Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Week One

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald (91) and outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) during the first quarter in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Going into last season, the 49ers defense was considered one of the top defenses in fantasy football and they performed as so, finishing as a top-5 option. Unfortunately, I don’t know if last year can be duplicated this season.

The 49ers enter the season as one of the top ranked defenses again, but as for finishing the season as one of the best, I don’t know if that will happen.

Over the past few months, they have lost numerous players to injury and suspensions, really depleting the once vaunting defense. Ray McDonald and Aldon Smith have been suspended for numerous games. NoVorro Bowman, Glenn Dorsey, and Antoine Bethea have been struggling with injuries and Dorsey and Bowman could end up missing most of the season.

In week one, the 9ers go up against Tony Romo and the Cowboys, which have one of the better statistical offenses in the NFL (aka they are a bad matchup for fantasy defenses). Romo throws the ball all over the yard regardless of who his receivers are and with their terrible defense, this game could turn into a shootout.

The 49ers defense will have some good weeks with or without the players I mentioned above, but in week one, they belong on the bench in most standard leagues.

Consider them a very risky DST play and they should be left on the bench week one.