MNF Preview Week 1
Monday September 8, 2014
New York Giants @ Detroit Lions
San Diego Chargers @ Arizona Cardinals

We had a great Week 1 up to this point and Monday night promises to be just as exciting. Monday Night Football kicks off with a great double header. First, the Giants will try to slow down Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford and the high-octane Lions’ passing-attack. After that, the Chargers try to get their offense rolling against a very tough Cardinals defense. There are a lot fantasy points to be won tonight and many matchups will be won and lost during these two games.

New York Giants: Key Players

QB Eli Manning

Manning is coming off a season in which he led the NFL in interceptions. He has looked awful in preseason as has most of the Giants’ offense. The former first overall pick is struggling to grasp the new offensive scheme. Hopefully you are not starting Manning tonight against a vicious front line in Detroit. His offensive line and pass-catchers appear to be average at best.

The Verdict: Sit Manning. He really just doesn’t have anything going for him tonight. If his offensive line can’t keep him upright, it’s going to be a long night. Expect him to turn the ball over quite a few times.

RB Rashad Jennings

Jennings was one of the few bright spots on the Giants’ offense this preseason. With all the pressure put on Manning, he should be targeted often in the passing game and be given his fair share of carries. As long as he can hold of rookie RB Andre Williams, Jennings should have a productive season.

The Verdict: Start Jennings. He should continue to be the lone fantasy star on the Giants’ offense. Expect him to score a lot of points in PPR leagues.

RB Andre Williams

The Heisman finalist had an up-and-down preseason. Williams should be a very good NFL RB, however he will likely take some time to develop. Head Coach Tom Coughlin also isn’t overly trusting of rookies. He could see some goal line duties.

The Verdict: Sit Williams. The only way you should be starting him this week is if you have Ellington and get word that he will be out for tonight’s game. Williams could be a strong play as the season progresses, but it’s just to risky starting him before he proves he’s a capable RB.

WR Victor Cruz
Cruz will be the top WR in the Giants’ passing game. He should fit well in the Giants’ new west coast offense. He is trying to bounce back from a somewhat disappointing 2013. As long as he can keep his drops down and Manning can get the ball out, Cruz should see plenty of targets this season. He is the undisputed top WR in New York.

Detroit Lions: Key Players

QB Matthew Stafford

Stafford will be throwing the ball early and often, as usual. He has a ton of fantastic targets to get the ball too. Even his RBs are great WRs and he has three viable options at TE. Stafford has a very good shot to be a top five QB this season. He is a great play against just about any matchup.

The Verdict: Start Stafford. He should be starting about just about anybody. The Giants are certainly no exception. Expect a big game from Stafford against an average defense.

WR Calvin Johnson

Megatron is the greatest WR in the game and at the end of his career has a legitimate shot to be in the conversation for greatest WR ever.

The Verdict: Start Johnson. Always start Megatron. No matter what the matchup is.

RB Reggie Bush

When Bush can stay healthy, he is a very good fantasy player. He is a great option in PPR leagues. He is one of the elite PPR backs in the league, right up there with Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead and Darren Sproles.

Verdict: Start Bush. As long as he’s healthy you should be starting Bush until he gives you reason to bench him.

RB Joique Bell

Bell will be the top RB on the Lions this season. He is an excellent rusher as well as receiving back. He has the strength to run between the tackles and the speed to beat defenders around the edge. The Giants’ front seven shouldn’t put up much resistance.

The Verdict: Start Bell. He has the potential to be a high-end RB2 this season. Bell is a must start against most matchups.

Predictions

Final Score
Giants: 13
Lions: 24

Best Play
Giants: Rashad Jennings
Lions: Calvin Johnson

Sleeper
Andre Williams

 

San Diego Chargers: Key Players

QB Phillip Rivers

Rivers is coming off a bounce back season. He was great last year and should be very good this year. Nonetheless, he has a very tough matchup tonight. With Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie at corner, Rivers could struggle. He’s not a terrible start but he’s also not a great play either.

