Week 2 Preview

[tom]

Some observations;

Baltimore is missing two and maybe even three starting offensive lineman, along with Travis Taylor. Not only would I not touch a Ravens player in this one, but can anyone explain why the Ravens are 2.5 point favorites? Vegas must know something we don't.

The Panthers offensive line may be in shambles, but when the Panthers are losing by 20 points in the third quarter, Foster will reel off ten-yard carries one after the other. Cheap as his production will be, it still counts the same.

Did the Broncos just do a wonderful job defending Gonzalez, or are the chiefs lack of receiving targets going to minimize his production? I'd be nervous.

I'm warming up to the Chargers rather quickly. The Tomlinson/Gates combo is very nice, but so to are the Chargers linebackers (Leber, Godfrey, Foley, Edwards). If Jammer and Davis continue to grow in the secondary, San Diego should be competitive all season.

Love Daniel Graham this week. Arizona will have their hands full defending the Patriots spread offense, and since Watson probably won't play, Graham should see even more passes headed in his direction.

Broncos over the Jags in a less-than-thrilling game to watch; 3-0. Would stay away from this game as much as possible - and take the under.

Charles Woodsen shuts down Moulds and Bledsoe won't avoid the rush - making for another dismal offensive output from the helpless Bills. Don't think I'd be in a hurry to start Henry either.

Falcons haven't beaten the Rams in the last seven games and they've been held to 19 points in the last three games combined. So, of course, they're favored (Vegas is amazing!). This is the worst team St. Louis has fielded since their first Super Bowl run - I think Vegas is right. It sounds like Duckett will be used more in this one since the Rams have minimal talent, and depth, in their front seven. This week should be a solid indicator as to whether Mora plans to stick with one back (Dunn) or play them according to the opponents. Does Brian Finneran become a fantasy threat? Looks like he's got a foothold on the starting spot opposite Price, and we know Price won't put up gaudy stats anytime soon.

Packers have won the last seven versus Chicago, but that's not really a stat that means much. However, in the last five games in this series, these teams have scored a combined 55 points or more. David Terrell, Walker, and Ferguson should get the benefit of doubt this week.

New Orleans; hold on, grabbing a coin here. heads means N.O. comes out of their funk and tails means the same old Saints stink up the joint. It's tails - ****! Is there any player worth starting on the Niners - even this week? Barlow? I'm glad I didn't draft him - would hate to make that decision every week - after probably spending a second round pick to draft the slug.

Seattle at Tampa is one of the tougher ones. We know the Bucs defense is still good, but nowhere near what they used to be. We also know the Hawks are for real, but we don't know if their road woes are a thing of the past - especially if Alexander is hobbled. Don't think I want any Bucs in this one. Might be one of those 13-10 games, Seattle may play this one a little more conservative, trying to limit mistakes, assuming Alexander doesn't play. If that's the case, no thanks, I'll pass.

Dallas and Cleveland, another game I have very little feel for. Are the Cowboys that bad and are the Browns that good? No is the answer to both those questions, Cleveland didn't do much of anything last week outside of a couple of big plays. Is this a conservative game, or is it another wild affair? We know Cleveland's offense is probably average, so I see a rather low-scoring game, in which case I'm not starting too many players, if any, in this one.

Houston and Detroit, maybe this one turns into one of those 60-point games. I imagine most folks have lost faith in Kevin Jones after last week, but I think he'll bounce back this week. Apparently, he showed very little patience in last week game, so perhaps he'll relax a bit with one game under his belt. And doesn't Detroit lean on him a little more due to the loss of Rogers? Sure, they have Steets (2) and Hakim (3), but those guys won't win many games. Neither defense is very good, I like this game from a fantasy standpoint.

Miami and the Bengals, what a painful Sunday night game. I do like Gordon in this one, Cincy's defense looks pretty bad and Gordon is the only healthy back that will be in uniform. Not sure what to make of the Bengals offense versus Miami. As long as the Phins offense doesn't turn the ball over, Cincy will struggle to put much together offensively. I like the Phins, and Gordon, and not much else.

I haven't seen anyone pick the Titans over the Colts, you know what that means - I LOVE the Titans. Whenever the "general public" overwhelmingly agrees on something, you can bet that most of the time the results will be just the opposite. Brown is supposed to play and the Colts are just plain soft. I see a typical physical Titans game, one in which they dominate the time of possession department. It should still be a relatively high scoring game.

