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Week 2
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By Jason Lauren |
| September 14, 2007 |
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Just like in real life, first
impressions can be critical in fantasy football.
Week 1 is in the books. Let’s take a
look at some of the first impressions of the season that fantasy owners
should take note of, because they could have a lasting impact the
remainder of the year.
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Perhaps the biggest high-risk,
high-reward player entering the season was Washington running back
Clinton Portis. Injury concerns and the likelihood of splitting
carries with Ladell Betts dropped Portis down draft boards.
Portis and Betts each received 17 carries, but Portis clearly
outperformed Betts with a 98 to 59 yards advantage. Portis also scored
a TD. If this trend continues, Portis will start getting the majority
of the carries.
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With Travis Henry gone to
Denver, most thought Tennessee’s run game would suffer. After the
Titans gained 282 yards against Jacksonville’s tough defense, nobody
is thinking that anymore. Chris Brown gained a career-high 175
yards behind the Titans’ underrated offensive line. However, with
Brown’s injury history, his trade value may never be higher.
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Chicago running back Cedric
Benson got off to a slow start against San Diego, rushing for just
42 yards on 19 carries (2.2 average). His backup, Adrian Peterson,
meanwhile, gained 38 yards on seven carries (5.4 average). Don’t be
surprised if Peterson starts to get more carries. Benson owners
shouldn’t hit the panic button yet, but they should make sure they own
Peterson, too.
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One of the opening week’s biggest
busts was Seattle wide receiver Deion Branch, who didn’t record
a single catch and was thrown to just three times. Those numbers
aren’t what you expect from a player who’s supposed to be a top-notch
No. 1 receiver. Branch never has reached the 1,000-yard plateau or
scored more than five TDs in his career. With the way quarterback
Matt Hasselbeck spread the ball round in Week 1, that trend could
continue for Branch.
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Owners of New England
quarterback Tom Brady should be salivating after watching him
play catch with his new weapon, wide receiver Randy Moss (nine
catches, 183 yards). Moss caught all nine passes Brady threw his way.
With Moss looking like the Moss of old, Brady should be in line for a
monster season. |
HOT READ
Brandon Marshall, WR, Denver:
The second-year pro’s touchdown catch in Week 1 was a sign of things to
come. His size (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) and athletic ability will make him
a favorite target of quarterback Jay Cutler in the red zone.
BROKEN PLAYER
Mark Clayton, WR, Baltimore:
The Raven was a sleeper on many owners’ draft sheets. He seemed like he
was sleeping in the opening week after he didn’t pick up a single catch.
Keep in mind he has a toe injury that likely still is bothering him. Put
him on your bench until he shows he’s healthy in a game situation.
OFF THE BENCH
Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay:
If your starting quarterback has a tough matchup, consider starting
Favre against the New York Giants, who allowed a week-high 345 passing
yards last week. The Packers’ running game seems to be going nowhere, so
the veteran QB likely will air it out often.
SAFE BET
Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis:
Don’t worry about Jackson’s slow start (61 total yards, two fumbles) or
that tackle Orlando Pace is out for the season. Jackson did just fine
without Pace last season, collecting 684 total yards and 10 touchdowns
in the Rams’ last four games without Pace. So, don’t consider anything
crazy like trading Jackson. He’ll bounce back this week against San
Francisco.
EXTRA POINT
If you own New York Giants wide
receiver Plaxico Burress, keep a close eye on quarterback Eli
Manning’s injury status. If he misses a month, like some have
speculated, Burress’ fantasy value takes a huge hit with hefty-sized
Jared Lorenzen taking the snaps. Look to trade Burress if Manning
misses a significant amount of time.
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