The Two-Minute Warning: First Edition
Welcome to my first fantasy football blog on blackandgold.com. I thought the title was fitting for my blog, because I am always one of those fantasy football players that is checking rosters right up to the last minute before players are locked in for their game. I will be posting a blog each week with my own analysis of the season. My goal is to provide advice to those who may be new to the game and get feedback from long-time players with their comments and opinions. I hope you all find the blog helpful.
Since the season is already in full swing, I am going to discuss the insanity that has taken place already throughout the NFL thus far and show how it has tied in with the world of fantasy football. The majority of the talking heads in the NFL world had already seemed to crown a handful of teams as serious contenders for the playoffs and the Super Bowl this year. However, several of those favorites have not played up to their hype.
In the NFC, two of the heavy favorites, the Cowboys and the Vikings, both sit at 1-3 after the first five weeks leading into their showdown this Sunday. The 49ers, predicted by many to win the NFC West, are 0-5. The Packers who many felt could win the NFC North (including myself) have shown little sign that they are ready to make that jump. The surprising Chicago Bears sit on top of that division that was thought to be dominated by the Pack and Vikings. Finally, the defending Super Bowl Champion, New Orleans Saints, are 3-2 and looking up at both the Falcons and the upstart Buccaneers in the NFC South. It is still early in the season, but for any of these teams want to make the playoffs, they need to right the ship in a hurry.
The AFC is not much different from the NFC. The only two preseason favorites that have looked like ture playoff caliber teams through the first five weeks are the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets. The Patriots are playing well, but lost handily to the Jets earlier in the season. The defending AFC Champion, Indianapolis Colts, are not looking like the team that dominates the regular season like they normally have in the past. They are in a 4-way tie in the AFC South with the Texans, Titans, and Jaguars. The forever slow-starting Chargers are up to their same old tricks as they trail another surprise team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Arguably the most surprising team to this point, however, is the Pittsburgh Steelers. They knew going into the season that they would be without starting quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, for the first four-weeks of the season due to his suspension. Their outstanding defense and running game has carried them to a 3-1 record with their second- and third-string quarterbacks. Now "Big Ben" is back in the fold, and the Steelers could be even more dangerous.
With all the craziness that is swarming through the NFL right now, the same can be said for fantasy football leagues. Many high draft picks have been disappointments thus far through injury, inconsistent play, or just not living up to expectations. Here are a few players that were expected to have huge seasons, but just haven't lived up to the preseason fantasy football hype yet:
Titans RB, Chris Johnson: This has to be one of the biggest disappointments early on this season. He has been greatly disappointing for fantasy owners after the numbers he put up last season. He has had trouble holding on to the ball and he has been shut down completely in a couple of games already. He may have turned a corner with a good showing last Sunday in Dallas, but will he be able to run off a few decent weeks in a row. However, his explosiveness is still too high to bench him. It just makes it frustrating for his owners that have counted on him to have a big year.
Patriots/Vikings WR Randy Moss: Has the age caught up to him? Was his unhappiness with his contract situation with the Patriots a distraction to him? Did he give up in New England? Arguments could be made for each of those questions, but the light bulb may have switched on last night in the 2nd half of his first game back in Minnesota. While in New England, he was not getting the ball thrown much in his direction. Frustrations mounted, and he was shipped off to the Vikings. Last night, he looked again like the lethal wide receiver he has always been on a beautiful TD pass received from Brett Favre. Fantasy owners should keep him around, or if you decide to trade, trade high.
Ravens QB, Joe Flacco: With new three new weapons coming to Baltimore in Anquan Boldin, T.J. Houshmanzadeh, and Donte Stallworth, to go along with Ray Rice, Derrick Mason, and Todd Heap, Flacco was expected by many to have his best season yet. Things have not turned out that way, though. Flacco is only averaging about 223 yards per game with only 5 touchdown passes compared to 6 interceptions and a fumble. The guy has all the talent in the world, but he just cannot seem to put it all together. It is taking him some time to find his timing with his new toys. If he can get it all together soon, he could still be a valuable option in deep leagues, but his inconsistency has been frustrating.
