Week 1 fantasy football matchup analysis - NFL2K10 - Part 2

Here we go with part 2 of the week 1 analysis, which features a matchup between a former champ and my preseason pick to win this year's title.

Roe vs. RG

Roe’s projected starting lineup*:

QB – Jay Cutler, Chi (Det)

RB – Chris Johnson, Ten (Oak), Arian Foster, Hou (Ind)

WR – Larry Fitzgerald, Ari (@StL), Greg Jennings, GB (@Phi), Michael Crabtree, SF (@Sea)

TE – Zach Miller, Oak (@Ten)

Flex – Johnny Knox, Chi (Det)

K – Ryan Longwell, Min (@NO)

Def – Tennessee (Oak)

RG’s projected starting lineup*:

QB – Joe Flacco, Bal (@NYJ)

RB – Shonn Green, NYJ (Bal), LeSean McCoy, Phi (GB)

WR – Randy Moss, NE (Cin), DeSean Jackson, Phi (GB), Jeremy Maclin, Phi (GB)

TE – Tony Gonzalez, Atl (@Pit)

Flex – Derek Mason, Bal (@NYJ)

K – Stephen Gostkowski, NE (Cin)

Def – Baltimore (@NYJ)

*opponents in parentheses

Analysis:

RG, the 2008 champion and 2009 finalist, has another good lineup. I normally don’t like having three players from one NFL team on a starting fantasy roster, as he has with the Eagles’ McCoy, Jackson and Maclin, but this should work for much of the season assuming Kevin Kolb is even half way effective. Flacco won’t become an elite QB this year, and may never reach that status, but he will likely enter the next tier as the season progresses. RG faces two major obstacles in week 1. One, he has three offensive players starting from the Jets-Ravens matchup, which promises to be a defensive battle even if Darrelle Revis and Ed Reed don’t suit up (Reed’s not expected to. Who knows about Revis?). Two, he’s facing easily the best team in NFL2K10, at least on paper. Roe is loaded and he has favorable matchups in week 1. He may have the best RB and WR combo in the league - all five could end up in the top five at their positions by the end of the season. He’ll put up a big number and RG will have trouble keeping pace. If the Eagles don’t show up, this one could get ugly. Pick: Roe

SS vs. DB

SS’s projected starting lineup*:

QB – Tony Romo, Dal (@Wash)

RB – Michael Turner, Atl (@Pit), Jonathan Stewart, Car (@NYG)

WR – Miles Austin, Dal (@Wash), Dwayne Bowe, KC (SD), Jacoby Jones, Hou (Ind)

TE – Greg Olsen, Chi (Det)

Flex – Matt Forte, Chi (Det)

K – Lawrence Tynes, NYG (Car)

Def – Miami (@Buf)

DB’s projected starting lineup*:

QB – Matt Schaub, Hou (Ind)

RB – Frank Gore, SF (@Sea), Ricky Williams, Mia (@Buf)

WR – Steve Smith, NYG (Car), Chad Ochocinco, Cin (@NE), Nate Burleson, Det (@Chi)

TE – Vernon Davis, SF (@Sea)

Flex – Tim Hightower, Ari (@StL)

K – Nate Kaeding, SD (@KC)

Def – New Orleans (Min)

*opponents in parentheses

Analysis:

This is a tough one to call. SS has a typical boom or bust team. I was leaning a little more toward boom a week ago after the draft, but I’m just not sure right now. Dallas is a bit overrated and hasn’t looked good offensively in the preseason. The Cowboys may beat the Redskins, but there’s little chance they’re going to light it up offensively on the road against a tough defense and in Mike Shanahan’s first game as the Skins’ coach. For that reason I really don’t like Romo and Austin this week. Michael Turner vs. the Steelers? Not so sure about that one either. DB has a solid team with less upside than some, but less risk and downside, as well. Schaub should be effective this week. I really like Gore and Davis against Seattle and Hightower’s value got a slight boost yesterday when Beanie Wells aggravated his knee. It’s not supposed to be serious, but any knee injury is significant when you’re dealing with a running back. Even if Wells is deemed healthy and ready to go, I can’t imagine the Cardinals won’t utilize Hightower for at least a handful more snaps than they would have prior to the injury. Pick: DB

-BG