Miami Dolphins (-3.5) vs. Was – The RGIII fiasco seems to have settled slightly for the time being. The Dolphins are a much better football team than the Skins and look for Tannehill and Co. to come out of the gates fast this year. They’ll win by a TD and cover the point spread.

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Arizona Cardinals (-2) vs. NO – A lot of question marks surround this Saints team. They’re running a new offense and have some key defensive players out right now. Arizona is a tough place to play and we expect the Cardinals to pull out the W.

NY Giants (+6) vs. Dal – The home team is likely to win but these games are always high scoring and close.

Jacksonville (+3) vs. Car – Gut says go with Carolina who is the better team. But a lot of question marks surround this offense once again (loss of stud WR Benjamin) and Jacksonville has young playmakers and a defense better than most realize. They’re a good money line bet too (+145)

Rounding Things Out

Green Bay Packers (-6) vs. Chi – John Fox will do a lot of good in Chicago. It just won’t happen right away. The Bears offense is ailing and its D has uncertainty all over. Green Bay will win going away.

Kansas City Chiefs (+1) vs. Hou – This is really a toss up, but we’ll go with the better all around team. Houston is breaking in a new QB, Arian Foster is sidelined and WR Andre Johnson is no longer there.

Buffalo Bills (+2.5) vs. Ind – They’re going to be fired up for Rex Ryan’s first game. The Bills D is stout and on offense the only question mark is a QB. Sure, that’s a big question mark, but the Bills might just out muscle Indy in its own park on Sunday.

RBs who will outperform their Week 1 ESPN Fantasy ranking

1. Doug Martin vs. Ten (Ranked 22): The Titans couldn’t stop anyone a year ago. Martin is rejuvenated and playing in a contract year so expect the former 1st round disappointment to start off strong.

2. Joseph Randle vs. NYG (Ranked 26): New York will experience growing pains as they learn DC Steve Spagnuolo’s D. They’re also without DE Jason Pierre Paul and a bit banged up on the defensive side of the ball. Randle should pick up a lot of yards in the 2nd half.

3. Shane Vereen vs. Dal (Ranked 37): This could become a high scoring affair. Vereen will be heavily involved throughout and especially in passing situations. Strong PPR play.

4. Tevin Coleman vs. Phi: (Ranked 24):. Lots of question marks surround this year’s Eagles D. They made a lot of changes to the backend of the D; we’ll see about the front on Monday. Coleman was given the nod and will outperform his Week 1 ranking.

5. Alfred Blue vs. KC (Ranked 23) Blue will be the man while Foster is out. Look for a strong showing in Week 1.

Top 10 RBs who will underperform

Marshawn Lynch vs. Stl.( Ranked 8). The Rams issues are in the secondary. The front is seven is as good as any in the business. Seattle is breaking in a new OL and Beastmode will find the going tough in Week 1.

CJ Anderson vs. Bal (Ranked 7). Week 1 is interesting. Kubiak coached in Baltimore a year ago so has a good feel for its defense. His run scheme has also been very effective wherever he has been. That being said, Denver’s OL has question marks and one thing Baltimore is always good at is stopping the run.

Seattle Seahawks (+1) vs. NE

Deflategate is somewhat behind us and the Super Bowl is here. The sports books have this game very evenly matched, although late money this week was going on the Patriots.

When New England has the ball. Look for the Patriots to work in their TEs into the match-up. Rob Gronkowski needs to be a major target and the wild card is backup TE, Tim Wright. The Patriots know they’ll have limited success attacking the Seahawks outside.

They also won’t be able to run the ball. Therefore, the attack must run through their TEs which is a position that has given the Seahawks trouble this year. However, that will be a difficult strategy to keep up over four quarters and against a relentless Seahawks D. The lack of a run threat means Brady will have pressure in his face much of the evening and will be forced to get rid of the ball earlier than he would like.

When Seattle has the ball. They will pound the rock. Justin Forsett had a lot of success against the Patriots run D and Marshawn Lynch is significantly better than Forsett. Seattle will pound the ball but New England will know this and load up the box. CB Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner can lock up the Seahawks outside threats pretty well so Belichick will not have to double anyone.

TE Luke Willson could be a nice sleeper because he has a knack for getting open and making big plays. The Pats Safeties are good, but not great. Expect things to start slow for the passing game but pick up when Wilson incorporates his version of the read option. His ability to make plays out of the pocket and extend them is uncanny and will give the Patriots D all sorts of problems in the 2nd half.

