Throw week one’s stats in the garbage, as they will have no factor in future stats. In fact assuming any trend currently would be a bad idea. It’s going to take a good four to five weeks for the level of consistency to begin to show. Week two should be a sharper week all around as one game is under everyone’s belts.

Detroit at Chicago

Automatic: Kevin Jones, Roy Williams, and Thomas Jones
Both Jones should put up solid number two fantasy running back stats this week. Neither was involved that much in week one. Thomas Jones isn’t going to have much value all year, so get what you can out of him now.

Don’t Do It: Joey Harrington
Chicago’s defense manages to stay strong annually. The Lions are going to game plan exactly like last week. That’s to keep Harrington from losing the game.

Minnesota at Cincinnati

Automatic: Daunte Culpepper, Nate Burelson, Chad Johnson, TJ Houzmandeh, Carson Palmer, Rudi Johnson
An array of offensive talent is on showcase here. Culpepper will be able to bounce back, and hopefully also stay away from turnovers.

Don’t Do It: Michael Bennett
It will take a worthy game by Bennett before fitting him as a potential starter.

Baltimore at Tennessee
Automatic: Derrick Mason, Jamal Lewis, and Anthony Wright
Chestor Taylor is starting to have that Lamont Jordan presence. As a back up he is coming in and being an instant impact. Jamal Lewis will get a bulk of carries this week, as the Ravens shouldn’t be down big. With Anthony Wright in the game the Ravens passing game jumps up a few notches. Wright’s ability to throw the ball deep is a good reason to insert Mason and possibly Clarence Moore.

Don’t Do It: Travis Henry or Chris Brown
Trying to run on the Ravens defense isn’t going to happen.

Jacksonville at Indianapolis
Automatic: Byron Leftwich, Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Fred Taylor, Jimmy Smith, Marvin Harrison, and Reggie Wayne
There aren’t any questionable athletes to not start. Last year both teams put on offensive shows twice. It seemed that Leftwich’s game excelled when facing the Colts. He’ll need to try to duplicate those performances, and keep the hot connection between him and Jimmy Smith boiling.

San Francisco at Philadelphia
Automatic: Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, Terrell Owens, Greg Lewis, and Brandon Lloyd
This is the perfect bounce back confidence builder game for the Eagles. Not much confidence should be gone after last weeks loss, but the chance to destroy a team is always a good thing. The 49ers will be down big, and that’ll mean Brandon Lloyd should have a solid day.

Don’t Do It: Tim Rattay
A nice week one but it won’t be long before Alex Smith is in.

Buffalo at Tampa Bay

Automatic: Willis McGahee, Michael Clayton, Carnell Williams, and Josh Reed
It’s going to be a low scoring defensive battle. That doesn’t sound intriguing, but look for the running game to open up a few deep pass plays.

Don’t Do It: Brian Griese or JP Losman
There just going to be enough from either to want to start them. Both should have stats below 200 yards. In a week with all of the offensive spotlight games, it’s not worth starting either.

New England at Carolina

Automatic: Tom Brady, Jake Delhomme, Stephen Davis, Steve Smith, and Corey Dillon
For teams posing strong defenses, they have plenty of games where they give up points and yardage. That’ll come to front this week, in a likely yardage fest.

Don’ Do It: Rod Gardner or a Patriots WR
You never know which Patriots receiver will get have the extra hand. It seems Brady spreads the football around just enough to not have a consistent favorite target. Rod Gardner is a risky pick this week. He could do very well and collect piss off points on your bench. If you’re really that weak at receiver, he is a solid candidate for this week.

Pittsburgh at Houston

Automatic: Willie Parker, Hines Ward, Domanic Davis, and Andre Johnson
David Carr may have a down year but it won’t completely take away Domanick Davis and Andre Johnson’s value. Parker is going to get plenty of carries and should once again be one of the most productive fantasy backs of the week.

Don’t Do It: Ben Roethlisberger or David Carr
Roethlisberger says he’ll start, but he might not finish. The Steelers will likely pull him as quick as possible if the game gets out of control. Roethlisberger doesn’t attempt fifteen passes for a whole game, so imagine what he’ll do with only three quarters?

