Week One Aftermath

Ken Kelly Posted On September 13, 2011

Week one featured some supreme performances and some huge disappointments. We take a look back at week one and a look forward to week two as we bring back a DLF staple series of articles – the weekly aftermath.

Week One Fantasy MVP

Tom Brady had a game for the ages, that’s for sure. Simply put, his 517 yard performance is the type of game you see once a season. That being said, you have to give the award to Cam Newton, who had an unbelievable day against the Cardinals. While Brady’s day was incredible, Newton’s was simply shocking. Cam looked inaccurate, uncomfortable and basically inept all preseason. His opening day looked like the complete opposite as he went 24-for-37 for 422 yards, with two passing touchdowns, 18 rushing yards and another touchdown on the ground. He also had just one interception.

Huh?

This was obviously a breakout game for Newton that showed he may just have what it takes to be an effective starter. Take it with a grain of salt, though. He’s still a fantasy backup and project player – one game doesn’t make a career.

It was a good one, though. For one week in 2011, he was an entertainer and an icon.

Week One Fantasy LVP

After holding out for most of the preseason, fantasy owners breathed a sigh of relief when Chris Johnson signed in time to be ready for the opener. After his week one performance, he finds himself just 1,976 yards shy of the 2,000 he was hoping for this year. Yep, Johnson posted just 24 rushing yards on nine carries and had just 25 yards on six catches.

His PPR owners at least benefited from some catches, but this was a horribly disappointing day. Fret not, though. We’re confident he won’t be known as CJ24 yards all season.

Lineup Fun

You probably won if your lineup looked like this…

QB Cam Newton CAR  = 422 passing yards, two TDs, INT, 18 rush yards, one rush TD
RB Ray Rice BAL  = 107 rushing yards, 42 receiving yards, two total touchdowns
RB Mike Tolbert SD  = 35 rushing yards, 58 receiving yards, three total touchdowns
RB LeSean McCoy PHI  = 122 rushing yards, 15 receiving yards, two total touchdowns
WR Steve Smith CAR = Eight catches, 178 yards, two touchdowns
WR Wes Welker NE = Eight catches, 160 yards, two touchdowns
WR Calvin Johnson DET = Six catches, 88 yards, two touchdowns
TE Scott Chandler BUF  = Five catches, 63 yards, two touchdowns

You probably lost if your lineup looked like this…

QB Ben Roethlisberger PIT = 280 passing yards, one touchdown, three INTs, two lost fumbles
RB Rashard Mendenhall PIT = 45 rushing yards, one lost fumble
RB Knowshon Moreno DEN = 22 rushing yards, 35 receiving yards, one lost fumble
RB Chris Johnson TEN = 24 rushing yards, 25 receiving yards
WR Lee Evans BAL = No catches
WR Mike Sims-Walker STL = One catch, five receiving yards
WR Dwayne Bowe KC = Two catches, 17 yards
TE Lance Kendricks STL = One catch, 18 yards

Gut Checks

I’d be worried if…

I owned Ryan Grant in a dynasty league. Grant was outplayed by James Starks in the opener and Mike McCarthy is promising more time for Starks in the future. It just looks like Grant has lost a step and he’s going to be a rotational player in a committee attack at best going forward.

I’m counting on James Jones for anything in the near future. Jones has seemingly lost his place in the offense. Jordy Nelson simply makes too many plays to keep on the bench and Randall Cobb showed he could be the steal of the draft this year.

I own Marques Colston in a dynasty league. We talked about this issue earlier this week, but it bears mentioning again – relying on Colston as a WR1 or WR2 in a dynasty league is a dangerous proposition with his checkered injury history.

I have Matt Cassel on my dynasty roster. Cassel finished Sunday’s game against Buffalo going 22-for-36 for 119 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. The line actually looks better than he did. After a dreadful preseason, Cassel looks lost without Charlie Weis as his offensive coordinator.

I own any Colts player. Most people thought the Colts would lose at Houston in the opener, but they were embarrassed and trailed by 34 points at the half. Kerry Collins looked old and every Colts skill player is going to have their value affected by the loss of Peyton Manning. While it’s not time to jump ship, it IS time to downgrade each player on the Colts at least one tier.

I own Jimmy Clausen in a dynasty league. Being passed by Cam Newton for the starting position is one thing. Being passed by Derek Anderson for the backup job is something else entirely.

I’m relying on consistency from LeGarrette Blount. He offers nothing in the passing game and hardly played after the Bucs trailed in the game. There may be no other running back more dependent on his team being ahead to guarantee production than Blount.

