I'm not trying to infringe on any copyrights here, but "Are you ready for some football?"
I know I am, especially because I know my RapidDraft team is fully capable of capturing the $250,000 grand prize. I hope you liked the quality of material that was provided in the preseason, because you'll be seeing it a lot during the regular season as well, starting this week. Let's get to it, beginning with starters and sitters.
OBVIOUS STARTS
Quaterback: Matthew Stafford, Detroit -- The Saints have a potent offense led by reigning 5,000 yard passer Drew Brees. I suspect the Lions will fall behind early and rely on the passing game all game long. The Saints' secondary, although improved, is still average at best against the pass. And I don't care that Stafford is a rookie, he has 6-foot-5-inch Calvin "Megatron" Johnson and a very small group of defensive backs to throw against.
Running back: Cedric Benson, Cincinnati -- The Broncos were 31st, trailing only the 0-16 Lions, in rushing yards allowed (5.0) last season, and it doesn't look like they've done enough to improve that aspect of the defense. With Carson Palmer still probably not 100 percent, expect a heavy dose of both Benson and rookie Bernard Scott in this one.
Wide receiver: Chansi Stuckey, New York Jets -- This is my pick for the breakout player at wide receiver in Week One. Stuckey was very impressive in the off-season, and will go out and prove why the Jets don't need Brandon Marshall. During the third preseason game against the Giants, starter Mark Sanchez hooked up with Stuckey four times for 69 yards in the first half -- a haul that included passes of 29 and 31 yards and a touchdown. He's listed as a starter.
Tight end: John Carlson, Seattle -- The Rams have two rangy safeties who have a nose for the football, so the Seahawks and Matt Hasselbeck will probably resort to a lot of short and intermediate passes while taking advantage of weak cover linebackers. For the record, Carlson recorded 7 receptions and 114 yards against the Rams in two games last season.
NON-OBVIOUS SITS
Quarterback: Matt Cassel, Kansas City -- It's bad enough that fantasy owners have to deal with Cassel's leg injury. Insert the second-best pass defense from a year ago in the Baltimore Ravens, and you have a recipe for a major flop. Don't even think about starting Cassel or Tyler Thigpen if the former Patriot can‘t go.
Running back: Clinton Portis, Washington -- I know he's probably a No. 1 starter on a few fantasy teams, but the Redskins open on the road against the Giants. It's pretty much the same Giants team that Portis rushed for 106 yards on 34 carries in two games against last season; a rushing average of 3.1 yards per carry.
Wide receiver: Roy Williams, Dallas -- Not only will Williams be dealing with a pesky shoulder injury, but a pesky Ronde Barber as well. I also suspect that quarterback Tony Romo will try his best to find other open targets to prevent any further damage to Williams' shoulder so he can get back to 100 percent, because he's that important to the Cowboys 2009 "whole" season.
Tight end: Antonio Gates, San Diego -- To put it nicely, the Raiders had trouble stopping the run in 2008 (159.7 yards allowed per game), and with what I saw in the preseason I suspect that nothing will change in 2009. This leads me to believe that Gates won't have a productive week, because the Chargers won't need to throw him the ball. However, a heavy portion of Tomlinson and Sproles may be on the Chargers offensive plate.
Week 1 Burning Questions Answered
RapidDraft writers Eric Huber, Matt Schauf, and Frank Mazzola put their knowledge to the test and give you their insight on three burning fantasy questions heading in to opening kickoff 2009.
Do you start your best players drafted or play match-ups in Week One?
Huber: I normally stick to starting the best players drafted, but if I believe a match-up is too favorable to pass up I'll switch strategies.
Schauf: You can't get too into playing matchups this first time out, because we don't really know just how everyone matches up before any regular season games have been played. That said, if I'm trying to decide between, say, LenDale White and another back this week, you can bet that facing the Steelers will be a mark against White.
Mazzola: I start my best players regardless of matchups during Week One. I'm not really big on the matchup thing anyway, considering there are so many variables involved and players rarely perform exactly how you expect them to (like when Ryan Grant only ran for 20 yards against woeful Detroit last year). Just play your studs and don't get cute.
Name one player who doesn't have a RapidDraft ADP who will stun the fantasy world with a breakthrough performance in Week One.
