6 Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Start/Sit Advice (Week 1)

Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.

These are players you’re potentially leaning towards starting this week, but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.

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Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines

Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 1.

Josh Allen (QB – BUF) vs. Houston Texans

Benching Allen will seem like blasphemy to some, especially after spending a high draft pick on him. While he is still a top-12 quarterback in my Week 1 rankings, the superstar likely faces his worst matchup of the year on Sunday. Last season, Allen struggled against the Texans, totaling 253 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and 8.1 fantasy points despite having 34 pass attempts. Furthermore, it was only one of three games during last year’s fantasy season where he failed to score a touchdown in the air or on the ground.

While everyone loves the Denver Broncos defense and has massive expectations for the Los Angeles Rams defense after adding Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald, and Trent McDuffie in the offseason, the Texans have arguably the top unit in the NFL. Last year, Houston surrendered 14.1 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the fourth-fewest in the league. Furthermore, they gave up only 20 passing touchdowns, the seventh-fewest, allowing one or fewer in 58.8% of their games, including zero to Allen. Fantasy players should temper their expectations if they start the superstar quarterback.

Jeremiyah Love (RB – ARI) vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Head coach Mike LaFleur is optimistic that Love will play on Sunday after suffering a high ankle sprain during the Cardinals’ Week 1 preseason contest. However, fantasy players should be nervous about starting the rookie in his NFL regular-season debut. He hasn’t fully practiced since suffering the injury nearly a month ago. That could lead to Tyler Allgeier having a larger role in Week 1, with Love coming off the injury. Furthermore, Arizona’s offensive line is one of the worst in the league and faces an elite Los Angeles defense.

Even if Love is out for Week 1, fantasy players want to avoid starting Allgeier because of the matchup. Last year, the Chargers surrendered 18.4 PPR fantasy points per game to running backs, the second-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, they completely shut down running backs in the passing game. Los Angeles was one of only two teams to hold running backs to under 400 receiving yards and zero touchdowns in 2025. While the rookie running back has a bright future, don’t bet on a fantasy-friendly Week 1 performance.

RJ Harvey (RB – DEN) vs. Kansas City Chiefs

I’ve been out on Harvey all offseason long and had him on my do-not-draft list. He finished last year as the RB20, averaging 12.2 PPR fantasy points per game. However, Harvey needed a featured role in the second half of the season to hit the mark. Yet, he scored 10.5 or fewer fantasy points in over half the games as the featured guy. Now, Harvey will split the backfield work with J.K. Dobbins and Jonah Coleman. More importantly, he struggled in his two matchups against the Chiefs as a rookie.

Despite Dobbins missing both games against the division rivals last year, Harvey struggled to produce for fantasy players. The former UCF star averaged 12.5 rushing attempts for 36.5 yards, zero touchdowns, and 13.3 fantasy points per game in the two matchups against Kansas City. Furthermore, he needed five receptions and a receiving touchdown in the Week 17 contest to score double-digit fantasy points against a Chiefs team that had given up on the season. Fantasy players should have low expectations for every Denver running back on Monday night.

Rashee Rice (WR – KC) vs. Denver Broncos

Sticking with Monday’s contest, fantasy players want to temper their expectations for Rice. The former SMU star is outstanding in PPR scoring, averaging 18.8 fantasy points per game last season. However, he missed half the year with suspension and injury. More importantly, Patrick Mahomes is playing for the first time since late last year after sitting out all of the preseason action recovering from a torn ACL and more. Furthermore, the Chiefs will likely be without starting left tackle Josh Simmons for this game because of a back injury.

Many believe the Broncos have the best defense in the NFL despite Jonathon Cooper starting the year on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. Last season, they held wide receivers to 27 fantasy points per game, the eighth-fewest in the NFL. More importantly, Rice struggled in his long matchup against the division rivals in 2025. The former SMU star had six receptions on nine targets for 38 receiving yards and 9.8 fantasy points against Denver. It was only one of two games where Rice failed to score double-digit fantasy points last year.

Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Washington’s offense has been a popular topic over the past month. Reportedly, they looked awful in joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens. More importantly, the Commanders are dealing with injuries at left tackle and center. Unfortunately, the Week 1 matchup couldn’t be worse for McLaurin in the passing attack as they face the Eagles. Philadelphia had one of the top cornerback units in the NFL and an underrated front seven last year. Yet, they improved their defense this offseason, trading for Jonathan Greenard and signing Riq Woolen in free agency.

More importantly, McLaurin struggled in both matchups against the division rivals last season. He had three receptions on four targets for 53 receiving yards and 8.3 PPR fantasy points in the first matchup against the Eagles. The veteran wasn’t any better in the second contest, catching all four targets for 57 receiving yards and 9.7 fantasy points. Meanwhile, Washington added Stefon Diggs and Chig Okonkwo this offseason, providing meaningful target competition for McLaurin. While the Commanders’ offense should be fine this year, it could be an easy Week 1 showing.

Tucker Kraft (TE – GB) vs. Minnesota Vikings

Kraft was one of my favorite tight ends to draft this year, especially after Green Bay moved on from Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks this offseason. The veteran was outstanding in 2025 before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 9. Over the first eight weeks, he was the TE2, averaging 16.2 PPR fantasy points per game despite seeing only 5.9 targets per contest. However, the Packers might have Kraft on a snap count for Week 1. More importantly, his matchup is far from ideal for fantasy players.

The former South Dakota State star faces an elite Vikings defense on Sunday. Minnesota held tight ends to 10.7 fantasy points per game last year, the sixth-fewest in the NFL. They surrendered 7.8 or fewer fantasy points to tight ends in 64.7% of their games last season, allowing zero in two matchups. Unfortunately, Kraft missed both matchups against the Vikings last year because of a knee injury. However, he struggled in his last outing against the division rivals, totaling 7.3 fantasy points in Week 17 of the 2024 season.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.