Record: 3-3-0
Week 1 started off pretty simple, as I went .500 to start the year. Let us try to improve on that, shall we?
The Pony Express (-22, Kuro) vs. Tuel Time (Wetbandit)
Pick: The Pony Express (-22)
Norfolk and Chance (-1, Twinkletoes) vs. Gaspar Werewolves (Gaspar)
Pick: Gaspar Werewolves (+1)
Bench Brady And... (-14, Sunrise) vs. Portland Pindis (Pindicator)
Pick: Portland Pindis (+14)
Stamford Cyberams (+6, David Coporial) vs. Team Scooter (Scooter)
Pick: Team Scooter (-6)
Noble Nitpickers (-2, NobleHelium) vs. Baltimore Blue Jays (Cyneheard)
Pick: Noble Nitpickers (-2)
Beijing Lewd Lobbers (-9, Lewwyn) vs. Team Bruce (Sir Bruce)
Pick: Beijing Lewd Lobbers (-9)
Week 1 started off pretty simple, as I went .500 to start the year. Let us try to improve on that, shall we?
The Pony Express (-22, Kuro) vs. Tuel Time (Wetbandit)
This is our only REALLY big spread we have this week, but I do like my chances here: Almost everyone here is on a favorable match-up. Megatron is playing a Cardinals defense that just gave up, what, 300 yards to the Rams? The Saints D isn't great at all, so Mike Williams getting a TD or more is pretty easy, and Edelman will likely be the primary receive against a defense that is not what it used to be...and they've never been good run defenders, so Ridley should run wild after getting out of the doghouse. Even Kellen Winslow against the Patriots is good...Geno Smith is not, though. Some very good match-ups.
But Tuel Time has a lot of room to explode. Dez Bryant vs. the Chiefs? T.Y. Hilton against Miami? His matchups might not be great across the board, and his second RB is iffy no matter what this week, but he makes up for it with some explosiveness. Of worry is that AP and Wilson both face some pretty great defenses, which could depress their numbers...though it is hard to ever go against Adrian.
I'm pretty torn on this one. On one hand, I really think I'll explode this week, but on the other...Tuel Time has a lot of potential and I am worried that, even if I win, I won't cover the big 22 point spread. I'm going to take Pony Express to win and cover...but Tuel Time will make it very close.
But Tuel Time has a lot of room to explode. Dez Bryant vs. the Chiefs? T.Y. Hilton against Miami? His matchups might not be great across the board, and his second RB is iffy no matter what this week, but he makes up for it with some explosiveness. Of worry is that AP and Wilson both face some pretty great defenses, which could depress their numbers...though it is hard to ever go against Adrian.
I'm pretty torn on this one. On one hand, I really think I'll explode this week, but on the other...Tuel Time has a lot of potential and I am worried that, even if I win, I won't cover the big 22 point spread. I'm going to take Pony Express to win and cover...but Tuel Time will make it very close.
Pick: The Pony Express (-22)
Norfolk and Chance (-1, Twinkletoes) vs. Gaspar Werewolves (Gaspar)
Battle of the iffy WR2! Mike Wallace was a total non-factor week 1 and could be another miss factor this week...or being 60 Minutes, he could explode, he is just so iffy. I like the Greg Olson matchup this week, but the entirity of the RB matchups are bad, as it is two of the better defenses in the league faces each other, meaning a lot of chance to be stuffed. Same with Tate against the Niners. Big chance to underperform this week.
While Cecil Shorts isn't a good WR2 (Though he has Dwayne Bowe in his Util, so that is arguably his WR2), but Dwayne Bowe and Randall Cobb are good matchups, Spiller certainly isn't in a bad match-up against the Panthers and I think that Vick vs. San Diego could end up a bit more explosive than ESPN predicts, assuming Vick is not pushed over by a soft breeze and breaks his entire body. Gaspar for the win.
