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Football is back. The regular season kicks off on Thursday when the Kansas City Chiefs meet the Baltimore Ravens. As such, fantasy football is back in business and fantasy managers will finally get to see their draft picks in action.
Week 1 is a feeling-out period. No team is completely buttoned up. Additionally, projecting success or failure requires the use of data from the previous season. However, the NFL is variable and things can change greatly from season to season or even week to week.
Even so, let's check out the best and worst matchups at each fantasy football position in Week 1.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Week 1: Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups We Love
Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills
Opponent: ARI
2023 Opponent Rank vs. QB: 27th
The Arizona Cardinals were one of the league's worst defenses in 2023. Before the return of quarterback Kyler Murray in Week 10, the Cardinals offense did nothing to support the defense. As such, teams would build a quick lead and then run their way to victory.
The Cardinals defense does not project to be much better in 2024, especially with rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson being placed on injured reserve. However, their offense should be much improved with a healthy Murray and a new breadth of weapons around him.
Josh Allen and the Bills will host the Cardinals in Week 1 with question marks on the defensive side of the ball. The Bills were forced to cut bait with several defensive veterans as a salary dump this offseason. This game could be surprisingly close and may require that Allen be especially prolific.
With a line set at 48.5, expect points to be scored early and often by both sides. Allen should be able to run and throw his way all over the Cardinals defense despite a young and unproven core of weapons around him.
Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins
Opponent: JAX
2023 Opponent Rank vs. QB: 26th
Tua Tagovailoa loves a fast start in fantasy football. The Dolphins offense thrives in the warm weather before teams can figure them out later in the season.
With a game line set at 49.5, this game could be another back-and-forth scoring fest. The Jaguars defense is nothing to fear and Tagovailoa should be able to feast through the air.
In 2023, Tagovailoa opened the season as the QB1. If the Jaguars offense can keep up with the high-flying Dolphins, then expect a top-5 finish from Tagovailoa this week.
📊 Most passing yards in a season opener in NFL history:
1. Tom Brady (517 vs. Dolphins, 2011)
2. Dan Marino (473 vs. Patriots, 1994)
3. Tua Tagovailoa (466 vs. Chargers, 2023)One of the greatest opening day performances ever 1️⃣ #GoFins pic.twitter.com/6yVYRHk4eD
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) September 3, 2024
Week 1: Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups to Avoid
Brock Purdy - San Francisco 49ers
Opponent: NYJ
2023 Opponent Rank vs. QB: 3rd
If you missed out on a top quarterback and settled for Purdy, then this may be a good week to look at another option. The 49ers and the Jets both project to have excellent defenses and excellent run games. This game could be surprisingly low-scoring, despite a projection for overall high-powered offenses.
Purdy is not going to add a lot of value with his legs. He was notorious for throwing for one or two touchdowns while limiting turnovers in 2023. Those types of numbers would generally yield 18-20 fantasy points but he may struggle in this game. Fade Purdy and find someone else for a spot start in Week 1.
Week 1: Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups We Love
James Cook - Buffalo Bills
Opponent: ARI
2023 Opponent Rank vs. RB: 32nd
James Cook is entering 2024 with a path to a monster season. What better way to kick off the season than against the middling defense of the Cardinals? Much like his quarterback, Cook should be able to cook against the Cardinals.
In 2023, the Cardinals allowed 25.7 points per game to the running back position. Cook is a hyper-efficient runner. He should be able to feast against a defense that allowed 143.2 rushing yards per game in 2023.
If Cook can capitalize on touchdown opportunities, then he should have a monster day. Fire him up as a RB1 in Week 1.
Now that the only fantasy league I care about just drafted, I’ll finally give my fantasy/futures flag plant of the year - James Cook is a 3rd year RB coming off a 1500 yard season in a run first offense (since Joe Brady took over) that lost both of its starting WR. He played 100%… pic.twitter.com/DBrLUUclW7
— Andy Francess (@AndyFrancess) September 3, 2024
Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: DEN
2023 Opponent Rank vs. RB: 31st
The Denver Broncos' ranking against running backs in fantasy is inflated because of the monster game the Dolphins put up on them in Week 3 of last season. However, the Broncos were still at the bottom of the league in rushing yards per game allowed.
This projects to be an average game for offensive output, but Walker has a chance to rip off a couple of big runs. The Seahawks should be able to move the ball effectively and put Walker in scoring positions as well. He may not be a world-beater in Week 1, but Walker should be a solid RB2 for your team.
