Saints: Drew Brees threw for 237 yards and 1 TD. The TD came on the opening drive where the Vikings did not have answer for the Saints. Devery Henderson is the one who caught the 29 yard TD strike. Marques Colston led all Saints receivers with 62 yards on 5 receptions. From what we saw from the Saints it looks like Devery Henderson(3 rec.-38 yds-1 TD), Robert Meachem (3-33), and Lance Moore (2-23) are going to be taking too many looks away from each other. None of them can be counted on as a weekly starter in fantasy leagues until one emerges or there is an injury to one of them. As of right now they are no more than a bye week flyer with Devery Henderson leading the group of the three. Pierre Thomas owners had to be worried in the first half when Pierre only had 3 touches and Reggie Bush was in on more plays than Pierre. But in the second half Pierre Thomas did is damage rushing for total of 71 yards and 1 TD on 19 carries he also added 3 recpetions for 15 yards.. Another encouraging sign with Pierre is when he got the lone goal line carry that ended in his 1 yard plunge for a TD in the 3rd. Until Christopher Ivory returns from injury it appears Pierre Thomas will get the majority of carries when the Saints go to a running attack. Reggie Bush did look good and explosive in his touches (2-14, 5-33) but Reggie is only to be considered as a borderline 2RB/ Flex play in PPR leagues. One more thing to keep an eye on is Garrett Hartley. He missed both 2 field goals attempts in the game one from 46 and another from 36. IF this continues the Saints could be giving one of the veteran kickers that are free agents a phone call.
Vikings: Where is Sidney Rice when you need him? Brett Favre looked every bit of his age passing for 171 yards with 1 TD and 1 interception. The Vikings passing game was horrendous. The Viking wide receivers combined for 4 receptions for 56 yards. Vikings wider receivers were lead by Greg Camarillo (1-29) followed by Percy Harvin (1-12) , Greg Lewis (1-12) and Bernard Berrian (1-3). The only bright spot in the Vikings passing game was tight end Visanthe Shiancoe who hauled in 4 passes for 76 yards and 1 TD. Shiancoe is the only viable starter in the Vikings receiving game right now and should be considered a top 5 TE weekly. The Vikings rarely went down field with its passing game and really missed their deep threat Sidney Rice. Percy Harvin was targerted often by Brett Favre but both seemed to not be on the same page. Until the Vikings find a deep threat and Harvin and Favre get on the same page Brett Favre should be considered a borderline QB1. Adrian Peterson ran hard like he always does and gained 87 yards on 19 carries. He also added in 3 catches for 14 yards. He should be just fine but I would temper expectations on him until the Vikings find a deep passing threat. In my opinion the Vikings offensive line is overrated. After seeing this game the rest of the league should be stacking the box on the Vikings and forcing the Vikings to throw the ball. Ryan Longwell converted his only FG attempt but had a extra block blocked.
Buccaneers 17, Browns 14
Buccaneers: Josh Freeman's 2nd TD of the day to Micheal Spurlock was the game winner for Tampa Bay. Freeman ended the day with 182 yards and 2 TDs and 1 interception. He also gained another 34 yards on the ground. Freeman's first TD was to highly touted rookie Mike Williams from 3 yards out on a ball that was tipped up and caught in the back of the endzone. Mike Williams finished the day with 5 receptions for 30 yards and the 1 TD. Out of the Tampa Bay wide receivers Mike Williams in the one to own. Micheal Spurlock who caught Freeman's other TD pass from 33 yards out ended the day with 2 catches for 52 yards. Kellen Winslow had a slow day against his old team only hauling in 4 passes for 32 yards. Cadillac Williams remains the main back in Tampa Bay. He rushed 22 times for 75 yards and caught 2 balls for another 23 yards. One concern was that deep league sleeper Kareem Huggins didn't touch the ball once in the game. Though Earnest Graham carried the balled 6 times for 10 yards and had 1 catch for 8 but he also fumbled near the goal line in the first half.
Browns: Jerome Harrison last year finished the last 3 games with a total of 561 rushing yards and 5 TDSs. When the Browns rookie running back Montario Hardesty went down in Training Camp with a torn ACL Harrison was poised to retake the starting running back job. But that wasnt the case on Sunday. Harrison only had 9 carries for 52 yards and 1 catch for 7 yards. Most of his rushing yards came on a 39 yard run. Harrison split time with RB/FB Peyton Hillis. Hillis ran the ball 9 times for 41 yards and catch 4 passes for 24 yards but fumbled twice losing 1 of them. Harrison's 39 yard run set up Hillis' 10 yard TD rush in the 2nd quarter. It looks as though Hillis will be the Browns red zone back and will eat into Harrisons touches this season. Jake Delhomme's first game regular season game with the Browns he started off the same way he ended in Carolina. Delhomme threw 1 TD and 2 interceptions along with 227 yards passing. Delhomme's lone TD went to second year wider receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (2-46-1) on a 41 yard strike. TE Evan Moore led the Browns receiving game with 3 receptions for 87 yards.
