Welcome back to Week 1 of Keeping it Real With Fantasy! After a long summer and offseason, both the NFL and The Lance are back and ready to give our Fantasy picks this week. The Bills dominated the reigning champs on Thursday night. Josh Allen had an electric performance, likely a preview of what’s to come this season while Matthew Stafford struggled as he threw three interceptions and led the Rams offense to only scoring 10 points. There are plenty of marquee matchups in Week 1: Tom Brady and the Buccaneers head to Dallas to take on an improved Cowboys team, Russell Wilson returns to Seattle in his first came as a Bronco, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs travel to Arizona to face Kylar Murray’s squad, the Chargers host the Raiders after both teams made a series of offseason splashes, Baker Mayfield faces his former team in his first game as a Panther, and the Steelers battle the AFC champion Bengals on the road. As the past regime passes the torch to the next, come to The Lance weekly for information on the latest injuries, news, and suggestions.

News/Injuries:

JK Dobbins (RB) – The Ravens plan on retaking the throne of the AFC North. Dobbins can significantly contribute to that goal. He missed all of last year with a torn ACL suffered in camp but is listed as Questionable for Sunday’s game against the Jets. In the event Dobbins is active in the opener, it is unclear if he’ll receive a bulk of the carries. 

Michael Thomas (WR) – Thomas is also listed as questionable ahead of the opener versus the Falcons. Recently, the WR has been injury prone as he missed all of last season with injuries to his ankle. Now, it’s a hamstring injury that is affecting Thomas’s status. As for Sunday, Thomas is a game time decision after three consecutive limited practices in this week’s sessions for New Orleans. 

Christian McCaffrey (RB) – McCaffrey, who is a familiar face to the injury report, was added after being cleated in the shin during Thursday’s practice. His fantasy owners likely were terrified at that report, but fear no more, McCafrey has no ruling and will play against the Browns Week 1. 

Starts:

CeeDee Lamb (WR) – Entering his third season, Lamb has established himself as the Cowboys top option on the offense. The team traded Amari Cooper to the Browns this offseason for a bag of peanuts and let Cedrick Wilson walk to the Dolphins. With the Buccaneers having an elite run defense, Dak Prescott will be looking Lamb’s way.

Travis Etienne (RB) – The Jaguars take on the Commanders week 1. The two teams amidst  rebuilds have tons of reasons for optimism. The Jaguars have a young framework in their offense with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne both entering their second year. Although Etienne missed all of last season with an injury, the back will likely see tons of action in the passing and running game straight out of the gate. The Commanders have an elite pass rush and the Jaguars receiving core lacks options for Lawrence. 

Sits: 

Ezekiel Elliot (RB) – Zeke’s production has been on a downward slope the past couple of seasons and that won’t change especially considering the Cowboys host the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers have an interior defensive line that contains Vita Vea and Akiem Hicks and the best linebacker group in football with Shaquille Barrett, Devin White, and Lavonte Davis. This Bucs defense excels in stopping the run and that won’t change versus Dallas. Plus, the Cowboys also have Tony Pollard who will likely get plenty of touches too. 

Elijah Moore (WR) –  As Moore enters into his second year, the Wide Receiver has an opportunity to prove himself as a #1 option in a crowded WR room. The Jets have Corey Davis returning healthy and drafted Garret Wilson in the first round of this year’s draft while also adding running back Breece Hall in the second round. Not to mention the two free agency acquisitions at Tight End, CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin. This is not to say Moore won’t have a productive season, but with Joe Flacco as his QB week 1 against a Ravens secondary that features premier Defensive backs like Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, and rookie Kyle Hamilton, it’s probably best to have Moore on the bench this week.