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It's Week One in the NFL, and that means that you're likely getting used to your fantasy team's (or teams') lineups, and trying to identify those players who will take you to 1-0 on the season. We already saw our first breakout performance of the year, as Kevin Ogletree of the Cowboys went off last night for 114 yards and two touchdowns. I'll take a look at a few players who are involved in the Packers-49ers game on Sunday and how this week's matchup affects their potential to contribute to your fantasy team this week.
QB Aaron Rodgers
If you have Rodgers, you drafted him in the first round, and you're not going to sit him just because he's playing against a good defense. Temper your expectations this week, but he should still put up 250+ yards and at least two scores.
RB Cedric Benson
Benson has been shooting up draft boards all over the place, but it's not because of his week one matchup. Avoid Benson if at all possible this week, as the 49ers had the top rushing defense in 2011, allowing less than 80 yards per game on the ground.
WR James Jones
While I'm highest on Greg Jennings as far as Packers receivers go, Jones could be a sneaky play at a 3rd WR or flex position this week. Ogletree made big plays as the Cowboys' third wideout last night; Jones could expoit some favorable matchups against the 49ers depth corners.
TE Jermichael Finley
Finley is my best bet to score this week for the Packers. Despite San Francisco's success against the tight end last year in the regular season, they didn't match up against many elite players at that position and got burned badly by Jimmy Graham in the NFC Divisional playoff game. With safety Dashon Goldson as the only 49ers defensive back listed taller than 6 feet, Finley should get a number of looks inside the red zone and my hunch is that he converts at least one for a touchdown.
I'll address a few of the 49ers' fantasy players after the jump.
San Francisco Defense
Like Rodgers, you probably drafted the 49ers' defense as one of the top few options at that position, and as such, paid a high price for them. If there's ever a week to consider sitting them, this is it. With Rodgers avoiding interceptions like the plague, you'd likely need to rely on a Cedric Benson fumble and Aldon Smith beating Marshall Newhouse for sacks consistently to make this a high-scoring game for the Niners' D.
TE Vernon Davis
Davis torched the Packers' defense in 2010 with a 66-yard touchdown; add in the Packers' tendency to be friendly to opposing tight ends last season and you have a strong potential for Davis to have a big game.
49ers' Wide Receivers
They'll be catching a handful of balls, but there's no good way to tell whether Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss, or Mario Manningham will be the primary target for Alex Smith. My guess is that each one only ends up with a few catches for unimpressive yardage. Gambling on one of these guys is a guess that they'll put the ball in the end zone; I'd stay away from all parties.
Those are my thoughts on the fantasy prospects for this game; what do you agree or disagree with?
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