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NFL Week One fantasy preview: Don’t count on Ekeler or Jackson

By Alexander Insdorf

CARSON, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs after his catch in front of defensive back David Amerson #38 of the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at StubHub Center on November 25, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs after his catch in front of defensive back David Amerson #38 of the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at StubHub Center on November 25, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – AUGUST 24: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers follows the block of Dan Feeney #66 of the Los Angeles Chargers while playing the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of a pre-season NFL football game at Dignity Health Sports Park on August 24, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – AUGUST 24: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers follows the block of Dan Feeney #66 of the Los Angeles Chargers while playing the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of a pre-season NFL football game at Dignity Health Sports Park on August 24, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

With Week One finally here, the fresh smell of fantasy leagues is in the air. Which players are better starts or sits in the season opener?

With the NFL back, trying to find a good fantasy matchup is more important than ever. In Week One, it’s always tough to see what’s really a good matchup as teams are unveiling their new schemes or players in the season opener. Let’s use both history and projections to predict the best and worst players to start this week.

Good and Bad Matchups

Good: Ezekiel Elliott vs. Giants

Ezekiel Elliott ended his holdout early on Tuesday morning when he signed his brand new six-year, $90 million dollar deal. That should inject fear into the hearts of anyone playing him in fantasy this week. No wear and tear, and plus he gets a pretty favorable matchup vs. a Giants defense that’s undergone an entire overhaul, and not necessarily for the better. Gone are the days of Olivier Vernon or Damon “Snacks” Harrison for the Giants.

The Giants are in full on rebuild mode, especially when it comes to the defense. Add a healthy Cowboys offensive line and a fresh Elliott into that equation, and there’s yards, touchdowns, and a long night for the defensive line.

Bad: Patrick Mahomes vs. Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the last defense to force Patrick Mahomes to not throw a touchdown, even forcing him to throw two interceptions in the same game. That was a very inexperienced Mahomes, but it may legitimately be a matchup to avoid if your team has another quarterback. The Jaguars’ defense is still elite with key plays like Jalen Ramsey, Yannick Ngakoue and Calais Campbell. Take the Chiefs to win the game, but don’t expect Mahomes to light it up.

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