The 2021 NFL Season is finally here, and that means the actual fantasy football season kicks off too. The off-season was the time to draft your roster and set your team up for success, but now the games count both in the NFL and in fantasy football.
Your draft is complete, maybe you have made a couple of trades, and now it is time to set your roster. Take a look at your opponent’s team and see how you stack up. Everyone loves their fantasy team heading into Week 1 and everyone has hope. Before your fantasy team hits the field, just remember to compete hard to win while also enjoying the entire season.
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Lions vs 49ers fantasy focus
The Detroit Lions have a similar mindset to fantasy owners. They have created their new roster all off-season and now it is time to see what they have on Sunday. New Head Coach Dan Campbell is excited to get things started and he has some very interesting fantasy football players on the offensive side of the ball to unleash.
D’Andre Swift has been dealing with injuries throughout Traning Camp, but the word is that he is healthy and ready to start the season as the lead running back in Detroit. Expect him to catch a ton more passes in this new offense even if the touchdowns aren’t there as they were in his rookie year where he scored a ton.
The big question for the Lions from a fantasy perspective is the wide receiver position. Will someone emerge as the top target and be dynamic in the passing game? In fantasy football, Tyrell Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown are the two main candidates to be fantasy factors.
The 49ers have a top-flight tight end in George Kittle, a productive running back in Raheem Mostert, two dynamic wide receivers, and the ultimate wildcard in rookie quarterback Trey Lance. The Detroit Lions defense will have their hands full.
Most NFL offenses seem to start a bit slow in Week 1. Looking at this matchup, some experts have it as a blowout and others see it as a low-scoring game where the Lions could shock the world. This doesn’t feel as if it is a fantasy bonanza by any means, but there are some premier players that could put up big numbers. Can’t wait to see what happens in this game and how it impacts your fantasy team.
Start
Matthew Stafford (QB Rams)
Gus Edwards (RB Ravens)
Laviska Shenault Jr. (WR Jaguars)
George Kittle (TE 49ers)
Sit
Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB Washington)
Johnathan Taylor (RB Colts)
Allen Robinson (WR Bears)
Austin Hooper (TE Browns)
Top 3 projected players by position
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Tom Brady, Buccaneers
Running Backs
Dalvin Cook, Vikings
Christian McCaffrey, Panthers
Derrick Henry, Titans
Wide Receivers
Davante Adams, Packers
Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
George Kittle, 49ers
Darren Waller, Raiders
Team Defenses
Broncos
Rams
Dolphins
Kickers
Harrison Butker, Chiefs
Matt Gay, Rams
Justin Tucker, Ravens
Waiver wire options
Derek Carr (QB Raiders)
Carson Wentz (QB Colts)
Phillip Lindsay (RB Texans)
Sony Michel (RB Rams)
Terrace Marshall (WR Panthers)
Jakobi Myers (WR Patriots)
Anthony Firkser (TE Titans)
Cole Kmet (TE Bears)
Intriguing games and players in Week 1
(Week 1 Bye Weeks: None)
Dallas at Tampa Bay, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST
- DAL: Dak Prescott (QB), CeeDee Lamb (WR)
- TB: Tom Brady (QB), Chris Godwin (WR)
Pittsburgh at Buffalo, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
- PIT: Najee Harris (RB), Diontae Johnson (WR)
- BUF: Josh Allen (QB), Zach Moss (RB)
San Francisco at Detroit, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
- SF: George Kittle (TE), Deebo Samuel (WR)
- DET: D’Andre Swift (RB), T.J. Hockenson (TE)
Cleveland at Kansas City, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST
- CLE: Odell Beckham Jr (WR), Baker Mayfield (QB)
- KC: Patrick Mahomes (QB), Travis Kelce (TE)
Miami at New England, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST
- MIA: Jaylen Waddle (WR), Miles Gaskin (RB)
- NE: Damien Harris (RB), Jonnu Smith (TE)
Chicago at LA Rams, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST
- CHI: David Montgomery (RB), Cole Kmet (TE)
- LAR: Matthew Stafford (QB), Cooper Kupp (WR)
Baltimore at Las Vegas, Monday 8:15 PM, EST
- BAL: Lamar Jackson (QB), Mark Andrews (TE)
- CIN: Joe Mixon (RB), Tee Higgins (WR)
Bottom Line
Football is back. Fantasy football is back. Set your lineup, keep your fingers crossed that your top selections do not get injured, do everything you can to beat your opponent, and most importantly “enjoy the ride” as Dan Campbell has told his Lions team.