Browns: Jerome Harrison last year finished the last 3 games with a total of 561 rushing yards and 5 TDSs. When the Browns rookie running back Montario Hardesty went down in Training Camp with a torn ACL Harrison was poised to retake the starting running back job. But that wasnt the case on Sunday. Harrison only had 9 carries for 52 yards and 1 catch for 7 yards. Most of his rushing yards came on a 39 yard run. Harrison split time with RB/FB Peyton Hillis. Hillis ran the ball 9 times for 41 yards and catch 4 passes for 24 yards but fumbled twice losing 1 of them. Harrison's 39 yard run set up Hillis' 10 yard TD rush in the 2nd quarter. It looks as though Hillis will be the Browns red zone back and will eat into Harrisons touches this season. Jake Delhomme's first game regular season game with the Browns he started off the same way he ended in Carolina. Delhomme threw 1 TD and 2 interceptions along with 227 yards passing. Delhomme's lone TD went to second year wider receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (2-46-1) on a 41 yard strike. TE Evan Moore led the Browns receiving game with 3 receptions for 87 yards.
Dolphins 15, Bills 10
Dolphins: The Brandon Marshall era in Miami started off with Marshall hauling in 8 balls for 53 yards. Chad Henne went 21 for 34 and 182 yards with no TDs and interceptions. PPR sleeper Devone Bess had 6 receptions for 51 yards. Dolphins continued with the same old story with the running game. Ronnie Brown is the "get ahead back" and Ricky Williams is the "keep the lead back". Ronnie Brown (13-65-1, 2-20) scored from 1 yard out in the 2nd quarter. Ricky Williams (16-62) remains a must handcuff for Ronnie Brown and wont be a viable fantasy starter unless Ronnie Brown gets hurt.
Bills: Touted rookie CJ Spiller rushed 7 times for only 6 yards. He also had 4 catches for 8 yards. This wasn't the start that fantasy owners were expecting. Gailey stuck to his word that Fred Jackson(4-19, 2-0) and Marshawn Lynch (3-13) would be involved still even though Spiller is listed atop the depth chart. The Bills are very over matched on the offense side of the ball and the running back situation is one to avoid this year in Buffalo. Trent Edwards (18/34-139-1, 2-12) threw his lone TD to Roscoe Parrish on a 31 yard pass. Parrish finish with 2 catches and 35 yards with that TD. Lee Evans had 4 pass catches for 34 yards. If you are relying on any of these Bills players as starters find replacements immediately.
Patriots 38, Bengals 24
Patriots: Welcome back Wes Welker. In an amazing return from a nasty knee injury late last year Wes Welker caught 8 passes for 84 yards and 2 TDs. Welker last year caught just 4 TDs all year. Randy Moss was quiet in this game catching 5 passes for 59 yards. Rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski carried over his TD catching streak into the regular season. Gronkowski only catch from Tom Brady was a 1 yard TD. It should be noted that fellow rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez had 1 catch for 45 yards but he also dropped a ball that would have resulted in his first NFL TD. Laurence Maroney (groin) did not play in the season opener and that meant that Fred Taylor would start at running back. Taylor lead the Patriots rushing attack with 14 carries and 71 yards. Kevin Faulk remained the 3rd down back in New England and hauled in 4 balls for 47 yards. The New England running back situation is another one to avoid. None of these backs should be no more than a bye week flier. Tom Brady a few days after being involved in a car accident was his old self throwing for 3 TDs and 258 yards while getting the Patriots out to a 31-3 lead.
Bengals: It was to be seen who would benefit more Chad Ochocinco or Terrell Owens from them being lined up on the same side of the ball. The winner after game one is Chad Ochocinco. Ochocinco hauled in 12 passes for 159 and 1 TD compared to Owens average line for 7 catches for 53 yards. Rookie receiver Jordan Shipley outproduced Owens with 82 yards on 5 catches. Jermaine Gresham the rookie tight end had a good first game hauling in 1 yard TD and ending the day with 6 catches for 26 yards. Carson Palmer looked like he might have put the elbow problems finally behind him. He threw for 345 yards and 2 TDs and 1 interception. Cedric Benson carried the ball 15 times for a total of 43 yards and 1 TD and added 1 catch for 7 yards. Cedric looked mediocre and slow at times. Benson going into this season was overvalues in my opinion. Benson backup second year running back Bernard Scott carried the ball 6 times for 35 yards and had 3 catches for 15 yards. People will say that the Bengals players scored a lot of there points in comeback mode and garbage time but remember in fantasy football garbage time points count just as much as regular points.
