Week One Match-ups
September 10, 2004
Quarterbacks
Plus Plays:
Marc Bulger, StL -- Arizona should not cause trouble for Bulger and the Rams passing game, as the Cardinals had the 29th-ranked passing defense and was 31st in passing TDs allowed. Bulger has owned the Cards, having passed for 3 TDs and 272 yards last season. Doesn't get much easier than this.
Brad Johnson, TB -- Johnson threw for 268 yards 4 TDs ladst year against the Redskins -- and that was without new WRs Joey Galloway, Michael Clayton and future HOFer Tim Brown, and new RB Charlie Garner in the backfield. The Bucs should roll again.
Tommy Maddox, Pit -- Oakland's pass defense ranked 22nd with an average of 212 ypg and 21 TDs allowed. A good Steerler passing attack should use this to its advantage.
Negative Plays:
Carson Palmer, Cin -- The Jets have a paltry secondary, but a solid front seven, which should put a damper on his debut as the Bengals' starting QB. If you have someone better on your roster, play him. If not, well, he'll do OK, but, good luck.
Jeff Garcia, Cle -- Imagine starting your first game with a new franchise, which happens to be a bad team, in the first game of the season -- and Ray Lewis is looking right you from about six yards away. Mmmm. Garcia (if he survives) should have a good season with the Browns, but avoid him this week.
Byron Leftwich, Jac -- Leftwich is another QB that should do fine in 2004, but not in Week One. In addition to having a shaky preseason and a pesky thumb injury, he faces an improved Buffalo defense that will raise havoc with the youngster. Plus, the Bills surprised the Patroits in the 2003 opener, so they know how to come out of the chute.
1 Daunte Culpepper, Min
2 Marc Bulger, StL
3 Peyton Manning, Ind
4 Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
5 Donovan McNabb, Phi
6 Steve McNair, Ten
7 Chad Pennington, NYJ
8 Trent Green, KC
9 Aaron Brooks, NO
10 Michael Vick, Atl
11 Tom Brady, NE
12 Brett Favre, GB
13 Jake Delhomme, Car
14 Jake Plummer, Den
15 Brad Johnson, TB
16 David Carr, Hou
17 Joey Harrington, Det
18 Tommy Maddox, Pit
19 Drew Bledsoe, Buf
20 Jeff Garcia, Cle
21 Byron Leftwich, Jac
22 Rich Gannon, Oak
23 Josh McCown, Ari
24 Vinny Testaverde, Dal
25 Carson Palmer, Cin
26 Mark Brunell, Was
27 Rex Grossman, Chi
28 Kurt Warner, NYG
29 Tim Rattay, SF
30 Kyle Boller, Bal
31 Jay Fiedler, Mia
32 Drew Brees, SD
Running Backs
Plus Plays:
Jamal Lewis, Bal -- Lewis plus the Browns' defense equals feast! In his last four "contests" with Clevelland, Lewis has gained 837 total yards and score 4 TDs.
Marshall Faulk, StL -- Simply put when, Faulk is healthy, you start him. Also, while he wouldn't admit it, Martz is working to keep his job, so he's going to come out guns blazing.
Quentin Griffin, Den -- Who knows, with Shanahan, what the Denver RB situation is going to look like. But for the time being, Griffin's the man, and he's facing the hideously famous porous Chiefs; defense. A nearly guaranteed big game.
Negative Plays:
Travis Henry, Buf -- Jacksonville has one of the top run defenses in the NFL. Henry will do okay, but it will be a performance that will give McGahee some brief hope.
Kevan Barlow, SF -- The Niners' passing attack will be slow out of the gate, so opposing defenses with make it their top priority to stop Barlow. Atlanta will stack the box and force the passing game. Until it succeeds, Barlow will find it tough going early.