While Cecil Shorts isn't a good WR2 (Though he has Dwayne Bowe in his Util, so that is arguably his WR2), but Dwayne Bowe and Randall Cobb are good matchups, Spiller certainly isn't in a bad match-up against the Panthers and I think that Vick vs. San Diego could end up a bit more explosive than ESPN predicts, assuming Vick is not pushed over by a soft breeze and breaks his entire body. Gaspar for the win.
Pick: Gaspar Werewolves (+1)
Bench Brady And... (-14, Sunrise) vs. Portland Pindis (Pindicator)
Sunrise might be in a mite of trouble this week with Jermichael Finley's PT being in question, as his other Flex options are not all that great right now. Perhaps he will take a flyer on Ben Tate getting even more work? Michael Floyd isn't an exciting play, but Matt Ryan and Alfred Morris are both nice plays and Forte should run all over the Vikings. And Jason Witten against the Chiefs offers a big game chance. Cruz against the Broncos could be a better matchup, but Cruz is pretty great.
However, I really like Pindicator's team this week. RGIII pulled it back together and still got 19 points with two interceptions, so I think he can put up a monster game against the soft Packers defense. MJD gets a boost vs. Oakland, if the Eagles can execute their offense again, then I think the Chargers can get a lot dropped on them (I was very impressive with the Eagles offense and very unimpressed with the Chargers defense Week 1). Vincent Jackson vs. the Saints is very likely to be a monster game. Jordy Nelson shouldn't have a lot of problems against the Redskins and Jared Cook just showed how explosive he could be. Decker is the weak link here, but Peyton spreads the ball around, so he has a shot. Combined with +14, Pindicator is my pick.
However, I really like Pindicator's team this week. RGIII pulled it back together and still got 19 points with two interceptions, so I think he can put up a monster game against the soft Packers defense. MJD gets a boost vs. Oakland, if the Eagles can execute their offense again, then I think the Chargers can get a lot dropped on them (I was very impressive with the Eagles offense and very unimpressed with the Chargers defense Week 1). Vincent Jackson vs. the Saints is very likely to be a monster game. Jordy Nelson shouldn't have a lot of problems against the Redskins and Jared Cook just showed how explosive he could be. Decker is the weak link here, but Peyton spreads the ball around, so he has a shot. Combined with +14, Pindicator is my pick.
Pick: Portland Pindis (+14)
Stamford Cyberams (+6, David Coporial) vs. Team Scooter (Scooter)
On one hand, Hakeem Nicks helped the Cyberam's wideout woes a decent deal, but on the other hand, Reggie Bush being dealt has now given them RB woes: Richardson missed a practice after supposedly suffering a foot problem in Week 1, but should play, while Wilson coughed the ball up and BRandon Jacobs was just signed, although Da'Rel Scott just got injured in drills, but Jacobs will be a TD vulture and it isn't unlikely the Giants will go more vertical than running. Also, Jamaal Charles is nursing a quad injury and it is likely they'll end up hella behind against the Cowboys, so we probably won't see a lot from him this week...oh, yeah, and Thompkins is still the WR2 behind Nicks, though at least with Amendola out Thompkins figures to get a bigger role this week, so there could be some break out. It is hard to have faith in a team that just lost despite getting 71 points from two players and which got 6 points from it's WR, TE and RB2 slot combined.
By contrast, Scooter has some nice MUs with Cam Newtwon, Reggie Bush and Doug Martin all looking nice and even Andre Johnson, but Amendola is out and Julio is looking iffy, possibly being hobbled even if he plays. Scooter will have to roll out wide receiver options like Jerome Simpson, Vincent Brown and Ryan Broyles to possibly replace both, making him a tough sell as well. This is a case where I wish I had some more complete info: I'd take Scooter if I knew Julio would be doing fine this week and David if he wasn't. I'll take Scooter because his high-end power means he could win even if Julio doesn't play.
