| Authored by Jean-Luc Nicolas - 6th September, 2006 - 5:14 pm
 Ay oh, let's go
Ay oh, let's go
Ay oh, let's go
Ay oh, let's go
Running Backs
1. Larry Johnson (Cin @ KC)
Out of the much-hyped big three, he is the only one running at home this week and even though the Bengals' defense could give him more problems than Detroit or Oakland, this will be a shootout. The chip on his shoulder remains and there is no doubt that he will want to get out of the box with gusto.
Projection: 145 yards, 2 TD's
2. Shaun Alexander (Sea @ Det)
The Seahawks return to Ford Field, site of February's Super Bowl. The fillet of running backs will not be lining up against a Jerry Porter this week.
Projection: 130 yards, 1 TD
3. LaDainian Tomlinson (SD @ Oak)
The Raiders have supposedly improved their defense considerably over the off-season and they will be up against an excellent barometer in Tomlinson.
Projection: 125 yards, 1 TD
4. Edgerrin James (SF @ Ari)
1500 yards in each of the last two seasons; Arizona isn't paying him $20 million over the first two years of a four-year deal to produce anything less. The carries will be there and that offensive line will acquire some much needed confidence given the opponent.
Projection: 120 yards, 1 TD
5. Steven Jackson (Den @ STL)
The post-Mike Martz era begins on the turf against a Denver defense that is underrated, but Jackson is the star and new coach Scott Linehan will establish that star immediately.
Projection: 115 yards, 1 TD
6. Rudi Johnson (Cin @ KC)
Nobody knows the NFL better than RealGM's Jeff Risdon and he picked him with the fourth overall pick in the RealGM Staff Fantasy Draft so he can't be lower than the sixth overall back in Week 1, particularly against the Chiefs.
Projection: 105 yards, 1 TD
7. LaMont Jordan (SD @ Oak)
The Chargers have had a week of distractions with the shooting of Steve Foley. Jordan's first season in Oakland was tepid, but underrated and he could really be in for a big season under Art Shell.
Projection: 90 yards, 1 TD
8. Tiki Barber (Indy @ NYG)
This game is of course about the Manning's, but it would end up being about Tiki Barber, if not for Tony Dungy's defense. They gave up the second fewest amount of points and were in the middle of the pack on rushing yardage, leading to a quiet night on NBC for Tiki.
Projection: 85 yards, 0 TD
9. Brian Westbrook (Phi @ Hou)
Philly has been conspicuously quiet over the past few months, likely how they prefer it. Westbrook is one of the most versatile weapons in the game and will have a typical all-purpose game against Mario Williams and the Texans.
Projection: 80 yards, 0 TD
10. Reggie Bush (NO @ Cle)
With Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams facing tough defenses this week, why not?
Projection: 75 yards (135 lateral), 0 TD
Quarterbacks
1. Peyton Manning (Indy @ NYG)
As was the case last year, Manning is no longer an every week lock for the top spot with Carson Palmer running around, but that recovery, while remarkable, isn't quite complete just yet. That fact, coupled with big brother vs. little brother, Peyton will be throwing the ball over Jersey on Sunday night.
Projection: 320 yards, 3 TD's
2. Carson Palmer (Cin @ KC)
The fact that he's even playing in Week 1 is a testament to modern medicine. The fact that he is ranked number two is a testament to his abilities and also to one Chad Johnson.
Projection: 295 yards, 3 TD's
3. Donovan McNabb (Phi @ Hou)
Before the sports hernia, McNabb knifed his way through defenses like Houston's and is surely looking to make a big statement in the opener.
Projection: 280 yards, 3 TD's
4. Eli Manning (Indy @ NYG)
The Colts will key in on containing Tiki, forcing Eli to make use of his arsenal of weapons. That playoff game against Carolina was many moons ago already.
Projection: 265 yards, 2 TD's
5. Tom Brady (Buf @ NE)
No Deion in the opener, something it appears he will have to get accustomed to, but against the lowly Bills, he will find plenty of open receivers.
Projection: 250 yards, 2 TD's
6. Jake Delhomme (Atl @ Car)
He has another weapon now in Keyshawn Johnson, but with Le Magnifique (Steve Smith) he will be an after thought.
Projection: 240 yards, 2 TD's
7. Kurt Warner (SF @ Ari)
There will be no Golden Boy controversy after Week 1, as Kurt Warner has made his post-Arena Football career on tearing apart San Francisco. Only thing keeping this from being a 300 yard day will be Arizona's eagerness to put the ball in the Edge's hands.
