The Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles are on Monday Night Football in a greatly anticipated matchup and with names like Robert Griffin III, Alfred Morris, Pierre Garcon, Santana Moss and Fred Davis playing, fantasy owners will be paying close attention to the ESPN telecast.
Griffin was a top pick for many teams after breaking out last season and Morris is also looked at as a very smart draft choice, especially after he rushed for over 1,600 yards last season as a rookie. Morris has good size and is a scoring threat in the red zone after putting in 13 touchdowns last season and while he made just 11 receptions last season, he could play a factor in the passing game this year. Morris came on last season as an unknown sixth round pick and now he could be a top 20 running back or even top 10 in fantasy this year.
Last season Morris ranked number five among fantasy running backs as a rookie and even with Griffin taking away some of his rushing yards with his own legs, he should still have plenty of opportunities this season. Morris is a smart START against the Eagles based on just what he did last season, as he rushed for nearly 100 yards in each of the two games and he averaged a touchdown and on Monday night owners are expecting more of the game from him. The team has plenty of weapons on offense with Griffin and Morris and the wide receivers are very solid as well.
Griffin may get used a bit differently than he did last season and while he still will rush for plenty, the team may take it easy in his first game back from serious knee surgery. Griffin will be the main focus for both teams and all the coaches involved and all fans will be hoping for a solid and healthy start on Monday night. Griffin is a very good START option even with the team trying to ease him in, as it remains to be seen whether the Eagles defense will improve from last year.
Griffin will be throwing to Pierre Garcon and Santana Moss on Monday and his tight end options include Fred Davis and Logan Paulsen while Morris should be steady in the backfield. Davis is coming off an injury and owners should think about putting him down as a SIT, but only for this week to see how he does and how the team factors him into the offense.
The defense is a good start on Monday night, but owners should beware since the eagles are putting in a new offense with Chip Kelly and could be explosive with players like Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy and with a coup[le players banged up, it could be a long night on Monday.
Redskins start or sit for Monday night:
RG3: The man hasn't played ball in months and will be primed for Monday night. Start him
Morris: Start him. The Eagles defense might be improved, but after his season last year he is a must start.
Garcon: He was the favorite target for Griffin last season and should be once again, Start him.
Redskins defense: SIT this one as a cautionary move, as it could end up very bad if the Eagles breakout with the new offense.
