Fantasy Soccer is all in regards to the matchups. Regardless that you drafted your group with sure hopes and intentions, your weekly lineup selections should not be decided by the order you picked your gamers in. It’s essential test who your gamers play and be sure to’ve received the appropriate guys in — and the fallacious guys out.
It is too early to be completely certain on which matchups might be simple and which of them might be robust, however we will take some educated guesses primarily based on wholesome personnel, defensive schemes, monitor information, and key particulars of offenses. The issues we all know might help us decrease the impression of the issues we do not know. This could result in higher selections being made.
We’ll undergo each sport and spotlight the gamers who aren’t apparent begins and sits (since you do not should be instructed to begin Bijan Robinson). You need to really feel extra comfy beginning or sitting gamers primarily based on the data given, and feeling comfy together with your Fantasy lineup earlier than the video games begin is one of the best feeling on the planet.
All traces from Caesars Sportsbook.
If the Commanders take note of their analytics, then they will do what they’ll to stress Jordan Love. In his previous 16 video games, together with the playoffs and final week, he has a 44.2% completion fee and an 80.6 QB ranking when pressured versus man-to-man protection, and a 51% completion fee and a 67.9 QB ranking versus zone protection. Love’s numbers are insanely higher when he is not pressured, particularly towards zone protection, which is what the Commanders are likely to roll with till they’re trailing. Although Dan Quinn tends to be a bit selective together with his blitz orders, the hunch right here is that he lets his cross rush unfastened towards a Packers O-line down doubtlessly two starters. That might actually mess up how efficient Love is throwing downfield.
Inexperienced Bay went up towards a great Lions offensive line and received stress on Jared Goff on 37.2% of his dropbacks, sacking him 4 occasions, whereas blitzing at a low 11.6% fee (second-lowest mark of the week). Misplaced within the sauce of Micah Parsons‘ debut was a stellar Packers run protection that particularly slammed on Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery beginning within the second quarter. In whole, Inexperienced Bay held Detroit to 6 yards or much less on 19 of its 20 runs. That is unbelievable — and a transparent warning to anybody occupied with beginning Invoice Croskey-Merritt. … Actually, I might suspect that the Commanders will gear up for a fast passing sport, attacking the sides of the Packers protection. The Lions did not do sufficient of that — they really ran routes proper into the enamel of the Packers’ zone protection, and Jared Goff had nowhere to go together with the ball. Washington has the cross catchers to work intermediate horizontal routes and problem the Packers of their two-high coverages. Financial institution on one other solid-volume sport from Deebo Samuel on prime of extra alternatives for Terry McLaurin.
MUST-STARTS: Jayden Daniels, Josh Jacobs
STARTS: Tucker Kraft, Packers DST (low-end starter)
FLEX: Terry McLaurin (high-end flex/No. 3 WR), Deebo Samuel (PPR flex), Austin Ekeler (low-end PPR flex)
SITS: Jordan Love, Invoice Croskey-Merritt (stash), Zach Ertz (borderline starter), Matthew Golden (stash), Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Commanders DST
That is loopy, however the Bengals received a stress fee of 37.5% on Joe Flacco final week, sacking him twice, whereas blitzing him on simply TWO of his dropbacks. And it is not just like the Ravens are a bastion of blitzing, however they will dial up stress to pressure Joe Flacco to maintain getting the ball out quick. He did that final week — almost half of his completions had been thrown in beneath 2.5 seconds — which is why Dylan Sampson and Harold Fannin had so many targets when matched up towards Cincy’s weak linebackers and safeties. The Ravens are a a lot totally different story, making it so much tougher to belief anybody in Cleveland to have an enormous sport from their stationary QB.
