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Thursday Night Football Matchups and Sit/Start Advice
With a later start time compared to years past, the wait felt like forever for the start of the 2015-16 NFL season, but Thursday has arrived and so has the start to the fantasy football season.
The defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium in what anticipates having one of the most jacked up crowds Patriots fans can produce after claiming victory in this offseason’s Deflategate nonsense (the debate of it being nonsense can be had a different time—or perhaps never).
Tonight’s game has numerous high-impact fantasy football players; including an overall consensus top-seven pick Antonio Brown and consensus TE1 Rob Gronkowski to go along with plug-and-play players that will have a role in deciding Week 1 outcomes. Let’s dive in.
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PIT @ NE - Matchups We Love
Rob Gronkowski
As mentioned earlier, the top two receiving targets for both the Patriots and Steelers will be featured in their respective offenses tonight. This is the first season Gronkowski plans to line up with Tom Brady at quarterback for all 16 games since 2011 (where he finished with 90 receptions, 1,300+ yards and 17 touchdowns). The two questions for Gronk owners tonight are these: Will the Pittsburgh defense put all of their efforts into stopping him, due to lack of running back options and wide receiver options? Going off of that, how will the Patriots offense fair without a No. 1 receiving threat nor a featured running back?
Tom Brady
As many NFL fans know, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense doesn’t have the same aura it had only a few seasons ago and the Patriots, with or without a full lineup of skill players, should have no problem moving the football. The only real question for Brady will be how the red zone tightens up if the running game isn’t effective—if the Steelers swarm Gronk, who will be the recipient of the red zone targets?
There’s also room for a “Tom Brady F U game”, after winning the offseason. And yes that’s a real thing.
Antonio Brown
The targets are definitely coming for Brown, as the Steelers offense is notably missing Le’Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant. Although Brown and Ben Roethlisberger are primed to have strong fantasy seasons in general, it may take a bit for them to hit their stride. Will Bill Belichick to plan his defense around stopping Brown without threats elsewhere, he should be easier to contain tonight in comparison to games down the road. If the running game falters without All-Pro Center Maurkice Pouncey, hope for Brown to make some plays for quick screens and hitches for a big night, otherwise, he’ll have a pedestrian outing.
Ben Roethlisberger
Behind Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck, the next three quarterbacks coming off the board in fantasy drafts was usually a combination of Roethlisberger, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. Roethlisberger was 48 yards away from a 5,000-yard season last year and tied his career high with 32 touchdown passes (2007), but like Brown, his peak will be from Week 4 on. I personally do not think the atmosphere of Gillette will play any role in Big Ben’s performance tonight, but the lack of playmakers will. Although the home run play may not come tonight, Big Ben will have enough check downs to backs and wide screens to Brown to rack up points; if one of those plays breaks for a touchdown, fantasy owners are in the clear.
PIT @ NE - Matchups With Potential
New England Running Backs
With LeGarrette Blount on the sideline, which of the New England running backs will earn the most touches? It’s nearly impossible to judge, but one can get lucky using Dion Lewis, Brandon Bolden, James White and Travaris Cadet if they don’t have better options. If I had to throw a dart and choose, I’m picking Bolden.
For a WR3 or FLEX option, the main thing a manager want is opportunity. It may not be cashed in, but one can live with the result of a dud if the play is logical. Enter Wheaton, who is the de facto No. 2 wide receiver for a Steelers team who figures to chuck it around. For those who believed in Wheaton last season, here’s another, and maybe final (at least for four games), chance to use him effectively.
If Pouncey were playing, Williams’ projected output for tonight’s game would be a little more on the friendly side. Replacing Bell, Williams will have a two-game period of being an effective fantasy option. Again, for a FLEX play or if running back options are scarce, the opportunity is there for Williams to perhaps cash in around the goal line.
The yards, catches and rushes will obvious come for New England, but it is truly a guessing game. An offensive dud seems to be out of the question for the defending champions, but pegging who will be making the plays is a difficult task. Amendola can be the recipient of a big play or two if manager’s are reaching for a FLEX or WR4.
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