I like both Brandon Jacobs and Maurice Jones-Drew in Week 1, but I firmly believe that fantasy owners should never bench Jones-Drew in 2008. The "Human Bowling Ball" is one of my top breakout candidates this upcoming season, and I think he will end up being a top 7-10RB at Week 16’s end. Sure, MJD faces the Titans in Week 1, a team that was No. 5 against the run last year, but Jacobs’ match-up is no better, as he faces the Redskins (No. 4 against the run in 2007). Plus, starting and benching MJD based on a rushing match-up is never a smart move, as he can burn a defense rushing or receiving the football. I expect Jacobs to have over 80 yards and possibly a score in Week 1, but I’m expecting well over 100 total yards and at least 1TD out of Jones-Drew.

This is a tough call, because I like both running backs this season. Both have relatively tough match-ups, but Brandon Jacobs is a special runner and can punish a defense in the fourth-quarter. I believe the Giants will be up in this contest when that fourth-quarter comes around, so Jacobs could have over 100 yards rushing and a touchdown in Week 1. Maurice Jones-Drew might get close to those numbers, though, so both are good starts.

While Brandon Jacobs has a good matchup in the NFL season opener against the Redskins, I am one who normally advocates starting your high draft picks week in and week out, unless there is a compelling reason not to. I don’t see a good reason here, and that means Maurice Jones-Drew should be in your lineup. The minor ankle sprain MoJo suffered last week should have no affect on his playing time in the opener, so consider the “human bowling ball” ready to roll. You drafted MoJo with one of your first few picks, so stick him in your lineup with confidence and expect some big numbers against a Titans rush defense which was one of the worst this preseason. I expect 125 total yards, at least one score, and a 2-4 receptions when all is said and done.

This is a tough question to answer and fantasy owners will likely hit and miss on this question throughout the first-half of the 2008 season. As for Week 1, DeAngelo Williams is playing the "Everything you can do I can do better" game, and he is playing it well. Jonathan Stewart could grab the starting gig at some point this season, but until Williams gets hurt, develops a case of the fumbles, or consistently doesn’t perform (not likely by the looks of it), this is a 60/40 split in favor of Williams. I expect both backs to have a score in this contest, but Williams will have about 90 rushing yards to Stewart’s 40-50.

This question is even tough than the question above. I like DeAngelo Williams and he is playing tough football, but Jonathan Stewart is the more physical and I think the Chargers could surprise everyone with a heavy dose of J-Stew. I expect Williams to rack-up a respectable 80 yards, but Stewart will get to 100 yards and have the score in this game.

This is likely a decision that will be made each and every week for the owners of these two, as I don’t see either taking full command of this job anytime soon. That said, right now this looks like DeAngelo Williams’ team, as he has clearly come to camp this season focused on stepping up his game. Jonathan Stewart has played well too, but Williams seems a step quicker to me and is entering his third season in this offense, which will give him the edge in playing time and the trust of the coaching staff in critical situations. It’s a gut call for sure, but until Stewart consistently outperforms Williams over the course of this season, it will hard to make a case that he should get the starting nod for your squad. As it stands now, I expect Williams to get a 60/40 split with Stewart, if not more, and that should translate into more points for your team.

Edgerrin James has a solid match-up in Week 1 against the 49ers, a team that ranked 22nd against the run last season. Matt Forte also has a solid match-up in Week 1, as he faces the Colts. The Colts may have finished 15th against the run last season, but the unit was abused in the preseason, allowing Michael Turner to rumble for 113 yards on just four carries, and DeAngelo Williams to rush for 55 yards and 2TDs on just nine carries. Carolina had over 200 rushing yards in that preseason outing against the Colts, so it’s safe to say that Indy won’t be 15th against the run in 2008. I expect both rushers to get near that 90-yard mark this upcoming week, but with Tim Hightower becoming a major goal line threat in Arizona this year, Forte appears to have a better shot at getting in the end zone looking forward. This makes Forte the safer choice in my opinion, but it is fairly close, and I do worry that the Colts will get off to an early lead and force the Bears to abandon the run… despite that risk, I stick with Forte.