Next week, I will cover a few of fantasy football's pleasant surprises for the season, and I do mean surprises. Until then, good luck in your respective leagues this week.
D_it_up
Since the season is already in full swing, I am going to discuss the insanity that has taken place already throughout the NFL thus far and show how it has tied in with the world of fantasy football. The majority of the talking heads in the NFL world had already seemed to crown a handful of teams as serious contenders for the playoffs and the Super Bowl this year. However, several of those favorites have not played up to their hype.
In the NFC, two of the heavy favorites, the Cowboys and the Vikings, both sit at 1-3 after the first five weeks leading into their showdown this Sunday. The 49ers, predicted by many to win the NFC West, are 0-5. The Packers who many felt could win the NFC North (including myself) have shown little sign that they are ready to make that jump. The surprising Chicago Bears sit on top of that division that was thought to be dominated by the Pack and Vikings. Finally, the defending Super Bowl Champion, New Orleans Saints, are 3-2 and looking up at both the Falcons and the upstart Buccaneers in the NFC South. It is still early in the season, but for any of these teams want to make the playoffs, they need to right the ship in a hurry.
The AFC is not much different from the NFC. The only two preseason favorites that have looked like ture playoff caliber teams through the first five weeks are the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets. The Patriots are playing well, but lost handily to the Jets earlier in the season. The defending AFC Champion, Indianapolis Colts, are not looking like the team that dominates the regular season like they normally have in the past. They are in a 4-way tie in the AFC South with the Texans, Titans, and Jaguars. The forever slow-starting Chargers are up to their same old tricks as they trail another surprise team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Arguably the most surprising team to this point, however, is the Pittsburgh Steelers. They knew going into the season that they would be without starting quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, for the first four-weeks of the season due to his suspension. Their outstanding defense and running game has carried them to a 3-1 record with their second- and third-string quarterbacks. Now "Big Ben" is back in the fold, and the Steelers could be even more dangerous.
With all the craziness that is swarming through the NFL right now, the same can be said for fantasy football leagues. Many high draft picks have been disappointments thus far through injury, inconsistent play, or just not living up to expectations. Here are a few players that were expected to have huge seasons, but just haven't lived up to the preseason fantasy football hype yet:
Titans RB, Chris Johnson: This has to be one of the biggest disappointments early on this season. He has been greatly disappointing for fantasy owners after the numbers he put up last season. He has had trouble holding on to the ball and he has been shut down completely in a couple of games already. He may have turned a corner with a good showing last Sunday in Dallas, but will he be able to run off a few decent weeks in a row. However, his explosiveness is still too high to bench him. It just makes it frustrating for his owners that have counted on him to have a big year.
Patriots/Vikings WR Randy Moss: Has the age caught up to him? Was his unhappiness with his contract situation with the Patriots a distraction to him? Did he give up in New England? Arguments could be made for each of those questions, but the light bulb may have switched on last night in the 2nd half of his first game back in Minnesota. While in New England, he was not getting the ball thrown much in his direction. Frustrations mounted, and he was shipped off to the Vikings. Last night, he looked again like the lethal wide receiver he has always been on a beautiful TD pass received from Brett Favre. Fantasy owners should keep him around, or if you decide to trade, trade high.
Ravens QB, Joe Flacco: With new three new weapons coming to Baltimore in Anquan Boldin, T.J. Houshmanzadeh, and Donte Stallworth, to go along with Ray Rice, Derrick Mason, and Todd Heap, Flacco was expected by many to have his best season yet. Things have not turned out that way, though. Flacco is only averaging about 223 yards per game with only 5 touchdown passes compared to 6 interceptions and a fumble. The guy has all the talent in the world, but he just cannot seem to put it all together. It is taking him some time to find his timing with his new toys. If he can get it all together soon, he could still be a valuable option in deep leagues, but his inconsistency has been frustrating.
Next week, I will cover a few of fantasy football's pleasant surprises for the season, and I do mean surprises. Until then, good luck in your respective leagues this week.
D_it_up
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Ok I think we're in business! Awesome blog. Gonna be interesting.Posted 10-12-2010 at 12:57 PM by Halo
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