MUST-STARTS: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry
STARTS: Ravens DST
FLEX: Zay Flowers (borderline No. 2/No. 3 WR), Jerry Jeudy (low-end PPR flex),
SITS: Joe Flacco, Dylan Sampson, Quinshon Judkins (must-stash), Jerome Ford, Cedric Tillman (stash), DeAndre Hopkins, Rashod Bateman, David Njoku (low-end PPR starter), Mark Andrews (low-end non-PPR starter), Harold Fannin (stash), Browns DST
The Jaguars offensive line quietly had an amazing sport towards the Panthers final week, giving up zero sacks and creating house for Travis Etienne to complete within the top-5 amongst qualifiers in yards earlier than contact per rush (3.19) and explosive run fee (18.8%). The Bengals slammed on the Browns run sport, however I believe Cleveland’s offensive line contributed to that. Etienne ought to be trusted so long as the Jaguars have favorable matchups up entrance. … The matchup is nice for Trevor Lawrence, and whereas he wasn’t super-impressive final week (12.9% off-target fee), I might nonetheless begin him given the potential for a high-scoring sport. Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt is coming off a foul outing, and security Jordan Battle was knocked round by Harold Fannin a number of occasions. The complete Cincy secondary will get challenged by the Jaguars’ receivers and tight ends, together with on those self same sorts of brief throws the Browns used towards them final week. There’s room for Travis Hunter and Brenton Unusual to have good video games.
MUST-STARTS: Joe Burrow, Chase Brown, Ja’Marr Chase, Brian Thomas Jr., Tee Higgins
STARTS: Trevor Lawrence (low-end starter), Travis Etienne, Brenton Unusual
FLEX: Travis Hunter (low-end PPR flex)
SITS: Bhayshul Tuten (stash), LeQuint Allen, Dyami Brown, Noah Fant, Jaguars DST, Bengals DST
There’s going to be a chance for Javonte Williams to get a great quantity of labor and doubtlessly rating once more. The Giants run protection was ugly after dropping linebacker Micah McFadden to damage early final week; alternative Darius Muasau was out of place on each single good run by Croskey-Merritt (and Muasau was in protection on Zach Ertz’s landing catch). Not that Williams will break off lengthy runs, however the shut nature of this matchup ought to enable a number of touches for Williams. If you cannot promote excessive on him after his final sport, you would possibly have the ability to after this sport. It helps that the Cowboys earned the third-best run blocking grade in Week 1, in keeping with Professional Soccer Focus.
MUST-STARTS: CeeDee Lamb, Malik Nabers
STARTS: Javonte Williams (low-end No. 2 RB), Jake Ferguson (low-end starter)
FLEX: George Pickens (high-end flex), Tyrone Tracy, Wan’Dale Robinson (low-end PPR flex)
SITS: Dak Prescott (high-end No. 2 QB), Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart (he higher already be rostered in Superflex leagues), Cam Skattebo (stash), Darius Slayton, Theo Johnson, Cowboys DST (borderline starter; they get Chicago in Week 3), Giants DST
Laborious to like a number of what Caleb Williams did in Week 1, however at the very least he used his legs when he might and did make a number of glorious throws when pressured. That is not sufficient to outweigh the 23% off-target fee he had (32% within the second half!). You will be sure the Lions will try to mimic the Vikings and blitz Williams so much in hopes of forcing errors. It is sufficient to drop the expectations of Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore significantly. And till Williams can play calmer, do not count on Ben Johnson’s playbook to be opened up an excessive amount of. … Detroit’s offense value them the sport final week, not the protection. It was a mixture of horrible play designs and calls by new offensive coordinator John Morton, and a troublesome project for the Lions’ altered O-line. The Bears had three sacks however had been fourth-worst in pass-rush stress fee final week; they will be simpler for the Lions to deal with. I would count on a bounce-back week for a bunch of Lions, together with Jared Goff and David Montgomery.