The Verdict: Sit Rivers. If you can afford to sit Rivers than do so, however it is probably too late for that. He’s not a terrible play, but that ball-hawking secondary could cause a lot of problems. Only Stafford is a better option tonight.

RB Ryan Matthews

Matthews has been inconsistent and injury prone throughout his career. He is a bit overrated, however the matchup against Arizona is decent. The Chargers will have to run the ball to be effective. The absence of Darnell Docket, Daryl Washington and Karlos Dansby, may prove to be the difference in the game.

Verdict: Start Matthews. The matchup is better than most people think and he should have a pretty good game tonight.

RB Danny Woodhead
Woodhead is a great PPR back. He doesn’t get a high volume of carries but he can easily catch 5-10 passes on any given day. He is a nice flex, especially in 12 team leagues. Matchup doesn’t really matter for Woodhead. His production is tough to predict.

The Verdict: Start Woodhead. This only applies to PPR leagues. You can feel good starting him in your flex.

WR Keenan Allen
Allen emerged as the leader of the 2013 rookie class of WRs. He led all rookie WRs in fantasy points and was the only rookie to crack the top 30. He is poised to build off last season and perhaps propel himself in to elite status. There is no reason he can take the kind of step that Alshon Jeffery did last season.

The Verdict: Start Allen. Allen should be in your starting lineup every week. He has the potential to be a WR1 and is a great WR2.

TE Antonio Gates

Gates is old, fat, slow and should be in your lineup! He is clearly not what he used to be, but he still finds a way to get the job done. He does not appear to be ready to concede his job to Ladarius Green. This is a really good matchup for Gates.

The Verdict: Start Gates. With Peterson and Cromartie covering the WRs, Gates will become Rivers best friend. The underneath target should be available and Gates will exploit one of the few holes in the Cardinals’ pass defense.

Arizona Cardinals: Key Players

QB Carson Palmer

Palmer has plenty of weapons to target on the Cardinals’ offense. His issue is, he is completely immobile and the Chargers will be coming for him. He should put up decent numbers, but will most likely turn the ball over quite a bit as well.

The Verdict: Sit Palmer. Palmer is everybody’s go to sleeper QB this season. The issue is, the fact that he plays the Seahawks, Rams and 49ers twice, he can’t move and is a serious injury risk. Don’t count on him to be a long term solution, and be very weary of him when he’s facing any sort of pass rush.

RB Andre Ellington

This story has been all over the map. Ellington could play Monday or could be out for two months. We just really don’t know what to make of it. We will have to wait and see just like everybody else.

The Verdict: Sit Ellington. Even if he is able to play tonight, he could be limited or susceptible to further injury. It’s too risky a play to start him, hopefully you have other options.

RB Jonathan Dwyer
Dwyer’s relevancy depends completely upon Ellington’s availability. As stated before, we just don’t know what is going to happen.

The Verdict: Sit Dwyer. If Ellington is available in any capacity, you can’t start Dwyer. The only reason you should start Dwyer is if you have both RBs and you were holding on to hope that Ellington could go and he can’t.

WR Larry Fitzgerald

Fitz is an all-time great and a true professional. He is always a safe play and has huge upside. He has one of the best set of hands the league has ever seen and is as reliable as they come. Do not try to bury Fitzgerald yet.

The Verdict: Start Fitz. He is an elite talent and safe play. He is sure to get a solid amount of targets and has the ability to have a huge day. He is the most reliable target that Palmer has to throw too.

WR Michael Floyd

Floyd is a favorite candidate for break out player of the year. After a solid 2013, experts have him slated to overtake Fitzgerald as the top guy in Arizona. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen. Either way, Floyd should have a solid season at worst.

The Verdict: Start Floyd. If you drafted him, you drafted him to be your starter. With the possible exception of his visit to Seattle, he should be in your lineup every week.

Predictions

Final Score
San Diego Chargers: 24
Arizona Cardinals: 20

Best Play
Chargers: Antonio Gates
Cardinals: Michael Floyd

Sleeper
Danny Woodhead