Projection: 235 yards, 2 TD's
8. Matt Hasselbeck (Sea @ Det)
They probably deserved better in Detroit last February; no problems for Hasselbeck on Sunday. His value goes up significantly if they can acquire Branch, as he adjusts to life without Joe Jurevicius.
Projection: 225 yards, 2 TD's
9. Jake Plummer (Den @ STL)
The drop off this week is right here, as the Jay Cutler watch officially begins on the turf of the Mississippi River.
Projection: 215 yards, 1 TD
10. Trent Green (Cin @ KC)
Here's hoping he gets to mop up a touchdown or two from LJ.
Projection: 185 yards, 1 TD
Wide Receivers
1. Steve Smith (Atl @ Car)
That hamstring injury may have been a nice little way for him to save his juice for Week 1 and that Atlanta defense that Le Magnifique loves to carve.
Projection: 145 yards, 1 TD
2. Chad Johnson (Cin @ KC)
Ty Law and the Chiefs will be no match for my favorite agent provocateur, the only question will be the TD celebration of Week 1.
Projection: 130 yards, 1 TD
3. Larry Fitzgerald (SF @ Ari)
The only thing keeping him from the first slot this week, with San Francisco the foe, is Anquan Boldin.
Projection: 125 yards, 1 TD
4. Marvin Harrison (Indy @ NYG)
Will this finally be the season Reggie Wayne becomes Manning's favorite target? Not in week 1.
Projection: 110 yards, 1 TD
5. Randy Moss (SD @ Oak)
He has had a quiet tenure so far in Oakland, but made a big play in Week 1 at New England last season.
Projection: 100 yards, 1 TD
6. Torry Holt (Den @ STL)
Steven Jackson can't run the ball on every down and with Issac Bruce's age setting in, Holt will see the majority of Bulger's passes.
Projection: 90 yards, 1 TD
7. Plaxico Burress (Indy @ NYG)
He will strain for it early, but will need to get open for Eli in order to open it up for Tiki.
Projection: 85 yards, 1 TD
8. Terrell Owens (Dal @ Jac)
You can't bet against his talent, no matter the controversy or the injury.
Projection: 80 yards, 1 TD
9. Anquan Boldin (SF @ Ari)
He will happily feast on Fitzgerald's leftovers against San Francisco.
Projection: 75 yards, 1 TD
10. Roy Williams (Sea @ Det)
There will be a big play or two in him against the Seahawks, even if it is Jon Kitna throwing the ball.
Projection: 75 yards, 1 TD
Kickers
1. Neil Rackers (SF @ Ari)
There was no better kicker in the NFL last year and he will have plenty of scoring opportunities against the 49ers.
2. Shayne Graham (Cin @ KC)
While Carson Palmer eases his way back into full swing, he might have more field goal opportunities than all those PATs he racked up last year.
3. John Kasay (Atl @ Car)
The Panthers are everyone’s favorite in the NFC and they owned Atlanta last year.
4. Josh Brown (Sea @ Det)
A strong foot gets started on the turf against a weak opponent.
5. Jason Elam (Den @ STL)
Elam seems like he must be 50 years old already, but where else would he be except amongst the game's best kickers.
6. David Akers (Phi @ Hou)
Akers is healthy and poised to have a monster day against the Texans.
7. Sebastian Janikowki (SD @ Oak)
With the way he looked in August, he would be ranked higher if he didn't have to kick on the dirt of the A's infield all day.
8. Nate Kaeding (SD @ Oak)
Same thing goes for him as Janikowski.
9. Jeff Wilkins (Den @ STL)
Wilkins and Elam have two of the longest foots in the NFL; it is a shame that this game isn't being played in Denver on a warm September afternoon.
10. Jay Feely (Indy @ NYG)
Both the Giants and Colts have excellent defensive ball clubs, so this game could easily come down to a battle of placekickers. With Vinatieri hurting, the edge goes to Feely.
Ay oh, let's go
Shoot 'em in the back now
What they want, I don't know
they're all reved up and ready to go
- Questions for Jean-Luc can be sent to nicolasjeanluc@yahoo.com. They can and may be used for future articles.
Thanks to the Ramones and what is left for them (Tommy, Marky, Richie, Elvis and C.J.) for our Week 1 theme. If you have a song suggestion for Week 2, please email Jean-Luc. No more C.B.G.B. bands though, as that ship is sailing to Las Vegas. |