It’s a fairly even matched game but when the clock hits 0:00, look for Seattle to repeat as champions with a 24-14 or 27-17 win. Brady will have trouble with the Seahawks pass rush and Seattle is the more physical team.

Top Pick

1. New England Patriots (-6.5) vs. Ind – I get it, Andrew Luck is a beast, the Colts are starting to figure things out and are coming off a great road win in Denver. It still won’t matter. New England should win this by double digits. The Colts don’t stop the run very well so you can expect a heavy dosage of RB LeGarrette Blount and even Jonas Gray, who ran for 199 and 4 TDs against Indy the last time they played.

Defensively, New England doesn’t have to worry about a running game so you can expect a scheme heavily intent on defensing the pass. The Colts continue to take steps to reach the top of the mountain but will fall short once again.

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2. Green Bay Packers (+7) vs. Sea – The Seahawks are a good bet to win. But not by a TD. Green Bay will be the most complete team they’ve faced on their winning streak and the 1st legit QB outside of Cam Newton, who is not near Rodgers’ class. Russell Wilson’s offense struggled down the stretch (minus the Cards game) and the Packers bring in a pretty good D.

Expect the Packers to keep the Seahawks under 21. On the other side of the ball the Packers will have some success and hit on a big play here and there. We think the Packers could pull off the upset (money line bet is +225) but will certainly cover the point spread.

Top Pick

1. Minnesota Vikings (-6) vs. Chi – The turn back to Jay Cutler means nothing. Chicago is in a state of turmoil and can’t wait to get the season over with. Minnesota has grown under 1st year HC Mike Zimmer and will finish out the season with a bang at home. Look for the Vikings to win by 10 and cover the point spread.

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2. Green Bay Packers (-7.5) vs. Det – Some may call last week a trap game for the Lions, but not us. That’s typical Matt Stafford being unable to capitalize on things given to him. The Packers will be ready in a game with a ton of meaning and look for a double digit win.

3. New York Giants (-3) vs. Phi – The Eagles three-game losing streak knocked them out of playoff contention and means this game has little meaning. Well, it has more for the Giants who are playing a number of young players on their three-game winning streak. Look for that to move to four as the Odell Beckham Jr. show continues against a horrendous secondary.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5) vs. Pit – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Carolina Panthers (+4) vs. Atl – This will be close but Cam Newton will be the difference.

San Diego Chargers (+3) vs. KC – Win and they’re in. Look for the Chargers to beat their rival.

Dallas Cowboys (-5.5) vs. Was – Dallas needs to win first and then get a lot of help for a No. 1 or 2 seed. There will not be a letdown here.

Money Line Bet

Cincinnati Bengals (+170) vs. Pit – The Steelers are very talented on offense but erratic. This is a game which could catch them by surprise. The Bengals move to RB Jeremy Hill as the starter has been a boon to the offense and they will continue to ride their young horse Sunday. Everything else feeds off of this. The Bengals D is also much improved since their last contest after getting a few guys back.

Must Start

Seattle, Detroit and St. Louis

Tier 1

New England Patriots vs. Mia – This D is playing at a very high level.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oak – The Raiders lost 52-0 last time they played on the road.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Stl – It’s still Shaun Hill starting. Expect a few turnovers.

New York Giants vs. Was – With the Giants moving to young players they’re making plays. Facing lesser competition doesn’t hurt too.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Jax – Nothing makes Ravens owners happier than seeing Jacksonville on their roster Week 15.

Tier 2

Cleveland Browns vs. Cin – They dominated Dalton and Co. last time.

Denver Broncos vs. SD – The Chargers are struggling and will turn the ball over a few times.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dal – Expect multiple turnovers.

Bust

San Francisco 49ers vs. Sea – Expect the 49ers offense to put its D in tough situations and for Seattle to put up 30.

Fantasy Sleeper

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cle – Marvin Lewis will have a defense to stop Manziel.

Must Start

Calvin Johnson, Antonio Brown, Julio Jones, Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas

Tier 1

Jordy Nelson vs. Buf – The Bills cover than people think.

Odell Beckham vs. Was – The superstar rookie will abuse the Skins secondary.

Alshon Jeffery vs. NO – He instantly becomes a top tier No. 1 with Brandon Marshall out.

TY Hilton vs. Hou – Hilton went over 200 yards in their last game. Look for another solid effort.

AJ Green vs. Cle – Joe Haden usually plays Green tough.

Roddy White vs. Pit – Expect the Falcons to have success in the air.

Emmanuel Sanders vs. SD – The Chargers feature a top 10 pass D but Sanders put up 3 TDs and 100 yards in their 1st outing.

