It's been seven long months, but fantasy football and our fantasy football positional rankings are back!
Each week during the NFL season, we will rank enough players at each position to appease everyone from those in 8-team leagues to 16-team leagues, those that can start two QBs, two TEs, three RBs and four WRs. We cut out the rest, because if you're looking at who the 50th-best running back or the 17th-best kicker is for that week, you need more help than any Web site can give you.
As you will see below, Aaron Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP and last season's top fantasy scorer, is not our No. 1 quarterback option in Week 1. The reason why is because Rodgers and the Packers have a tough opening assignment as the San Franciso 49ers, who were the NFC's No. 1 defense in 2011, pay a visit to Lambeau Field. We're not saying you shouldn't start Rodgers, we just like Matthew Stafford at home against St. Louis and Drew Brees in the dome against Washington a little better.
2012 NFL Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings — Quarterbacks
| Rk | Player | Team | OPPONENT |
| 1 | Matthew Stafford | DET | vs. STL |
| 2 | Drew Brees | NO | vs. WAS |
| 3 | Aaron Rodgers | GB | vs. SF |
| 4 | Tom Brady | NE | at TEN |
| 5 | Cam Newton | CAR | at TB |
| 6 | Michael Vick | PHI | at CLE |
| 7 | Eli Manning | NYG | vs. DAL (Wed.) |
| 8 | Ben Roethlisberger | PIT | at DEN |
| 9 | Matt Ryan | ATL | at KC |
| 10 | Jay Cutler | CHI | vs. IND |
| 11 | Philip Rivers | SD | at OAK (Mon.) |
| 12 | Peyton Manning | DEN | vs. PIT |
| 13 | Tony Romo | DAL | at NYG (Wed.) |
| 14 | Robert Griffin III | WAS | at NO |
| 15 | Matt Schaub | HOU | vs. MIA |
| 16 | Carson Palmer | OAK | vs. SD (Mon.) |
| 17 | Josh Freeman | TB | vs. CAR |
| 18 | Sam Bradford | STL | at DET |
| 19 | Andrew Luck | IND | at CHI |
| 20 | Russell Wilson | SEA | at ARI |
| 21 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | BUF | at NYJ |
| 22 | Alex Smith | SF | at GB |
| 23 | Jake Locker | TEN | vs. NE |
| 24 | Andy Dalton | CIN | at BAL (Mon.) |
| 25 | Joe Flacco | BAL | vs. CIN (Mon.) |
| 26 | Christian Ponder | MIN | vs. JAC |
Rankings are based upon Athlon Sports' standard scoring system:
OFFENSIVE SCORING
All touchdowns are 6 points
1 point for 25 yards passing
1 point for 10 yards rushing/receiving
Receptions are .5 points
Interceptions/fumbles are minus-2 points
Additional Week 1 Positional Rankings
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Defense/Special Teams
