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 Quarterbacks
1. Patrick Mahomes vs. Lions (Thur.)
2. Jalen Hurts at Patriots
3. Josh Allen at Jets (Mon.)
4. Lamar Jackson vs. Texans
5. Joe Burrow at Browns
6. Justin Herbert vs. Dolphins
7. Justin Fields vs. Packers
8. Trevor Lawrence at Colts
9. Geno Smith vs. Rams
10. Kirk Cousins vs. Buccaneers
Week 1 Start ’Em: Quarterbacks
Start of the Week
Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports
Geno Smith vs. Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Smith finished fifth in fantasy points among quarterbacks last season, which included scoring a combined 36.6 points in two games against the Rams. The 2023 version of their defense is projected to be more vulnerable than last year’s squad, especially without star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, so Smith and the Seahawks’ pass attack should fly high.
Start ’Em
Kirk Cousins vs. Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The QB8 from a season ago, Cousins should start this year on a high note in a plus matchup against the Bucs. Tampa’s defense could be on the field a lot this weekend, and Cousins was a star at home in 2022. In fact, he scored more than 18 points in all but two of his nine starts in Minnesota. Cousins should post top-12 numbers in the opener.
Tua Tagovailoa at Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Dolphins-Chargers game has the look of a real scoreboard scorcher, with a 51-point over/under. That’s good news for Tagovailoa, who should throw the ball a ton in an offense with a ground attack that’s questionable at best. Also, the Chargers allowed the third-most yards on passes of 20-plus yards last season, so look for Miami to throw deep.
Russell Wilson vs. Raiders (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Wilson was awful last season, so starting him comes with some risk. Still, he’s worth a look if you didn’t draft a star quarterback or you’re playing in a DFS tournament. According to Fantasy Points Data, the Raiders allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per pass attempt a season ago, and their defense allowed the third-most schedule adjusted points.
Jordan Love at Bears (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Fantasy fans in need at quarterback or who are in two-quarterback leagues should take a look at Love this week. He has a nice matchup against the Bears, who allowed 9.5% more points to QBs than league average based on adjusted points. What’s more, their defense also surrendered the second-most fantasy points per pass attempt a season ago.
More Starts
Dak Prescott at Giants (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
Anthony Richardson vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Sam Howell vs. Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Trevor Lawrence at Colts ($6,500)
Geno Smith vs. Rams ($6,100)
Russell Wilson vs. Raiders ($5,900)
Week 1 Sit ’Em: Quarterbacks
Sit of the Week
Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports
Deshaun Watson vs. Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Watson will be active in most multi-quarterback leagues, but I’d keep him on the sidelines in a traditional format. The Bengals defense allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per pass attempt in 2022, including the sixth-fewest points scored by quarterbacks on runs. Overall, field generals scored the fourth-fewest points against the Bengals.
Sit ’Em
Aaron Rodgers vs. Bills (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Rodgers’s first game as a member of the Jets should be an exciting one, but the matchup makes him a fade for me. The Bills were tough on quarterbacks last season, allowing the seventh-fewest points per pass attempt. What’s more, Fantasy Points Data shows the Bills allowed 25% fewer points to quarterbacks based on schedule adjusted points.
Matthew Stafford at Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): The Rams offense could be a mess this weekend, at least as it pertains to the pass attack, as the team will likely be without Cooper Kupp. That’s bad news for Stafford, who will have some less than stellar options at his disposal. Without Kupp as his top option, Stafford will be difficult to trust even in a fantasy league that starts two quarterbacks.
Jimmy Garoppolo at Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Garoppolo’s first game in Silver & Black could very well leave him black & blue. The Denver defense was tough on quarterbacks last season, allowing the seventh-fewest points to the position. That includes surrendering the ninth-fewest points per pass attempt. Denver also allowed 16% fewer points to the position based on schedule adjusted points.
Kenny Pickett vs. 49ers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): I am a huge fan of Pickett, and I think he’ll end up being a better-than-advertised fantasy quarterback this season. Still, I’d be wary of him in Week 1 based on a tough matchup against the 49ers. Their defense was tough on field generals last season, allowing the fifth-fewest points to throwers. That includes allowing the eighth-fewest points per pass attempt.
More Sits
Jared Goff at Chiefs (Thur. 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
Brock Purdy at Steelers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Derek Carr at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Deshaun Watson vs. Bengals ($6,000)\
Matthew Stafford at Seahawks ($5,700)
Jimmy Garoppolo at Broncos ($5,300)
