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Will AnyGivenSunday successfully defend her crown? Could I hate having to write that sentence any more? Will the 5 roster moves per week affect any teams strategy? With a few new players in the league this year, will the title go to a relative rookie? And how thankful are Matt and I to no longer have to wake up early on a Sunday to watch football? All of these questions, and more will be answered as Fantasy Football 2010 unfolds.
We'll start this week's match-ups the way we always do, from the bottom up.
Weinenators (0-2) vs. AnyGivenSunday (1-1)
New to the league, Weinenators are experiencing some early season growing pains. They've got a lot invested in the Sanchize as their starting QB and so far he hasn't been able to get them a win. Possession receivers Steve Smith (Giants) and Hines Ward are solid picks in a PPR league, although without Ben Rapelisberger, Ward has seen his value take a bit of a hit. And Dallas WR Roy Williams continues to be a non factor thanks to his well publicized lack of a work ethic and the also well documented white bro love between Tony Romo and Jason Witten. Miles Austin is milano, so it's okay to throw to him. In the running game Michael Turner is a top 10 back when he's healthy, but last week pulled a groin and watched 3rd stringer Jason Snelling dominate. Turner is back, but we all know a groin injury lingers, so expect the Falcons to split the load between their two able backs. Beanie Wells looks to make his season debut and if Dallas starts to run the ball Marion the Barbarian becomes a good flex option. It's only week 3 so we'll see if they can get their act together.
The defending champion-ess is currently 1-1 and coming off a significant loss. Her majesty's team is lead by QB Aaron Rodgers who will be playing the "ace in the hole" role this week, as the Packers play on Monday Night. The rest of the offense is pass heavy with receivers Chad Ochocino, Minnesota's Percy Harvin and Robert Meachem of the Saints. The Jets Jerricho Cotchery is currently in the flex. I'll be honest, this is a definite weak spot of the team. Meachem is on the field for less than half of the Saints plays, and is somewhere between Drew Brees' 4th and 17th option, with a the tackle eligible ahead of him. Ochocinco is averaging over 100 yards receiving per game so far, but I don't expect that to last. And since it's week 3 we are due for a T.O. public rant on not getting the ball enough. As for Harvin, he may be decent as a flex since Sidney Rice is out, Bernard Berrian sucks and the Vikes couldn't get a deal done for Vincent Jackson. But as a #2 guy, danger for the defending champ. The backs are decent, Cedric Benson puts up numbers despite the lack of buzz, and despite proclaiming him "fantasy dead" last season, LaDanian Tomlinson is proving there is some life left in his legs (ex: the over the pile dive against the Pats last week). This one may be a close one after Sunday but I expect Rodgers to put AnyGivenSunday over the top Monday Night.
Where's my D-fense? (0-2) vs. The Battery Lasted (0-2)
Where's my D finds itself, for the first time, starting a season 0 and 2, and it hasn't been pretty. Having been blown out in the first two games, the veteran owner has made 4 of his allotted 5 moves this week in hopes of turning the Titanic around. Lack of production from key personnel (i.e. Joe Flacco, Jonathan Stewart, Dwayne Bowe and Jerome Harrison) has lead to this once mighty competitor digging around in the waiver dumps. But it's only week 3 and a win this week could propel the team on a streak of some sort. Shane Flacco returns this week to prove that despite a poor showing in the Sugar Bowl, he can lead his Washington Sentinels team to victory (enough Replacements references for ya?). WRs Randy Moss and Greg Jennings are solid and if Bowe can become worthy of his preseason hype this could be a great corps. In the backfield Matt Forte continues his charge for comeback player of the year honors, while Jonathan Steward has been escorted to the bench. Seattle RB Justin Forsett will take his place while last week's running hero Jason Snelling will take over flex duties. Kicker Stephen Grostowski is gone after failing to hit anything more than an extra point in 2 games and TE Heath Miller has been put on notice he's no longer protected. Can these moves translate to a win, or will week 4 be back to the drawing board?
A belated congratulations to proud parent The Battery Lasted who would love to show the little one a win in week three so that he can grow up to respect daddy. It all starts with QB Peyton Manning whos season has begun just like it does every year - lighting up opponents both in the NFL and in Fantasy Football. The receivers are also off to a good start as personal favorite Anquan Boldin is now the #1 option in the Raven's passing game, and should benefit if Flacco can manage to throw the ball to guys on his own team. Eddie Royal is the top guy in Denver now thanks to them shipping Brandon Marshall to Miami and with Moreno hurt it could mean more throws for Kyle Orton...and somehow this is a good thing. At running back Brandon Jackson benefits from the injury to Ryan Grant and given his skill set, has the potential to be the high scoring back that Grant was expected to be going into the season. Donald Brown is still stuck behind Joseph Addai on the Colts depth chart due to issues with pass protection, but if he can manage to block and get on the field for a few series, he has upside potential. The Chiefs defense will face niners QB Alex Smith this week, which may lead to a welcomed surprise of more points compliments of a few INTs. One thing about this game for sure though, both teams really need a win.
