NFL 2018: Top 3 NFL Matchups for Week 1

The 2018 NFL season kicks off this Thursday with the defending Superbowl Champions Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Atlanta Falcons. The Eagles have announced that the Superbowl MVP Nick Foles will start the game with their franchise quarterback Carson Wentz still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered during the 2017 season.

The 2018 NFL season looks to be one of the most exciting seasons in recent times, especially in the NFC, where a double-digit win team could very well be left out of the playoffs.

With the 2018 season slated to begin this week, let's take a look at the Top 3 matchups to watch this week both in quality and from a fantasy point of view. A couple of matchups including the season opener of Eagles-Falcons and 49ers-Vikings have missed the cut but they are also good matchups to keep an eye on.

#3 Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

Earlier this off-season I had the season opener between the Eagles and the Falcons, but after the blockbuster trade of Khalil Mack by Chicago Bears, this game and this team are now a must watch.

The return of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' 100th season also makes this game a must watch. After suffering a collarbone injury last season, Rodgers is back but will be missing his favourite target Jordy Nelson, who was a cap casualty this offseason. But Rodgers instead got a new red zone target in TE Jimmy Graham. The Rodgers-Graham connection should be a great combo this season.

The Chicago Bears have also revamped this season in every department. The new Head coach, ex-Kansas City Chiefs OC, Matt Nagy will be the Sean McVay of the season and the Bears could be this year's Rams. The Bears have added weapons in Allen Robinson and the Superbowl Hero TE Trey Burton. The Bears defense was underrated last year, but now with the addition of Khalil Mack the defense is legit and could be a nightmare for many offenses.

Fantasy Outlook

This game could have a huge impact from the fantasy perspective. There are a lot of under the radar players in both the teams that could help you win your week's matchup. I am not going to mention the top-shelf players like Aaron Rodgers because they are always must starts, regardless of the situation.

Must Start:

Trey Burton, TE Chicago Bears: Green Bay Packers were one of the teams that were at the bottom of the league last season in giving away points to the Tight Ends. The defense hasn't been upgraded that much this year and Trey Burton had a breakout season and sees himself in a favorable situation under Matt Nagy, who likes to target the Tight Ends.

Jimmy Graham, TE Green Bay Packers: As mentioned above Graham now could be the favourite red zone target for Rodgers. Graham had the most TDs scored by a Tight End in the red zone in 2017. So, every time the Packers are in the red zone look out for Graham streaking in to score a TD.

Under the Radar Picks:

Chicago Bears, Defense; Jamaal Williams, RB Green Bay Packers: Both these suggestions are for the whole season rather than this one week. These two could be under the radar picks which can go either way. If at least one of them can put up double-digit points this week they are a must add in fantasy.

The Bears defense will be facing a very strong quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. If they could help restrict the Packers on the opening game of their 100th anniversary there is nothing they will not be able to do. The addition of Khalil Mack and Vic Fagino's defensive schemes should only help the team in the long run.

With the suspension of Aaron Jones for the first two games, Jamaal Williams will have the chance to cement his role as the number 1 Running Back in the team. He is poised to have a breakout season in 2018. If he can manage to put up double digits points against a strong defensive line like Chicago Bears, he could solve the problem that is plaguing the Packers for the past couple of seasons.

Prediction:

This game could go down the wire with both teams taking shots at each other. But the Packers will open their 100th season and Aaron Rodgers his MVP campaign with a win over the Chicago Bears.

Score: Packers 27 Bears 21

#2 Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants

Tom Coughlin returns to the MetLife Stadium, but this time as the executive VP of Football Operations for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars who almost upset the Patriots in the AFC Championship in 2017, will be eyeing the crown this year.

The Jaguars defense was outstanding last season. They remained healthy and dominated almost every team they faced. They were number 1 in most of the defensive categories. It is tough for any defense to repeat that kind of performance two years in a row but Jaguars' defense does not show any signs of slowing down anytime soon. With their defense being so good, there are plenty of questions in the offensive end of the ball, especially the passing offense.

The Jaguars let go of two of their top 2 Wide Receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns to free agency and did not add any key targets in the offseason. They also lost the starter Marquise Lee to an ACL injury during the training camp. This leaves Keenan Cole and Dede Westbrook as the viable receivers for the Jaguars, which is not a very good prospect. The whole team will depend on the running game and Leonard Fournette.

The Giants, on the other hand, have upgraded in every department. With a new head coach in Pat Shurmur who helped the Vikings reach the NFC Championship in 2017 season and the number 2 overall pick as well as OBJ coming back from the brutal leg injury from the 2017 season, all things are pointing up for the Giants this season.

