The House of Crouse 9.13.08: Week 2 Edition
Posted by Mark Crouse on 09.13.2008
Let's play What Did We Learn when Mark reviews Week 1 in the NFL and how it affects your fantasy team. And sobs a little bit about Tom Brady's knee.
Welcome to the first House of Crouse of the 2008 NFL season! This week, we'll analyze the players that made or broke your fantasy hopes in Week 1, and take a look forward to Week 2.
As I watch the Bill Belechick press conference announcing that Tom Brady will have season-ending knee surgery after a hit less than ten minutes into the Chiefs-Patriots game, I realize what I feared since Brady left the field: my fantasy team is screwed. With the sixth pick in a league that awards six points for passing touchdowns, I felt like the luckiest guy in town. Now I head into Week 2 with a team without a first round pick. It's a good thing I like a challenge.
Now it's time for a House of Crouse returning feature lovingly titled, "What Did We Learn." Each week I'll review each game from the past week and point out what is relevant to fantasy owners. Let's get it on!
Washington Redskins 7, New York Giants 16-In what proved to be a pretty stale contest, the defending Super Bowl champs stifled the Redskins and did just enough on offense to come away with the victory.
-Top players: Santana Moss-37 yards, 1 TD; Plaxico Burress-133 yards
-What did we learn?-To semi-quote former NFL coach Dennis Green, the Redskins are what we thought they were. For fantasy purposes, their skill players will perform decently in good matchups, and will look ordinary against good defenses. On the Giant side, the reported time share in the backfield was greatly overstated, as Brandon Jacobs rushed for 116 yards, and only gave up 9 carries to Derrick Ward. It will be interesting to see what happens when Ahmad Bradshaw gets healthy.
Cincinnati Bengals 10, Baltimore Ravens 17-Rooke QB Joe Flacco fits the bill as "manager of the offense" by not turning the ball over and efficiently leading the offense, while the Ravens D refutes reports that it is too old, holding the Bengals to three points on offense.
-Top players: None
-What did we learn?-To be honest, there wasn't a single player on either of these teams that would have contributed to fantasy teams (other than the defenses, of course). With Willis McGahee injured, the big fantasy story was that Cincy's offense looked abysmal, with Carson Palmer not reaching 100 yards passing. What we really learned is that the Bengals looked horrible on offense, but I'm not convinced that will continue. Give it another couple weeks to judge the Bengal skill players, and by the same token don't go out and pick up their defense. Baltimore ran the ball well, which indicates that when McGahee returns, he should be able to produce.
New York Jets 20, Miami Dolphins 14-The power of Chad Pennington's potential vengance against the team that cut him is trumped by the power of the mighty Favre.
-Top players: Thomas Jones-101 rushing yards, 1 TD; Chad Pennington-251 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
-What did we learn?-Favre is still a gunslinger, hitting Jerricho Cotchery for a 56-yard TD, and that slinging opens up Jones to operate and regain his status as a legit fantasy starter. I was right about Cotchery being the Jets receiver to own, with Lav Coles catching one pass. Surprisingly, Miami couldn't get its running game going, but fell into the fantasy-killing running back by committee. Adjust your lineups accordingly.
Detroit Lions 21, Atlanta Falcons 34-Matt Ryan throws bombs, and the Falcons run wild over the Lion defense. All's well in Atlanta! And then they realize it was against the Lions.
-Top players: Jon Kitna-262 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; Michael Turner-220 rushing yards, 2 TD
-What did we learn?-This was the best possible scenario for Atlanta. Michael Turner is for real. He won't have games like this every week, but he's a for sure starter on any fantasy squad. The Falcons can run the ball, with Jerious Norwood piling up 93 yards and a score. Calvin Johnson proved that he is the best receiver for Detroit, even though Roy Williams caught a TD. Rookie running back Kevin Smith is the starter for Detroit, and can be used as a #2 or #3 back with confidence.
Seattle Seahawks 10, Buffalo Bills 34-In bizzaro NFL, Seattle gets throttled by a Trent Edwards-led Bills team and then suffers injuries to every last player on the roster.
