The NFL season officially kicks off this Thursday! The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks host Aaron Rodgers and the explosive Packers offense. The Legion of Boom will try to slow down an aerial assault from Rodgers, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, while trying to deal with the bruising running style of Eddie Lacy. On the other side of the ball, the Packers hope an improved defense can slow down a balanced attack led by Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson. The Seahawks are all but unbeatable at home. With the 12th man of their side, the Seahawks will try to kick off this season the same way they ended last season. This game is loaded with fantasy relevancy.

Green Bay Packers: Key Players

QB Aaron Rodgers
If you have Rodgers, you’re starting him. If you drafted Rodgers, you drafted him early and must start him, regardless of the matchup. Needless to say, this is about as bad a matchup there is in the NFL. The Seattle defense, led by All-Pro corner back Richard Sherman will give the high-octane Packers passing-attack all they can handle.
Verdict: Start Rodgers against the Seahawks, but temper your expectations.

RB Eddie Lacy
Lacy is another guy you have to start. While the Seahawks defense is more vulnerable to the run, they still ranked No. 7 in the NFL. Most likely you drafted Lacy in the first round, maybe the second if you were very lucky. You have to play your studs. It is a tough matchup, but up against that secondary, the Packers will be forced to run if they expect to have any success.
Verdict: Start Lacy but, again, temper expectations. He should put up decent numbers, just not the elite RB1 numbers you will be able to count on in most other matchups.

WR Jordy Nelson
Nelson will have to deal with a hellacious Seahawks’ secondary. If you drafted Nelson, most likely you are counting on him to be your WR1 or possibly a WR2. He will probably disappoint you this week as will most receivers facing the Seahawks defense this season.
Verdict: It’s hard to do, but if you have a better option this week, plug them in. If you have a deep WR corps and have a backup you like, it’s okay to sit Nelson. Some players I’d prefer to play over Nelson are Emmanuel Sanders, Roddy White, Marques Colston, T.Y. Hilton, Eric Decker and Michael Crabtree.

WR Randall Cobb
Cobb has not looked great this summer and does not matchup favorable with a physical Seahawks defense. Cobb will man the slot and the Seahawks will get physical with him early and often. His toughness and health will definitely be put to the test right off the bat this season.
Verdict: Like Nelson, if you have a better option, play them. We all saw what the Seahawks did to the Broncos’ WRs in the Super Bowl. Soft, small and fragile players do not do well against the Legion of Boom. Don’t count on Cobb having a big game on Thursday night.

Seattle Seahawks: Key Players

QB Russell Wilson
Coming off a Super Bowl victory, Wilson has looked great this preseason. While the Packers’ defense is expected to be improved, you should take an “I’ll believe it when I see it” approach. We have seen Wilson be great, the Packs’ D, not so much. This should be the start to a breakout fantasy season for the young QB.
Verdict: Start Wilson. The Seahawks will be able to score on this defense. They should come out fired up at home, coming off a Super Bowl victory. The Packers have also really struggled against mobile QBs in recent history.

RB Marshawn Lynch
Beast Mode will rumble through the Packers defense. He is in a contract year and has a lot to play for. Lynch has a lot of doubters, and he will be out to prove them all wrong. Fueled on skittles and rage, Beast Mode will explode in to the 2014 season.
Verdict: Start Beast Mode. He is an RB1 and you can count on him to be just that this Thursday night.

WR Percy Harvin
Harvin is an elite NFL talent when healthy. The issue is he just can’t stay healthy. He is a very tough matchup for any defense when he’s on the field, and the Packers’ defense is no exception. If Harvin is his usual explosive self, he should be in for a big game.
Verdict: Start him while you got him. If you drafted Harvin, get as much out of him while you can. His freakish talent will more than likely be hindered by injury at some point this season. So when he’s on the field, he should be in your lineup.

WR Doug Baldwin
Baldwin is an excellent sleeper this year poised for a breakout season. He may shock fantasy owners and become a viable WR3 this season. He has all the tools it takes to be at least a WR2 in the NFL. The Packers will have a hard time shutting him down.

Verdict: It may still be a little early to start Baldwin in most leagues. Most owners will want to see him produce before plugging him in. Sit him if you have any safer option. Nonetheless, if you need to start him Week 1, you may be pleasantly surprised by his performance.

Predictions

Final Score
Packers: 17
Seahawks: 27

Best Player
Packers: Eddie Lacy
Seahawks: Russell Wilson

Sleeper
Doug Baldwin