Top 5 Fantasy Matchups to know for Week 1: How good will the New England Patriots be in week one?

Want to know more about week one NFL matchups? You can check out our NFL matchups and rankings on our site to further your knowledge of the upcoming 2020 NFL season. Here I will be discussing key matchups for week one on the NFL season that have the most potential for fantasy football outbreaks. There are many interesting games for week one of the NFL season and we will be taking a look at the best offenses and worst defenses that will provide fantasy potential.

Baltimore Ravens Run Game vs. Cleveland Browns

Last season the Ravens had one of the best offenses in the NFL and they look to continue that momentum into this season. In the 2019 season, the Baltimore Ravens had the most rushing yards by a margin of 1,000 yards above second place. As for Cleveland’s defense, they allowed the third-most rushing yards per game last year in the NFL and were top ten in fantasy points allowed to running backs. Moreover, their star defensive lineman Myles Garrett has been riddled with injuries in training camp while dealing with hamstring and wrist injuries that have even kept him out of team scrimmages. The chance of him having a limited snap count in week one leaves the door open for the Ravens. Look for Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram, and rookie J.K Dobbins to be taking advantage of the run game in week one.

New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Pass Offenses

The New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were both top ten in passing yards and passing touchdowns last year against their opponents. Plus, both of their defenses were bottom half in the league for defending the passing game of their opponents. Especially to Tampa Bay, as they allowed the third-most passing yards and the second-most pass completions per game. Both of these teams will most likely be passing against each other most of the game because of their weak pass defenses and strong passing offenses. Not to mention, both teams were top five in the least amount of rushing yards allowed against opponents, so both will most likely stick to the passing game. For New Orleans, that means Drew Brees, number one fantasy receiver Michael Thomas, newly added Emmanuel Sanders and Jared Cook. For Tampa Bay, the highly anticipated debut of Tom Brady, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski should all have high scoring first weeks in fantasy. I would not be surprised if both team’s running backs Alvin Kamara and newly signed Lenoard Fournette stepped into the passing game as well.

New England Patriots offense vs. Miami Dolphins

This matchup is a large opportunity for the Patriots to see the new look of their offense against one of the worst all-around defenses in the NFL week one. The signing of Cam Newton in the offseason is tough to predict whether or not he will fit into the dynasty of Bill Belichick’s offense by replacing Tom Brady. However, the Miami Dolphins cleared out most of their team last year for future draft picks, leaving their defense like a hockey goalie pulled from the net. They are in the bottom half of every defensive category except for allowed passing completions. They added a few new pieces to their defense from the draft and high investments at the cornerback position making it a slight risk. But, the New England Patriots defense last year was one of the best if not the best in the NFL, which I think will keep the Dolphins’ offense off the field, giving more time to the Patriots. This matchup is important because the Patriots have many flex options to consider starting like Julian Edleman, Sony Michel, and James White to have good week one starts in fantasy.

San Francisco 49ers offense vs. Arizona Cardinals

The San Francisco 49ers have a similar theme with the New England Patriots that they have many borderline starters/flex players that teams are looking at whether or not to start in week one. As we know from last season in the 49ers appearance to the Super Bowl, this team, like the Baltimore Ravens, loves to run the ball. They ran the ball between three running backs and they have a stellar offensive line. Also, like the Patriots, they have a great defense which will allow their offense to stay on the field. In terms of the Cardinals defense, they are a below-average rush defense a bottom league pass defense. Last season they also were top ten in most allowed fantasy points to wide receivers and they allowed the most to quarterbacks. For the 49ers, that means George Kittle and Jimmy Garoppolo could have a big game. Consider flex options Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman and for bigger leagues the possibility of rookie Brandon Aiyuk and second-year Deebo Samuel as sleeper flex options.

Indianapolis Colts rushing offense against Jacksonville Jaguars

After starting the 2019-2020 season with a 5-2 record through eight weeks in the AFC South, they lost the last seven of their nine games behind Jacoby Brissett. Now, after signing Philip Rivers in the offseason, they look to improve their passing game short term, which will ultimately help open up their already solid rushing offense. However, last season the Colts were able to rush the ball well as they were ranked fourth in rushing attempts and fifth in rushing yards in the NFL behind their top tier offensive line. Behind a fantastic year of Marlon Mack, who posted over 1,000 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, they added second-round draft pick, Jonathan Taylor, out of Wisconsin to add to their run game. In the first week, they play against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have a very rocky rushing defense. Last season, the Jaguars allowed the fifth-most rushing yards against their opponents and the second-most rushing touchdowns. They also allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs. This gives both Mack and Taylor a great opportunity to fight for a starting spot, making them both low ceiling RB2s and high ceiling flex plays in the first week.