St. Louis at Arizona

Automatic: Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Bryant Johnson, Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson, Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt

The Cardinals will be throwing the ball the entire game. With around forty passes and well over 300 yards likely to happen for Warner, all the receivers are great starting candidates. The Rams offense will be even more dangerous because they’ll have a running game.

Don’t Do It: JJ Arrington
Don’t figure the Rams weak defense means that JJ Arrington will be a sleeper this week. He’ll be lucky to run over fifty yards.

Atlanta at Seattle

Automatic: Mike Vick, Warrick Dunn, Alge Crumpler, Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, and Darrell Jackson
Each team was supposed to be facing each other last season in the NFC championship, but Seattle vacated four months early. Atlanta has a formidable offense that’s main athletes should always start on your fantasy team. Seattle’s offense hasn’t been the problem in their down fall.

Don’t Do It: Michael Jenkins
He had one big catch that could have been a touchdown if he fell a yard further. He could become Vick’s reason to throw more. For now Jenkins is a borderline third receiver but a bench rider until he upgrades that status.

San Diego at Denver

Automatic: Drew Brees, LT, Keenan McCardell, Antonio Gates, Ashley Lelie, and Rod Smith
Dangerous territory for each team, as 0-2 is nearing one of them. The fear of that should keep both offenses churning well.

Don’t Do It: Jake Plummer
His interceptions and fumbling is too much to look past.

Cleveland at Green Bay

Automatic: Trent Dilfer, Reuben Droughns, Braylon Edwards, Antonio Bryant, Ahman Green, Donald Driver, and Brett Favre
Neither team has a defense, so start whoever you can from each team.

Don’t Do It: William Green
Green will get five to ten carries, but Droughns is the guy for now.

Miami at NY Jets

Automatic: Chris Chambers, Gus Frerotte, Curtis Martin, Lavernues Coles
Lavernues Coles had some of his best games as a Jet against Miami. He owns Sam Madison, but Pennington may not be able to get the ball to him. The Jets defense was suspect last week, but should be able to stop Miami’s weak running game.

Don’t Do It: Ronnie Brown or Chad Pennington
Jay Fiedler may get a chance to face his old team if Pennington gets off to a sluggish start.

Kansas City at Oakland

Automatic: Everyone fantasy worthy
Cannons of confetti and touchdown celebrations will occur every few minutes.

NY Giants at New Orleans

Automatic: Deuce McAllister, Aaron Brooks, Tiki Barber, and Plaxico Burress
It may take a quarter or two, but McAllister will eventually get a few off against the Giants defense. As usual Tiki Barber will get his stats either through the running or passing game.

Don’t Do It: Eli Manning
The Giants put up 42 points, and Manning’s stats were still below average for a fantasy starter.

Washington at Dallas

Automatic: Julius Jones, Clinton Portis, Keyshawn Johnson, and Santana Moss
It’ll likely be the lowest scoring Monday night game in awhile. Both teams will run the ball, and punt a lot.

Don’t Do It: Mark Brunell
Brunell hasn’t had a good game as a quarterback in years. He is on his last string in the NFL, and maybe that’ll resurrect his career.

Based on Thursday’s juggernaut of a football kickoff, this weekend’s games should be a blast. Week one’s tend to be awfully non quarterback friendly. The stats may be okay, but the rust is evident in every quarterback. So leaning on your starting running backs, will be a huge key for starting off your week one with a W.

Buffalo at Houston
Toss Up:
Judging these two teams is a toss up. Neither has had tremendous success the past few years, but they haven’t been bad teams either. If one is ready to launch into playoff contention, it could very well happen this season. Both have legitimate top ten running backs, and their defenses are only getting stronger. Since the running game is key for both teams, that looks to be the only area to be fantasy starters. Hopefully, your fantasy team doesn’t have to throw Carr or Losman in as a starter this early in the year. Especially since Losman is going to go through some growing pains.

Cincinnati vs. Cleveland
Automatic: Stay away from any Browns players, except for maybe Antonio Bryant or Braylon Edwards as your third receiver. Even that is probably a big risk, as Cincinnati’s defense will likely stifle the Browns. The Bengals should have a field day offensively, so start all major offensive players from their team.

