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Along with doing a New York Jets start/sit piece every week, I am going to analyze the fantasy value of the other teams in the AFC East on a weekly basis. So let's get to it:
Start: RB CJ Spiller, WR Stevie Johnson
Sit: QB EJ Manuel, RB Fred Jackson, Buffalo D/ST
Bills new HC Doug Marrone finally figured out something Chan Gailey never did, CJ Spiller should be the main back in Buffalo. Spiller is finally going to get the lion's share of the carries and you should start him as a RB1, with no hesitation. You most likely drafted him in the first two rounds and he will deliver for you. Even if the Patriots jump out to an early lead(which I expect them to do), he will still rack up the points as the Bills play catch up. Remember what he did to the Jets last year in season opener, 14 carries for 169 yds. and a TD. RB Fred Jackson will only see value if Spiller gets hurt, besides that he will only be coming in to give Spiller a break. I am recommending to start WR Stevie Johnson in a flex spot or as a WR3. You have to take into account that this is QB EJ Manuel's first game against a Belichick led defense. Much like Spiller, Johnson could put up reasonable stats in garbage time.
Start: QB Tom Brady, RB Stevan Ridley, RB Shane Vereen, WR Kenbrell Thompkins, WR Danny Amendola,
TE Zach Sudfield, Patriots D/ST
Sit: None
This is a week you start all your Patriots. Obviously QB Tom Brady is going to deliver, even though he does not have Welker, Hernandez, or Gronkowski, he's Tom Brady and makes players around him better. WR Aaron Dobson is out for today's game which only boost's WR Kenbrell Thompkins value. I like him as a flex/WR3 start. Amendola will fill Welker's role in this offense and as long as he can make it through the game unscathed, he is a WR2 in standard leagues and a WR1 in PPR leagues. RB's Ridley and Vereen will get plenty of work, with Ridley having more value and could have a RB1 day, although I would expect him to produce more like a RB2, as they may take him out at some point in the 2nd half. Vereen is supposed to fill Aaron Hernandez's role in this offense. He has more value in a PPR league than in a standard league, treat him as a flex/RB3 in a standard league and a RB2 in a PPR league. Be careful to assume that Vereen will get all the carries if they take Ridley out. The Patriots also have RB Brandon Boldin and LeGarrette Blount, who would share the carries if the Pats establish a big lead. The New England D/ST should be one of the top fantasy units this week as they are going up against a rookie QB.
Start: RB Lamar Miller
Sit: QB Ryan Tannehill, WR Mike Wallace/ Brian Hartline. RB Daniel Thomas, Dolphins D/ST
The Fins will take on the Cleveland Browns today at the Dawg Pound. RB Lamar Miller seems to have won the Dolphins starting RB job even though HC Joe Philbin never announced it. He clearly outplayed RB Daniel Thomas in the preseason, and after he lost a fumble, he played better and showed much more explosiveness than Thomas. I expect Miami to try and establish the ground game, and would start Miller as a RB2. It's going to be hard for Tannehill to throw against this Brown's D. Joe Haden routinely shut down WR Mike Wallace when he was with the Steelers and I expect him to do the same today, with a less talented QB throwing him the ball. Tannehill will face a pass rush that includes Paul Kruger, Barkevious Mingo, Quinton Groves, and Jabaal Sheard. With LT Johnathan Martin protecting his blindside, it could be a long day for Tannehill. Even though, the Dolphins D added Dion Jordan, Dannell Ellerbee, Brent Grimes, and Philip Wheeler in the off season, the Browns are under OC Norv Turner's direction now. The Browns will control the clock with RB Trent Richardson and take their shots down field to WR Greg Little and TE Jordan Cameron.
My thoughts are based on a 12 team league. Good luck to everyone this week !