I have to go with Edgerrin James on this one, who seems like a safe bet for 80 yards and a touchdown. Matt Forte could earn those numbers, but not in this game. The Colts should crush the Bears and force Kyle Orton to pass, pass, pass.

This is a very easy call for me, as I see no reason to give Matt Forte the start over Edgerrin James until he proves he can be an effective runner for the Bears. There are more than a few things playing against Forte right now, but first and foremost has to be the fact that the Bears are absolutely abysmal in the passing game, and that is not something a rookie like Forte will be able to overcome. I also expect the Bears to be behind by more than a touchdown for most of this game, so what little running they might muster will be abandoned by the second half. My gut tells me there’s also a good chance that Garrett Wolfe sees some action if Forte is not getting it done, mostly based on how well he played in the preseason. James, on the other hand, has a good matchup against a questionable defense in the 49ers, and I expect him to perform well on the road. Unlike the Bears, the Cardinals possess arguably the best WR tandem in the league, and that will help keep the running lanes open. It won’t be the case all season, but I expect RB2 numbers from Edge in this one.

This one is easier than it looks. That Minnesota rushing defense is spectacular. They surrendered just seven rushing touchdowns in all of 2007 and gave up just 74.1 rushing yards per game. If you want to trade for Ryan Grant in any of your leagues, I advise that fantasy owners wait until after his Week 1 performance. As for Dwayne Bowe, I expect the Patriots to get off to a quick start, which means the Chief will have to pass like crazy in the second-half of this one. That probably isn’t the best news for Larry Johnson owners in Week 1, but it’s great news for Bowe. The I expect the Chiefs WR to grab roughly six passes for 90 yards and 1TD in Week 1 against the Patriots.

I realize the Packers face the Vikings, the league’s best run defense, but I still start Ryan Grant over Dwayne Bowe. Bowe will have trouble doing anything against the Patriots, who will focus on containing the Chiefs only deep threat. I see Grant having about 70 yards and a score in Week 1.

Ryan Grant is a question right now, having pulled a hamstring midway through the preseason and not seeing game action since. Maybe it’s nothing and simply a matter of getting him rested for the regular season, then again maybe not. One thing is for sure, his matchup with the Vikings run defense is a tough one, opponents averaged 74 rushing yards against last season, and the Vikes have picked up right where they left off this preseason. Not good times if you’re Grant, which is why I am taking Dwayne Bowe here. He is a big target and has all the physical tools needed to succeed, and although the QB situation in KC is nothing to write home about, I think he will have a good game against a weak Patriots secondary. I expect Bowe to finish with 6 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. I don’t think Grant scores in his game and that’s the difference maker for me.

Selvin Young will do well in that Denver starting line-up for as long as it lasts, but that’s another issue. As for Week 1, the Denver running back couldn’t have asked for a better match-up. Oakland gave up 145.9 yards per game on the ground in 2007, with a league-leading 24 surrendered rushing touchdowns. Twenty-four! Even though I firmly believe that Young won’t start even 10 games in 2008, this is a fantastic week to own the guy (then trade him!). Fantasy owners can count on 100+ rushing yards and AT LEAST one score against that awful Oakland rushing defense. As for Lee Evans, I still like the guy a lot this year and think that he is a fine start in Week 1, but fantasy owners, if in this situation, have to go with a rusher that is facing a defense that gave up an average of 145 rushing yards and 1.5 rushing TDs per game the year prior.

I’m going to let Bills QB Trent Edwards impress me before I bench a starting running back in favor of a Bills’ wide receiver. Plus, Selvin Young has a great match-up against an awful Raiders rushing defense. Young should have no problem getting 90-100 yards and one score in Week 1.

Selvin Young draws a good matchup against a Raiders team which has had real problems stopping the run over the last few years. Contrast that to a Raiders’ pass defense, which should be stellar this season, and you have a game plan that will likely be built around handing the ball off to Young until the Raiders prove they can stop him. If you drafted Young, you know that his shelf life may not be very long, and drawing a matchup with Oakland is exactly what he will need to keep the job for another week. The other choice, Lee Evans, could have a decent game too, but I think the matchup for Young dictates you give him the start; I’m expecting 100 total yards and a score for Young in this one.