Wide Right (1-1) vs. Dingleberry Sanders (1-1)
After 2 weeks Wide Right is hanging in there and seems to have given up being a homer and realizing that WR Lee Evans is not good. The team does have Drew Brees at quarterback, and Wide Right has to be encouraged by a 1-1 start without Brees being at his best yet early in the season. This week's receiver lineup features Larry Fitzgerald who has seen his value crushed by Derek Anderson. An illegally obtained call record shows that Fitzgerald has made over 37 calls to Kurt Warner's home over the past 2 weeks, presumably not to ask how the family is doing. Michael Crabtree has a lot of potential, however none of it was on display last week against the Saints as Josh Morgan seemed to get the majority of the targets. Raiders WR Louis Murphy was a late week pickup, presumably after Matthew Berry's Love/Hate column was posted. RB Knowshon Moreno is out, so Wide Right will have to correct that before tomorrow's kick off, or else Darren McFadden is on his own. The Viking's defense should play an important role this weekend as they were run on, thoroughly, by Miami this week and now face Jahvid Best of the Lions.
On the other side of the ball is the hard luck 1-1 Dingleberry Sanders. The scary part about this team is that it really is capable of putting up 120-140 points per week. QB Eli Manning has weapons at receiver and the Giants no longer seem to be a run first team. Despite being marked as a guy to avoid in the preseason, WR Brandon Marshall is putting up decent numbers in Miami's offense, even with Chad Henne at quarterback. And what can you say about Wes Welker? The Great White Hope has returned for last season's knee injury (which honestly had me concerned) to pick up where he has left off - catching a ton of pass, scoring TDs and perhaps most importantly, dating her. He really is my hero. Runningbacks MJD and Steven Jackson are the perfect for duo for this league format which rewards backs who are threats in the passing game as well. Throw in a point per reception and both of these guys are 10 point minimums each week. Granted Arian Foster won't always have a week like he did against the Colts, but he's part of a very good offense and gives this team a 4th or 5th consistent 10 point per week player (not counting the QB). This team is scary good.
You Punt! (1-1) vs. The I.F.F. (2-0)
Defiant You Punt! looks to hand the International Frenchperson's Federation it's first loss of the season. Philly's favorite son (for the week) Michael Vick looks to run and throw all over against the Jaguars this week to show he is a legitimate fantasy threat. Top real life WR DeSean "Still no one has forgotten how I spiked the ball at the 1" Jackson joins him on the team to combine for a synergy bonus (not as much as in previous years however, when QB completions were point awarded). Previously mentioned for their own reasons, Miles Austin and Terrible Owens round out the passing attack. The rushing yards will look to come from flex play San Diego's Mike Tolbert who will be replacing Ryan Matthews this week, time share back Ricky Williams of the Dolphins and the often banged up Clinton Portis. As well of course as from Vick since I still don't believe he's that good of a passer. TE Vernon Davis continues to be an awesome freak of nature who I wish I could trade bodies with, and not just because unlike Jaguars QB David Garrard and myself he doesn't suffer from a sucky gastrointestinal disorder. Anyway, Davis is both a constant red zone target and security blanket for his team's quarterback Alex Smith, who in his 6th year is trying to prove he's still better than Jamarcus Russell, David Carr, Ryan Leaf and all of the other greats.
Currently sitting in 1st place, with an impressive victory over Dingleberry in week 2 is newcomer the I.F.F. I have no idea what that stands for, and don't care as I've already decide to create a new meaning for it each week. Now how did a federation of stinky frenchmen make it to the top of the standings? Easy - Chris Johnson is good (no shit) and Jay Cutler is currently playing like a quarterback not named Jay Cutler. Can he sustain it? For the sake of my money league team, I hope so. Johnson was slowed down last week by the Steelers and that really means nothing because that's a tough defense. Also, they got behind early causing Vince Young to throw the ball and as usually happens, results in Kerry Collins entering the game. But back to Frenchy over here. The Philidelphia duo of WR Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy should also be given credit for the teams success as they have already combined for 6 TDs. Throw in another 3 from TE Antonio Gates and you can see that this team likes the endzone as much as I like a red-head in tight black leather (Scarlett Johanssen in Iron Man 2, available on DVD and Blu-Ray Tuesday, September 28th. My mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom.) The team is good all around and with the Ravens defense as their anchor, they are built for the long haul.