Mike Evans vs. Car – The rookie is still on a tear. That will continue against the Panthers.

Jeremy Maclin vs. Dal – Maclin should own the Cowboys D.

Tier 2

DeAndre Hopkins vs. Ind – Hopkins has a decided advantage when CB Vontae Davis isn’t covering him.

Sammy Watkins vs. GB – The previously stingy Packers pass D looked atrocious Monday Night.

Randall Cobb vs. Buf – He might have more success than Nelson.

Keenan Allen vs. Den – Allen plays well against the Broncos.

Julian Edleman vs. Mia – Solid play in PPR leagues.

Kenny Stills vs. Chi – Stills threw in a stinker in Week 14. Chicago is a much more favorable matchup.

Josh Gordon vs. Cin – Going with Johnny Manziel will impact Gordon’s standing.

Steve Smith vs. Jax – Smith will have a field day against the lowly Jags.

Pierre Garcon vs. NYG – Jackson’s injury improves Garcon’s value.

Bust

Michael Crabtree vs. Sea – Kaepernick is struggling mightily and this is not the defense to get back on track.

Fantasy Sleeper

Martavis Bryant vs. Atl – His deep speed is deadly and the Falcons don’t cover well.

1. Green Bay Packers (-13) vs. Atl – Until the Patriots, the Packers were putting up an insane amount of points at home and blowing teams out. That will happen on Monday Night. Look for Green Bay to put up 40+.

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2. New England Patriots (-3.5) vs. SD – The Pats have been on fire before meeting Aaron Rodgers and Co. a week ago. They still had a chance to pull that out in the end too. Look for New England to head into San Diego and win by a TD. Their D is playing very well and offensively, Brady and Co. will prove too much for the Chargers.

3. Denver Broncos (-10) vs. Buf – Mile High is a very difficult place to play and it won’t be any easier for a Kyle Orton led team.

4. Baltimore Ravens (+2.5) vs. Mia – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Cincinnati Bengals (-3) vs. Pit – The Steelers struggle on the road and are catching Cincinnati as they get healthy on D.

New Orleans Saints (-10) vs. Car – Brees and Co. will run it up on their division foe.

Detroit Lions (-10) vs. TB – The Lions have been very tough at home.

Money Line Bet

Baltimore Ravens (+125) vs. Mia – The Fins come off a short week in which they pulled out an underwhelming win over the Jets. They catch a break with DT Haloti Ngata out but the Ravens match up well against Miami and will eek out the close win.

Must Start

Seattle, Kansas City and San Francisco

Tier 1

Buffalo Bills vs. NYJ – The Jets are not much better with Vick behind center.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Jax – Indy will blitz the Jags into a few turnovers.

San Diego Chargers vs. Stl – Shaun Hill will find the going tough at San Diego.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Ten – Look for Philly to blitz the Titans into 2-3 turnovers.

New England Patriots vs. Det – The Patriots are still a low No. 1 facing a tough O at home.

Tier 2

Arizona Cardinals vs. Sea – They’ll force Russell Wilson into a few turnovers.

Green Bay Packers vs. Min – The Packers are rolling at home. This one they take on the road.

Bust

Detroit Lions vs. NE – This Lions team is a tough unit each week, but New England is on a roll and playing at home.

Fantasy Sleeper

St. Louis Rams vs. SD – The Rams recent resurgence is not a fluke. They’re finally buying into the system and will get after Rivers.

Must Start

Denver, Miami and Detroit

Tier 1

Buffalo Bills vs. Mia – Tannehill is banged up as is Lamar Miller and their LT is out for the year.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Sea – Russell Wilson is playing horribly. Expect a few turnovers and a low scoring affair.

Seattle Seahawks vs. KC – Alex Smith and Co. have had difficulties getting untracked and it won’t start here.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Ten – Look for a big bounce back on MNF. Tennesee may be playing without TE Delanie Walker.

Tier 2

Minnesota Vikings vs. Chi – It’s surprising but the Bears offense is a mess now. Cutler will turn the ball over a few times again.

Cleveland Browns vs. Hou – This D is rounding into form. Uncertainty for Houston with Mallett behind center.

Houston Texans vs. Cle – This game figures to be low scoring. Look for Watt to get to Hoyer a few times.

San Francisco 49ers vs. NYG – The Giants get Jennings back at RB so temper expectations here.

Bust

Cincinnati Bengals vs. NO – Injuries have derailed their success. Stay away this week.

Fantasy Sleeper

New Orleans Saints vs. Cin – They’ve put up a string of quality efforts and face a struggling Bengals offense.