2011 Monday Night Football Preview Wk 1: Patriots v Dolphins & Raiders v Broncos
Brady & Crew (credits below)
It is the first week of football so I am flying blind on this preview. Did anyone see Cam Newton having a record setting day? Who predicted the Ravens would manhandle the Steelers? Who predicted that Mike Tolbert would have a career day? This is why we love football because it is impossible to predict. That being said, here is my "in the dark" analysis:
Patriots v. Dolphins
Let's start from the bottom and work our way up. The Dolphins do not appear to have much, trying to find a Dolphin fantasy star is like trying to find a Kardashian without a reality show. There is the semi-washed up Reggie Bush who peaked in college, the QB who couldn't cut it with the Yankees and Brandon Marshall, the superstar wide receiver with a borderline personality disorder. None of that is very inspiring.
The Patriots are on the other side of the spectrum. Tom Brady is at the top and it all flows from there. Interestingly, aside from Mr. Bunchon, there is no true blue superstar. The artist formerly known as Chad Johnson would tend to disagree, but he has not been truly elite for the last couple years. But, the same was said about Randy Moss before his record setting year.
Brady is Brady. Whether it be a hot wife fantasy league or just plain football, you are starting him no matter what. Fantasy owners hoping for some clarification between Aaron Hernandez and the Gronk, will probably be disappointed, expect the same shuffle as last year. It appears, for now, that Belicheck has found a back he can live with, so for now, feel free to start BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
This looks like a Patriots blowout, and despite a wild first weekend, I feel confident in that assessment.
Raiders v. Broncos
The Raiders are a little interesting, for the first time in his career Jason Campbell has some continuity in his offensive system. I doubt it will make him a world beater, but he is certainly a competent professional Quarterback, a second year in the system can't hurt him. Behind him are two solid running backs. Darren McFadden finally shed his injury label and came through with a great fantasy year, people will be expecting something more this year. His backup, Michael Bush, could start for a lot of different teams. On the outside Jacoby Ford has a lot of promise, the Raiders will likely focus on their strength which is their running game so expect the defenses to stack the line, opening the outside for Ford.
The "Chosen One" is not the starter for the Broncos, perhaps he was never meant to play professional football. Maybe all he was meant to do was fix cleft pallets, or whatever he did in Africa, and sell FRS energy drinks. Despite the diety status of Tebow, the Broncos made the right move in going with Kyle Orton. Do not forget, Orton was shaping up to be the fantasy sleeper of the year last season, it's not impossible to think he could do it again. One possible issue is the fact that Josh McDaniel's is now tutoring Sam Bradford, so he will not be there to guide the Broncos Offense.
It will be interesting to see the dynamic between Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno; Ray Rice owners know how McGahee can vulture touchdowns, we could see a very similar situation here, especially with the smallish Moreno.
Give me the Raiders in this game.
Patriots v. Dolphins
Let's start from the bottom and work our way up. The Dolphins do not appear to have much, trying to find a Dolphin fantasy star is like trying to find a Kardashian without a reality show. There is the semi-washed up Reggie Bush who peaked in college, the QB who couldn't cut it with the Yankees and Brandon Marshall, the superstar wide receiver with a borderline personality disorder. None of that is very inspiring.
The Patriots are on the other side of the spectrum. Tom Brady is at the top and it all flows from there. Interestingly, aside from Mr. Bunchon, there is no true blue superstar. The artist formerly known as Chad Johnson would tend to disagree, but he has not been truly elite for the last couple years. But, the same was said about Randy Moss before his record setting year.
Brady is Brady. Whether it be a hot wife fantasy league or just plain football, you are starting him no matter what. Fantasy owners hoping for some clarification between Aaron Hernandez and the Gronk, will probably be disappointed, expect the same shuffle as last year. It appears, for now, that Belicheck has found a back he can live with, so for now, feel free to start BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
This looks like a Patriots blowout, and despite a wild first weekend, I feel confident in that assessment.
Raiders v. Broncos
The Raiders are a little interesting, for the first time in his career Jason Campbell has some continuity in his offensive system. I doubt it will make him a world beater, but he is certainly a competent professional Quarterback, a second year in the system can't hurt him. Behind him are two solid running backs. Darren McFadden finally shed his injury label and came through with a great fantasy year, people will be expecting something more this year. His backup, Michael Bush, could start for a lot of different teams. On the outside Jacoby Ford has a lot of promise, the Raiders will likely focus on their strength which is their running game so expect the defenses to stack the line, opening the outside for Ford.
The "Chosen One" is not the starter for the Broncos, perhaps he was never meant to play professional football. Maybe all he was meant to do was fix cleft pallets, or whatever he did in Africa, and sell FRS energy drinks. Despite the diety status of Tebow, the Broncos made the right move in going with Kyle Orton. Do not forget, Orton was shaping up to be the fantasy sleeper of the year last season, it's not impossible to think he could do it again. One possible issue is the fact that Josh McDaniel's is now tutoring Sam Bradford, so he will not be there to guide the Broncos Offense.
It will be interesting to see the dynamic between Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno; Ray Rice owners know how McGahee can vulture touchdowns, we could see a very similar situation here, especially with the smallish Moreno.
Give me the Raiders in this game.
(August 26, 2011 – Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images North America)
Written by Chris Summers exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football Advice, Monday Night Football, Week 1, Chris Summers, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos
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