Fantasy Week 1

by Andygates23

The first week of the season is always the hardest for fantasy predictions. Every team right now believes they have improved since last year and can make the playoffs. Which means no team is the same as last season, but we all know that’s not true. Not all team’s can do what the Saints did last year so we have to go off last year’s stats for some clue to what will happen this week. I try to make quality picks that aren’t the norm because let’s face it, you don’t need me to tell you to play Peyton Manning or Ladainian Tomlinson. So here are some solid plays that may not be made in smaller leagues.

QB: Tony Romo: Right now nobody knows what to expect from the Cowboys’ starter. He looked like the next superstar in his first few games and then faltered at season’s end. But I’m betting the former shows his head this week. Not only does Romo have an outstanding receiving core (Owens, Glenn and Witten), he’s also facing the Giants defense that ranked 28 th against the pass last year. Romo starts off the season with a big game and a big win. 320 yards, 3 TDs.

Matt Leinart: The Cardinals have a new offense this year under new head coach Ken Whisenhunt and this year I expect production. Arizona worked on its main problem (the offensive line) all offseason so it should be a lot better. Whisenhunt says he’s dedicated to the run, but with safeties moving up look for Pro-Bowl receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald to take full advantage and Leinart will reap the benefits. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s facing the 26 th worst pass defense last year. 270 yards, 2 TDs.

Sleeper: Joey Harrington: That’s right ole Joey “Ballgame” is once again a starter (Lions’ fans cringe here) and he has a pass happy new head coach in Bobby Petrino. Nobody has been more skeptical of Harrington than me over the years, but I think he finally has a chance to show his true talents in Atlanta. Joe Montana would have looked bad in the situations Joey’s been in (Detroit and Miami). Granted he has a poor receiver selection, but Joe Horn still has big catch capability and look for rookie Laurant Robinson to have a breakout season. This week Harrington faces the Minnesota defense that ranked dead last against the pass but number one against the run. Expect a lot of passing in this week’s game and this season. 250 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT.

RB: Travis Henry: Henry is the starting running back in Denver which means he should be in your lineup every week if you’re lucky enough to have him. This week the Broncos head to lowly Buffalo where RBs ran wild last season. The Bills finished 28 th against the run and I don’t see them making much improvement. 125 yards, 1 TD, 25 receiving yards.

Deuce McAllister: The Saints are going against last year’s worst rush defense and I expect a lot of grinding out if the Saints can stay in a close game. If you have Deuce and his counterpart Reggie Bush I would start Bush only in leagues with points per receptions (PPR). Sean Payton will use both of his backs throughout the game, but it’s McAllister who will get the tough yards and that includes goal line carries. 90 yards, 2 TDs.

Sleeper: LaMont Jordan: Right now Jordan is the starter in Oakland and this week they play the awful Lions. Jordan has great pass catching skills which will be a bonus in PPR leagues. The Lions’ defense ranked 21 st against the run last year, but the real question is can this Raider offensive line block anyone. LaMont is a good play in deep leagues and a decent substitute for tough matchups. 80 yards, 1 TD, 40 receiving yards.

WR: Mark Clayton: The Ravens’ offense should get a nice boost from new starting RB Willis McGahee. He should keep safeties closer to the line giving the speedy Clayton chances to go deep and he’ll get his opportunities going against the Bengals’ 31 st ranked defense against the pass. Is McNair’s arm still strong enough to get him the ball? You bet it is. 7 rec. 110 yards, 1 TD.

Darrell Jackson: Yes DJ has been hurt all preseason and is a big risk, but all reports say he will play Monday night against last year’s 30 th ranked Arizona secondary. When Jackson is healthy he is a go-to receiver and with Gore behind him, he could do big things this year. 8 rec. 100 yards, 1 TD.

Sleeper: Ernest Wilford: Wilford is listed as the Jaguars’ number one WR right now which means he should get most of the looks against a very weak and Pacmanless Titans’ secondary. 5 rec. 85 yards, 1 TD.

Good luck this week in your journey to the playoffs.