Texans 34, Colts 24
Texans: The Texans are a mini verison of the Colts and they found a new weapon with Arian Foster. Arian Foster set a Texans team record with his 231 rushing yards on 33 carries. He also scored 3 TDs. As long as Foster stays healthy and holds onto the football he could be in for a huge season and owners that have him on their team they will reap the benefits of a mid to late round pick that makes them look like a fantasy football genius. Because of Foster and his running prowess the Texans passing game took a backseat. Matt Schaub only threw the ball 17 times and completed 9 of them for a total of 107 yards and 1 TD and 1 interception. Andre Johnson lead the Texans with 3 catches for 33 yards. Kevin Walter scored the only passing TD that the Texans had on a 21 yard catch and ended the day with 2 catches for 29 yards. Sleeper Jacoby Jones hauled in 2 passes for 29 yards also. Its is still too early to tell who will be the better option is between Jones and Walter. My bet is on Jones being the better option as the season goes on because of his big play ability. Owen Daniels returning from a knee injury didn't play a full amount as snaps and only had 1 catch for 9 yards. Daniels should be on your bench until he shows he can produce.
Colts: Colts were in catchup mode for most of the game and Austin Collie was the biggest benefactor of it. Collie, who looks to have won the 3rd receiver spot in the Colts offense and lineups in the slot. Collie hauled in a 73 yard TD and finished the day with 163 yards on 11 catches. Though Collie had a excellent game he fumbled inside the red zone that hurt the Colts in their comeback. Reggie Wayne caught 1 of Peyton Mannings 3 TDs that he threw yesterday and had 7 catches for 99 yards. Dallas Clark reeled in 11 passes for 80 yards and 1 TD. Pierre Garcon only managed 3 receptions totaling 43 yards. Garcon had some key drops in the game and that has always been one thing that has prevented him from being a consistent fantasy scorer. The running game was abandoned early on in the game. Joseph Addai accounted for all 10 of the rushes that the Colts had collecting 44 yards on those 10 carries. Addai added in 6 receptions for 29 yards. Peyton Manning ended up throwing the ball 57 times yesterday and finished with 433 yards and 3 TDs but the Colts came up short in the end.
Jaguars 24, Broncos 17
Jaguars: David Garrard lead the Jaguars to victory behind a day that saw him go 16 for 21 for 170 and 3 TDS. Mike Sims-Walker, the Jags #1 wider receiver went with out a catch in this game. For his owners that is troubling but don't hit the panic button its only week 1. Mike Thomas a deep sleeper coming into the season lead the Jaguars in receiving with 6 catches for 89 yards. Mercedes Lewis hauled in only 2 balls but those 2 balls resulted in 2 TDs totaling 31 yards. Garrard's other TD pass went to Kassim Osgood on a 24 yard reception. There has been some questions about Maurice Jones-Drew and a bad knee. But yesterday Jones-Drew didn't show any signs that he was slowed by a bad knee. He rush 23 times for 98 yards and added 3 catches for 15 yards.
Broncos: The return of Eddie Royal. Eddie Royal had a great rookie season but last year he was non existent in the Broncos offense. But yesterday Royal was back in his old position in the slot and hauled in 8 passes for 98 yards. Though the Broncos receivers were lead by Brandon Lloyd (5-117). The only receiving TD went to Jabar Gaffney (3-34-1) from 6 yards out. Kyle Orton threw for 295 yards on 33 pass attempts and ended the day with 1 TD and 1 INT. Coming into the game Knowshon Moreno was returning from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the majority of the preseason. He ran well and dominated the touches in the backfield for the Broncos with 15 carries for 60 yards and a 1 yard TD. Moreno remains the goal line back and Buckhalter only ended up with 6 carries in the game. Tim Tebow did see playing time rushing twice for 2 yards.
Steelers 15, Falcons 9 OT
Steelers: Dennis Dixon got the start due to Ben Roethlisberger's 4 game suspension. Dixon played well completing 18 of 26 passes for 236 yard and 1 INT. Hines Ward remained in his role as the Steelers leading receiver. He caught 6 passes for 108 yards. Up and coming receiver Mike Wallace hauled in 2 passes for 62 yards and Heath Miller had 4 catches for 40 yards. Rashard Mendenhall rushed the ball 22 times for 151 yards and won it in OT for the Steelers on a 50 yard TD run.
