Ahoy fantasy mavens, Colby
here taking temporary reins of the Shot Callers Report from the
O.G. Joseph. Throughout the year Joseph and I will be trading
off the column, attempting to bring you the best fantasy advice
east OR west of the Mississippi. Joseph was able to nail a few
solid sits and starts last
week, so with Week 1 in the bag, I’ll do my best to
follow up on his success. Let’s mix a little gut feeling,
with some undeniable statistics and get on to Week 2!
Note: Fantasy points
based on FF Today’s standard scoring system.
Bye Weeks: N/A
Jake Locker got the 2014 season off on
the right foot, notching a top-ten fantasy finish in Week
1.
Grab a Helmet
Jake
Locker v. DAL: As Joseph said last
week, any starting quarterback in the league has a shot at fantasy
relevancy against the Cowboys. Overrated or not, Kansas City is
a difficult place to win, and Locker looked calm and collected.
Although he took four sacks and was pressured a few other times,
Locker took care of the football and completed 67% of his throws
for 266 yards and two scores. Lacking a dominate pass rusher, the
Cowboys are forced to bring extra men to get to the quarterback,
and with the talent at receiver, and a coach who knows offense,
look for Locker to pepper Dallas with short throws to Kendall Wright
and Delanie Walker, and hit Justin Hunter or Nate Washington for
a long touchdown. Locker is a great play in a weekly fantasy league
or stream if you have a lower tier QB1.
Tom
Brady @ MIN: Brady’s monster statistical seasons may
be behind him, but last week vs Miami was an anomaly. The ferocious
Miami pass rush always gives Tom some trouble in South Beach, but
he’s usually able to make enough plays to win. Last week he was
harassed, hurried and could never find his rhythm and timing. So
how can I suggest him as a solid play against a Minnesota defense
that totally dismantled the Rams last week? Well a few reasons.
Cameron Wake doesn’t play for Minnesota, and Brady isn’t a career
back-up (Sorry Shaun Hill) or a bottom rung 3rd stringer (sorry
Austin Davis). Look for New England to work to establish the run
more this week, and for Brady to be much more efficient than he
was in the second-half against Miami (10 for 27). A healthy dose
of Shane Vereen out of the backfield, and an improving Gronk should
give Brady enough weapons to be a worthy start in 12-14 team leagues.
Aaron
Rodgers v. NYJ: After nearly being “double-checked” right
out of Seattle, Rodgers returns home to face an aggressive, but
vulnerable Jets defense. Seattle had the horses in the defensive
backfield to keep Rodgers pass catchers in check, but the Jets don’t,
so look for Rodgers to hit Randall Cobb on slants and bubble screens
to keep the pass rush honest, and burn the secondary with play action
passes to Jordy Nelson. Because of Jets strength against the run,
and recent concussion suffered by Eddie Lacy, look for a pass-heavy
game plan from the Packers. Ignore the rough opening week and plug
the Cheesehead quarterback into your lineups as a QB1.
Grab a Clipboard
Philip
Rivers v. SEA: Annually disrespected in fantasy circles,
Rivers, despite a top-five finish in 2013, was again overlooked
by fantasy owners in 2014 drafts; perhaps with good reason. Against
a depleted Cardinals defense on Monday night, Rivers failed to
get much going with his outside threats (Floyd and Allen combined
for 9-87-1 line), finishing with less than 250 yards and 1 score
for only the fifth time in his last 18 games. Facing Richard “Shutdown”
Sherman, and his cast of characters in the secondary, Rivers will
be forced once again to rely on check downs and button hooks to
his backs and receivers. Although he’s matured in his decision-making,
Rivers lacks the arm strength and mobility to make something out
of nothing against an attacking unit like the Seahawks. I expect
the Chargers to dial up a heavy dose of run plays, and the overall
score to be lower and closer than most people expect. Sorry Philip,
hit the bench!
Cam
Newton v. DET: Would you throw a wounded animal into
a den of hungry Lions? That’s what you would be doing if you started
Cam Newton this week against Detroit (and you’d be a terrible
person!) Fraught with risk prior to his rib injury, it remains
to be seen if Newton is able to take the next step in his development
as a quarterback and athlete. Although they showed well with a
backup quarterback against the Bucs, the Panther offense still
has questions along the line and at wide receiver. Part of what
makes Newton such an attractive option is his running ability.
As he rounds into health, don’t be surprised to see his rushing
attempts dialed back in an effort to keep him from re-injuring
his ribs. At home against a formidable Lions front four, look
for Carolina to go “shields up” by leaning on the running game,
and taking a few calculated shots downfield. Newton isn’t the
worst quarterback you can trot out this week, but given other
options, let Newton prove his health before you plug him in has
your unquestioned starter.
Eli
Manning v. ARI: Few quarterbacks have looked more inept
over the past six weeks than Eli Manning. Eli followed up his
horrific preseason with another baffling performance against the
Lions Monday night. Not only is Manning not on the same page as
his receivers, I’m not sure they are reading the same book!
(At one point Monday night it looked like the whole offense was
running the opposite play of the one that was called just to see
one of Eli’s sad faces) This offense seems to be doing five
different things at once and until you see some tangible improvement
as a unit, stay as far away from Manning as possible.
Running Backs
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