Love/Hate Week 1

Each week I plan on doing a love/hate list for a couple players so this is my Love/Hate Week 1. I will do one QB, two RB’s, two WR’s, one TE and one D/ST. I’ll try not to do the most obvious ones like Tom Brady against the Bills this week, but it may happen if there isn't much else. Also, Tom Brady at the Bills may actually be deceivingly tough this week. Being from a generally Bills fans area I have heard mostly hype about the team. I haven’t done much research myself, so I mostly just hear what Bills fans are saying, and I’ll tell you, every season it’s the same thing. “They’re going to be a playoff team this season!” is a quote I hear at least once in every conversation I have about the upcoming season with a Bills fan. Last year they all thought they would go 11-5 because that’s what ESPN The Mag said and the fans validated it.

Love:

QB: Andrew Luck against the Raiders. Let’s be honest. The Raiders are utterly awful every season in recent memory, so any game against them seems to allow opposing quarterbacks to thrive. I believe this should be a good warm-up for the Colts and Luck will lead the way.

RB: Steven Jackson against the Saints is a good match-up. Any running back that is in Matt Ryan’s offense and is as big a threat in the red zone is a good choice, and against a record setting terrible defense last season, even with their Peyton back, the Saints will struggle and Jackson will thrive in the red zone.

RB: Lamar Miller is somewhat of a sleeper being a rookie on a bad team, but he is really their whole offense this season. The Dolphins don’t really have any great receivers and any player that’s going to get a lot of touches against the Browns is a good guy to play.

WR: Pierre Garcon looks good this week against the Eagles. RGIII will look to throw more because of his knee this season and with Garcon matching up against one of the worst defenses of last season he should thrive.

WR: Vincent Jackson against the Jets is a good match-up. Any player against the Jets is really a good pick, and the Jets don’t even have their best player this season, so Jackson will tear up what I think will be the worst team this season.

TE: Tight Ends are always a tough choice because they are so inconsistent in fantasy football, but Julius Thomas against a new Ravens defense doesn't seem like a bad choice. Thomas will hopefully be playing his first full season this season (his third NFL season), he is 6’5” and Peyton Manning is throwing to him. There are three other great receivers on this team which I think will actually draw attention away from the middle where the monstrous, ex-basketball player should be waiting. Also, with Thomas’ high and jumping ability, he should be a big threat in the red zone.

D/ST: Defenses are also a tough pick every week, but I like the Patriots this week against the rookie QB in EJ Manuel. Manuel only played two preseason games and is coming off surgery and with a greatly improved Patriots defense coming for him this week with Bill Belichick calling the shots, the Patriots defense should get at least two or three turnovers.

Hate:

QB: Cam Newton is playing a tough Seahawks defense this week and I don’t see him doing much. He throws too many interceptions and with a solid defense like Seattle stopping him from doing what he wants, he could easily throw a couple picks.

RB: Maurice Jones-Drew said that he doesn't know if he can play football anymore recently. While playing the Chiefs who have tons of weapons on defense, especially in the run-stopping department, MJD seems like he could be shaky in what should be a tough game.

WR: Torrey Smith is always a hit and miss, and even though his role will be increased this season, I don’t think he can ever be a possession receiver like Anquan Boldin was.

Aside from Torrey Smith being a bad idea this week, I don’t really like the Ravens receivers at all this season. They don’t have a possession guy at all, and Flacco isn't really a dominant QB. He got a lot of help from Boldin for short yardage and I can’t really see anyone emerge and take over the short yardage passing game consistently each week.

                There are my Love/Hate players for Week 1. Comment if I missed anyone or you disagree.