Fantasy Outlook

Must-Start:

Jaguars Defense: This should be a constant the whole season. The Jaguars defense is a must-start in every game. They have a top-flight defensive line and a dynamic duo of CBs in Ramsey and Bouye. They are also facing a turnover-prone quarterback in Eli Manning. The front seven of the Jaguars could put enough pressure blocking the rookie Running back Barkley, pressurizing Manning more than he is used to.

Leonard Fournette, RB Jaguars: The Jaguars offense go through Fournette. Bortles is still a question mark and hence they need to establish the run game to have a chance to put up some numbers on the scoreboard. Fournette is a workhorse back and has a favorable matchup against the Giants Defense.

Under the Radar Players:

Jaguars Wide Receivers, Keenan Cole and Dede Westbrook could be the best streaming options for this week. One of these two could have a breakout game and could become the favorite option for Bortles.

Giants Defense is another top streaming defense this week. They have a favorable matchup against an interception-prone quarterback in Blake Bortles. Lack of reliable Receivers and Bortles' inconsistencies should be enough reasons to start the Giants defense.

Prediction:

This game could be a toss-up, but a lack of proper passing game and a revamped Giants offense with Pat Shurmur running it should see the Giants spoiling the return of Tom Coughlin to New York.

Score: Giants 21, Jaguars 13

#1 Houston Texans at New England Patriots

After a tough Superbowl loss to a Nick Foles-led Eagles team, Patriots will begin the 2018 season against a familiar foe in Houston. Last year, in a high flying matchup between these two, the Patriots and Tom Brady came back to beat the Texans in the final seconds.

The Patriots will bring back Brady and Gronk, but will still miss Julian Edelman who lost 2017 due to injury and is now suspended for the first four games. The WR core is a major concern for the Patriots with Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Cordelle Patterson as the starters. None of those players instill confidence.

They also lost LeGarrette Blount and Nate Solder to Free Agency. The running back position is still a question mark. Patriots drafted Sony Michel in 2018 but he is dealing with an injury of his own. Rex Burkhead is supposed to start the season with James White helping out in the passing downs.

On the defensive side of the ball, Patriots have lost many key playmakers and also their defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who left to become the head coach of the Detroit Lions. This season could prove tough for the Patriots especially when facing a high powered offense like the Texans.

Speaking of Texans' offense, they get back Deshaun Watson, the number 12 overall pick from 2017 Draft who took the league by a storm by passing for a record 19 touchdown passes in just 7 games. With Watson back, the Texans offense should be as electrifying as it was last year in Foxboro. De'Andre Hopkins is set to resume where he left off last season. He scored a league-high 13 touchdowns last year and with Fuller healthy as his side-kick Hopkins will look to replicate that success.

The Houston defense should be the most improved group this season. With the return of Watt and Mercilus in the front seven and Clowney also back from Knee surgery the defensive line should create terror for many offenses. With Nate Solder out at LT, Brady will now have to look out for defenders coming from his blindside. Addition of Tyrann Mathieu at Safety is going to help bolster the back end of the defense which ended up 26th in 2017 from number 1 in 2016.

Fantasy Outlook

Must Start:

Rob Gronkowski: Duh!

All the Texans Skill position starters: No brainer to start Watson and Hopkins who tore apart the Patriots defense last year in Foxboro or any team they faced as a matter of fact. Will Fuller is also a must-start. Lamar Miller is also another must start because of Houston's dynamic Run-Pass offense and a revamped O-Line which will help open up lanes for the RB.

Under the Radar Players:

In PPR leagues, James White, Patriots RB, is virtually a must start with a very weak WR option. White could see more targets than any Wide Receiver in the team, so he should be a better WR2 or a flex starter.

With the return of Watt and Mercilus and addition of Mathieu, Houston's defense could be back to its 2016 form and with Patriots taking a backseat this offseason in WR position and losing Nate Solder, it should help the Texans DL to get their hands on Brady and force turnovers.

Prediction

Last year in Foxboro, leading by 5 points, with a minute and a half left, Bill O'Brien decided to give the eventual MVP Tom Brady and the Patriots offense a chance to come back instead of going for it on 4 and 1. That decision cost the match for the Texans not once but twice last year.

But, this time, O'Brien will go for it on 4 and 1, for a deep TD pass from Watson to Fuller to seal the game for the Texans and open their season with a W against the defending AFC Champions.

Score: Texans 34, Patriots 20