You know, it’s finally here! Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season started last night and yes, it looks like it’s been a long time coming. We’ve made it and it’s time to root your favorite team while simultaneously hoping your fantasy players go. This week, I’ll break down what I think will be the top 3 fantasy performances on each mode: QB, RB, WR, TE, DEF, K and I’ll dive into some potential flex options. This should be useful for DFS players out there.
1 week in fantasy is important because you want to start the season on the right foot with a win. But if you take that L, no worries because you have 12 more weeks to get into the playoff controversy. So let’s jump straight to this.
* P.P.R. All guesses based on formats
Week 1 Fantasy Predictions: Top 3 Fantasy Artists at Each Place
Top 3 QB
1.) Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens
Week 1 is a divisional match-up between the Cleveland Browns for Jackson and Ravens. In the first meeting last year, Browse beat Raven for a 15-point victory, 40-25. Lamar was responsible for all three of the 240+ passing yards and 66 rushing yards with 3 to go with the Ravens touchdown by air. That operation warning was 2 interruptions.
Look for this year to be very different. While his performance won’t be close to his 2019 Weekly 1 start vs Miami Dolphins, he should be able to put a quality number for you in the opener of the season.
2.) Philip Rivers – Indianapolis Colts
Now this can be seen as a head-scratcher, but here I am out. Rivers is playing in a new team for the first time in his career. The Colts gave him a big one-year contract in the hope that he could bring him into the Super Bowl, a feat that never happened. Peyton Manning Era. He is equipped with the goals and talent to release the Jacksonville Jaguars team, which has essentially overlaid their roster this season. Rivers has been a turnover machine in recent years, but if it can avoid a throw by giving bad advice, find a big first week out of the rivers.
).) Killer Murray – Cardinals of Arizona
In 2019 the Cardinals were in every game except 4 or 5 games. The good thing about it is that none of those games were against their No. 1 divisional enemy of the week, the San Francisco 49ers. In their 9th and 11th match-ups of the week, they lost 3 and 10, respectively. This year should be different and don’t be surprised if the Cardinals split 1-1 with the 49ers because of Murray. In both contests, Murray threw for two runs against a turnover. Although 49 people are on defense, Cliff Kingsbury And Co. figured out how to hang out with the NFC West top team from last season. The shootout will take place in Week 1, led by Murray.
Top 3 RB
1.) Christian McFrey – Carolina Panthers
If there’s a new head coach Matt Rule should know about his team, it’s that you feed McFarlane the ball as often as possible. Don’t run it on the field, but just know that your team is better when # 22 has the ball in hand. McCaffrey is why every fictional owner wants to pick first in the draft.
Although last year’s rush was in the middle of the Raiders pack in terms of defense, McCaffrey isn’t really a good way to slow down. See Christian lead his team in hopes of a season opener victory.
2.) Aust Stein Eckler – Los Angeles Chargers
Eckler was probably the only bright spot on the Displaster Chargers team in 2019. When Chargers is considering returning to PlayStation, there should be an Accelerator play-maker to help change the pace of games. The great thing about Eclair is that he doesn’t have to worry about another RB coming back in mid-season to increase his touch.
In a week-long match against the Cincinnati Bengals, Eckler has shown readiness to start the season. In 2019, the Bengals had the 9th worst rush defense in the league. Add to that the fact that ke keller can also catch the ball outside the backfield and you have a recipe for success in this match-up.
).) Josh Jacobs – Las Vegas Riders
The Raiders will start the season against the Carolina Panthers. The new coaching regime in Carolina could mean some growing suffering in the early parts of the season. This is a great sign for Jacobs, who had a stellar campaign as a feature behind him. Last year the Panthers defense was the worst in the league in rush defense, allowing 2,000+ yards and 27 scores. You would think that would give Jacobs the top spot for the fantasy RB. Truth be told though, Jacobs isn’t really the backbone. He is an old downhill runner. Regardless, watch it for a solid start to the season.
