Fantasy Scrambler: Start ‘Em or Stash ‘Em

Hello Scramblers, I want to jump into week one with some start ‘em or stash ‘em’s for every game. I’ll tell you who you need in your lineup and who should be riding the pine.

RAVENS vs BRONCOS

First up, Thursday’s season kickoff game, Baltimore at Denver. A rematch of last year’s AFC divisional playoff game which Baltimore won in double overtime. I expect a lot of scoring from Denver because I’m not sure the Ravens were able to reload the fire power they lost from their D.

Conversely, Denver’s defense is stout and that’s why I’m not too excited about any of Baltimore’s offensive players except for Ray Rice.

Start ‘em: Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Wes Welker, Ray Rice

Stash ‘em: Joe Flacco, Torrey Smith, Ronnie Hillman, Montee Ball

PATRIOTS vs BILLS

Next up, Pats at Bills. Expect Tom Brady to be Tom Brady as he proves he can make any receiver look good. Buffalo’s defense will be picked apart which should make for a lot of offense in this one. Let’s also not forget about New England’s potent rushing attack. There should be plenty of yards gained on the ground by both of these clubs.

Start ‘em: Tom Brady, Kenbrell Thompkins, Danny Amendola, Stevan Ridley, Zach Sudfeld, C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson

Stash ‘em: Jeff Teul, Stevie Johnson, Julian Edelman, Aaron Dobson

TITANS vs STEELERS

Tennessee at Pittsburgh should make for some entertaining offense. I’m particularly interested to see how Big Ben can adjust to life without Mike Wallace and to see which CJ2K will show up to this one.

Start ‘em: Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Emmanual Sanders, Chris Johnson, Kenny Britt

Stash ‘em: Isaac Redman, Markus Wheaton, Jake Locker, Nate Washington, Kendall Wright

FALCONS vs SAINTS

To the NFC South we go for this monster game, Falcons at Saints. I’m very excited to see this potential offensive shoot out. Both of these teams have great QB’s and plenty of weapons to choose from.

Start ‘em: Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Matt Ryan, Steven Jackson, Julio Jones, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez

Stash ‘em: Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Jacquizz Rodgers

BUCCANEERS vs JETS

From one highly anticipated scoring fest to a potential blow out we go. Tampa Bay at New York Jets. The Bucks have multiple fantasy contributors while the Jets have none. If you own any Jets, you should ask yourself why?, however there might be some opportunity for the defense to get you some points depending on how well Josh Freeman plays. They will have plenty of chances because I expect the Jets D to be on the field for most of the game.

Start ‘em: Doug Martin, Vincent Jackson, Mike Williams, Jets Defense/Special Teams

Stash ‘em: Josh Freeman, All of the Jets

CHIEFS vs JAGUARS

The Chiefs at Jags doesn’t seem to be too exciting on the surface but I am interested to see how Andy Reid’s offense will translate to the players he has in K.C. Also, can MJD bounce back from injury and secure the final contract of his illustrious career. With wide out Justin Blackmon serving a four game suspension, he should get plenty of touches.

Start ’em: MJD, Cecil Shorts, Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles

Stash ‘em: Alex Smith, Blaine Gabbert

SEAHAWKS vs PANTHERS

Super Bowl hopefuls Seattle travel to Carolina for an intriguing NFC battle. Can Cam Newton do anything against the Seahawks’ dominant D? Will Russell Wilson continue his unlikely rise to superstardom? Will Marshawn Lynch go BEAST MODE? Should be fun finding out the answers to these questions come Sunday.

Start ‘em: Cam Newton, Greg Olsen, Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Golden Tate

Stash ‘em: Deangelo Williams, Steve Smith, Sidney Rice, Zach Miller

BENGALS vs BEARS

Bengals at Bears pits two efficient if not exciting offenses against two stifling defenses. Which side of the ball will win out? Whose defense is better? As they say, “That is why they play the game.”

