Mulligan’s Fantasy Forecast, Week 1
What you’ve waited nine long months for is finally here again. The fantasy football season is upon us ladies and germs and 2010 promises to show us something we never expected (just like any other year, really). So what’s so different about 2010, you ask?
Well, for starters, I’m not going to bore you with a long introduction full of clichs like I have in the past. On to the meat and potatoes of the weekly forecast
GOOD MATCH UPS
Ronnie Brown vs. Bills defense: Brown was on his way to a career season in 2009 before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Now, fully healthy, Ronnie looks to get back into the swing of things and what better way to start off the 2010 season than with a nice match up against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. The Buffalo Bills ranked 30 in rushing yards allowed last season, giving up over 156 yards per game on the ground. Look for Brown to announce to the NFL that he’s back with a big Week 1 performance.
Arian Foster vs. Colts defense: His name might not be well-known just yet, but that could all change after Sunday. Arian Foster gets a nice match up against a Colts rush defense that finished the 2009 regular season ranked 24th in the NFL in yards allowed per game. With no major changes made to the Colts defense this season (aside from a couple guys like Bob Sanders being healthyfor now) don’t expect the Indy run defense to be any better this season.
NOT SO GOOD MATCH UPS
Pierre Thomas vs. Vikings defense: Those of you who have played this thing we call fantasy football for the past few seasons are well aware of what the Vikings defense can do to opposing running backs. Anchored by The Williams Wall, the Vikings owned the league’s second-best rush defense last season so look for help from a running back on your roster not named Pierre Thomas this week.
Joe Flacco vs. Jets defense: Poor Flacco. Just when it looked like he might not have to deal with Darrelle Revis in his Week 1 match up with the Jets, New York announces that they have finally signed the superstar cornerback to a new contract, ending his holdout, and that Revis will play against the Ravens in Week 1. Such is life, I suppose. Look to use another QB this week as Flacco will likely struggle against one of the NFL’s best all-round defenses.
WAIVER WIRE WATCH
Thomas Jones, RB, Chiefs: It’s kind of funny to see the AFC’s leading rusher from last season being taken so late (and, in some cases, not at all) in fantasy drafts. Sure there are reasons to be skeptical that Jones can repeat or come close to what he did last season but is that a reason to ignore him completely? I’d scoop him up and stash him away for a couple of weeks if you have the roster space.
Kyle Mulligan is a contributing sports writer for the Observer. He welcomes your feedback and can be reached at kjmulli@gmail.com.