RADIO
The wait is over ladies and gentlemen!
Week 1 of the regular season is finally here and fantasy owners alike are anxious to see how their teams will develop. With all of the nerves and excitement, it's easy to forget how big of a role matchups play in deciding each players' fantasy fortunes. Thankfully, Rotoballer has you covered with some advice for those tough start/sit decisions for Thursday Night Football!
The last two NFC representatives for the Super Bowl go head-to-head in the regular season opener, with the Atlanta Falcons taking on the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately for Eagles fans, two of their most prolific players in quarterback Carson Wentz and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery won't be ready to go for this game. Should fantasy owners still expect a shootout to kick off the year or should they temper their expectations for what each offense will do? Let's dive into the first Thursday Night Football Matchup article of the 2018 season!
Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles
Date and Start Time: Thursday, September 6 at 8:20 PM ET
Notable Injuries and Status:
- Carson Wentz (QB, PHI) - Knee - Out
- Alshon Jeffery (WR, PHI) - Shoulder - Out
Offensive and Defensive Rankings (2017):
| Falcons | Eagles | |
| Passing Yards | 8th | 13th |
| Rushing Yards | 13th | 3rd |
| Pass Defense | 12th | 17th |
| Run Defense | 9th | 1st |
Must Starts
Top Performers That Have To Be In Your Lineup
Devonta Freeman (RB, ATL)
While the Philadelphia Eagles boasted the first-ranked run defense in the NFL last season, fantasy owners shouldn't be too quick to make snap judgments about how a stud player will bomb in Week 1. While the Eagles might hold Devonta Freeman in check, the old adage of "start your studs" has to apply when we haven't seen a regular season game yet. Freeman is one such player, who should be locked in as many owners' RB2 heading into Thursday.
Julio Jones (WR, ATL)
Julio Jones will draw coverage from a solid cornerback in Ronald Darby, but no sensible fantasy owner will sit their first/second round pick in the opener. Jones has shown that he can out-muscle most defensive backs and make stellar catches in spite of tough matchups, but the Atlanta Falcons will need to improve on their abysmal red zone efficiency from last season to get him back to top-shelf WR1 production.
Zach Ertz (TE, PHI)
Last season's third-best fantasy tight end will be relied upon early and often without the Philadelphia Eagles biggest target in Alshon Jeffery. Zach Ertz owners should be overjoyed for the volume he will get in PPR formats, but the touchdown upside will simply not be there without Carson Wentz tossing the football.
Consider Sitting
Players To Avoid Putting In Your Lineup If Possible
Matt Ryan (QB, ATL)
A Matt Ryan resurgence could be coming this season, but it likely won't happen in Week 1 against a stout Philadelphia Eagles defense. The offseason addition of Michael Bennett to bolster an already dominant pass rush has to have Ryan's fantasy owners concerned about his ability to hold fast in the pocket and deliver the football. Expect a QB2-esque performance from the Falcons' signal caller to start the season.
Tevin Coleman (RB, ATL)
The Philadelphia Eagles are undoubtedly tough to run on and when you couple that with Tevin Coleman's limited volume, it is uncertain how he can return significant value in the season opener. Until the Atlanta Falcons give Coleman a greater piece of the rushing pie, his capability to put up solid numbers in tough matchups will be severely handicapped.
Calvin Ridley (WR, ATL)
As one of the best route-runners in the 2018 NFL Draft, it is unclear whether Calvin Ridley's workload against the Philadelphia Eagles will be enough to make him fantasy-relevant. He could be a WR4/5 spot start in some leagues, but many owners are likely to have better options available that will allow a wait-and-see approach with Ridley.
Nick Foles (QB, PHI)
After Nick Foles' dreadful preseason performance where he led 10 drives without scoring a single point, fantasy owners know better than to think about starting him against one of the league's fastest defenses. Better streaming options are undoubtedly available for those who need a sub for Carson Wentz.
Corey Clement (RB, PHI)
The unquestioned second-string Philadelphia Eagles rusher had been dealing with a leg injury in the offseason, the severity of which is largely unknown. Even if he does suit up for Thursday, the team could opt to limit his snaps and allow Jay Ajayi to carry the rushing load. Until owners get more clarity on Corey Clement's role, he should remain on the bench.
Other Notable Sits: Mohamed Sanu (WR, ATL), Austin Hooper (TE, ATL), Darren Sproles (RB, PHI), Mike Wallace (WR, PHI)
Solid Options/Sleepers
Which Players Will Have Solid Games and Which Could Surprise?
Solid Option: Jay Ajayi (RB, PHI)
Now that Jay Ajayi has practiced for multiple days in a row, it seems cemented that he will line up as the Philadelphia Eagles lead back on Thursday. Unfortunately, his upside is capped by Nick Foles throwing the football and owners should expect his production to fall somewhere in the mid-RB2 range against an underrated Atlanta Falcons squad.
Solid Option: Nelson Agholor (WR, PHI)
Nelson Agholor will line up as the Philadelphia Eagles No. 1 wide receiver with Alshon Jeffery sidelined and undoubtedly get the most targets out of the team's wide receiver core. Still, without Alshon Jeffery to draw coverage from the opposing team's top corner and Nick Foles leading the charge, it's hard to put too much faith in a fourth-year wideout.