Start ‘em: A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert, Jermaine Gresham, Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, Martellus Bennett

Stash ‘em: Andy Dalton, Giovanni Bernard, Jay Cutler, Michael Bush

DOLPHINS vs BROWNS

If it wasn’t for fantasy, Miami at Cleveland would be a real stinker. However, there should be some fantasy gold to be mined out of this game.

Start ‘em: Trent Richardson, Jordan Cameron, Brandon Weeden, Lamar Miller, Brian Hartline

Stash ‘em: Greg Little, Ryan Tannehill, Daniel Thomas

VIKINGS vs LIONS

To the NFC North we go for the Vikings at Lions. Consensus top pick Adrian Peterson will do most of the damage for Minnesota while multiple options abound for Detroit.

Start ‘em: Adrian Peterson, Kyle Rudolph, Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford, Reggie Bush, Joique Bell

Stash ‘em: Greg Jennings, Christian Ponder, Ryan Broyles, Brandon Pettigrew

RAIDERS vs COLTS

One team is in deep rebuilding mode while the other has rebuilt and is poised for the playoffs. Oakland takes its lack luster offense to Indianapolis to take on Andrew Luck and the Colts. Curious to see what Terrelle Pryor can do when it counts and also if the new blocking scheme is what McFadden owners have been waiting for. Colts should roll up the score on the Raiders’ anemic defense.

Start ‘em: Darren McFadden, Marcel Reece, Andrew Luck, T.Y. Hilton, Coby Fleener, Reggie Wayne

Stash ‘em: Terrelle Pryor, Denarius Moore, Vic Ballard, Dwayne Allen

PACKERS vs 49ERS

Huge match up in the NFC here. Green Bay at San Francisco should be a great rematch of last year’s playoff game. If it weren’t for the Niner’s defense, I would say prepare for a shootout. However, never underestimate A-Rod when it comes to fantasy production.

Start ‘em: Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb, James Jones, Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis

Stash ‘em: Eddy Lacy, Jordy Nelson, Jermicheal Finley, Anquan Boldin

CARDINALS vs RAMS

The Cardinals at Rams game probably won’t provide a lot of scoring for your fantasy teams and it’s not because of lack of offensive talent for either team, however it is their respective defenses that will keep this game’s scoring in the teens.

Start ‘em: Larry Fitzgerald, Carson Palmer, Chris Givens, Daryl Richardson

Stash ‘em: Michael Floyd, Jared Cook, Sam Bradford

COWBOYS vs GIANTS

The Sunday night game features NFC East rivals Dallas and New York. Should be plenty of fantasy value in this one as both teams have explosive players that can do a lot of damage. Just an FYI here, Tony Romo is the highest rated QB on opening day in NFL history.

Start ‘em: Hakeem Nicks, David Wilson, Eli Manning, Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Demarco Murray

Stash ‘em: Brandon Myers, Victor Cruz, Miles Austin

EAGLES vs REDSKINS

The first Monday night game also features NFC East foes, the Eagles at the Redskins. Chip Kelly’s first real game in the pros will provide some interesting fantasy action against a good, not great, Washington defense. Conversely, RG III is back and ready to build on a fantastic rookie campaign.

Start ‘em: LeSean McCoy, Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Alfred Morris, RG III, Pierre Garcon

Stash ‘em: Jason Avant, Brent Celek, Fred Davis, Santana Moss

TEXANS vs CHARGERS

The final game of week one is Houston at San Diego. How healthy is Arian Foster? Can the Chargers defense overcome Philip Rivers’ inevitable miscues? Can Andre Johnson be stopped? Stay up late to find out.

Start ‘em: Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels, Ryan Mathews, Vincent Brown, Antonio Gates

Stash ‘em: Matt Schaub, Ben Tate, Philip Rivers, Malcom Floyd

The fantasy season begins in just 3 days, it’s time to showcase your football knowledge and show everyone that this year is your year. Good luck and be sure to follow me on Twitter @MaahsScramler for updates and for any roster advice you need throughout the season.