Philly and the Vikes, can't wait for that one and like just about every player that's dressing - which means the final score will be 10-7, of course.

Good luck this weekend.

Stewy

[skintari]

Here's some players to watch this week.

Bears/Pack: Terrell and Ahman. Sexy Rexy is going to have to go to the air more often than not, so it should be ample proof to see if little Davey has grown up since last week. And Green should tear apart are soft hitting front for huge gains.

Vikes/Eagles: As much as I think this is going to be a shootout, you're prolly right with the 10-7 final score! We all know Moss and Owens can do, so this game is going to come out to the better ground game. Edge goes to the Vikes with Smith, but Mcnabb is going to compensate for Westbrook and win it in the last few minutes of the game.

Panthers/Chiefs: Yeah, Tony G was shutdown, but look at the lines on KC when they play at home. They outscore their opponets by like a million points. Have to go with the home team and Gonzalez will be the main factor this week. Foster should be productive against a below average line as well. Now if Carolina only had a passing game.....

Rams/Falcons: I like the dirtybirds in this one. The Rams had a tough time against Ari. (no offense guys!), and now they have to try and contain Vick? don;t think this is happening. I do see Faulk have a great game, but I see Vick starting to get on the same page with Price in this WCO. And stay away from all Atlanta backs until someone can figger out who is going to do what!

Denver/Jaguars: Leftwich is good at home. Real good. Look for Fred Taylor to have a good game. On the Denver side, I think the TEs will have the best stats. Yeah, I know, who woulda drafted a Denver tight end???

Steelers/Ravens: I'm with you on this Tom. Maybe Vegas is giving the odds based on Dieon???? Anyhoo, Pitt;s Blitz D will keep Lewis in check for another week and they just have too many weapons on offense for Baltimore to keep up. Look for Ward and Burress to have good numbers.

LIons/Texans: I like Williams. He has the ability to step into Rodgers' spot and perform. And against the Texans, he will. Kevin Jones...I still don;t trust him yet so start at your own risk. Carr will have a big game this week. As well as Andre Johnson and the double D (Dom Davis!).

Colts/Titans: I think the trend continues that the COlts beat the Titans at home. Especially if Chris Brown does not play. That means Derrick Mason should break off some huge catches. And Reggie Wayne makes up for some of those drops last week.

49rs/Aints: N.O. comes out firing against the 9rs this week. Look for huge numbers from Horn/Stallworth/McAllister. Um, I guess I;ll have to go with Eric Johnson (that;s the only guy I know from there!). But he should grab at least one TD and about 40 yards. And Barlow could find some seems in the below average run D of N.O.

Skins/Giants: Shockey will be productive as he runs the short routes that Warner will be able to get the ball to him. On the flip side, I;ll take Portis and Gardner as the Skins shred this vulnerable Giants D.

Hawks/Bucs: a healthy Alexander is doom for this TB D. And watch for more throws to K-Rob this week as Jackson will be in tight coverage. I don't like anybody on the Bucs offense.

Dallas/Cleveland: I like Garcia and I see him having a good game even against this D. If Suggs plays, he should also perform well. For Dallas, I say it;s time that they show us what Julius Jones can do. Let the kid get some on the job training here and watch him explode in his first feature game.

Bills/Raiders: I didn;t like anything about the Raid-ahs last week. And I don;t see that changing at home. Porter should start to put up some better stats after watching a week of film, but their RBs are in shambles. And Gannon is not the one. Moulds should torch the secondary this week. But stay away from McGahee until they start being truthful of when he;s gonna play.

Jets/Chargers: Hey Tom, the Chargers played against Houston last week....That D is not going to be able to hold up against Pennington and C-Mart. But Gates and La will be productive, just not enough to keep it close with the Pennington/McCariens combo. Santana will be in for a long night though with 2 speed corners on the secondary.

Pats/Cards: New England all the way. Dillon should have his way and be featured more in the offense this week. And unless Arizona goes with Scobey, they are not going to have much success.

Dolphins/Bengals: Palmer should break away a long toss to Johnson or two, but it won;t be enough when Miami shuts down Rudi. I also like Gordon, but the Phins will win by a defensive touchdown this week.

So there;s my hodgepodge of players that should excel this week..good luck to you all!

[tom]

I'm always hesitant to start receivers against DB's like McAllister, Woodson, and Bailey, so for that reason, I'm avoiding Moulds and Ward/Burress. Maddox was average at best last week, and things won't be easier against the Ravens in this one.

Bloody Mary time!

Stewy