MUST-STARTS: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown
STARTS: David Montgomery, Jameson Williams (borderline No. 2/No. 3 WR), D’Andre Swift (low-end No. 2 RB in PPR), Sam LaPorta, Lions DST
FLEX: Rome Odunze
SITS: Jared Goff (high-end No. 2 QB), Caleb Williams, D.J. Moore (low-end PPR flex), Isaac TeSlaa, Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, Luther Burden III, Kyle Monangai, Bears DST
The Patriots offense had a number of points in Week 1, the most important of which being the offensive line getting overwhelmed by the Raiders protection, particularly after they tried to run the ball. Mike Vrabel confused the significance of working this week, so count on extra carries throughout the board. However hand-in-hand with that might be downfield pictures towards a Dolphins secondary that had no solutions for Daniel Jones final week. Kayshon Boutte is an amazing stash as he emerged because the Patriots receiver most in sync with Drake Maye final week. I might additionally count on a bit extra work for TreVeyon Henderson, who was clearly extra explosive than Rhamondre Stevenson. … You may ensure that the Patriots will intention to assault the Dolphins’ depleted offensive line after final week’s debacle: Tua Tagovailoa wasn’t pressured a ton however appeared delicate to any cross rush and struggled to learn the Colts protection. His three greatest throws had been all on in-breaking submit routes. A wholesome Christian Gonzalez would go a good distance in serving to the Patriots decelerate Miami’s offense, however the hunch is that they will guess on Tagovailoa making self-inflicted errors off of any blitzes or blitz-fakes they conjure up. It is sufficient to get nervous about any Dolphins gamers apart from De’Von Achane.
MUST-STARTS: De’Von Achane
STARTS: Tyreek Hill (No. 2 WR)
FLEX: TreVeyon Henderson (low-end No. 2 RB in PPR), Rhamondre Stevenson (low-end flex), Jaylen Waddle
SITS: Drake Maye (high-end No. 2 QB), Tua Tagovailoa, Hunter Henry (streaming TE), Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte stash), Demario Douglas, Darren Waller, Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins DST
The smash end to Brian Thomas Jr.’s rookie season was authored by quarterback Mac Jones, who relentlessly focused him down the stretch. That is not an alternative choice to nice play, nonetheless, as Jones accomplished 65.6% of his passes in his begins for the Jaguars at simply 6.4 yards per try with a 2.7% TD fee and a 3.6% INT fee. The Saints secondary is not a serious menace, neither is their cross rush a serious difficulty, so there’s some hope for Jones to hit Ricky Pearsall for lots of yardage, however the Niners ought to determine to play it as safely as attainable and lean on Christian McCaffrey. Laborious to get excited for the matchup for the Niners in any other case.
Spencer Rattler deserves credit score for enjoying largely effectively towards the Cardinals. He took what the protection gave him and took care of the soccer, solely sometimes panicking and solely turning down a number of open targets a few occasions. The 49ers might be more durable than the Cardinals, hurting the possibilities of huge video games for Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Juwan Johnson. But when there is a tendency, I observed it is that Rattler had a watch for Johnson’s measurement, together with on a seam route he tried twice final week. Johnson is not essentially the most explosive man on the planet, however his goal quantity may be stable from week to week. Olave’s ought to be too.
MUST-STARTS: Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara
STARTS: Ricky Pearsall (borderline No. 2/No. 3 WR), Juwan Johnson, 49ers DST
FLEX: Chris Olave (low-end flex)
SITS: Brock Purdy, Spencer Rattler, Rashid Shaheed, Jauan Jennings, Brian Robinson Jr., Jake Tonges, Saints DST
Keon Coleman broke out final week towards a great, aggressive protection due to some good route-running and glorious focus on all however his first goal. I believe Jets coach Aaron Glenn will not overlook it and strongly think about masking Coleman with Sauce Gardner on at the very least passing downs, if not each down. Gardner did an amazing job final week on DK Metcalf, even when he misplaced a step on the receiver a few occasions off the snap. One wrinkle: I did see Coleman line up within the slot through the Payments‘ joint observe towards the Bears this summer season, and if the Payments choose to go that route, then I’m not as certain Gardner will comply with him (he did not comply with Metcalf into the slot final week). I might be hesitant to go together with Coleman as something greater than a flex. … I could not have been extra fallacious on the Jets offense final week — they regarded nice and actually put it to the Steelers. Buffalo’s protection wasn’t excellent till the top of their sport Sunday night time, so there are alternatives for the Jets to lean on their good offensive line and run arduous and use play-action to their benefit. The Jets had everybody fooled — hopefully, they keep this fashion and have an amazing offense.
