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2017 Fantasy Football: Sit, Start, and Sleepers from each NFL division

By David Harrison

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 31: Quarterback Sefo Liufau #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers controls the offense during the third quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins on August 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 31: Quarterback Sefo Liufau #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers controls the offense during the third quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins on August 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 26: Running back LeSean McCoy of the Buffalo Bills stiff arms strong safety Eric Weddle of the Baltimore Ravens in the first half during a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 26: Running back LeSean McCoy of the Buffalo Bills stiff arms strong safety Eric Weddle of the Baltimore Ravens in the first half during a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

AFC East

The New England Patriots open up the NFL, and fantasy football, season against the Kansas City Chiefs this Thursday night.

Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins are on a rare Week 1 bye as hurricane Irma proves Mother Nature doesn’t care about your fantasy team.

Buffalo and the New York Jets face-off in an AFC East match-up which should be interesting to watch from a fantasy standpoint.

Rivalry games are always fun, and of course, the Patriots are a good team to look at for fantasy football impact players.

SIT: QB, Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo Bills

This has less to do with Tyrod Taylor as it does the Jets defense.

Buffalo should win this game pretty easily, and this means more Shady, which means less Tyrod.

Taylor may be able to squeeze out a rushing touchdown and maybe a passing score. If not, then your team is doomed.

He isn’t worth the investment in daily fantasy leagues, and you should definitely look elsewhere in all other formats.

START: RB, LeSean McCoy – Buffalo Bills

This may become a fantasy football trend. Start the running back playing the Jets.

Ok, so I’ll try not to go to this well too often this year, but I had to throw LeSean McCoy on this one at least.

The Jets defense surrendered an average of 21 points per week to the position, and McCoy is one of the best at it.

New York has been dismantling their team, and the defense has not been immune to the teardown. Expect Shady to find the end zone at least two times.

SLEEPER: WR, Chris Hogan – New England Patriots

The Kansas City Chiefs have one of the best defenses in the NFL. So when you have offensive players facing them, it’s going to be a little nerve racking.

However, when you have a deep well of talent on your team, perhaps you can find some cheap daily fantasy football options in there too.

Chris Hogan isn’t the top receiver in the Patriots’ offense, but this is what makes him a good sleeper this week.

While Brandin Cooks and Rob Gronkowski are going to eat up a lot of attention. This fact alone will give Hogan some room to operate against the Chiefs.

Then, add in a running back trio of Dion Lewis, James White and Mike Gillislee. Oh, and there’s Tom Brady.

Hogan is a sleeper in every sense of the word, he may bring in multiple TDs and get a handful of receptions. He may also never wake up and end up shut-out. I think you have a good chance at getting good value with him though.

Must Read: T.J. Ward is Smart

NFC EAST

We get two games, and two chances at fantasy football points from the NFC East division.

The Eagles and Redskins face-off Sunday afternoon, and the Cowboys and Giants hold the Sunday Night Football slot for Week 1.

It’s a classic division with classic match-ups, so all games should be fun to watch.

SIT: QB, Kirk Cousins – Washington Redskins

Some people are high on Kirk Cousins, but I’m not buying it.

He lost DeSean Jackson (Yay!) and Pierre Garcon. I’m not even going to check the injury reports for Jordan Reed because, let’s face it, he’s on there.

The running game is going to be led by…..and well, there’s the fact Philadelphia gave up fewer than 16 points per game to opposing quarterbacks in 2016.

Sit this Spartan.

START: RB, Ezekiel Elliott – Dallas Cowboys

I mean, if you got Ezekiel Elliott outside of the first round, you’re looking like a Week 1 genius right about now.

This saga is far from over I suspect, but at least for now, the 2016 NFL leading rusher is eligible for play to open the season.

In two games against the Giants last year Elliott scored in one and broke 100-yards in the other.

My prediction this week is he combines those lines and goes for over 100-yards with at least one score.

Of course, there’s still a lot of time between now and Sunday. Keep an eye on this situation.

SLEEPER: Dallas Cowboys Defense

With Odell Beckham Jr. potentially sitting out and the Giants on the road to start the 2017 regular season, this may be a prime spot to start the Cowboys Defense in fantasy football.

Eli Manning already isn’t the most highly regarded quarterback in the league today, and missing his best receiver would pretty much just kill his stock this week.

Keep an eye out for the injury reports, but if you decide to go with this play this week, I think you’ll be alright.

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