Falcons: You knew this would be a tough matchup for Michael Turner. He carried the ball 19 times only gaining 42 yards. But dont worry Turner should bounce back next week. Matt Ryan attempted 44 passes in the game and completed 27 for 252 yards and had 1 INT. Roddy White lead all receivers with 13 catches for 111 yards. Other than Roddy no other Falcon had a decent game receiving. Tony Gonzalez had only 2 catches for 35 yards. Look for the Falcons to bounce back next week and have a better matchup.
Titans 38, Raiders 13
Titans: Chris Johnson started off this season where he left off last season. Johnson ran 27 times for 142 yards and 2 TDs he also had 4 catches for 68 yards. Johnson's game could have been even better. Javon Ringer ran for a 15 yard TD in the 2nd quarter. Vince Young had an excellent game going 13 for 17 for 154 yards and rushed for another 30 yards to go along with the 2 passing TDs. Since Kenny Britt is in Coach Fischers doghouse Nate Washington lead the Titans receivers with 3 catches for 88 and 1 TD. Bo Scaife hauled in 3 passes for 33 yards and Young's 2nd TD pass of the day in the 4th quarter.
Raiders: The Raiders got rid of draft bust JaMarcus Russell and brought in Jason Campbell but yesterday Jason Campbell's stats looked no different than JaMarcus Russell's could have been. Campbell completed 22 of 37 passes for 180 yard and 1 TD and 1 INT and 1 fumble. Louis Murphy caught 4 of those passes for a measly 29 yards. Popular tight end sleeper Zach Miller hauled in 4 passes for 43 yards. The only bright spot for the Raiders was Darren McFadden. McFadden was getting the start because Michael Bush broke his thumb in the preseson. McFadden looked solid rushing 18 times for 95 yards and leading the Raiders in receiving with 6 catches for 55 yards and a TD.
Giants 31, Panthers 18
Giants: Eli Manning threw 3 TDs but he also threw 3 INTs but it didn't matter in this Giants victory. Manning completed 20 of 30 for 263 yards. All three TDs went to second year wide receiver Hakeem Nicks who hauled in a total of 4 passes for 75 yards. Steve Smith the highest drafted Giants receiver in this years redrafts caught 5 passes for 43 yards. Mario Manningham ended up leading the team in receiving yards on the day after hauling in 4 passes for 85 yards. Ahmed Bradshaw(20-76-1, 2-17) had 22 touches compared to Brandon Jacobs(12-44, 2-21) 14. It looks as though Bradshaw will be the lead back in this committee and have the majority of carries. But it is to be seen who will get the majority of goal line carries. Even though Bradshaw scored his TD from 4 yards out, Brandon Jacobs could take some of those TDs away.
Panthers: Matt Moore was horrendous only completing 14 of 33 pass attempts and throwing 3 INTs. Moore had 1 TD pass and 182 yards. Jimmy Clausen came in at the end of the game because of a Matt Moore injury and threw 2 passes but didn't complete any of them. DeAngelo Williams was the main back for the Panthers rushing 16 times for 62 yards. Jonathon Stewart who sat out the preseason recovering from offseason surgery only had 5 carries that totaled 12 yards. One bright spot was Steve Smith who had a TD and had 5 catches for 75 yards.
Bears 14, Lions 13
Bears: Mike Martz's offense was alive and well on Sunday but they just couldn't score any TDs. Jay Cutler completed 23 passes out of 35 for 372 yards and 2 TDs and 1 INT. The biggest story out of this game from the Bears side was the play of Matt Forte. The way Forte was used yesterday reminded fantasy players a lot like Marshall Faulk who ran in the Martz offense will in St Louis. Forte ran 17 times for 50 yards but did his biggerst damage in the passing game. Forte had receiving TDs of 89 and 28 yards. He totaled 151 yards on 7 catches. If he is continued to be used like this he could be in for a big season. Out of the Bears receivers popular sleeper pick Devin Aromashodu caught 5 passes for 71 yards. Last years rookie wide receiver Johnny Knox had 3 catches for 52 yards. Devin Hester was a non factor only getting 1 catch for 17 yards.
Lions: Calvin Johnson (4-45) thought he scored the game winning TD with about 20 seconds left but after a controversial call it was ruled he did not maintain control of the ball. To add insult to injury Matt Stafford(11 for 15 for 82 yards) looks to have suffered a bad injury to his shoulder and could be out for a extended period of time. Shaun Hill replaced Stafford and went 9 for 19 and 88 yards with 1 INT. Tight end Tony Scheffler caught 6 passes for 43 yards. Rookie Jahvid Best ran for 2 TDs but outside of those 2 TDs he didn't have a very good game. Best ran 14 times for only 20 yards and had 5 receptions for 16 yards. The Lions offense could be in trouble with Stafford's injury. Shaun Hill doesn't have the arm that Stafford has and it could hurt Calvin Johnson and his numbers.
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