This Week in Fantasy Football: Week One

After a preseason of fumbles and faux pas (I'm looking at you, Rex Ryan), the world has suddenly become a much better place as the 2013 NFL season is finally here and with it, another while-knuckle ride for everyone involved with Fantasy Football.

In the coming months, football connoisseurs will see reams of facts and stats flowing from their computers, iPads, apps and a host of other hi-tech wizardry, all to help win bragging rights and league dominance.

So, each week during the 2013 season, I'll be adding to that barrage of factoids and opinions my personal previews and reviews of the weekly schedule. I don't claim to be an expert, but I do love football, and that's what counts.

Sunday, Sept. 8

New England at Buffalo

For my money, Pats RB Stevan Ridley is a productive sleeper who topped 1,200 yards for the first time last season. If he can stay healthy (he was forced out of last season's AFC Championship game with a concussion), Ridley could be looking at similar production, as the Pats will likely run just as often.

Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett confirmed RB C.J. Spiller will see the ball a lot this season.

"It's real simple," Hackett said. "We're going to give him the ball until he throws up. So, he's either got to tap out or throw up on the field. Let's just put it that way."

According to footballguys.com, fantasy owners need to take note as new coach Doug Marrone is going to use Spiller in all game situations. That should lead to better numbers in 2013. Spiller's current ADP is RB8, and he's coming off the board at 1.08 in 12 team leagues.

Cincinnati at Chicago

The Bengals' recent deal with DT Geno Atkins (a five-year, $55-million extension with $35 million guaranteed) is a smart move by Cincy. One of the league's most disruptive interior defensive linemen, Atkins anchors one of the best defensive units in the NFL and could deliver double-digit sacks once again in 2013.

Fantasy owners need to remember the name Michael Ford, as he's now the RB3 in Chicago behind Matt Forte and Michael Bush. The rookie from LSU is a talented runner who loves to punish defenders.

Miami at Cleveland

Miami Dolphins RB Lamar Miller is listed as the starting running back for this game. Miller was competing with Daniel Thomas for the starting job in training camp; he's clearly the better talent and is a RB2 with upside for your fantasy team.

Keep an eye on WR Brandon Gibson, too. Although Gibson has had a less-than-spectacular start to this year's off season in Miami, a string of recent Dolphin injuries has paved the way for a chance at fantasy relevance.

Following the ACL injuries of Armon Binns and Dustin Keller, Gibson has gone from the cusp of being a free-agent mistake to becoming a player to be counted on in a span of a few weeks . Gibson may be targeted in the move-the-chains role. It might be boring, but sometimes boring can turn into fantasy points.

Atlanta at New Orleans

Atlanta QB Matt Ryan is a must-start for a contest that has strong high-scoring potential. Ryan has passed for at least 350 yards and two scores in three of his last four outings against New Orleans. Also, Atlanta RB Steven Jackson is a must-start against a Saints defense that yielded the most fantasy points to the running back position in 2012.

On the other side of the field, Saints RB Mark Ingram is the team's main first-and second-down runner. He should reward any fantasy league with a steady, workmanlike output throughout the season.

Tampa at NY Jets.

If Darrelle Revis can stay healthy, he should be worth every penny of the $16m a season the Bucs are paying him. Also, Bucs line-backing duo of Lavonte David and Mason Foster will rack up plenty of tackles against the hapless Jets.

For the New York Jets (AKA, a disaster continuing to happen), coach Rex Ryan's increasingly implausible tenure will yield little fantasy optimism. Sanchez is a bust, but can Geno Washington suit up and provide some lightning? I liked Washington as a Mountaineer, and I predict a solid game for the rookie QB this week. With many more starts to come, I'm going to ignore any first-week nerves '” he'll be fine

Tennessee at Pittsburgh

Titans RB Chris Johnson is the one to watch. Capable of being a tad capricious, he's still one of the fastest players in the NFL, and unless your team is jam-packed at running back, keep the talented Johnson in your starting lineup against a Pittsburgh defense that yielded the fewest fantasy points to the running back position last year.

For Pittsburgh, QB (Big) Ben Roethlisberger can still hear the bells toll when it matters.

As long as stays healthy, he'll open with a bang and leave the naysayers in his rear view mirror. Big Ben was drafted very low this year but should provide good value.

Minnesota at Detroit

The key to the Vikings' victory could rely on center, John Sullivan. Protecting the part of the field where Adrian Peterson's biggest runs occur, Sullivan will play an integral part in thwarting the ambitions of the Lions.

Staying in the positive for the Lions is WR Calvin Johnson. Previously fantasy rock, Johnson won't see as many passes thrown his way as he did last season, but he should still be considered as a safe pair of hands.

Oakland at Indianapolis

Colts WR Reggie Wayne is Andrew Luck's favorite receiver and must be considered a must-start. Last season, Wayne hauled in four of his five scoring grabs during home games.

