The Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers have very different expectations heading into this season. The Packers want to make a deep playoff run, while the Titans are attempting to develop a young core on the fly to at least make themselves competitive.
These two contrasting teams are the focus heading into the first weekend of regular-season football. Which standout RB from either side could fuel his team — or your fantasy lineup — to victory?
Below, we'll dive into an NFL Week 1 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em breakdown for your fantasy football picks this week, including Week 1 PrizePicks projections for RBs Tony Pollard and MarShawn Lloyd.
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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em RBs, Week 1: Tony Pollard or MarShawn Lloyd?
Who makes more sense in this NFL Week 1 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em scenario: Pollard or Lloyd?
Why Start Tony Pollard?
Tony Pollard Week 1 PrizePicks Projections: 54.5 Rush Yards, 14 Rush Attempts, 10.5 Fantasy Score
- Although he’s not a flashy fantasy option, Pollard has posted at least 1,000 rushing yards and at 5 TDs in each of the last four seasons. He has never played fewer than 15 games in a season and has missed a total of just two games across the last four years.
- Per Pro Football Focus, the veteran halfback ranked ninth in explosive runs last season with 27.
- The Titans didn’t make any significant changes behind Pollard on the depth chart, but they likely helped take some of the opposition's attention away from the running game by adding WR Carnell Tate and WR Wan’Dale Robinson.
- Former Giants head coach Brian Daboll is the new offensive coordinator for Tennessee. With him running New York last season, they were second in the NFL in rushing attempts.
Add Tony Pollard to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Why Start MarShawn Lloyd?
MarShawn Lloyd Week 1 PrizePicks Projections: 43.5 Rush Yards, 12 Rush Attempts, 9.5 Fantasy Score
- Packers starting RB Josh Jacobs will miss the beginning of the season after being placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
- Jacobs had 301 rush attempts over 17 games in 2024, then followed that up with 234 carries across 15 games last year.
- After being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Lloyd has been limited to just one game over his first two seasons because of injuries.
- The Packers just acquired RB Kaleb Johnson in a trade with the Steelers, but he only averaged 2.5 yards per carry while playing sparingly last season. RB Chris Brooks returns to the team for his third season, although he combined for just 63 rush attempts in his first two years with the team.
Add MarShawn Lloyd to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Week 1 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Start Tony Pollard
Pollard has a great matchup out of the gate against the Jets, who should also struggle to earn victories. New York couldn’t defend the run last season, ranking 25th in rush EPA/play allowed, according to RBSDM. Now, they'll play the entire year without standout DT Quinnen Williams, who was traded to the Cowboys during the 2025 campaign.
Given Lloyd’s injury history, it would be surprising if the Packers gave him 20+ carries in their first game. Green Bay will reportedly deploy a committee approach for at least the beginning of the season. That’s not encouraging for a road matchup against the Vikings, who ranked 14th in rush EPA/play. Minnesota was also tied for the fourth-fewest carries allowed of at least 20 yards, while the Jets were tied for the fourth-most allowed.
Pollard is a more reliable option than Lloyd at this stage of his career. He also has a better matchup against an inferior defensive team in the Jets, making him the clear best Week 1 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em option.
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Lloyd may be getting some volume with Jacobs on the shelf for now, but it's unclear whether he'll be a prime target in the Packers' offense either on the ground or through the air. Pollard, while not the biggest star or having the highest ceiling, has established himself as a reliable and consistent contributor. Could that make the difference for Tennessee or your fantasy football lineup as Week 1 rolls on?
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