MUST-STARTS: Josh Allen, James Cook dinner
STARTS: Justin Fields, Breece Corridor, Garrett Wilson
FLEX: Keon Coleman
SITS: Khalil Shakir, Josh Palmer, Dalton Kincaid, Braelon Allen, Payments DST, Jets DST
It sounds just like the Seahawks will make some personnel adjustments of their secondary, the form of strikes that may make a savvy veteran quarterback excited and his veteran receiver who performed for Seattle much more psyched. Seattle’s protection landed stress on 43.6% of Brock Purdy’s dropbacks final week, however solely had one sack to indicate for it. Rodgers is a bit stress delicate as of late, however he combats it with fast throws. These throws could have a greater shot at getting accomplished towards some contemporary corners. … Kenneth Walker regarded quick final week anytime he had a transparent, straight path to maneuver. Anytime Walker lower or stopped his toes, it took him an additional second to assemble himself and transfer. He did not have that burst in these cases, which makes me surprise if his foot difficulty is worse than we’re being led to consider. Zach Charbonnet performed greater than Walker final week and landed extra high-value touches (third downs, objective line). Do not be stunned if the identical factor occurs this week with Charbonnet placing up higher numbers. … By the best way, the Steelers protection wasn’t nice till the top of the sport final week, however the one factor they did a number of was blitz, and the Seattle offensive line will get examined. It might imply some bother for the Seahawks cross sport.
MUST-STARTS: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
STARTS: Zach Charbonnet (low-end No. 2 RB), Jaylen Warren (low-end No. 2 RB in PPR solely), Steelers DST, Seahawks DST (borderline starter)
FLEX: Kenneth Walker III
SITS: Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold, Calvin Austin III, Cooper Kupp, Jonnu Smith, Elijah Arroyo, Kaleb Johnson
Calvin Ridley does not have almost as difficult a matchup this week as he did final week, giving him a shot to place up first rate Fantasy numbers versus the Rams. L.A. stays a group that performs a number of zone with out blitzing a lot, a mixture that labored effectively for them final week towards a Texans offense with a depleted offensive line. Cam Ward’s faculty historical past suggests he thrives when pressured, however final week, he accomplished 5 of 12 passes for 52 yards when Denver received near him. It is nonetheless not an amazing spot for the Titans passing sport, although it is conceivable Ridley will get extra catches on the identical eight targets he had every week in the past.
MUST-STARTS: Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams
STARTS: Tony Pollard (No. 2 RB), Rams DST
FLEX: Calvin Ridley
SITS: Matthew Stafford, Cam Ward, Elic Ayomanor (stash), Chig Okonkwo, Titans DST
Carolina’s protection could not get any stress on Trevor Lawrence final week (12.5% stress fee was the worst in Week 1!), nor might they include Travis Etienne. I do not love their possibilities of bouncing again towards a Cardinals offense that was good however not nice in Week 1. Murray had an off-target fee of 17.2% and stored his throws brief, save for 4 deep balls, wherein one was caught after Marvin Harrison Jr. camped out beneath it. Murray’s lack of consistency will at all times make him a threat for Fantasy, so though it is a very favorable matchup, bear in mind that his remaining numbers might be so much like final week’s (163-2-0 with 38 speeding yards).
MUST-STARTS: Trey McBride, James Conner, Chuba Hubbard
STARTS: Marvin Harrison Jr. (No. 2 WR), Tetairoa McMillan (No. 2 WR in PPR), Cardinals DST (on the 49ers — and Mac Jones? — in Week 3)
SITS: Kyler Murray (high-end No. 2 QB), Bryce Younger, Michael Wilson, Trey Benson, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Rico Dowdle, Panthers DST
Two huge the explanation why Daniel Jones had an amazing Week 1: He threw earlier than the Dolphins cross rush, which blitzed him on over 50% of his snaps, might get to him; and since the Dolphins secondary was worse than anybody believed. I’ve a not-funny-at-all feeling that Jones can have a lot larger challenges with the Broncos protection and their wonderful shut-down cornerback Pat Surtain II in Week 2. If Jones sticks to fast throws away from Surtain, then it is affordable to consider Tyler Warren and perhaps Josh Downs can have first rate days, particularly in PPR.