Raiders WR Rod Streater is, in my view, the best of the best among the Raiders' receiving armory. Admittedly, Streater was streaky as a rookie, but he should be considered a certified lock-in for many fantasies this season.

Oakland RB Rashad Jennings, should be considered the better bet to rack up a handful of carries.

Seattle at Carolina

For Seattle, two names strike me as immediate successes: QB Russell Wilson and RB Marshawn Lynch.

Lynch will be in full-on nasty mode from the get-go but Seattle's coaching staff will be careful not to wear him down early in the season when nursing big leads. You might want to hold off for Wilson until later rounds, but his output last year had him mentioned in the same breath as 49ers' Colin Kaepernick, and you might want to nurture him if you've been eating your Wheaties and are feeling adventurous.

For Carolina? Cam Newton. A year older and hopefully a lot wiser, the QB phenom will impress against a creaky Seattle offense. Don't ignore Brandon LaFell. Although he didn't break out as many expected last season, there are reasons to think he can explode in 2013. Carolina looks to be going to more of a traditional passing-game approach this season, creating plays for speedster, LaFell. He already has two solid seasons under his belt '” even a small uptick would help him exceed his ADP

Kansas at Jacksonville

Poor Jacksonville. If you're feeling generous, you could argue the team's offense has been better in the off season, but not so much on the the defense. Only second-round-draft-pick safety, Jonathan Cyprien, has anything like fantasy credentials.

Kansas has a possible dud with QB Alex Smith, but he might end up being a new man under head coach, Andy Reid. Sadly, Smith looked like the same old timid quarterback in the preseason, but I feel Smith is a sleeper who has the potential for a breakout season if he has the smarts to listen and adapt to Reid's pistol offense. WR Dwayne Bowe is capable of WR1-caliber fantasy production, while WR Donnie Avery has yet to capitalize on the massive potential I've seen from him in flashes. With the departure of Jon Baldwin and a question mark surrounding the newly acquired A.J. Jenkins, Kansas needs Avery to step up as a dependable outside threat, opposite Bowe.

Arizona at St. Louis

As much as I hate to admit it, Larry Fitzgerald experienced a flop sweat of underwhelming stats last year. However, 2013 is a new start for the Cards WR, who appears happier than most with QB Carson Palmer. With a new team, Palmer has the talent around him to succeed and will no longer be asked to win games on his own.

For the Rams, the only standout is RB, Daryl Richardson. With Steven Jackson gone, Richardson will grasp at any opportunity to earn first-team reps.

Green Bay at San Francisco

San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick looked comfortable as a passer during the preseason and appears to have an instant connection with WR Quinton Patton. Kaepernick's certainly built well to hold up in the running game, but I do fret that the 49ers' ability to win games without relying on big production from his arm could hamper Kaepernick's weekly upside.

Looking to avenge last year's 45-31 divisional-round playoff loss to the 49ers,  the Packers' Aaron Rodgers is as a divisive quarterback fantasy choice as they come. And, though Rodgers was under performing in fantasy leagues until the playoff weeks last year, I just feel his stats will reward you if you've gone for him this early.

New York Giants at Dallas

Dallas QB Tony Romo is too good to ignore, and with the addition of WR Terrance Williams, the Cowboys are simply too juicy a target to ignore and will be a gift that keeps on giving.

Giants QB Eli Manning has hopefully shaken off the torpor that negated his value during the latter weeks of the 2012 season, and with a similarly rejuvenated WR Rueban Randle as a dependable target, this duo will instill much joy and good will from now until Christmas and beyond.

Monday, Sept. 9

Philadelphia at Washington

Of course, QB Michael Vick is always a shoo-in, despite his sadistic desire to put himself in harm's way. Some are of the opinion that the team's WR, DeSean Jackson, is the only WR worth starting in week one. Although he has fallen a long way from his breakthrough season, Jackson is still a reasonable option, and I personally like the look of him.

Washington's RG III is back and is obviously a top draft pick. But many pundits have voiced concern about his long-term efficiency with regards to his rehabilitation. Don't expect the same production as last season during the early weeks, but his determination to become the core of the 'Skins offense once again has led many fantasy team owners scratching their heads in befuddlement as to his value.

Houston at San Diego

I'm not even going to embarrass myself by picking anyone from the San Diego team. The Chargers will struggle to make any impact against Houston. For San Diego, the 2013 season looks to be as woeful as the 2012 season.

For Houston, QB Matt Schaub will be looking for a big game against a restructured Chargers secondary. WR Andre Johnson is Schaub's go-to receiver and is a must-start. Johnson should find plenty of room to operate against a retooled San Diego secondary, while TE Owen Daniels will be relied on by the coaching staff until rookie receiver DeAndre Hopkins finds his comfort zone.