Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 12th, at 1:00 PM EST
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Betting Odds: NYJ +5.5, 45 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
New York Jets
Quarterback
Zach Wilson (Sit)
It’s the start of a new era for the Jets, with rookie quarterback Zach Wilson making his NFL debut. The team has done what they can to set him up for success – at least on paper – but will it translate to the field from the jump? Time will tell, but Wilson can remain on waivers until further notice. You won’t be comfortable starting him, even with the drama behind the opposing QB he’ll be facing.
Running Backs
Tevin Coleman (Sit), Ty Johnson (Sit), Michael Carter (Sit)
The Jets backfield will be an interesting one to follow this season; one that may have some fantasy relevance tied to it in due time. For now, I wouldn’t want to start any of the options. Ty Johnson had the strongest summer, and is worthy of a bench stash. As is rookie Michael Carter, who was drafted in the 4th Round and could takeover the RB room as the season progresses. Tevin Coleman is a familiar face from San Francisco and the system that offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur runs, but you’ll always have to be weary of his injury history.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Corey Davis (Start, WR3), Elijah Moore (Start, FLEX), Jamison Crowder (Sit)
Corey Davis and Elijah Moore are the weapons I spoke on earlier that the Jets went out & brought in for Wilson. Davis was a FA from the Titans, and the Jets snagged Moore in the 2nd round of this years draft. Both should be pivotal options for Wilson; we saw it in the preseason with Davis, and with Moore, it was a quiet summer due to an early-on quad injury. The likes of Jamison Crowder (who is currently on the COVID-19 list), Keelan Cole, and Denzel Mims don’t thread the fantasy needle much at the moment. Tight end Tyler Kroft should emerge as a go-to for Wilson, especially with Chris Herndon being traded to the Vikings.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Sam Darnold (Start, QB2)
Massive #RevengeGame vibes coming into this game for Sam Darnold, who makes his Panther debut against the franchise who drafted and failed him. The weapons he has at his disposal are no-doubt, top to bottom, the most talented he’s worked with. Question is, can Darnold finally put it together? It’s worth mentioning that of the 7 cornerbacks on the Jets roster, four are rookies, two are in their second year in the league and zero were drafted higher than the 5th round. If I were a betting man, you would think Darnold shouldn’t have any issues posting a respectable Week 1.
Disclaimer – I would be more inclined to start him in DFS, but if storylines are your thing, this is the week you’d bank on Darnold to succeed; perhaps in a 2-QB league.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey (Start, RB1), Chuba Hubbard (Sit)
CMC is back, and that’s really all you need to know. Christian McCaffrey was the consensus 1st overall pick, and you just know he’ll be a security blanket for Darnold when he feels trouble incoming. To be fair to the Jets, the defensive line is imposing, and the Panthers o-line heading into this game has fell victim to injury & COVID. That being said, I would expect PPR players to be happy with McCaffrey out of the backfield this week. Rookie Chuba Hubbard is one of the top handcuffs to roster, and he had a solid summer showing to make his claim as the primary backup to CMC.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
DJ Moore (Start, WR1), Robby Anderson (Start, WR2), Terrace Marshall Jr. (Sit), Dan Arnold (Sit)
As I mentioned earlier, the Jets secondary is extremely young and unproven. DJ Moore is poised to have a top-of-Week-1 finish. Former Jet Robby Anderson is reunited with his former QB in New York, and you know offensive coordinator Joe Brady will look to build on that former connection. Rookie Terrace Marshall Jr. has been a hot name this summer, but he’s still fourth in the pecking order for targets if you include CMC. He’s worthy of a stash in deeper leagues for now, and could end up being a notable waiver add in the weeks to come. Newly signed tight end Dan Arnold is a familiar fit for this offensive scheme, as he spent some of 2019 in NOLA with Joe Brady. However, I wouldn’t be inclined to start him this week.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)