Week 1: Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups to Avoid
Kyren Williams - Los Angeles Rams
Opponent: at DET
2023 Opponent Rank vs. RB: 1st
This is a tough matchup for the Rams in Week 1. While Detroit was susceptible to the pass in 2023, it was extremely stingy against the run. With the Rams having also added rookie Blake Corum in the NFL Draft, Williams is also expected to see a slight dip in his workload.
That dip may not be a problem later in the season. However, in a game that projects to be a potential shootout, taking away from Williams' volume on the ground is not going to help. The Rams may opt for an air attack in Week 1 that would more greatly benefit wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
With a tough defensive front ahead of him in Detroit, temper your expectations for Williams in Week 1.
Week 1: Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups We Love
Mike Evans/Chris Godwin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: WSH
2023 Opponent Rank vs. WR: 31st
Both of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers top wide receivers have a chance for a terrific Week 1. The Washington Commanders enter 2023 without much improvement to their defensive personnel and likely improvement to their offense. As such, this team should allow a lot of points while simultaneously keeping the game close.
Evans experienced a resurgent season in 2023 and finished as the WR7. While Godwin finished as the WR29, he had a strong finish to the season en route to his third straight 1,000-yard season. With the Buccaneers largely running their team back, expect these savvy veterans to have solid outings in Week 1.
Amon-Ra St. Brown - Detroit Lions
Opponent: LAR
2023 Opponent Rank vs. WR: 26th
When you put the Lions in a projected high-scoring game in a dome, then fantasy magic usually ensues. The first "Sunday Night Football" game of the season boasts an impressive over/under of 50.5 points. Both teams should need to air it out in this game and should do so effectively.
The Rams will have an improved defense in 2024, but it is not anything that should be outright feared. Additionally, Lions quarterback Jared Goff is notoriously good at home. By extension so is St. Brown.
St. Brown should approach or exceed double-digit targets in this game. He should easily finish as a WR1 and has the upside to finish as a top-5 option at the position in Week 1. Deploy St. Brown with confidence this week.
This Is The PERFECT Matchup We Need To Put Coins In Our Pocket 💰
Amon Ra St Brown Over 81.5 Receiving Yards (-120 Fliff)
- Amon Ra Over This Line In 6/7 Total Regular Season (Home) Games Last Season Averaging 100+ Yards
- Seeing A HIGH 8-9 Targets In (Home) Games And Having… pic.twitter.com/b1WQpj1S1g
— 4L⛹🏾♂️ (@4LBets) September 2, 2024
Week 1: Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups to Avoid
Amari Cooper - Cleveland Browns
Opponent: DAL
2023 Opponent Rank vs. WR: 7th
A low over/under and a solid defense spell trouble for the Cleveland Browns' passing attack in Week 1. The Cowboys will return several important defensive starters and should not skip a beat with new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer replacing Dan Quinn.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been an extreme disappointment since his return from suspension in 2022. While he did support a few solid games for Cooper in 2023, Cooper's success largely came with Joe Flacco under center. Watson is also coming off a shoulder injury and has been banged up through camp.
With an over/under of 41.5 points, the Browns may feel better off grinding their way to victory on the ground. The good news is that if you drafted Cooper, you may have another flex option. You are likely better off leaving him on your bench in Week 1.
Week 1: Fantasy Football Tight End Matchups We Love
Sam LaPorta - Detroit Lions
Opponent: LAR
2023 Opponent Rank vs. TE: 29th
The Los Angeles Rams could not keep tight ends in check during 2023. Insert one of the league's premier tight ends in Week 1, and the Rams may have a problem on their hands.
Like his running mate in Amon-Ra St. Brown, LaPorta could have a field day in a projected high-scoring matchup. The touchdown opportunities will certainly be prevalent and LaPorta should be able to shake loose for plenty of receptions.
You were not going to bench LaPorta anyway but start him with with the utmost confidence in Week 1.
Top 10 Sam LaPorta plays from last season, who’s ready to see this again? pic.twitter.com/d8xYBOY50O
— Honolulu Blues (@HonoluluBlues_) August 22, 2024
Week 1: Fantasy Football Tight End Matchups to Avoid
Cole Kmet - Chicago Bears
Opponent: TEN
2023 Opponent Rank vs. TE: 1st
Kmet enters Week 1 as the presumptive fourth or fifth receiving option in the Bears offense. Couple that with the fact that the Titans were the best in the league against tight ends in fantasy in 2023 and it is best to consider other options.
Kmet was likely already off many draft boards because of his standing in the offense. It is feasible that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will choose to rely more heavily on Kmet as he learns to play in the NFL, but with so many options on the offense, it seems unlikely.
Kmet had a good run as a fantasy streamer but he may be relegated to the waiver wire in 2024.
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