-Top players: Nate Burleson-60 yards, TD; Marshawn Lynch-76 rushing yards, TD
-What did we learn?-As if it wasn't already, the NFC West locked up the title of worst division in football by having its one legit team get drilled by a team that won't make the playoffs. Maurice Morris, Matt Hasselbeck, and the aforementioned Burleson suffered injuries of varying severity (Burleson is reportedly out for the season). Their offense has serious questions, which affects any Seahawk you may have on your fantasy team. Buffalo, on the other hand seems at least able to move the ball, with Edwards progressing from last season and Lynch producing until they took him out when the game got out of hand. Edwards could be picked up by teams that need quarterback depth.
Kansas City Chiefs 10, New England Patriots 17-In what will forever be known as "The Tom Brady Game," New England holds on to beat a team they were so favored to beat the line was taken off by Vegas.
-Top players: Dwayne Bowe-49 yards, TD; Randy Moss-116 yards, TD
-What did we learn?-We learned that having a good backup quarterback in fantasy is a must. Mine is Matt Schaub, so I'll be going with newly minted Pats starter Matt Cassel this week. He should be at least average with all the talent around him. Contrats, Laurence Maroney fans, you've entered the Timeshare Zone, with Sammy Morris getting the same number of carries and the touchdown. We didn't learn anything about KC, since they are still terrible for fantasy purposes. Brodie Croyle looks like he'll miss significant time, but now they are saying the QB position may be a platoon. Whatever.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, New Orleans Saints 24-The Saints make the stops when it counts to overcome the Bucs after scoring three times on plays of over 40 yards.
-Top players: Earnest Graham-91 rushing yards, 27 receiving yards; Drew Brees-343 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
-What did we learn?-Drew Brees picked up where he left off last season, powering the Saints offense and utilizing Reggie Bush (51 rushing yards, 112 receiving yards, TD) to perfection. Marques Colston is out for 4-6 weeks with a hand injury, but I don't see it hurting Brees too much. Tampa will be without Jeff Garcia in Week 2, and will start Brian Griese. I can't recommend any Buc besides Earnest Graham, and that's as a flex option.
St. Louis Rams 3, Philadelphia Eagles 38-Philly gets '08 started right, blowing out the Rams in a game that was never competitive. McNabb and Westbrook make their owners very happy.
-Top players: McNabb-361 yards, 3 TD; Westbrook-92 total yards, 2 TD
-What did we learn?-I feel like I've seen Philly do this before, and then swoon before finishing strong. If you are a McNabb owner, love life until he gets injured. We learned more about the Rams than the Eagles in this game, namely that they were horrendous. Torry Holt caught one pass for 9 yards, and Steven Jackson had no room to run. Start anyone against the St. Louis defense. I don't know what else to say. I'm scared to own Jackson and Holt in a league. Only time will tell if this was an abberation, or an indication of their true selves.
Houston Texans 17, Pittsburgh Steelers 38-The Steelers win in Week 1 in a game that wasn't even as close as it looked. Willie Parker frustrates fantasy owners who had him last year by scoring one more time than he did in all of '07.
-Top players: Andre Johnson-112 yards; Willie Parker-138 yards, 3 TD
-What did we learn?-At least for this game, Hines Ward was the most valuable Steeler receiver with two scores. Santonio Holmes had a measley 19 yards, and Pittsburgh basically ran the entire second half. In the Houston running platoon, rookie Steve Slaton had 13 carries, but didn't do much with them, tallying only 43 yards.
Jacksonville 10, Tennessee 17-The Titans hold serve in the AFC South, holding on to defeat the Jags with defense, setting into motion the strange events of Vince Young's week.
-Top players: Chris Johnson-127 total yards, TD
-What did we learn?-Both of these teams struggled to move the ball, with the dynamic duo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew combining for 31 rushing yards. David Garrard had two interceptions, after only throwing three in '07. Vince Young sprained his knee, opening the door for Kerry Collins, who improves the fantasy standing of Justin Gage and Alge Crumpler.
Carolina Panthers 26, San Diego Chargers 24-Carolina goes into San Diego without Steve Smith and defeats the Chargers on a last-second touchdown by TE Dante Rosario.