By contrast, Scooter has some nice MUs with Cam Newtwon, Reggie Bush and Doug Martin all looking nice and even Andre Johnson, but Amendola is out and Julio is looking iffy, possibly being hobbled even if he plays. Scooter will have to roll out wide receiver options like Jerome Simpson, Vincent Brown and Ryan Broyles to possibly replace both, making him a tough sell as well. This is a case where I wish I had some more complete info: I'd take Scooter if I knew Julio would be doing fine this week and David if he wasn't. I'll take Scooter because his high-end power means he could win even if Julio doesn't play.
Pick: Team Scooter (-6)
Noble Nitpickers (-2, NobleHelium) vs. Baltimore Blue Jays (Cyneheard)
Cyneheard has some pretty nice picks this week, I especially like the Breesus vs. Tampa and I think DeAngelo will outperform against the Bills, but Tavon Austin is untested and has to show the boom, with Antonio Brown facing what should be a pretty strong D. Will Ray Rice run all over the Browns or is their defense for real? Bennett could also have a nice day...
...But how about the Nitpickers? DeMarco against Kansas City is solid, S-Jax has a nice matchup and Wayne against Miami is sweet. Green might be facing the Steelers, but he is simply absurdly good, and Ballard should be nice against the 'Fins as well...and while the Seahawks are good, Vernon Davis has the possibility to explode every week, even if I think he'll be kept in check. Wrap that all up with Stafford vs. the Cardinals and the Nitpickers are my choice.
...But how about the Nitpickers? DeMarco against Kansas City is solid, S-Jax has a nice matchup and Wayne against Miami is sweet. Green might be facing the Steelers, but he is simply absurdly good, and Ballard should be nice against the 'Fins as well...and while the Seahawks are good, Vernon Davis has the possibility to explode every week, even if I think he'll be kept in check. Wrap that all up with Stafford vs. the Cardinals and the Nitpickers are my choice.
Pick: Noble Nitpickers (-2)
Beijing Lewd Lobbers (-9, Lewwyn) vs. Team Bruce (Sir Bruce)
DeSean Jackson vs. San Diego? I like it, Lewwyn: I was impressed that they got DeSean more touches and he could end up more than a boom-or-bust guy this year. Marshall, Colston, Romo and the Bears D/St are all also very nice picks, not to mention Gonzo to go nutso against the Rams possibly, though Richardson could be iffy given it is the Browns. Lacy was unimpressive week 1, but he WAS facing the 49ers, who are a very good defense.
But Bruce isn't in bad shape either: Odds are if Romo goes all out, Austin is going to get in on it, and I very much like Austin vs. the Chiefs D. Garcon looks to get in a lot of yards against a poor Green Bay defense, but Torrey Smith could be in trouble if Haden can blanket him like he blanketed Wallace. Rodgers gets a very nice matchup and Run DMC could Run Free, but one has to hope for more points from Arian Foster...so it is worrying that it sounds like they want to give Tate more time.
This was a surprisingly tough pick, because I quite like Bruce's highs, but he has a lot worse possible lows...I like Bruce's +9, but +9 ultimately isn't too much fantasy-wise. I think I will go with Lewwyn here.
But Bruce isn't in bad shape either: Odds are if Romo goes all out, Austin is going to get in on it, and I very much like Austin vs. the Chiefs D. Garcon looks to get in a lot of yards against a poor Green Bay defense, but Torrey Smith could be in trouble if Haden can blanket him like he blanketed Wallace. Rodgers gets a very nice matchup and Run DMC could Run Free, but one has to hope for more points from Arian Foster...so it is worrying that it sounds like they want to give Tate more time.
This was a surprisingly tough pick, because I quite like Bruce's highs, but he has a lot worse possible lows...I like Bruce's +9, but +9 ultimately isn't too much fantasy-wise. I think I will go with Lewwyn here.
Pick: Beijing Lewd Lobbers (-9)