1 Priest Holmes, KC
2 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
3 Jamal Lewis, Bal
4 Deuce McAllister, NO
5 Shaun Alexander, Sea
6 Marshall Faulk, StL
7 Ahman Green, GB
8 Domanick Davis, Hou
9 Clinton Portis, Was
10 Edgerrin James, Ind
11 Quentin Griffin, Den
12 Fred Taylor, Jac
13 Rudi Johnson, Cin
14 Chris Brown, Ten
15 Kevan Barlow, SF
16 Stephen Davis, Car
17 Brian Westbrook, Phi
18 Corey Dillon, NE
19 Duce Staley, Pit
20 Travis Henry, Buf
21 Tiki Barber, NYG
22 Thomas Jones, Chi
23 Warrick Dunn, Atl
24 Curtis Martin, NYJ
25 Kevin Jones, Det
26 Charlie Garner, TB
27 Moe Williams, Min
28 Tyrone Wheatley, Oak
29 TJ Duckett, Atl
30 Julius Jones, Dal
31 Eddie George, Dal
32 DeShaun Foster, Car
33 William Green, Cle
34 Emmitt Smith, ARI
35 Jerome Bettis, Pit
36 Travis Minor, Mia
37 Onterrio Smith, Min
38 Sammy Morris, Mia
39 Steven Jackson, StL
40 LaMont Jordan, NYJ
41 Willis McGahee, BUF
42 Garrison Hearst, Den
43 Ron Dayne, NYG
44 Tony Hollings, Hou
45 Troy Hambrick, Oak
46 Chester Taylor, BAL
47 Kevin Faulk, NE
48 Mike Alstott, TB
49 Tatum Bell, Den
50 Richie Anderson, DAL
51 Najeh Davenport, GB
52 Labrandon Toefield, Jax
53 Anthony Thomas, Chi
54 Antowain Smith, Ten
55 Artose Pinner, DET
56 Justin Fargas, Oak
57 Dorsey Levins, Phi
58 Stacey Mack, Hou
59 Amos Zereoue, OAK
60 Lee Suggs, Cle
Wide Receivers
Plus Plays:
Joe Horn and Donte' Stallworth, NO -- While Seattle improved its 27th-ranked passing defense, Horn and Stallworth should have solid games games Despited the upgraded secondary, the duo is too talented to keep under control the entire game.
Santana Moss, NYJ -- Moss was one of the top WR last year. With Pennington Healthy, this Moss' chance to prove it was for real.
Rod Smith, Den -- While he was kept out of the end zone, Smith did have 250 yards receiving in two games against the Chiefs last year. Without McCaffrey and Sharpe, Smith is pretty much the only game in town and Kansas City is the perfect for to put it on display.
Negative Plays:
Derrick Mason, Ten -- The Miami secondary will focus on Mason with its stellar CBs. The Dolphins must shut him down, as spotty as the Miami's offense is. Plus, how is either team going to pass in a hurricane???
Jimmy Smith, Jac -- While the Bills' front seven swarm Leftwich, Buffalo's stellar CBs will shut down Smith -- Leftwich's only target. Reggie Williams will give Smith some relief on the other side, but not in the first game.
Koren Robinson, Sea -- In facing last season's No. 8 passing defense, someone in the Seattle receiving corps is going to suffer. That will be the inconsistent Robinson.
1 Torry Holt, StL
2 Randy Moss, Min
3 Terrell Owens, Phi
4 Chad Johnson, Cin
5 Hines Ward, Pit
6 Marvin Harrison, Ind
7 Steve Smith, Car
8 Santana Moss, NYJ
9 Darrell Jackson, Sea
10 Andre Johnson, Hou
11 Joe Horn, NO
12 Derrick Mason, Ten
13 Laveranues Coles, Was
14 Chris Chambers, Mia
15 Eric Moulds, Buf
16 Rod Smith, Den
17 Charles Rogers, Det
18 Jerry Porter, Oak
19 Deion Branch, NE
20 Isaac Bruce, StL
21 Donte' Stallworth, NO
22 Jimmy Smith, Jac
23 Peerless Price, Atl
24 Plaxico Burress, Pit
25 Amani Toomer, NYG
26 Brandon Lloyd, SF
27 Koren Robinson, Sea
28 Keyshawn Johnson, Dal
29 Joey Galloway, TB
30 Justin McCareins, NYJ
31 Muhsin Muhammad, CAR
32 Javon Walker, GB
33 Drew Bennett, Ten
34 Ashley Lelie, Den
35 Reggie Wayne, Ind
36 Larry Fitzgerald, Ari
37 Kevin Johnson, Bal
38 Quincy Morgan, Cle
39 Nate Burelson, Min
40 Rod Gardner, Was
41 Terry Glenn, Dal
42 Jerry Rice, Oak
43 Donald Driver, GB
44 Roy Williams, Det
45 Eddie Kennison, KC
46 Marty Booker, Mia
47 Robert Ferguson, GB
48 David Terrell, CHI
49 Andre' Davis, Cle
50 Ike Hilliard, NYG
51 Dante Hall, KC
52 Eric Parker, SD
53 Peter Warrick, Cin
54 Tai Streets, DET
55 Justin Gage,CHI
56 Todd Pinkston, PHI
57 Bobby Engram, SEA
58 Dennis Northcutt, CLE
59 Reggie Williams, Jac
60 Josh Reed, BUF
Tight Ends
1 Tony Gonzalez, KC
2 Todd Heap, Bal
3 Alge Crumpler, Atl
4 Kellen Winslow, Jr, Cle
5 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
6 Randy McMichael, Mia
7 Antonio Gates, SD
8 Boo Williams, NO
9 Freddie Jones, Ari
10 Daniel Graham, NE
11 Marcus Pollard, Ind
12 LJ Smith, Phi
13 Dallas Clark, Ind
14 Erron Kinney, Ten
15 Jason Witten, Dal
16 Bubba Franks, GB
17 Billy Miller, Hou
18 Anthony Becht, NYJ
19 Jerramy Stevens, Sea
20 Jim Kleinsasser, Min
21 Desmond Clark, Chi
22 Eric Johnson, SF
23 Mark Campbell, Buf
24 Jeb Putzier
25 Brandon Manumaleuna, StL
26 Itula Mili, Sea
27 Ernie Conwell, NO
28 Stephen Alexander, Det
29 Doug Jolley, Oak
30 Christian Fauria, NE
31 Teyo Johnson, Oak
32 Matt Schobel, Cin
Kickers
1 Mike Vanderjagt, Ind
2 Jason Elam, Den
3 David Akers, Phi
4 Jeff Wilkins, StL
5 Matt Stover, Bal
6 Ryan Longwell, GB
7 John Kasay, Car
8 Adam Vinatieri, NE
9 Jason Hanson, Det
10 Jay Feely, Atl
11 Josh Brown, Sea
12 Morten Andersen, Min
13 Lawrence Tynes, KC
14 Sebastian Janikowski, Oak
15 Paul Edinger, Chi
16 John Carney, NO
17 Martin Gramatica, TB
18 Jeff Reed, Pit
19 Kris Brown, Hou
20 Phil Dawson, Cle
21 Olindo Mare, Mia
22 Doug Brien, NYJ
23 Shayne Graham, Cin
24 John Hall, Was
25 Rian Lindell, Buf
26 Todd Peterson, SF
27 Billy Cundiff, Dal
28 Josh Scobee, Jac
29 Neil Rackers, Ari
30 Steve Christie, NYG
31 Nate Kaeding, SD
32 Whomever shows up for the Titans
Team Defenses
1 Baltimore Ravens
2 Philadelphia Eagles
3 New England Patriots
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5 Jacksonsville Jaguars
6 St. Louis Rams
7 Buffalo Bills
8 Minnesota Vikings
9 Pittsburgh Steelers
10 Tennessee Titans
11 Carolina Panthers
12 Miami Dolphins
13 Kansas City Chiefs
14 Dallas Cowboys
15 Atlanta Falcons
16 Seattle Seahawks
17 Denver Broncos
18 Detroit Lions
19 Chicago Bears
20 Green Bay Packers
21 Oakland Raiders
22 Washington Redskins
23 Houston Texans
24 New York Jets
25 Indianapolis Colts
26 San Francisco 49ers
27 Arizona Cardinals
28 Cleveland Browns
29 San Diego Chargers
30 Cincinnati Bengals
31 New Orleans Saints
32 New York Giants
Defensive Backs
1 Rodney Harrison, NE
2 Edward Reed, Bal
3 Greg Wesley, KC
4 Adam Archuleta, StL
5 Darren Sharper, GB
6 Tony Parrish, SF
7 Dre' Bly, Det
8 Roy Williams, Dal
9 Sean Taylor, Was
10 Ronde Barber, TB
11 Nick Harper, Ind
12 Sammy Knight, Mia
13 Corey Chavous, Min
14 Brian Russell, Min
15 Aeneas Williams, StL
16 Troy Polamalu, Pit
17 Mike Doss, Ind
18 Ken Hamlin, Sea
19 Terrence Kiel, SD
20 Adrian Wilson, Ari
21 Michael Lewis, Phi
22 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
23 Mike Minter, Car
24 Ricky Manning, Car
25 Jay Bellamy, NO
26 Rogers Beckett, Cin
27 Antoine Winfield, Min
28 Brian Dawkins, Phi
29 Shaun Williams, NYG
30 Ty Law, NE
31 Mark Roman, GB
32 Eric Brown, Hou
33 Terence Newman, Dal
34 Fred Thomas, NO
35 Patrick Surtain
36 Robert Griffith, Cle
37 Nate Clements, BUF
38 Brian Williams, Min
39 Deon Grant, Jac
40 Reggie Tongue, NYJ
41 Quentin Jammer, SD
42 Matt Bowen, Was
43 Phillip Buchanon, OAK
44 Tank Williams, Ten
45 Mike Green, Chi
46 Rashean Mathis, Jac
47 Marcus Coleman, Hou
48 Donovin Darius, Jac
49 Jerome Woods, KC
50 Charles Tillman, Chi
Defensive Linemen
1 Michael Strahan, NYG
2 Leonard Little, StL
3 Mike Rucker, Car
4 Jason Taylor, Mia
5 Simeon Rice, TB
6 John Abraham, NYJ
7 Jevon Kearse, Phi
8 Charles Grant, NO
9 Dwight Freeney, Ind
10 Adewale Ogunleye, Chi
11 Aaron Schobel, Buf
12 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
13 Patrick Kerney, Atl
14 Julius Peppers, Car
15 Kenechi Udeze, Min
16 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
17 Grant Wistrom, Sea
18 Courtney Brown, Cle
19 Rod Coleman, Atl
20 Greg Ellis, Dal
21 John Henderson, Jac
22 Eric Hicks, KC
23 Kevin Williams, Min
24 Reggie Hayward, Den
25 Kenard Lang, Cle
26 Michael Haynes, Chi
27 Kalimba Edwards, Det
28 Richard Seymour, NE
29 Marcus Stroud, Jac
30 Chike Okeafor, Sea
31 Bertrand Berry, Ari
32 Marcellus Wiley, Dal
33 Carlos Hall, Ten
34 Pat Williams, Buf
35 Trevor Pryce, DEN
36 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
37 Shaun Rogers, Det
38 Andre Carter, SF
39 Justin Smith, Cin
40 James Hall, Det
41 Darren Howard, NO
42 Ellis Johnson
43 Cornelius Griffin, Was
44 Tommie Harris, Chi
45 Corey Simon, Phi
46 Aaron Smith, PIT
47 La'Roi Glover, DAL
48 Phillip Daniels, WAS
49 Duane Clemons, Cin
50 Warren Sapp, Oak
Linebackers
1 Ray Lewis, Bal
2 Jamie Sharper, Hou
3 Keith Bulluck, Ten
4 Zach Thomas, Mia
5 Donnie Edwards, SD
6 LaVar Arrington, Was
7 Takeo Spikes, Buf
8 Nick Barnett, GB
9 Jay Foreman, Hou
10 Andra Davis, Cle
11 Brian Urlacher, Chi
12 Anthony Simmons, Sea
13 Keith Brooking, Atl
14 London Fletcher, Buf
15 Tedy Bruschi, NE
16 Mike Peterson, Jac
17 Sam Cowart, NYJ
18 Derrick Brooks, TB
19 E.J. Henderson, Min
20 Dat Nguyen, Dal
21 David Thornton, Ind
22 Mark Fields, Car
23 James Farrior, Pit
24 Shawn Barber, KC
25 Dan Morgan, Car
26 Courtney Watson, NO
27 Nate Webster, Cin
28 Al Wilson, Den
29 Julian Peterson, SF
30 Cato June, Ind
31 Terrell Suggs, Bal
32 Pisa Tinoisamoa, StL
33 Mark Simoneau, Phi
34 D.J. Williams, Den
35 Scott Fujita, KC
36 Ronald McKinnon, Ari
37 Ian Gold, TB
38 Barrett Green, NYG
39 Na'il Diggs, GB
40 Kendrell Bell, Pit
41 Teddy Lehman, Det
42 Jamie Winborn, SF
43 Chris Draft, Atl
44 Mike Barrow, Was
45 Eric Barton, NYJ
46 Brian Simmons, Cin
47 Joey Porter, Pit
48 Akin Ayodele, Jac
49 Robert Thomas, StL
50 Lance Briggs, Chi
Posted by Jeff Brown: Sep 10 at 9:18 AM
Fantasy Football 
Contact Jeff Brown
Email this article
Print this article
Those are very kind words. I appreciate that. Believe me, I'd much rather be doing this than being laid up in hospital for 3+ months like last year!
Good luck this week and take it easy.
cant wait for more...