Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Week 1 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Fabs’ Top 10 Defenses
1. Ravens defense vs. Texans
2. Eagles defense at Patriots
3. Commanders defense vs. Cardinals
4. Seahawks defense vs. Rams
5. Jaguars defense at Colts
6. Cowboys defense at Giants
7. Vikings defense vs. Buccaneers
8. 49ers defense at Steelers
9. Saints defense vs. Titans
10. Broncos defense vs. Raiders
Week 1 Start ’Em: Defenses
Start of the Week
Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports
Ravens defense vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Ravens defense should put up a great line this week, facing a questionable Houston offense that will be starting a rookie quarterback in C.J. Stroud. While I don’t think Baltimore’s defense will be as good as in season’s past, this unit is a virtual must start in Week 1.
Start ’Em
Commanders defense vs. Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Commanders are in a great position to start their season on a high note, facing maybe the league’s worst team in the Cardinals. Their offense will be starting journeyman QB Joshua Dobbs, who was acquired late in camp. Go get Washington's defense now.
More Starts
Seahawks defense vs. Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Jaguars defense at Colts (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Vikings defense vs. Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Jaguars defense at Colts ($3,500)
Seahawks defense vs. Rams ($3,300)
Commanders defense vs. Cardinals ($2,800)
Week 1 Sit ’Em: Defenses
Sit of the Week
Patriots defense vs. Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Patriots defense should be one of the more valuable in fantasy leagues this season, but a matchup against the Eagles and Jalen Hurts is anything but favorable. Their offense is one of the NFL’s most talented, so I’d find a streaming option and bench New England.
Sit ’Em
Dolphins defense at Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Dolphins-Chargers game figures to be a high-scoring affair, so I’d be keeping the Miami defense on the sidelines. While this is a talented unit, it’ll be without CB Jalen Ramsey and could be vulnerable to Justin Herbert and the Bolts’ electric passing game.
More Sits
Steelers defense vs. 49ers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)\
Browns defense vs. Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Buccaneers defense at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Fades (DraftKings)
Chargers defense vs. Dolphins ($3,100)
Steelers defense vs. 49ers ($3,000)
Patriots defense vs. Eagles ($2,700)
Fabs’ Top 10 Kickers
1. Justin Tucker vs. Texans
2. Harrison Butker vs. Lions (Thur.)
3. Jason Myers vs. Rams
4. Tyler Bass at Jets (Mon.)
5. Greg Joseph vs. Buccaneers
6. Daniel Carlson at Broncos
7. Evan McPherson at Browns
8. Jake Elliott at Patriots
9. Cameron Dicker vs. Dolphins
10. Brandon McManus at Colts
Week 1 Start ’Em: Kickers
Start of the Week
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
Cameron Dicker vs. Dolphins (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Dicker has locked up the top kicking spot for the Chargers, and a potential barnburner at SoFi Stadium against the Dolphins makes him a nice option. In a game with an over/under of 51, I’d expect Dicker to have more than his share of opportunities to score.
Start ’Em
Jason Myers vs. Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Myers was one of the best kickers in fantasy football a season ago, averaging more than nine points per game. The Rams allowed the fifth-most points to kickers last season, including 36 field-goal conversions, so Myers should get off to a good start in the stat sheets.
More Starts
Greg Joseph vs. Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Brandon McManus at Colts (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Brandon Aubrey at Giants (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
Week 1 Sit ’Em: Kickers
Sit of the Week
Matt Prater at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Prater was once considered one of the top kickers in fantasy football, but his stock has taken a hit in recent seasons. He ranked 29th in points last year, and the offense in Arizona looks like it’s going to be among the worst in the league. Keep Prater on the waiver wire.
Sit ’Em
Chris Boswell vs. 49ers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Boswell could be a nice fantasy option when the matchup is right, but this is not one of those weeks. The 49ers allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to kickers last season, allowing just 16 field-goal conversions. I’d be looking elsewhere for a kicker this weekend.
Brett Maher at Seahawks (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Chad Ryland vs. Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Greg Zuerlein vs. Bills (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
