Fantasy Player Projections

Matt Ryan

Ryan has the best 1-2-3 combination in football, and will use all of his weapons to test a Chiefs defense that must learn to live without CB Brandon Carr.

Michael Turner

Turner doesn’t appear to have too many good fantasy days left in him; however, this week’s matchup is favorable. He’ll face a Kansas City run defense which ranked among the bottom 10 in the league last year.

Jacquizz Rodgers

The coaching staff has pledged to give Rodgers a bigger role this season, but it won’t happen overnight. Rodgers didn’t have a stellar preseason, and the Falcons may be content to let Michael Turner handle the bulk of the work in Week 1.

Julio Jones

No player was more hyped in the preseason than Jones, who had games of 109 and 90 yards in limited action. Is Jones ready to achieve elite fantasy status? His Week 1 stats will suggest he is.

Roddy White

White spent the preseason praising teammate Julio Jones’ growth in the offense. White is still a special player, and probably will be a more consistent performer for fantasy owners. And, oh yeah, last time he faced the Chiefs, he recorded 119 yards and a touchdown (just sayin’).

Harry Douglas

After Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez take their fair share from Kansas City’s secondary, there will be little left over for Douglas … as usual.

Tony Gonzalez

It seems only appropriate that Gonzalez get to face his former team in what he has already called his final NFL season. Don’t think the future Hall of Famer isn’t motivated to make the most of this matchup.

Matt Bryant

Bryant is in line to have a very strong fantasy season kicking for Atlanta’s electrifying offense. Unfortunately, some matchups will lead to more extra points than field goals. This is one.

The Falcons will force at least one Matt Cassel mistake (a given) but there will be little else for fantasy owners to appreciate. Kansas City does a good job upfront of keeping opponents’ out of the backfield.

Matt Cassel

The Falcons pass defense was middle of the road in every aspect last year, but fantasy owners should look past the matchup; Cassel’s confidence is the greater issue. He had a rough preseason, and completed just 19 of 34 passes the last time he saw extensive action (August 24).

Dexter McCluster

McCluster was the Chiefs' most productive receiver this offseason, and his unique skill set (is he a running back or wide receiver?) helps put him in favorable matchups on passing downs. With Atlanta stacked to stop the running game, and focused on Dwayne Bowe, McCluster could go unnoticed.

Peyton Hillis

Finally, fantasy owners will get to see how Kansas City plans to divide carries among its two feature backs. Hillis will see a dozen touches in this contest, not enough to warrant anything but emergency fantasy consideration.

Jamaal Charles

The speedy Charles is finally back running on a good set of wheels. He faces a Falcons run defense which allowed less than 100 yards per game last year. Those numbers are almost irrelevant for a back like Charles, whose yards come in gobs.

Dwayne Bowe

Bowe has gotten off to a slow start the past two years (two catches for 17 yards in Week 1 last year; one catch for 13 yards in the 2010 season opener). It’s a trend fantasy owners should expect to continue for a third year. Bowe saw very little action this preseason after arriving to camp late. Hold off a week.

Steve Breaston

For now, Breaston will start opposite Dwayne Bowe, even though Dexter McCluster and Jon Baldwin are making their cases for more reps. This week, Breaston will be the odd man out for a passing offense still trying to find its rhythm.

Tony Moeaki

Same as Matt Cassel and Jamaal Charles, Moeaki is returning to the Chiefs offense after missing significant time. Kansas City may pass the ball in this contest as much as in any game this year, but the presence of TE Kevin Boss makes Moeaki unattractive to fantasy owners.

Ryan Succop

Succop remains one of the least desirable fantasy kickers available (he had just three games with 10-plus points last season). The Chiefs won’t see much of the red zone in this game, and Succop will hardly see the field.

Few AFC defenses are as good. The front seven can create pressure, and as long as Brandon Flowers is healthy the secondary (with Eric Berry back) can make plays. The only deterrent in this contest is an Atlanta front line that allowed just 26 sacks last year.