Week 1 Booms and Busts

This is something I did on a few forums last year...I'll stick them on here too.


BOOMS:

Frank Gore @ARI: Gore put up over 250 total yards and a score last year in his 2 games against Arizona, and he's supposed to see more touches this year than ever. If that's the case, Singletary will want to showcase him right away, especially while Shaun Hill gets comfy again. Look for another solid line.

Ray Rice vs KC: This guy is basically the starter this week. Even though he's in a committee, he may make for a decent RB2 play with KC's rebuilding D and the likelihood that Baltimore will clobber the Chiefs and run it a ton in the 2nd half. Flacco also looked for him at dumpoffs and flats several times in the preseason, and I see no reason that changes here. A score may not be in the cards because of the 2 fat cats behind him, but yardage and catches should be.

Mike Bell vs DET: As of writing this, it looks like Pierre Thomas won't play. If he does, obviously Bell isn't startable, but he makes for a nice flex play in this matchup if Thomas sits. Bell showed solid stuff in preseason, and had a decent rookie year with a nose for the endzone in Denver. If you're desperate, you may still find him on the FA list in even deep leagues (he was available in my 20 teamer and I snatched him up just in case).

Tim Hightower vs SF: We still don't know how the RB situation will shake out here, so I'm hesitant to call Hightower's number here in a sense. That said, he'll likely see at least double digit touches, is still 'the starter', and as far as we know, is the goal-line back. All that sets up for a decent flex play in deeper leagues.

Aaron Rodgers vs CHI: Chicago has been known for having a good D, but their top CB may be out/is definitely hampered this week, and Rodgers is still out to prove something after good stats but a failed year last season. He had 2 TDs in both games against the Bears last year, but given that this may be a shootout with an improved Bears O and retooling Packers D, he should get at least that and more yardage, if not more TDs.

Drew Brees vs DET: Look at the matchup. I know this is like me telling you AP against Cleveland will be a boom, but come on. Come on.

Matt Hasselbeck vs STL: His o-line is in absolute shambles, but the Rams are one of the best D's in the league to test a junky o-line out, and I think he'll do alright, especially since his RBs are an Old Man and a guy who runs about as well as Cedric Benson with a hangover. He'll have plenty of attempts and will want to play with his new toy.

Randy Moss vs BUF: The last time Moss had Brady in a season, he had about 250 yards and 6 TDs in 2 games against Buffalo. Just stop it.

Eddie Royal @CIN: This guy is going to have so many catches with Orton at the helm. Even with a lacerated finger, Orton/Marshall's rapport likely isn't strong yet, so he'll be looking at Royal a ton. Feast, my PPR pretties. Feast.


BUSTS:

Steve Slaton vs NYJ: Even with old whatshisname suspended on the Jets (this is how I'm referring to all players on teams I don't like from now on), the Jets still have a decent D, and a good defensive schemer in Rex Ryan, and the Jets need to keep the score so they don't have to engage in a shootout with a rookie QB. Besides, if Chris Brown really is the goal-line back, this is his annual "I'm Healthy Before I Break My Leg" Game. Expect RB2/RB3 #s from your #1 guy this week.

Chris Johnson @PIT: Remember how the Titans trashed Pittsburgh in Tennessee last year with 31 points and Johnson still had like 60 yards? Yeah, they're in Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh is mad. He may get several catches, but I expect slim rush totals.

Larry Johnson @BAL: Start him if you have to, but don't expect a whole lot. The one piece of good news for him is that IF Cassel is out, they might feed him the ball alot and hope to get lucky. Of course, once they're down by a ton, his rush totals quickly diminish. Run like a girl from this matchup if you can.

Jamal Lewis vs MIN: He's old and playing the best run D in the league, and as far as I know the Williams Wall is playing. Run. Run!

Not-So-Fast, Willie Parker! vs TEN: See what I did there? Anyways, Tennessee mauled him last year, and even with Big Al gone, Jason Jones is a decent replacement.

Trent Edwards @NE: 3 of his o-line starters haven't played yet, and Buffalo has lost something like 87 straight games to us. The NE secondary looks like junk right now, but so does Edwards, and he's on the road. Oh, and TO just proclaimed he doesn't like the no-huddle. Sounds like good chemistry to me.

Matt Ryan vs MIA: He is at home, but Miami's secondary is looking fairly solid this year, and Ryan has the flu. He's a warrior, but even though I'm starting him in a couple deeper leagues, I wouldn't be surprised with a totally pedestrian low 200s 1 TD type line.

Jason Campbell @NYG: Campbell had 1 TD against the Giants last year, and in New York, he coupled that with 133 yards in the air. You can hopefully do better.

Bernard Berrian @CLE: When your rancid, old, needs-to-retire QB says you're way off the same page, you know you might not produce right out of the gate. Especially when your game relies on speed and your hammy is hurting.

Terrell Owens @NE: See Trent Edwards for details. Oh, and historically, Shawn Springs owns him.

Lee Evans @NE: Go look at Evans' stats against New England. Any year. I'm aware TO should free up space for him, but no team shuts down a WR like NE shuts down Lee Evans (I don't know why, it just happens).

Antonio Bryant vs DAL: Leftwich is slow, and Dallas sacks QBs alot. Unless Bryant leads the league in catching wounded ducks, he might not put up a whole lot this week.





Good luck this week all...I'll be back shortly with some season predictions!