The Best starts of the weekend:
RB Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) vs. IND: He has scored at least 1 touchdown in every career game against the Colts, and in the game he didn’t, he had 162 all-purpose yards. With a bad Colts rushing D, Jones-Drew should have a monster game with at least 150 all-purpose yards and a TD.
QB Drew Brees (NO) vs. DET: It’s Detroit, against the best passing offense in the league. Drew Brees will pick apart the Detroit secondary, throwing for at least 300 yards and 3 TD’S.
WR Reggie Wayne (IND) vs. IND: He always seems to do well against the Jags and Sunday will be no different. Against a young Jacksonville secondary, Wayne will be able to finds seams and coverage gaps easily. He should have over 100 yards and at least 1 TD.
WR Roddy White (ATL) vs. MIA: Miami’s pass D was ranked 25th last year, and although they drafted 2 rookie corners in this year’s draft, they will do little to remedy the problem. The ‘Fins allow a lot of passing yards on the road, so White will be targeted plenty on Sunday. Look for at least 85 yards and a TD.
TE Dallas Clark (IND) vs. JAX: Dallas Clark, always torches the Jags, no matter who they put on him. He will be targeted often by Peyton Manning, and he will be open plenty on Sunday. At least 1, maybe 2 TD’S for Clark this Sunday.
TE Owen Daniels (HOU) vs. NYJ: The Jets struggled to stop tight ends last year, and Owen Daniels is one of the brightest young stars in the league. Matt Schaub will find him open, due to his ability to get in the open field. He will be one of the better tight ends all year.
DEF Baltimore vs. KC: Kansas City will likely not have Matt Cassel this weekend. This poses a great advantage for one of the best D’s in the league. They will blitz often, putting Matt Cassel or whoever is starting on their back.
Who to Sit:
QB Trent Edwards (BUF) vs. NE (Mon): With a new offensive coordinator, Trent Edwards will have to learn a new scheme quickly. Even against a very new New England D, Edwards will struggle, due to a poor bill offensive line. And, the Pats allowed only 190 pass yards per game at home last year.
RB Knowshon Moreno (DEN) vs. CIN: He was hurt for much of the preseason, which means he could see a limited workload. And he will be facing a much improved Bengal D. The injured knee will likely hamper him.
WR Braylon Edwards (CLE) vs. MIN: The Minnesota passing D is always stout, and with Brady Quinn likely facing a large pass rush, Braylon might not see the ball very much coming his way on Sunday.
TE Kevin Boss (NYG) vs. WSH: As much as I like Kevin Boss, the Redskins D allowed a mere 3 TD’S to tight ends last year. And, the redskins owned the 7th rated pass D last year. He is good start almost every week, but this week, I’d steer clear.
DEF New York Jets vs. HOU: With no Shaun Ellis and Calvin Pace due to suspension, the Jets are missing 2 of their biggest defensive assets. Houston’s offense is no pushover either. Even though they are a good start later on in the year, they aren’t a good start this week.
Sleepers:
QB Joe Flacco (BAL) vs. KC: The Chiefs defense isn’t good and Flacco will have more passing freedom in his second NFL season.
RB Cedric Benson (CIN) vs. DEN: Had a great finish to ’08 and is facing the 27th ranked rush defense in Week 1.
WR Torry Holt (JAX) vs. IND: Although not a trendy pick, Torry Holt will be the target of many David Garrard passes and will have plenty of catches.
TE Jeremy Shockey (NO) vs. DET: Shockey had a great preseason and is facing a bad Lions pass D.
DEF New Orleans vs. DET: Against Matt Stafford, they will look to apply pressure. Under pressure, Stafford won’t do well in his first NFL start.