-Top players: Rosario-96 yards, TD; Philip Rivers-217 yards, 3 TD
-What did we learn?-LaDanian Tomlinson rushed for 97 yards, and Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers, and Antonio Gates all scored touchdowns. Shawne Merriman will have season-ending knee surgery, making owners who drafted San Diego's defense cringe, since they would have had to take them entirely too early. Carolina lived up to their promise to split carries between Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, with Williams getting 18 to Stewarts' 10. Rosario will get picked up in many leagues, and if your tight end gets hurt or is ineffective, he's worth a shot, but I wouldn't force out your starter to make room for him.
Arizona Cardinals 23, San Francisco 49'ers 13-The J.T. O'Sullivan Era begins with an uninspiring loss at home to a team who hasn't been a contender in a decade. You tell me how Niner fans are feeling this week.
-Top players: Edgerrin James-100 yards; Frank Gore-151 total yards, TD
-What did we learn?-The Niner offense may be the worst in football, with only Gore having any fantasy value. O'Sullivan makes the receivers and TE Vernon Davis unstartable. Arizona used Tim Hightower as the goal-line back, vulturing a two-yard score from James. Anquan Boldin caught eight balls for 82 yards, showing that the friction between him and the team won't affect his play.
Dallas Cowboys 28, Cleveland Browns 10-The Cowboys thump the Browns in the Dog Pound, in a game that was never in doubt. Derek Anderson comes back to Earth, and Dallas' offense runs like clockwork in a relatively easy win.
-Top players: Marion Barber-101 total yards, 2 TD; Kellen Winslow-47 yards, TD
-What did we learn?-If you drafted Barber and didn't handcuff Felix Jones (62 yards, TD), you are kicking yourself as Barber nurses rib cage cartilage damage this week. Terrell Owens got on track in Week 1 with a score, and Tony Romo may be the best QB in fantasy. Conversely, the Browns offense probably won't look good against good defenses, as they demonstrated Sunday. I wouldn't be surprised in Brady Quinn steps in for Anderson at sometime this season.
Chicago Bears 29, Indianapolis Colts 13-Chicago avenges a loss in the Super Bowl by shocking a rusty Colts team in the opener at Lucas Oil Stadium by doing it the Bear way: neck beards and conservative offense and an attacking defense.
-Top players: Matt Forte-141 total yards, TD; Reggie Wayne-86 yards, TD
-What did we learn?-The Colt offense, particularly Peyton Manning, looked like they suffered from not playing in the preseason. Lower expectations for Colt players for a month or so. Dallas Clark injured his knee, and may not play in Week 2. Joseph Addai injured his head, but is not listed on the injury report at press time. Forte is a great #2 back for fantasy owners, and joins a shrinking group of backs that don't split carries and play on a running team. Kevin Jones got 13 carries, but only because Chicago played with a lead for most of the game.
Minnesota Vikings 19, Green Bay Packers 24-Aaron Rodgers earns his stripes in defeating a division rival on Monday Night Football. And Tarvaris Jackson is horrible. Still.
-Top players: Adrian Peterson-114 total yards, TD; Aaron Rodgers-178 yards, 2 TD (1 rushing)
-What did we learn?-Rodgers becomes a good backup and has the upside to become a starter for those who took a risk drafting him. Ryan Grant got involved, rushing for 92 yards. Minnesota looked a little more dynamic than last year, with Jackson moving the ball more consistently. All kidding aside, Jackson could develop into a fantasy factor next season if he improves as much as he did from last year.
Denver Broncos 41, Oakland Raiders 14-A geeked up Raider Nation has their collective bubble burst as the Raiders get run out of their own building by Jay Cutler and the Brandon Marshall-less Broncos.
-Top players: Eddie Royal-146 yards, TD, Jay Cutler-300 yards, 2 TD; Justin Fargas-97 yards
-What did we learn?-Not to be cruel, but I learned what I pretty much already knew, and that is the Raiders are abysmal. Jamarcus Russell looked like he had no idea what he was doing, missing wide open receivers and showing poor body language. Oakland has one exciting member of its offense, and he got 10 touches. That's right, first round draft pick Darren McFadden was on the wrong end of a time share at running back. Oy vey.
That's it for this week, kids. Starting next week, I'll make predictions. I'd like to see each team at home and on the road before I make any snap judgements. Good luck this week, and don't hesitate to post a comment, or send me an email at mark_crouse@hotmail.com. Godspeed!