MUST-STARTS: Jonathan Taylor, Courtland Sutton
STARTS: Bo Nix (low-end No. 1 QB), Tyler Warren, Broncos DST
FLEX: J.Ok. Dobbins, Josh Downs (low-end PPR flex)
SITS: Daniel Jones, Josh Downs (borderline PPR flex), Michael Pittman, R.J. Harvey (desperation starter), Marvin Mims, D.J Giddens, Colts DST
I assumed A.J. Brown labored final week as he ran his routes. His goal quantity would additionally recommend he was extra of a decoy than a serious contributor towards a Cowboys protection that had no actual cross protection menace for Philly to fret about. He isn’t on it this week, so maybe Fantasy managers ought to proceed as regular. … Know who’s on the damage report? Dallas Goedert, who missed observe Wednesday with a knee damage. When he is been out, the numbers for Brown and DeVonta Smith sometimes rise. Within the eight video games Goedert performed 5% of the snaps in or missed with damage in 2024, Smith averaged 17.3 PPR factors per sport, and Brown averaged 16.5. Each receivers could be simple begins if Goedert is certainly dominated out.
MUST-STARTS: Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown
STARTS: Patrick Mahomes, DeVonta Smith, Travis Kelce, Eagles DST
FLEX: Marquise Brown, Isiah Pacheco
SITS: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jahan Dotson, Tyquan Thornton, Tank Bigsby, Grant Calcaterra, Chiefs DST
It appears clear that the first runner for the Vikings is Jordan Mason. He performed 57% of the snaps on Monday to Aaron Jones‘ 47%, however extra considerably had 15 carries and 16 touches to Jones’ eight carries and 11 touches. Actually, if not for Jones’ deep landing snag, we would be speaking about Mason as a stud and Jones as a borderline afterthought. Atlanta’s run protection regarded sharp towards the Bucs in Week 1, not a shocker contemplating they had been third in fewest rush touchdowns per sport to working backs in 2024. It means that Jones might be a shade extra environment friendly due to his work within the passing sport, however one of the best transfer may be to keep away from each in case you can.
MUST-STARTS: Justin Jefferson, Bijan Robinson
STARTS: Drake London, T.J. Hockenson
FLEX: Aaron Jones (PPR most well-liked), Jordan Mason (non-PPR solely)
SITS: J.J. McCarthy (high-end No. 2 QB), Michael Penix (high-end No. 2 QB), Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts, Jalen Nailor, Tyler Allgeier, Vikings DST, Falcons DST (at Carolina in Week 3)
Is the Texans offense already in bother? The offensive line had some bother defending C.J. Stroud final week and will get one other stiff check within the Buccaneers this week. Stroud’s lack of consolation within the pocket confirmed in his ADOT: 6.4 yards per try, though there have been a number of performs the place he was poised however did not strive throwing downfield. Additional hurting Houston’s trigger is their run sport — Nick Chubb appeared to be alright, however the Bucs run protection stays a troublesome one to cope with. In the event that they make the Texans one-dimensional, we might be one other robust week for Stroud and Nico Collins to place up numbers.
MUST-STARTS: Nico Collins, Bucky Irving, Mike Evans
STARTS: Baker Mayfield, Emeka Egbuka
SITS: C.J. Stroud, Nick Chubb, Rachaad White, Jayden Higgins, Cade Otton, Dalton Schultz, Texans DST
We’re coming off every week the place Kayshon Boutte regarded satisfactory as a downfield receiver. Possibly it means he’ll be a great Fantasy possibility, or perhaps he benefited from taking part in the Raiders. Las Vegas’ secondary was within the mould of prior Pete Carroll defenses, however they’re simply not fairly as gifted. Justin Herbert ought to have the possibility to place up numbers towards them, with all of his receivers in play to have environment friendly video games. One man I would be nervous about is Quentin Johnston, who scored first when his defender fell down ultimately zone, after which once more when he outran his man in a Cowl-0 scheme and Herbert beat the blitz (handily!). The Raiders could not put themselves within the latter scenario, and the prior one was a fluke. At the least Keenan Allen’s 10 targets ought to evoke some confidence.
MUST-STARTS: Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey
STARTS: Justin Herbert, Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton,
FLEX: Jakobi Meyers, Keenan Allen (low-end PPR flex),
SITS: Geno Smith, Quentin Johnston (stash), Dont’e Thornton (stash), Najee Harris, Zamir White, Tyler Conklin, Chargers DST, Raiders DST
