Week 2 Preview

Bastards vs. Playoffs or Bust

It's too early to call this a must-win game for me but if I intend to make the playoffs this year, I have got to win this game. Starting 0-2 in this league will be a big hole. Mario's Jacobs, Cadillac, and Glenn are banged up already and may not see any action. It's up to Alexander, Brees, and crew to help Mario get on the winning track. Brees won't stink it up again this week. Meanwhile, I have to rely heavily on Peyton Manning and Chad Johnson to put some points on the board for me. The X Factor this week will be Tatum Bell against a a robust Minny front 7. If Bell can accumulate some yardage and get in for a score, I might have a shot at pulling this one off. This game will be a lot closer than people think. It might go down to the Monday night game as Antwaan Randle-The and Larry Johnson Smith face off against David "Green" Akers. I hate Chris Berman.

Edgeyear2 vs. I WIN

Eric exploded last week to the tune of 114 pts after his T.O woke up in the 2nd half against the Giants. I don't think that explosion was a mirage, but more so a glimpse of things to come from this well-drafted, well-run organization. Some people cringed when Tony Gates was taken in the 3rd, but he is likely to post monster numbers in that Norv Turner offense (reminiscent of Jay Novacek with the cowboys only Gates is more talented and his supporting cast is weaker.) Meanwhile Mike was no slouch himself as he racked up a solid win against the overmatched Alberts. Eric's decision to start Deion Branch is curious this week given that Branch had 0 catches in the previous game. Granted a receiver as good as Branch won't go back to back games without a catch, but I'd still take my chances with Jerry Norwood. Look for Kellen Winslow to have a huge game in a shootout with Cincy. Jon Kitna will be forced to throw 30-35 times against the Vikes and that might create a lot of touches for Calvin Johnson. I think Chester Taylor is a decoy right now and will be replaced by Cal Johnson by game time. This, too, will be a tight game decided by the K and DEF as botth Denver D and Pittsburgh D have solid matchups.

Roll Out vs. Moss...Zefross Moss

Rager the Engager started the season on a winning note for a 2nd straight year and he's hoping that his team doesn't devolve into the disaster from last year. After getting a fantastic game from Randy Moss last week, look for Rager to rely heavily on his WR corps for points. Steve Smith has a tough matchup going against Dunta Robinson this week, but Smith is one of the best in the game for a reason. Jack's Steven Jackson and Deuce will bounce back to have big games. Expect at least a score for each of them and Jackson may even go for two. Santana Moss will be a big beneficiary of Jason Campbell's cannon arm especially as Campbell gets more comfortable running the offense. This game will be decided by the QB play and I full expect Rivers to play well against the Patriots (unless the Pats find some way to steal signals again..hehe) but I expect Hasselbeck to struggle against Arizona to the tune for less than 200 yds passing and a couple of picks.

Military Police vs. J.Jones

Another battle of the 0-1 squads. Larry Johnson has a tough matchup at Chicago and Gary got a 'gimme' starting RB out of Derrick Ward who looked strong after he replaced Jacobs against the Cowboys. Gary's WRs don't inspire too much confidence at this point in the season and Nate Burleson just isn't a viable fantasy option until he can show that he is consistent. Marshawn Lynch was surprisingly good against Denver as the Bills' offseason O line revamping looks to have done its job. I expect Albert to win this matchup unless his weak WR corps struggles badly and Gary's wideouts can put last week's mess behind them and have a big game this week.

Textual Intercourse vs. Dynasty

Kent has won the title. The title for stupid team names in which he narrowly edged out Eric. Anyway, Matt Leinart looked horrible on Monday Night against a suddenly solid 49ers secondary, but should find some success against an overrated Seahawks D. Holt and Wayne are a deadly 1-2 punch for any offense especially when in the same fantasy lineup as LaTom. Tomlinson will be bitchslapped by the Patriots after the way he's been running his mouth since SD choked away the playoff game last yr. I don't see the Chargers being able to contain the Patriots especially considering how motivated the Pats will be after this very very embarrassing episode . Tony Romo was a fantasy god last week, but he is still Tony Romo and should not be counted on to put up those kinds of numbers on a regular basis. Without High Octane Romo, Jeff's team will rely on a solid WR crew to score a couple of TDs and gain lots of yardage to make this one a thriller. Look for Jacksonville Defense to be exposed yet again, but this time Joey Harrington will do the honors of bringing Jack Of the River one step closer to being fired.

Akon vs. The Billy Kinghams

Stick a fork in this one. Akon will destroy the Rapists on the strength of a monster Brady game. Larry Maroney just didn't look like a first rounder last week and I'm not sold on him being a fantasy franchise back. Travis Henry and Andre Johnson will continue being studly, but the rest of the cast doesn't have the right matchups this week to pull off an upset. Kent's Bulger will struggle against a feisty 49ers Defense and Wes Welker will be frustratingly inconsistent as the loose slot with Moss and Stallworth also pining for Brady's attention. If Baltimore defense rapes Pennington/Clemens then all bets are off, but I see the Jets moving the ball well and not giving Baltimore too much to chomp on.

Good Luck to all the teams this week, except Mario. Cheers!