It is Week 1 of the NFL and you want everything to start off perfect. One of the worst feelings in the world is when one of your fantasy football players ‘busts’ on the week. There isn’t a bigger letdown than when the player you were hyping up all week underperforms. You want to win every single matchup, so you cannot make those mistakes. You may hate to admit it, but maybe they were not the best choice for the week. In this article I will give my best advice on who to avoid in Week 1.
Quarterback
Trey Lance vs Chicago Bears
Trey Lance is labeled as this year’s breakout QB by all the fantasy football analysts. Lance was taken as the third overall pick in 2021 and took the backseat to Jimmy Garoppolo last season. He has now been handed the keys to this offense.
Although he has had a good offseason, his first matchup is not the easiest. The Bears defensive line has lost their biggest piece in Khalil Mack; but their secondary is very underrated. They drafted Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker early in the second round. Gordon has not allowed a TD in his four-year career in college. Brisker is as disciplined as it gets; he has not committed a penalty in two years. This secondary is very underrated and can give Lance a struggle in Week 1.
In his first start after being named the starting QB, and him reportedly being annoyed with Garoppolo’s new contract; he has a lot going on in his mind to start off this season. I am not starting Lance until he can show me the hype he has received all offseason long.
Running Back
Breece Hall vs Baltimore Ravens
Breece Hall is who many believe was the best running back out of the 2022 NFL Draft. At 5 ’11 217 lbs, he is a unit. He will be a beast of a fantasy football player, but not this week. There is one major question mark coming into the season; who is the lead back?
Michael Carter. He ended his rookie year with 964 yards from scrimmage and 4 TDs. He had a very good rookie year. Everyone expects that it is Hall’s backfield, but that may not be the case just yet. It is not crazy to think that they will be splitting the carries against a great Ravens defense.
The Ravens have always had a great defense since 2000. As they had some injuries to Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters; they were still very good last season. Their defensive line is their heart of that defense and it will give Hall some trouble. Between the split backfield and the Ravens defensive line, I am out on Breece Hall this week.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown vs Philadelphia Eagles
Amon-Ra St. Brown was very underrated compared to the other WRs in his draft class. He had a great rookie year, posting a 90/912/5 statline. He broke out last year, and he can do better this year. That said, this a very tough matchup for him; likely going against Darius Slay.
Last season the Lions played the Eagles and that was one of St.Browns worst games of the year. He was held to 3/46/0 in that game,and they were embarrassed 44-6. Slay dominated that game and had a forced fumble that he took back for a touchdown.
Now that St. Brown is the WR1 for the time being; Slay will be shadowing him. As good as a WR St. Brown is; Slay is a lockdown corner and I want nothing to do with his matchup this week.
Week 1 will be over sooner than later, and hopefully everyone makes the best choices for their fantasy football teams this week. These are the players I am avoiding. I do not want to take the chance with these players as their matchups will challenge them.
Harry Prskalo
Writer for The League Winners. Just a guy that loves Fantasy Football and will help you win your championship.