Fantasy Football Points Allowed: Best & Worst Matchups (Week 1)

Welcome to the first of many fantasy football matchup articles for the season. Week 1 is officially here, and it’s finally time to see how our draft prep paid off. Don’t be discouraged if your team loses or struggles to score many points. Opening week is known to have a lot of sloppy games. Most of these players played very few snaps, if any, in the preseason.

If you’re like me and mulling over fantasy start sit decisions, I’ve laid out a good and a bad matchup at each position. It’s a long season, so buckle up, pass the buffalo chicken dip and, most importantly, enjoy the long weekend of NFL football.

Fantasy Points Allowed: Best & Worst Matchups (Week 1)

Week 1 Quarterback Fantasy Football Matchups

Good Matchup: Tyler Shough (QB – NO) @ Detroit Lions

I understand it may be hard to bench the quarterback you drafted, who most likely isn’t Tyler Shough. This game, however, has one of the week’s highest projected totals, with an implied total of 49.5 points.

The Lions’ offense returns with its main pass-catchers, including a healthy Sam LaPorta, who missed eight games. They are expected to put up big points as they averaged just over 28 points per game last season.

The Saints will have to keep up with the Lions, but their secondary is a weakness the Saints can exploit. Detroit will be missing key pieces like Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.

If Shough can pick up where he left off last season, which was an average of 18.6 fantasy points per game from Week 10 on, a QB1 finish is certainly in range.

Bad Matchup: Jayden Daniels (QB – WSH) @ Philadelphia Eagles

This will be Jayden Daniels’ first game since Week 14 of last season. Multiple injuries forced him to miss 10 games last season. Washington’s offensive line looked suspect in a limited preseason showing, and left tackle Laremy Tunsil is out for an extended time with a torn left triceps.

On the road in hostile Philadelphia is a recipe for disaster against the Eagles’ front line. To make matters worse, the Eagles added Riq Woolen to a stacked secondary alongside Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.

This isn’t the best matchup for Daniels to implement a new offense under David Blough. He might struggle to find open receivers, forcing him to rely on his legs for production.

There’s always a path to a strong fantasy day with his ability to run, but not if he becomes one-dimensional and can’t keep the defense honest. Leave Daniels on the bench until we have a clear answer on what the offense looks like.

Week 1 Running Back Fantasy Football Matchups

Good Matchup: Kenneth Gainwell (RB – TB) @ Cincinnati Bengals

It’s a brand-new season, but we have to attack this Bengals defense, which was historically bad last year. Bucky Irving is the lead back, but Kenneth Gainwell is the “1B” in this backfield, as head coach Todd Bowles put it himself.

This game has the highest projected betting total on the slate, and there’s a good chance we see some fireworks.

Baker Mayfield isn’t afraid of pushing the ball downfield, but he also will check it down as well. He threw the 10th-most passes at or behind the line of scrimmage last season.

It’ll be interesting to see how the snaps are split. It might be in the Buccaneers’ best interest to ease Irving in, at least early in the season.

Start Gainwell with the expectation that he sees half the work against the lowly Bengals defense.

Bad Matchup: Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE) @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars’ stout run defense held teams to the fewest rushing yards per game last season (85.6 yards).

Deshaun Watson won the quarterback job, but he’s far from the player we remember seeing in Houston. His preseason play was lackluster, to say the least. This could make things extremely difficult for the Browns to sustain drives, limiting scoring opportunities for everyone in this offense.

Quinshon Judkins should still be a solid RB2 this season, but this isn’t the week to feel confident with him in your lineup. I would look for other options for Week 1.

Week 1 Wide Receiver Fantasy Football Matchups

Good Matchup: Emeka Egbuka (WR – TB) @ Cincinnati Bengals

I promise I’m done picking on the Bengals’ defense after this last juicy matchup. Emeka Egbuka is expected to be featured in Zac Robinson’s offense as the Z receiver. He’s been dealing with a toe injury that has kept him out of practice for several weeks. Emeka did return to practice on Monday, though, improving his chances of playing on Sunday.

If Egbuka plays, it’s really hard to keep him on the bench just because you’re worried he could be limited. You’ve got a quarterback in Baker Mayfield who wants to show Tampa what he’s worth.

We have seen him force-feed his top receiver before, and we may see that with Egbuka as well. Just keep an eye on practice reports and game status. If he plays, he’s a solid WR2.

Bad Matchup: Rashee Rice (WR – KC) vs. Denver Broncos

To be clear, I am not saying to bench Rashee Rice versus the Broncos; I’m saying to temper expectations.

This divisional matchup has a history of being low-scoring. Last season, for instance, the Chiefs put up only 19 and 13 points in their two games against Denver.

Rice has faced some obstacles this offseason. A knee scope and doing part of his recovery process from inside a jail cell is quite the story.

Let’s not forget that lead signal-caller Patrick Mahomes has also been recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December. From all reports, he should be ready to go, but I caution against using any pass-catchers from Kansas City in lineups against the Broncos.

Denver’s stingy secondary is running it back with All-Pro corner Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian. It’s hard to sit Rice, but managers with strong depth could consider other options.

Week 1 Tight End Fantasy Football Matchups

Good Matchup: Dalton Schultz (TE – HOU) vs. Buffalo Bills

This is a good spot for Dalton Schultz. And C.J. Stroud, for that matter. This isn’t the same Bills defense that allowed the fewest passing yards per game last season. The team had a significant amount of turnover this offseason, losing linebacker Matt Milano, cornerback Tre’Davious White and safety Jordan Poyer.

I’m not saying they are a cupcake matchup, but the Bills are running a new-look 3-4 defense under Jim Leonhard. Let’s attack this defense early, as they could have some growing pains.

Bad Matchup: George Kittle (TE – SF) @ Los Angeles Rams (Australia Game)

While George Kittle may look great coming off the torn Achilles from the Wild Card Game last season, I’m hesitant to start him in Week 1. We haven’t seen him suit up for any game action during the preseason.

It’s quite uncommon to return from a serious injury this fast, especially at age 32. We could easily see Kittle being put on a snap count with a slow ramp-up to start the season.

Like in poker, sometimes you need to pay to see the flop. The Rams are expected to have a stout defense on paper, so it’s really not the best matchup. Hold off on Kittle for Week 1, and let’s see where he’s at going forward.