiders team by rushing for 48 yards and a touchdown to go along with three receptions for 18 yards (and was inches from a long receiving TD as well). Jamaal Charles helped lead a blowout of the Jags with 73 yards rushing and a touchdown, and three receptions for 23 yards.
- The receivers we loved who came up huge: A.J. Green had a monster 9 catch, 162 yard, 2 TD day. In a losing effort Julio Jones was able to catch 7 passes for 76 yards and a score. Both Mike Williams (4 REC, 52 Yards, 1 TD) and especially Vincent Jackson (7 REC, 154 Yards) had good games in a losing effort against the Jets.
- The tight ends were a mixed bag: I was wrong about Anquan Boldin, who will be fine to fill in for Michael Crabtree, but Vernon Davis also had a terrific game with 6 catches for 98 yards and 2 scores. That's just slightly better than the other TE we liked this week, Jordan Cameron, who caught 9 balls for 108 yards and a TD.
- Defense: The Seattle defense also made us look good in a win by allowing only 7 points to go along with one sack and 2 fumble recoveries, the Patriots defense, however, didn't dominate the Bills like we had hoped, but did allow only 15 points and recovered 2 fumbles.
Matchups We Hated:
- Since we picked the entire Jets offense as a matchup we hated, we'll start there: The Jets sneaked out a win, and Geno Smith showed some great signs, and Kellen Winslow may have resurrected his career, but other than that, still not much to like here.
- There were three receivers we picked to stay away from: Greg Jennings, Stevie Johnson and Cecil Shorts. Jennings was a non-factor in week one with only three catches for 33 yards. Johnson seemed to be on his way to a worse game than Jennings until he caught an 18 yard TD pass late in the third quarter, giving him an uninspiring 3 receptions for 39 yards and a score. Shorts contributed to Jacksonville's terrible day to the tune of 3 catches for 40 yards.
- The only tight end we picked to avoid was Carolina's Greg Olsen, due to his matchup against Seattle's defense. He had a decent 5 catches for 56 yards, but failed to reach the end zone.
- The running backs we picked really proved us right: Chris Johnson had 70 rushing yards and nothing else. Giovanni Bernard (22 rushing yards, 1 REC for 8 yards) and Ahmad Bradshaw (26 rushing yards, 1 REC for 7 yards) had similarly terrible days, but it was Lamar Miller who really put up a stinker with 3 rushing yards (on 10 attempts), and a reception for 7 yards.
Remember to check the RotoBaller chat room with any last minute questions you may have regarding the matchups below. Good luck Monday night!
Week 1 Monday Night NFL Matchups: Fantasy Football Analysis & Sit/Start Advice
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins, Monday 9/9, 7 PM
Matchup We Love: Pierre Garçon, WR
Many predict Pierre Garçon to have a breakout 2013 season, and I'm amongst them. Garçon is the number one receiving option for RG3, and he could get off to a fast start going against Philadelphia's suspect defense. Also, don't forget that Chip Kelly's fast paced offense will give the Redskins offense more time on the field as well. Analysis: Start Garçon and expect a big day.
Matchup We Hate: DeSean Jackson, WR
I'm not the biggest fan of the boom or bust DeSean Jackson, but my biggest problem is the unknown with Jackson. Honestly, I'm not starting anyone other than LeSean McCoy until I see exactly what Chip Kelly's offense is going to do in the NFL. Analysis: If you want to take a chance on DeSean Jackson due to Washington's suspect pass defense, then do it if you must, but I'd prefer to wait and see how the Eagles new offense plays out in the pros first.
Key Injuries:
Kirk Cousins QB, WAS, Brandon Meriweather S, WAS
Start 'Em:
RGIII, Alfred Morris, Pierre Garçon, Fred Davis, Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy
Houston Texans @ San Diego Chargers, Monday 9/9, 10:25 PM
Matchup We Love: Andre Johnson, WR
Healthy for the first time in three years in 2012, Johnson had one of the best seasons of his career. There is no reason, even at the age of 32, that Johnson can't continue to be a fantasy monster if he's healthy. His matchup against the 18th ranked passing defense from 2012 means that Johnson has a great chance to pick up where he left off last year. Analysis: Start Andre Johnson with confidence.
Matchup We Hate: Arian Foster, RB
Before you call me crazy, there is a lot to question when it comes to Foster this year. He's already banged up, and while he probably will play Monday night, who knows how much playing time he will see, or how effective he will be. The texans have already planned to use Ben Tate much more this season, and going up against the Chargers solid run defense could mean Foster is in for a 50/50 timeshare in week one. Analysis: If you have Foster, you pretty much have to start him unless you are super deep at the RB position, just don't expect a big day.
Key Injuries:
Arian Foster RB, HOU (probable), Ed Reed S, HOU (questionable), Eddie Royal WR, SD (probable), Malcolm Floyd WR, SD (probable)
Start 'Em:
Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, Owen Daniels, Matt Schaub, Antonio Gates, Vincent Brown, Ryan Mathews, Phillip Rivers
Don't forget to check back at RotoBaller.com this weekend for any last minute fantasy football analysis & updates, Monday night matchups, and our suicide pool pick of the week. Good luck with your decisions in week one.
