Game Info
Kickoff: Friday, September 6th, 2024, 8:15 PM ET
Location: Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Network: Peacock
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Jordan Love: Start, QB1
Love draws an improved secondary and a solid defensive unit in Week 1. Still, he should continue what he started at the end of last season. One of the premier young signal callers in the league, Love doesn’t provide a ton with his legs, but he can sling it, and with a strong supporting cast and a healthy Christian Watson, you can expect him to provide your fantasy rosters with a strong performance. He was a QB1 in 11 of 17 games last year, and I expect that number to increase in 2024, starting with Week 1.
Running Back
Josh Jacobs: Start, RB1
Jacobs jumped in my final draft rankings with the news of AJ Dillon going on IR and Marshawn Lloyd just now getting cleared for contact after a preseason hamstring injury. In the first few weeks of the season, Jacobs stands to gain the most, and even in a tough matchup, he should get enough work on the ground and through the air to exceed expectations. The one thing Jacobs has never had on his side is a competent offense with a competent quarterback. The arrow is pointing up for the former Raider.
Wide Receiver
Christian Watson: Start, FLEX
Jayden Reed: Start, FLEX
It may come to the dismay of fantasy football Twitter, but Dontayvion Wicks doesn’t even register on the Sit/Start radar for Week 1. His current standing on the depth chart means he is not likely to get enough work in a difficult spot to warrant much attention. The two names we do need to talk about for the Pack are Watson and Reed. Watson is healthy and appears to have fixed the issues around his lingering hamstring issues. If that is the case, he could have the breakout season people were hoping for from George Pickens. The Eagles improved their secondary this offseason, but not enough, so I don’t believe Watson can’t find the endzone in week one. He isn’t quite in the WR2 range, but as a FLEX option, I love his upside. Reed is another option for your FLEX spots in your lineup. Reed’s playmaking ability is there, and we need to see him get onto the field more regularly so that he can take the next step. I don’t know if that step is happening in Week 1.
Tight End
Luke Musgrave: Sit, TE2
For Packers TEs, I love Musgrave, the football player. That being said, for fantasy football, he is better left on your bench or on waivers, depending on your league size. He may not have sole ownership of the TE1 spot on the roster and that is a problem for fantasy managers.
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts: Start, QB1
Hurts is once again an elite quarterback option for fantasy football. The Packers provide a middle-of-the-road opponent that Hurts and Company should be able to take advantage of early and often. He has one of the highest floors in all of fantasy football with his rushing and a strong supporting cast as well. The only thing that can really slow Hurts down in 2024 is a projected regression in rushing touchdowns with the addition of Saquon Barkley.
Running Back
Saquon Barkley: Start, RB1
This is one of the few games where I have a team posting multiple ones at their respective positions, and you can get comfortable with Barkley being in this range. He lands as my RB3 for week one in a matchup that should see him benefit from an improved offensive line, an above-average offense, and one of the fastest-paced offenses in the NFL. Saquon starts his revenge tour season in Week 1, and fantasy managers should make it a point to watch his first action for the Eagles. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him eclipse 80 total yards and hit paydirt in this one.
Wide Receiver
AJ Brown: Start, WR1
DeVonta Smith: Start, WR2
We can quickly move on from Jahan Dotson being fantasy-relevant this year as long as the top pass-catchers are healthy for the Eagles. In Week 1, both Brown and Smith should eat. The new offensive system could have them both seeing expanded opportunities out of the slot. Not only that but outside of Jaire Alexander, the Packers’ secondary was inconsistent at best last season. The wide receiver duo is one of the best in the league.
Tight End
Dallas Goedert: Start, TE1
Goedert makes the fringes of the TE1 conversation in Week 1. He isn’t likely to explode for a game-winning week against the Packers, but he should see enough work to warrant a start, and while he is healthy, that should be something managers who roster Goedert should take advantage of.
Will Dustin be back to this column this season? I love his creative ways of insulting poor performances.