Huber: I have to go with Mike Bell here. Pierre Thomas is not 100 percent healthy, and you never know what will happen with Reggie Bush. Plus, I believe when the Saints build a huge lead on the Lions, Bell will see the field regardless.
Schauf: No undrafted player according to RD ADP will "stun" us and become a stud. A few guys who could certainly provide some value this season, though, are Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley, Seattle receiver Deon Butler and Jacksonville wideout Mike Thomas. Finley should outscore teammate Donald Lee and could put up something like six touchdowns in a high-powered Green Bay offense. Butler should be in line for plenty of looks in Seattle with some aging and fragile veterans in front of him. Thomas missed much of the preseason because of injury but has little proven talent to contend with for passing looks in Jacksonville.
Mazzola: I think Mike Bell plays in place of Pierre Thomas and rips apart the Lions for 100-plus yards. He has looked good in preseason and if the Saints are up big, they may want to rest the passing game and let him eat up the clock.
Who will be the top performers at each position for Week One?
Huber: QB -- Peyton Manning; RB -- Cedric Benson; WR -- Larry Fitzgerald; TE -- Dallas Clark
Schauf: QB -- Drew Brees; RB -- LaDainian Tomlinson; WR -- Marques Colston; TE -- John Carlson
Mazzola: QB -- Tom Brady; RB -- LaDainian Tomlinson; WR -- Anquan Boldin; TE -- Antonio Gates
Special Feature: Week 1 Game Breakdown
Green Bay vs. Chicago
The season is finally here, and most of the Packers fans I've spoken to about 2009 have all expressed how pleased they are with the way the team has looked, and have high hopes for the green and gold this season. So how do the Packers match-up against the Bears? Here is a position-by-position look:
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers vs. Jay Cutler -- From a fantasy and real-life perspective, I'm starting Rodgers all day over Cutler. He has a lot more weapons to throw to and is playing at Lambeau, where he achieved a 104.7 quarterback rating in 2008. Let's also not forget that Rodgers also threw four touchdowns on the Bears defense in two games in ‘08.
Running back
Ryan Grant vs. Matt Forte
Believe it or not, last season Grant recorded more rushing yards against the Bears (206) than Forte did against the Pack (137), but the fact remains that, as noted above, the Packers' new blitz scheme should favor Matt Forte getting a lot more touches, especially in the passing game. The Bears rusher is definitely the better play of the two.
Wide Receiver
Greg Jennings and Donald Driver vs. Earl Bennett and Devin Hester
Is this really worth discussing? Every Packers, Bears, and fantasy fan knows that the Packers' top two are far more talented and will have more productive games than their Bears counterparts. In fact, I would start Driver and Jennings (2304 receiving yards combined in 2008) if I had them both before I would start either Bennett (0) or Hester (665).
Tight End
Donald Lee and Jermichael Finley vs. Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark
I know, I know -- Finley is poised for a big season in 2009, however I want you take a deep breath, and see the truth in this matchup. The reality is that Olsen (574 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in 2008) is by far the best of this bunch and Desmond Clark (367, 1) isn't too shabby for a second option. Olsen and Clark get my vote here.
Kicker
Mason Crosby vs. Robbie Gould
Don't put too much thought in to this kicker quandary, but do keep in mind that Crosby struggled in the preseason, and the Packers offense will score more touchdowns in this game.
Defense
By the numbers: 2008
Points Allowed Per Game: GB- 23.8, CHI- 21.9
Pass Yards Allowed Per Game: GB- 202.8, CHI- 241.1
Rush Yards Allowed Per Game: GB- 131.6, CHI- 93.5
Advantage -- Based on the overall numbers, the clear advantage goes to the Bears. However the Packers have added much more talent, have changed their scheme, and look so much better heading in to 2009. Therefore, I'm taking a wait-and-see approach, but am leaning towards the home team Packers.
Key Factors
For the Packers, it's hitting the big plays early and building a big lead to force the Bears to throw the ball more often. For the Bears, it's getting Matt Forte going early and often to not only eat up the clock and score points, but to keep the defense fresh as well.
Thanks for reading! Good luck and don't forget to follow your RapidDraft team.