Greenzone (1-1) vs. NomNomNom (2-0)
Ah, the yearly cousins battle. The Greenzone, currently at 1-1 looks to knock his younger cousin from the ranks of the unbeatens this week. At his disposal QB Philip Rivers, who I heard has yet to start complaining this season and a group of talented, yet nicked up receivers. Marques Colston of the Saints is healthy but Pierre Garcon (remember he's from Haiti) and Steve Breaston are not. Breaston another Cardinal hurt by the fact that Kurt Warner retired and helped by the trading of Matt Leinart to a modeling agency for a 3-D TV and a blu-ray player. Running back Frank Gore has put the team on his back, much like in real life, and is showing that he is a top 5 (or better) fantasy back. DeAngelo Williams of Carolina should be a good compliment but is struggling along with the rest of his team. Is this the week he gets things together, does something productive and becomes the MVP of this Family Feud? Cardinals RB Tim Hightower is listed at the flex and if Beanie Wells is out again he is capable of a good game against the Raiders. The ace in the whole for the Greenzone will be the Packers defense, who play on Monday night while all of NomNomNom is comfortably in a food coma.
This season NomNomNom is coming at you from the Central Time Zone! No more 10am kick-off times for this guy, no no. A trio of talented receivers is what this team brings to the table - Steve Smith (Panthers), Andre Johnson and Calvin Johnson - three guys capable of big games every week. Unfortunately, two of them are operating without a net or a competent quarterback as Smith will be breaking in rookie QB Jimmy Clausen and Megatron has lost the emerging Matthew Stafford. Andre Johnson however remains the best receiver in the game and since he's not on my team this year, his QB, Matt Schaub will remain healthy. In the backfield are Jahvid Best and Ahmad Bradshaw, two of only a very few starting runningbacks who don't have to worry about the team's #2 back. Yeah that's right I'm saying it, Brandon Jacobs is this years LaDanian Tomlinson. Drafted higher than he should because he's 'fantasy dead'. This Mike Williams guy on Tampa Bay is at the flex and having a good season so far despite the fact I have no idea who he is. I guess that's what I get for shunning college football.
And in our game of the week:
#3 Pussies (2-0) vs. #5 Stay Puft (1-1)
So far this season no one has been able to lick the Pussies.
I'll give you a minute to recover from that one.
Dallas QB Tony Romo (playing for the appropriate team in this league) has struggled early on in the season and has had to rely on the supporting cast to keep the team unbeaten considering his real life team is currently very beaten. (And I'm loving it). Runningbacks Ray Rice and Rashard Mendalbaum, (louder) Mendalbaum, (louder) Mendalbaum, (loudest) Mendenhall have also yet to get fully going but have the talent to elevate this team even higher in the standings. Flex player, Pierre Thomas can add extra firepower to the arsenal with the loss of Reggie Bush, although it remains to be seen how Sean Payton will alter the game plan without the guy we once thought should have been drafted ahead of Mario Williams. Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids. Anyway, the receivers are the soft underbelly of this beast and may eventually lead to a downfall should Romo and the runningbacks not get in gear soon. But for now the pussies are primed to come out on top.
Everyone's favorite misunderstood movie villain is hoping to... for the sake for small children and the decency of everyone involved I won't continue that thought.
Stay Puft is lead by Houston QB Matt Schaub and his ridiculous passing statistics. Seriously, last week the guy threw for almost 500 yards. Just like in real life he's got plenty of weapons around him, starting with Colts WR Reggie Wayne and emerging NYGiants superstar receiver Hakeem 'the Dream, not Stevie" Nicks. Mike Wallace, usually gets 1 big piece in 60 Minutes (let me know if that one was too subtle) but typically it's the most memorable. At running back is Adrian Peterson, who despite not being a very talented pass catcher can still run the ball better than 99.9% of the league. His backfield mate, Ronnie Brown is currently not injured yet and waiting to face me so that he can put up 5 TDs before leaving in the first quarter of the following week's game with a season ending injury. Cheers to you Ronnie Brown. The Miami Defense doesn't get much press but here's all you need to know in support of my "they're good" claim - 4th and goal from the 1, in a one possession game, they stop Adrian Peterson for the 4th straight time. Maybe that's the secret of Stay Puft's success.
Alright everyone, a belated good luck this season. Remember to stay active, have fun and of course, don't tell the wifey this is why you can't go with her to her mother's on Sunday.
Oh and one more time for those too lazy to click the link:
Wes Welker is THE GREAT WHITE HOPE. (Rich wanna trade him?) O:-)
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