I own Zach Miller or any other Seahawk. Seattle’s offense is downright terrible and they travel to an angry Pittsburgh next week. The line on that game should be at least 12.5 and the Hawks look to be in the driver’s seat for Andrew Luck at the moment.

I have Arian Foster as my bell cow. Ben Tate looked very good on Sunday and Derrick Ward helped out as well. Look, there’s no way that Tate can challenge Foster for the top spot on the depth chart. However, his play is going to ensure the Texans don’t rush Foster back and Houston is going to have some confidence in mixing Tate in a little bit this season. Foster could still very well lead fantasy in scoring, but there’s just no urgency for Houston to do anything but play it safe.

I have Donovan McNabb as my QB2. I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw a quarterback post 39 passing yards in a game without getting injured or benched. The Vikings offense revolves around Adrian Peterson, but that was ridiculous.

I’m relying on Greg Little for early fantasy production. I was amazed during the DLF Sunday morning chat at the number of lineup questions we had about Little. It seemed many owners were considering him over established options. It’s way too early.

I’m playing any team with Matt Stafford or Calvin Johnson in their lineup. Thanksgiving may never be the same.

I have Nate Kaeding as my kicker. It looks like he tore his ACL on the first play of the season. Go Chargers special teams!

I’m relying on DeAngelo Williams every week. Williams didn’t look good against Arizona and Jonathan Stewart played an equal amount. It looks like only an injury to one or the other is going to make either of them consistently relevant this season.

I have Shonn Greene as my RB2. Last year was supposed to be the year, now THIS year is supposed to be the year. He started the season with just 26 yards on ten carries. Yes, it’s just one game, but we expected much more out of the gate after all the hype this offseason.

I expect any early season work from any Redskins running back other than Tim Hightower. While the latest edition of running back musical chairs is likely inevitable at some point this season, Roy Helu and Ryan Torain combined for one carry this week.

I own Knowshon Moreno. There was a rejuvenation of excitement swirling around Moreno as John Fox arrived in town and didn’t bring DeAngelo Williams or another featured back with him. The Broncos were expected to pound the ball at the Raiders this week, but ended up throwing the ball 46 times and had just 13 rushing attempts. Much of that was attributed to the score, but Moreno ended with just 22 yards, a lost fumble and a late game injury. Sigh.

I’m expecting anything from Chad Ochocinco any time soon. Tom Brady threw for 517 yards and 14 of them went to Ochocinco. He’s a long way from being relevant again.

A Look Ahead to Hot Names on the Week Two Waiver Wire
Ranked in no particular order

1. Adrian Arrington, WR NO

With Marques Colston out for at least a month, it’s up to Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson to carry the load. We’ve seen both of those players deal with inconsistency throughout their career, so Arrington’s time could finally be coming.

2. Jacoby Jones, WR HOU

With Kevin Walter out for a while, Jones vaults into the starting lineup for the Texans. He’s been a constant tease in dynasty leagues, but he has a great chance now.

3. Doug Baldwin, WR SEA

Baldwin had a strong preseason, nearly bumping Golden Tate off the roster. He showed he belongs with a four catch, 83 yard performance that included his first ever touchdown. The Seahawks offense is awful, but Baldwin cannot be ignored much longer.

4. Sean Lee, LB DAL

Lee has always had potential, but really played well in his first start with twelve tackles and an INT. The Cowboys are going to find it tough to bench him again.

5. Dan Connor, LB CAR

Jon Beason is out for the year, so Connor could emerge as a huge weapon in IDP leagues as his replacement.

6. Fred Davis, TE WAS

Davis exploded for five catches and 105 yards this week and that was with Chris Cooley IN the lineup. Davis has always looked the part and it seems he may be putting it all together.

7. Scott Chandler, TE BUF

Don’t expect another two touchdown performance from Chander any time soon, but he made good on his chance to start for the Bills.

8. Cadillac Williams, RB STL

Steven Jackson could be out for a while with a quad injury and Williams looked rejuvenated on Sunday, with 150 total yards. The problem owners will have next week is the fact the Rams don’t play until Monday, making it tough to know if he may start the game. Perhaps we’ll know more about Jackson’s injury earlier this week.

9. Brandon Gibson, WR STL

Someone has to take advantage of Amendola’s injury in the short term and Gibson seems to be the most likely candidate at the moment. Greg Salas could also get a nice bump, but he’s more likely already owned in a dynasty league.

10. David Nelson, WR BUF

The Bills are desperately looking for someone to step up and be the second receiver next to Steve Johnson and Nelson looked the part on Sunday with four catches for 66 yards.

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK