Week One Match-ups
September 08, 2006
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Kurt Warner, ARI – You drafted Kurt Warner for this reason -- his stellar performances in ideal situations while healthy. It ain't gonna get any better than this. And he plays his home games indoors this year -- I think he's done that with some success before. In his one game against SF last year, he completed 65% of his passes for 354 yards and 1 TD. His prospects look even better this week against last year's 32nd-ranked pass defense. Warner also had a great performance in Week 3 of the preseason against the top-rated Bears defense.
Trent Green, KC – The Cincinnati defense is an opportunistic one, but one that has given up a lot of big plays (ranked 26th against the pass last season) and were only 28th in the league in sacks. The Chiefs will be playing behind most of the game, so Green will be putting the ball up plenty.
Mark Brunell, WAS – Brunell isn't a great play this season, but this week, his match-up with Minnesota is promising. The Redskins should throw a lot of new 3-WR sets against a defense that ranked 22nd against the pass.
Negative Play:
Michael Vick, ATL – The Falcons face the ninth-ranked team against the pass. The Panthers like to put pressure on the opposing QB, which may play into Vick's hand, but we've yet to see any improvement over last season's mediocre performance. Expect a less than stellar start. Last season, he threw for 286 yards, three INT and no TDs in two games against Carolina.
Brett Favre, GB – The Pack play the Bears. 'Nuff said. Okay, Chicago was second in yards allowed and were first in passing TDs allowed. Favre has healthy targets to throw to now, but he won't find much success this week because his weak OL is starting two rookie OG. Favre threw six INTs last season against the Bears.
Steve McNair, BAL – McNair completed 76% of his passes in preseason, but he's still getting used to his new offense. This week, he faces the No. 1 total defense last season that was sixth in the league against the pass and was fourth-best against passing TDs allowed. McNair will have a bit of a resurgence this season in Baltimore, but he will struggle at Tampa.
1 Peyton Manning, IND
2 Carson Palmer, CIN
3 Donovan McNabb, PHI
4 Kurt Warner, ARI
5 Tom Brady, NE
6 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
7 Marc Bulger, STL
8 Eli Manning, NYG
9 Trent Green, KC
10 Jake Plummer, DEN
11 Daunte Culpepper, MIA
12 Aaron Brooks, OAK
13 Jake Delhomme, CAR
14 Mark Brunell, WAS
15 Michael Vick, ATL
16 Drew Bledsoe, DAL
17 Jon Kitna, DET
18 Byron Leftwich, JAX
19 Chris Simms, TB
20 Brett Favre, GB
21 Charlie Frye, CLE
22 Steve McNair, BAL
23 Philip Rivers, SD
24 Drew Brees, NO
25 Brad Johnson, MIN
26 David Carr, HOU
27 Alex Smith, SF
28 Charlie Batch, PIT
29 J.P. Losman, BUF
30 Chad Pennington, NYJ
31 Kerry Collins, TEN
32 Rex Grossman, CHI
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Reuben Droughns, CLE – The Browns are hurting with the injury to their center, but that shouldn't slow down Droughns against New Orleans. The Saints were 27th in the league against the run and ranked 23rd in rushing TDs allowed. And the Saints will probably will be worse against the run this season, so Droughns should have his best game of the season right off the bat.
Brian Westbrook, PHI – Westbrook says that his foot is 100% after sitting out last 3/4 of preseason. The Eagles also say that they will run the ball more, so expect to see Westbrook become the two-way RB of old. This a great week to see that come to fruition as the Eagles face last season's 32nd-ranked rushing defense of Houston. They also ranked 29th in rushing TD's allowed. Westbrook will continue to pepper the defense with receptions.
Thomas Jones, CHI – Jones will get the majority of the work Sunday with the injury to Cedric Benson. The Pack defense against the run was tough in the red zone (eighth), but still only ranked 23rd in yardage allowed. In his last five games against Green Bay, Jones has averaged 118 yards rushing and has scored four TDs.
DeShaun Foster, CAR – Foster is the RB version of Kurt Warner -- you drafted him to perform when healthy, so you better play him while you can. He will have a good match-up this week against a soft defense against the run. Atlanta ranked 26th against the run and allowed 4.7 ypc. Foster was surpassed 100 yards in each of his last three games against Atlanta. Foster only scored three times last season -- all three were against the Falcons.
Corey Dillon, NE – Dillon isn't a sure-fire starter anymore -- he appears to have lost a step -- but he has a good match-up this week with Buffalo. Laurence Maroney is hurting, so Dillon will get al the work he wants against a team that ranked 31st in rushing allowed.
Negative Play:
Stephen Jackson, STL – This one's a scary situation for Jackson owners. He has been nursing an injured heel, so how healthy is he? Plus, with the new offense, the first team didn't score a TD during the preseason. And plus-plus, the Rams just added TD-stealer Stephen Davis. This is a bad week for all this uncertainly to go up against last season's No. 2 rushing defense of Denver.
Lamont Jackson, OAK -- Hmm, looking at this list, it's not a good week to be a "Jackson" or a "Jones". Jackson isn't in for a bad week, just a lesser week than usual. He faces a team in San Diego that was first against the run last season, but only 14th in rushing TDs allowed. Jackson followed that pattern last season -- in the two games against the Chargers, he only had 36 and 55 yards rushing, but he scored two TDs in the first match.
Cadillac Williams, TB – Williams will be fresh after very limited action in the preseason, but you have to wonder if he will be up for a full game of pounding after being so protected. Baltimore was plagued with injuries last season, but managed to rank ninth against the run and third in rushing TDs allowed. Now, the Ravens are healthy and fired up, boding for a rough go for Williams.
Kevin Jones, DET – Jones will have a bit of a bounce-back season this year, but he will have a slow start against the defending NFC Champs. Seattle ranked fifth against the run and second in rushing TDs allowed. Plus, the Lions will probably will be playing catch-up in the second half.
Julius Jones, DAL – Dallas is going to go with the hot hand this season, so that should bode poorly for Jones. The Jaguar defense was the opposite of the Chargers' D -- the ranked only 14th against the run, but were first in the league in rushing TDs allowed. Jones (and Marion Barber III) will get some yards, but scores will be few and far between.
1 Larry Johnson, KC
2 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
3 Shaun Alexander, SEA
4 Tiki Barber, NYG
5 Rudi Johnson, CIN
6 Edgerrin James, ARI
7 Reuben Droughns, CLE
8 Brian Westbrook, PHI
9 Willie Parker, PIT
10 Thomas Jones, CHI
11 Ronnie Brown, MIA
12 Steven Jackson, STL
13 Willis McGahee, BUF
14 Lamont Jordan, OAK
15 Cadillac Williams, TB
16 DeShaun Foster, CAR
17 Corey Dillon, NE
18 Kevin Jones, DET
19 Frank Gore, SF
20 Warrick Dunn, ATL
21 Chester Taylor, MIN
22 Jamal Lewis, BAL
23 Chris Brown, TEN
24 Reggie Bush, NO
25 Deuce McAllister, NO
26 Dominic Rhodes, IND
27 Julius Jones, DAL
28 Tatum Bell, DEN
29 Ahman Green, GB
30 Fred Taylor, JAX
31 Mike Bell, DEN
32 Wali Lundy, HOU
33 Derrick Blaylock, NYJ
34 Marion Barber III, DAL
35 DeAngelo Williams, CAR
36 Kevan Barlow, NYJ
37 Ladell Betts, WAS
38 Laurence Maroney, NE
39 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
40 Vernand Morency, HOU
41 Joseph Addai, IND
42 Jerious Norwood, ATL
43 Verron Haynes, PIT
44 T.J. Duckett,WAS
45 Travis Henry, TEN
46 Correll Buckhalter, PHI
47 LenDale White, TEN
48 Samkon Gado, GB
49 Michael Pittman, TB
50 Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX
51 Jerome Harrison, CLE
52 Stephen Davis, STL
53 Cedric Benson, CHI
54 Kevin Faulk, NE
55 Mewelde Moore, MIN
56 Alvin Pearman, JAX
57 Michael Robinson, SF
58 Mike Anderson, BAL
59 Arlen Harris, Det
60 Mike Alstott, TB
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Anquan Boldin, ARI – What goes for Warner goes for his two WRs, Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Big day for the trio.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN – Housh and Palmer picked up where they left off last season in Week 3 of the preseason, teaming up for five receptions, 96 yards and a TD. The Bengals haven't missed a beat. Chad Johnson will get his usual numbers, but Housh should clean up more than usual against a KC defense that ranked 30th against the pass and 29th in passing scores allowed.
Rod Smith, DEN – Smith finally has help downfield with Javon Walker and TE Tony Scheffler helping out the passing game. The Rams were average against the pass (23th), but were ranked 30th in passing TDs allowed. Smith and crew should clean up through the air.
Reggie Brown, PHI – Like with Smith in Denver, Brown got some help with the arrival of Donte Stallworth with the Eagles. Stallworth will get plenty of attention from the Texans, leaving Brown with more to work with. The Texans ranked 24th against the pass and 27th in passing TDs allowed last season.
Negative Play:
Andre Johnson, HOU – Well, if it should work for Smith and Brown, new WR mate Eric Moulds should mean instant success for Johnson, shouldn't it? Not necessarily -- not until the Texans can keep David Carr off his back. And it won't happen this week against a reenergized Philly defense, which is hoping that its secondary returns to its three-Pro-Bowler form of 2004.
Derrick Mason, BAL – It will be a tough week for McNair, so that should mean trouble for Mason.
Steve Smith, CAR – Smith seems determined to play this weekend. If he does, he will be going up against an improved opponent. Last season, Atlanta ranked 14th against the pass last season, but they added Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker to the secondary, so they will be tougher unit. If you start two WR, you might look to your back-up for this week. If you start three and don't have a good match-up with your back-up, good luck.
1 Chad Johnson, CIN
2 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
3 Anquan Boldin, ARI
4 Randy Moss, OAK
5 Torry Holt, STL
6 Marvin Harrison, IND
7 Reggie Wayne, IND
8 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
9 Roy Williams, DET
10 Terrell Owens, DAL
11 Chris Chambers, MIA
12 Santana Moss, WAS
13 Plaxico Burress, NYG
14 Donald Driver, GB
15 Hines Ward, PIT
16 Joe Horn, NO
17 Rod Smith, DEN
18 Lee Evans, BUF
19 Joey Galloway, TB
20 Andre Johnson, HOU
21 Javon Walker, DEN
22 Derrick Mason, BAL
23 Terry Glenn, DAL
24 Eddie Kennison, KC
25 Laveranues Coles, NYJ
26 Steve Smith, CAR
27 Reggie Brown, PHI
28 Matt Jones, JAX
29 Darrell Jackson, SEA
30 Donte Stallworth, PHI
31 Keyshawn Johnson, CAR
32 Antonio Bryant, SF
33 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
34 Drew Bennett, TEN
35 Michael Clayton, TB
36 Ernest Wilford, JAX
37 Keenan McCardell, SD
38 Nate Burleson, SEA
39 Troy Williamson, MIN
40 Isaac Bruce, STL
41 Braylon Edwards, CLE
42 Mark Clayton, BAL
43 Doug Gabriel, NE
44 Eric Moulds, HOU
45 Bobby Engram, SEA
46 Joe Jurevicius, CLE
47 Samie Parker, KC
48 Amani Toomer, NYG
49 Corey Bradford, DET
50 Greg Jennings, GB
51 Brandon Lloyd, WAS
52 Travis Taylor, MIN
53 Troy Brown, NE
54 Cedrick Wilson, PIT
55 Kevin Curtis, STL
56 David Givens, TEN
57 Michael Jenkins, ATL
58 Marty Booker, MIA
59 Roddy White, ATL
60 Marcus Robinson, MIN
Tight Ends
1 Antonio Gates, SD
2 Ben Watson, NE
3 Tony Gonzalez, KC
4 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
5 Todd Heap, BAL
6 Chris Cooley, WAS
7 Alge Crumpler, ATL
8 L.J. Smith, PHI
9 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE
10 Jason Witten, DAL
11 Ben Troupe, TEN
12 Randy McMichael, MIA
13 Heath Miller, PIT
14 Dallas Clark, IND
15 Vernon Davis, SF
16 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
17 Alex Smith, TB
18 Courtney Anderson, OAK
19 Tony Scheffler, DEN
20 Bubba Franks, GB
21 Chris Baker, NYJ
22 Itula Mili, SEA
23 Desmond Clark, CHI
24 Joe Klopfenstein, STL
25 Ernie Conwell, NO
26 Daniel Graham, NE
27 Leonard Pope, ARI
28 Eric Johnson, SF
29 Robert Royal, BUF
30 Marcus Pollard, DET
31 Owen Daniels, HOU
32 Steve Heiden, CLE
33 Bo Scaife, TEN
34 Jeb Putzier, HOU
35 David Martin, GB
Kickers
1 Neil Rackers, ARI
2 Jason Elam, DEN
3 David Akers, PHI
4 Shayne Graham, CIN
5 John Kasay, CAR
6 Lawrence Tynes, KC
7 Josh Brown, SEA
8 Nate Kaeding, SD
9 Adam Vinatieri, IND
10 Matt Stover, BAL
11 Jay Feely, NYG
12 Jeff Reed, PIT
13 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
14 Rob Bironas, TEN
15 Josh Scobee, JAX
16 Phil Dawson, CLE
17 Matt Bryant, TB
18 Robbie Gould, CHI
19 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
20 John Carney, NO
21 John Hall, WAS
22 Olindo Mare, MIA
23 Jason Hanson, DET
24 Jeff Wilkins, STL
25 Michael Koenen, ATL
26 Ryan Longwell, MIN
27 Rian Lindell, BUF
28 Joe Nedney, SF
29 Mike Vanderjagt, DAL
30 Kris Brown, HOU
31 Mike Nugent, NYJ
32 Dave Rayner, GB
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 Philadelphia Eagles
3 Carolina Panthers
4 Pittsburgh Steelers
5 Seattle Seahawks
6 Baltimore Ravens
7 Miami Dolphins
8 New England Patriots
9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10 Dallas Cowboys
11 Arizona Cardinals
12 San Diego Chargers
13 Denver Broncos
14 Washington Redskins
15 Atlanta Falcons
16 Indianapolis Colts
17 Jacksonville Jaguars
18 Tennessee Titans
19 Cleveland Browns
20 Green Bay Packers
21 Cincinnati Bengals
22 New York Giants
23 Oakland Raiders
24 New Orleans Saints
25 New York Jets
26 Minnesota Vikings
27 Buffalo Bills
28 San Francisco 49ers
29 Detroit Lions
30 St. Louis Rams
31 Kansas City Chiefs
32 Houston Texans
Defensive Backs
1 Gibril Wilson, NYG
2 Troy Polamalu, PIT
3 Ronde Barber, TB
4 Roy Williams, DAL
5 Michael Lewis, PHI
6 Darren Sharper, MIN
7 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ
8 Adrian Wilson, ARI
9 Michael Boulware, SEA
10 Madieu Williams, CIN
11 Charles Tillman, CHI
12 Antoine Winfield, MIN
13 Nate Clements, BUF
14 Nick Collins, GB
15 Terrance Kiel, SD
16 Brian Dawkins, PHI
17 Rodney Harrison, NE
18 Bob Sanders, IND
19 Shawntae Spencer, SF
20 Renaldo Hill, MIA
21 Dexter Jackson, CIN
22 Antrel Rolle, ARI
23 Sheldon Brown, PHI
24 Chris Hope, TEN
25 Mike Brown, CHI
26 Ed Reed, BAL
27 Champ Bailey, DEN
28 Rashean Mathis, JAX
29 Tony Parrish, SF
30 Chris Gamble, CAR
31 Ty Law, KC
32 Corey Chavous, STL
33 Ramon Harper, NO
34 Michael Huff, OAK
35 Ken Lucas, CAR
36 Adam Archuleta, WAS
37 Erik Coleman, NYJ
38 Sammy Knight, KC
39 Asante Samuel, NE
40 Greg Wesley, KC
41 Dunta Robinson, HOU
42 Darrent Williams, DEN
43 Deangelo Hall, ATL
44 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
45 Nick Harper, IND
46 David Barrett, NYJ
47 Jimmy Williams, ATL
48 Glenn Earl, HOU
49 Josh Bullocks, NO
50 Fabian Washington, OAK
Linebackers
1 Terrell Suggs, BAL
2 Julius Peppers, CAR
3 Charles Grant, NO
4 Jason Taylor, MIA
5 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
6 Michael Strahan, NYG
7 Will Smith, NO
8 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
9 John Abraham, ATL
10 James Hall, DET
11 John Henderson, JAX
12 Darren Howard, PHI
13 Aaron Schobel, BUF
14 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
15 Kevin Williams, MIN
16 Dwight Freeney, IND
17 Robert Mathis, IND
18 Derrick Burgess, OAK
19 Leonard Little, STL
20 Patrick Kerney, ATL
21 Justin Smith, CIN
22 Erasmus James, MIN
23 Jared Allen, KC
24 Simeon Rice, TB
25 Bertrand Berry, ARI
26 Aaron Kampman, GB
27 Mike Rucker, CAR
28 Andre Carter, WAS
29 Robert Bernard, SEA
30 Jevon Kearse, PHI
31 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
32 Anthony Hargrove, STL
33 Mario Williams, HOU
34 Travis Laboy, TEN
35 Rod Coleman, ATL
36 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
37 Greg Ellis, DAL
38 Kenard Lang, DEN
39 Raheem Brock, IND
40 Richard Seymour, NE
41 Grant Wistrom, SEA
42 Tommy Kelly, OAK
43 Orpheus Roye, CLE
44 Chike Okeafor, ARI
45 Luis Castillo, SD
46 Kalimba Edwards, DET
47 Bryce Fisher, SEA
48 Pat Williams, MIN
49 John Thornton, CIN
50 Robert Geathers, CIN
Defensive Linemen
1 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
2 Ray Lewis, BAL
3 Zach Thomas, MIA
4 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
5 London Fletcher, BUF
6 Kirk Morrison, OAK
7 Keith Brooking, ATL
8 Will Witherspoon, STL
9 Keith Bulluck, TEN
10 Mike Peterson, JAX
11 Brian Urlacher, CHI
12 Antonio Pierce, NYG
13 Donnie Edwards, SD
14 Nick Barnett, GB
15 Shawne Merriman, SD
16 Lance Briggs, CHI
17 Kawika Mitchell, KC
18 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
19 Derrick Brooks, TB
20 Dan Morgan, CAR
21 Brian Simmons, CIN
22 Gary Brackett, IND
23 Marcus Washington, WAS
24 Gerald Hayes, ARI
25 Ernie Sims, DET
26 Adalius Thomas, BAL
27 Andra Davis, CLE
28 Cato June, IND
29 Ian Gold, DEN
30 E.J. Henderson, MIN
31 Lemar Marshall, WAS
32 Mike Vrabel, NE
33 James Farrior, PIT
34 Daryl Smith, JAX
35 Rosevelt Colvin, NE
36 Bradie James, DAL
37 Pisa Tinoisamoa, STL
38 Demarcus Ware, DAL
39 A.J. Hawk, GB
40 Channing Crowder, MIA
41 Derek Smith, SF
42 DeMeco Ryans, HOU
43 Leroy Hill, SEA
44 Derrick Johnson, KC
45 Jeff Ulbrich, SF
46 Shelton Quarles, TB
47 Landon Johnson, CIN
48 David Thornton, TEN
49 Thomas Howard, OAK
50 Angelo Crowell, BUF
Fantasy Football 
The Bengals will be left with four wide receivers if Houshmandzadeh doesn't go: Chad Johnson, Chris Henry, Tab Perry and Kelley Washington.
Doesn't look like Houshmandzadeh will play. I like him as a hot play if he was healthy though.
Look for Chris Henry to have a big game.
EDIT: And Jeff, I love your match-ups... Keep 'em coming! Usually I ignore other sites match ups and go with what I like but I actually listen to yours.
More than likely..... you to stop mentioning it every time Jeff puts out a list.
Jeff, nice list once again.
More than likely..... you to stop mentioning it every time Jeff puts out a list.
Jeff, nice list once again.
I didn't say it was a bad list, but to not have Taylor in the top 50 DBs is silly. Whether or not he does it to see my reaction, I could care less.
More than likely..... you to stop mentioning it every time Jeff puts out a list.
Jeff, nice list once again.
I didn't say it was a bad list, but to not have Taylor in the top 50 DBs is silly. Whether or not he does it to see my reaction, I could care less.
That would be very irresponsible of me to do that.
I don't know what I have to do to convince you that, while I agree that Sean Taylor is an incredible athlete and a very, very exciting player to watch, he is nothing special as a fantasy DB.
I went through my reasoning last season and what I said then doesn't change.
But, I decided, to be fair, I would try another tack to see if I am unconsciously, hatefully, viciously biased against Sean Taylor.
I looked to see where he ranked in total DB points in our Keeper Salary League last year. For our viewing audience, our IDP point system is:
Tackle Assist (0.5)
Sack (3)
Interception (2)
Fumble Force (2)
Fumble Recovery (2)
Touchdown (6)
Safety (2)
Pass Defended (1)
Block Kick (2)
Taylor's rank: 30th.
Well, since I had a big part in determining the scoring system (and, by default, probably unintentionally skewed it against Mr. Taylor), I thought I would look at another league I'm in that has IDPs that I had absolutely nothing to do in setting up the scoring system. That system:
Tackle Assist (1)
Sack (5)
Interception (5)
Fumble Force (2)
Fumble Recovery (2)
Touchdown (6)
Safety (5)
Pass Defended (2)
Taylor's rank: 38th.
I guess the scoring difference is double points for tackles and more points for sacks, INTs and safeties (
But, I guess, it doesn't.
Looking back, I'm now at little embarrassed at placing him in my top 15 DBs for the year.
As far as this week goes, I have Taylor at 56, which, in all honesty, isn't much different than 36 (which, ironically, is Adam Archuleta) as far as DBs go. Believe me, I wish I switched them now. But I just don't expect much FANTASY STATISTIC-WISE from the WAS DBs. Tom Brady went 17/30 for 231 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT in limited work in Week 3 of the preseason -- after the Redskins supposedly beefed up their pass rush in the off-season.
WAS had nice totals last season in yardage and TDs allowed, but had a weak pass rush. MIN had a pleasantly successful (not outstanding, though) preseason (Brad Johnson completed 75% of his passes). I think the Vikes will have plenty of work on the ground, moderate success on both the ground and through the air, and the WAS DBs won't be a FANTASY STATISTICAL factor for the most part. I do think WAS will win -- just to show that I'm against them IRL.
If we go strickly by our leagues totals from last year. The difference in Sean Taylor and Roy Williams (Who you always have ranked high) was 17 total points. Over the course of the season, thats 1 point per week. So how does RW make #4 while ST is #56? What's accounting for the seperation there? Potential?
Still makes no sense to me, but maybe I'm just looking through burgundy and gold glasses.