Eli Manning should be in line for a rebound
performance against a suspect Atlanta defense.
Grab a Helmet
Eli
Manning v. ATL: Yes, he and the Giants totally botched
the end of the Cowboys game, and the offense generated exactly zero
splash plays in the passing game, but I’ve got a feeling a rebound
for Eli and the Giants offense is coming. Atlanta played inspired
football for a half, but as the energy faded, so did the ability
to slow the Eagles offense last week. Sam Bradford carved them up
to the tune of 300-plus yards, and the Giants have the passing game
pedigree to do the same. Even with a suspect Giants offensive line,
Atlanta will struggle to generate the pass rush the Cowboys did,
and Sir OBJ and his company of merry receivers should pay a few
visits to the Meadowlands end zone this week. Feel good about locking
little Manning into a starting role, especially in daily leagues.
Drew
Brees v. TB: Let me know if you noticed the much ballyhooed
offensive transition in New Orleans last week, because I didn’t.
The talk of the off-season was how the Saints were ready to transform
into a smash mouth, run-based offense. Well let’s see. They passed
the ball 48 times and ran it 20 times. Final score aside, this was
a close game for four quarters, so what happened? What happened
is that this team’s best chance to win in 2015 is on the arm of
Brees and Sean Peyton knows it. Tampa Bay, fresh off a whitewashing
administered by a rookie QB, comes to town. Brees has potentially
the best match-up of the week and I expect the Saints to take to
the air early and often, and lean on the run game to bleed the clock
late. 300 yards and 2-plus scores are nearly a lock for steady Drew.
Ryan
Tannehill @ JAX: Although the final numbers don’t jump
off the stat sheet (22-34, 226 yards, 1 score) Tannehill showed
improvement in his deep ball accuracy, and was given the keys to
the offense in the opening week on the road. The addition of Jordan
Cameron, and the continued development of DeVante Parker and Jarvis
Landry gives Tannehill the best corps of receivers he’s had in his
career. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor isn’t afraid to air it
out, or call designed runs for the athletic Tannehill and the match-up
vs the Jags is favorable. He’s thrown for 400 total yards and 3
scores (and run for an additional 100 yards) in two career games
against Jacksonville, and makes for a high floor option in Week
2.
Grab a Headset
Tom
Brady @ BUF: In his last two road games against Rex
Ryan defenses, Brady has completed a Blake Bortles like 55% of
his passes for 410 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Yes, Tom flashed that square jawed scowl as he dissected the Steelers
last week, but the Bills present a much stiffer challenge in Week
2. Fresh off stifling the Colts elite passing game,(and with the
return of monster defensive tackle Marcell Dareus) Rex and the
Bills should be able to play the Patriot receivers aggressively,
as they lack a lid lifting receiver to punish the safeties. Look
for a run heavy game plan by the Pats as LeGarrette Blount returns
from suspension. Brady makes for a fine start, but temper your
yardage and touchdown total expectations.
Peyton
Manning @ KC (Thu): While little bro Eli makes my starts
of the week, Peyon joins fellow HOFer Brady on my unfavorable
list. If you’ve watched Manning over the years, it’s obvious he’s
lost quite a bit since the start of last season. Week 1 saw him
sailing passes past wide open receivers, timing issues on slants
and out cuts and a general malaise to the entire Denver offense.
Manning is a creature of habit, and something(s) is off. Maybe
he’s still getting used to the scheme like he says, or age is
proving to be too much to overcome, but playing against the aggressive
Chiefs in their home opener, in Prime Time, on a SHORT WEEK, is
way too many checks in the negative column. Manning was a miserable
17-34 for 179 yards in a late season game at the Chiefs in 2014,
and they were much less healthier on defense then. Hopefully you
have a higher upside back-up that you can lean on this week.
Cam
Newton v. HOU: The lack of offensive weaponry on Carolina
is bordering on criminal. Relying on bottom of the roster talent
at wide receiver, Newton struggled to generate offense against
the hapless Jaguars last week. His running ability will always
give him a high floor, but with the very testy J.J. Watt led Texans
coming to town, and yet another injury to a starting lineman,
the only running Newton will be doing will be for his life. Look
for the Panthers to try and force feed the ball to Greg Olsen,
and for Newton to be under fire. If your league gives negative
points for turnovers, this could make the situation even bleaker.
