1. Colin Kaepernick vs Aaron Rodgers
The unquestionable top fantasy quarterback going up against a youngster that many, myself included, have as one of the top-three dynasty options moving forward. Can Kaepernick outshine Rodgers for a second consecutive matchup or will Green Bay's Pro Bowler step up and show that he's not ready to pass the torch? Those two questions will be answered in short order when two of the best teams in the NFL go up against one another Sunday afternoon.
Kaepernick put up a ridiculous 46.52 fantasy points against Green Bay in the playoffs this past January. It's well noted that the up-and-coming star broke the single-game rushing record for a quarterback in NFL history in that game. He added in 444 total yards and four scores for good measure. In total, averaged 30 fantasy points per outing in the postseason last year. That's utterly ridiculous.
Meanwhile, Rodgers was the No. 2 fantasy quarterback in the NFL in 2012 and averaged 21.48 points per outing. He goes up against a San Francisco 49ers' defense that ranked in the top 10 of the NFL against fantasy quarterbacks last season. He tallied 560 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions against San Francisco last season. Kaepernick should have a somewhat easier go at it against a Packers' defense that finished in the middle of the pack against fantasy quarterback in 2013.
2. Cam Newton vs Russell Wilson
Looking solely in terms of ADP, it seems that Newton is a far better option than Wilson, but that's not how you evaluate fantasy options, especially from the quarterback position. First off here, Newton and the Panthers will be going up against the most talented defense in the NFL in the Seahawks; a unit that allowed the second-least fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks last season. Meanwhile, Carolina's defense ranked 11th in that category.
In addition, Newton actually played better on the road than at home last season. He won just three of eight starts in Carolina and threw just one more touchdown than interception. After throwing one more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (seven) in his first five road starts last season, Wilson picked his game up a lot away from the Pacific Northwest. Postseason included, he accounted for 12 total touchdowns and just one interception in his final five road starts last year.
3. A.J. Green vs Brandon Marshall
Two top-tier fantasy receivers going up against one another Week 1. Common logic would seem to suggest that both Green and Marshall will put up 100-plus yards and a score. That being said, it's neccesary to look a bit further into it here. Cincinnati yielded the fourth-least fantasy points to receivers in 2013, numbers that took a bit of a hit when Leon Hall wasn't on the field. It's defense now has the No. 1 cornerback fully healthy after he missed nine games due to injury over the past two seasons. The matchup isn't really favorable to Green, either. The third-year receiver was held back with an injury during training camp and will be going up against a Bears' defense that also ranked in the top 10 against fantasy receivers. It's going to be interesting to see who has the upper hand in this one. The team that is playing from behind for a majority of the game will be passing the rock more here. That's where the final indication may sit.
4. Tony Gonzalez vs Jimmy Graham
The best pass-catching tight end in NFL history going up against a youngster who will look to fall into that category at some point in the distant future. Both Gonzalez and Graham have to be considered elite tight end options with the latter coming in as the No. 1 option, per eDraft's official rankings. Look for Graham to take advantage of what is a weak group of cover linebackers in Atlanta. He recorded 11 receptions for over 200 yards and two scores against the Falcons in 2012. Over the course of his last four games against the Saints' division rival, Graham boasts a 22-335-4 split.
For his part, Gonzalez has been equally as dominating against the Falcons' division rival. He possesses a split of 26-294-4 over the course of his last four games against the Saints. In addition, Rob Ryan's new defense yielded the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, while Atlanta ranked in the middle of the pack in that category.