New York Jets vs. Kansas City
Automatic:
Will the Jets defense get the best of the Chiefs offense, or reversal? That’ll be the key to the outcome of this game. Fantasy teams know the Chiefs are always roll over starters, with Trent Green, Priest Holmes, and Tony Gonzalez. Even Larry Johnson can be considered on certain weeks, considering the way the Chiefs use all of their running backs. Kansas City looks like their defense has improved, but what year hasn’t that been said? The Jets don’t usually like to score points, but they’ll be forced to in this one. Lavernues Coles may show his trade worth real early, in this one.

Denver vs. Miami
Automatic:
Last season Denver ran all over Miami, and Mike Anderson is coming off a tremendous preseason. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Anderson have one of the best games by a running back this weekend.
Don’t Go There:
Miami’s offense is always turnover prone. That should setup easy field positioning, that will turn into short Anderson touchdowns.

Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota
Automatic:
People don’t realize how great Daunte Culpepper is. Give it time, but Peyton Manning’s record breaking touchdown season could be broke by Culpepper in a few seasons. Minnesota’s offense is prolific and always will be.
It’s Your Risk:
Tampa Bay’s offense has steadily grown, in large part to Brian Griese’s transformation. He has molded a new look to the Bucs, but don’t trust any Buccaneer this week. The Vikings defense has grown in all areas, and looks extra sharp.

Tennessee vs. Pittsburgh
Automatic: Halt before proceeding with expectations of five minute checkup’s on fantasy stats. In this one you’ll only need to look twice. Half time and at the end of the game. Both teams know how to play the clock. Unless you’re looking to get serious defensive points, I’d keep the pointer away from starting any player from either team.

Chicago vs. Washington
Automatic: Clinton Portis fell off more than any back that shouldn’t have in this year’s fantasy drafts. Here is an athlete that still hasn’t even crossed over the age of 24. The youth in this man will showcase more than anything this season. His stats weren’t even that bad last year.

Don’t Do It: Thomas Jones would be an okay play, if we knew the Bears offense could get a first down. With the Redskins defense being as good as it is, it’s not worth looking anywhere to start a Bears athlete. Santana Moss looks like he may be the next story of a Peerless Price. One year of giving a sample and that’s it.

New Orleans at Carolina

Automatic: Go ahead and start any positional star from this game. For some reason when these two teams get together, it’s actually an entertaining college type game.

Seattle vs. Jacksonville

Automatic: Making bold predictions emits good results usually. Fred Taylor is the latest to do it, and look at the defense he’ll be facing. It may be one of few games this year that Taylor gets you serious value, so use him. Darrel Jackson is creeping to the top five list of receivers, and will be there by season’s end.

Don’t Do It: Byron Leftwich just isn’t a fantasy guy. The Jaguars don’t make enough big plays with the passing game to insert him in your lineup.

Green Bay vs. Detroit
Automatic: Brett Favre may make his mistakes in this one, but it’ll even out. Somewhere around four touchdowns with a couple picks, would be worth starting Favre. He has always had Detroit’s number. That should continue in the stat column.

Don’t Do It: A lot of people are ready to see what the Lions offense can do. There is plenty to offer, but wait a week or two to see test results.

Arizona vs. NY Giants
Automatic: Plaxico Burress will get a chance to face a rookie cornerback in Antrell Rolle. Rolle is a great prospect, but all rookies have that breaking in game.

Don’t Do It: The Cardinals offense isn’t as nearly sexy as it looks. Besides when playing the 49ers, Seahawks, and bad defenses, they’re not a team to look at in the fantasy world. Especially in the quarterback and running back department.

Dallas vs. San Diego
Automatic: LT is always a given, but look for Drew Bledsoe to come out with a determined different look. He has been made out to look like a bust the past few years. When it actually seems that New England and Buffalo just gave up on him.

Don’t Do It: Both teams actually match up well for fantasy points. Just don’t do anything abnormal like start Antonio Gates by accident.

St. Louis vs. San Francisco
Automatic: No 49ers and all Rams.

Indianapolis vs. Baltimore
Automatic: Just look at every major Colt’s starting players stats from a year ago?
Don’t Do It: If anyone considers Kyle Boller as a sleeper starter this week, deserves to be slapped. He may be the worst quarterback going into the season, and that is counting Trent Dilfer, Tim Rattay, and Gus Frerotte.