We are finally back to football that counts ... and football that gives us a fantasy rooting interest. Obviously we are focused on the Packers here, so we will focus on the matchup with Seattle. As always, we focus on the Packers matchup because you almost certainly made sure to grab a few of your favorite players. After the long wait, here we go.
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers
If you have Rodgers you start him. You might have some concern that Rodgers did not get the timing reps with his starting receivers this preseason. When Rodgers throws under 25 passes in the preseason he has seen his numbers generally start slowly in the regular season. Add to that the tough Seattle Seahawks defense and it might be rough going statistically. Still, he will be a top five player in all likelihood.
Russell Wilson
Wilson has not had great success in Green Bay. He is typically a home field quarterback. His quarterback rating drops over 20 points when he leaves Seattle (2016- Home: 103.5 rating, Road: 82.1). Also, he has not been particularly good at Lambeau Field. Last year he had 240 yards and a touchdown, but went 22 of 39 and had five picks. In 2015, he was just 19 of 30 for 206 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Expect him to be a low-end QB1 this week. Seattle is also likely to go back to a run focus.
Running Back
Ty Montgomery / Jamaal Williams
Mike McCarthy has frequently said that he wants to run the ball more, but the Packers remain among the lowest rush attempts per game in the league (only Cleveland and Detroit ran less). If there is any split in the carries, neither running back becomes all that useful. Montgomery is the clear one at this point, but keep an eye on it. He is the better pass catcher and will cause more match up issues. Especially useful in PPR. No need to roster Williams at this point.
Eddie Lacy / Thomas Rawls / C.J. Prosise
This is a mess. At best, Lacy and Rawls are RB2s and Prosise is a Flex option. No one is the clear top running back and they will all be sharing carries until someone takes over. Until that happens, these players are likely flex options with RB2 potential. This really does feel like the place where Eddie Lacy can blossom. If he shows something he could get 20 carries a game and play that power run game he wants. Until he takes over the starting job, he is just potential.
Wide Receivers
Jordy Nelson / Davante Adams / Randall Cobb
Jordy is a clear WR1 even with the tough match up. Seattle plays a physical zone and Jordy is smart enough to beat it. He really is not a match up concern. Adams had a 104-yard day last time these teams met. Mark down Adams for a WR2 in this game. Cobb should concern you. His numbers have dropped each season since 2014 (his only 1,000 yard season). In a PPR league he might still be a worthwhile Flex play.
Doug Baldwin / Tyler Lockett
Doug Baldwin is the only one worth starting. He is not the sort of player that wins your league, but you love his consistency. He is a lock for something around 1,000 yards and 60-70 catches. You start Baldwin and Lockett is only a Flex in deep leagues.
Tight Ends
Martellus Benett / Lance Kendricks
Bennett seems to have made good connections with Rodgers. He had a few nice catches and got looks in the Red Zone. Kendrick really needs to show you something before you roster him.
Jimmy Graham
Graham seems to have found some of his tier one talent. He got back to his high-end ways and is approaching that back-end of the tier one tight ends. You start him every week.