Week 1 of the NFL season is usually the one where dreams are either dashed or heightened. A mediocre team can become a Super Bowl contender, and vice versa, after just one game.
Fantasy works the same way. Walking away with a 1-0 record on the first week of football is a good start. We get to see regular season action for the first time and notice a few players living up to the expectations and giving us some high scoring action.
Here’s a look at some of these top performers:
Quarterback
Tom Brady, New England Patriots – Could it be anyone else? Apologies to any other quarterback that had a good first week, but it was Brady’s week 1 performance that had most players jumping out of their seats. Brady made his owners wait an extra night, but he delivered on Monday Night Football. 517 yards and 4 TDs later, Brady proves he is still one of the elite Fantasy QBs. Brady led all scorers in traditional fantasy scoring on ESPN.com with 34 overall points.
Others: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (312 yards, 4 TDs); Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins (416 yards, 2 TDs, 1 Rushing TD); Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (422 yards, 2 TDs, 1 Rushing TD); Drew Brees (419 yards, 3 TDs).
Running Backs
Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens – Ray Rice may be the most valuable running back in all of fantasy football. He proved he could do it against what is considered an elite defense in Pittsburgh, scoring 2 TDs (1 rushing and 1 receiving) while racking up 107 yards on the ground. As we get deeper into the season, Rice could very well be up here every week.
Mike Tolbert, San Diego Chargers – It was Ryan Matthews that was the higher rated of the two running backs in San Diego, but it was Tolbert that had the biggest impact in week 1. Tolbert scored 3 total TDs, 2 of them on the receiving end. Tolbert was the handcuff for Matthews for many owners, but he may garner some starts in the near future as he is establishing himself as a top option for the Chargers.
Others: LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles (122 rushing yards, 2 total TDs); Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals (121 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD); Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders (150 rushing yards); Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills (112 rushing yards)
Wide Receivers & Tight Ends
Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers – It will be seen within these next few weeks if rookie QB Cam Newton can keep it up, but Steve Smith returned to the top of the WR rankings with a big Week 1 game. He had 178 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. More importantly, he was targeted 11 times, proving that the offense will be focused on getting him the ball as Newton develops.
Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans – Matt Hasselbeck is still assimilating himself to the Titans’ system, but having Kenny Britt there to ease the transition helps. Britt only had 5 catches, but they went for 136 yards and 2 scores. Britt proved to be Hasselbeck’s top target, with 10 total targets. As Chris Johnson gets back into the groove, Britt will see even more space.
Aaron Hernandez, New England Patriots – Apologies to his teammate Wes Welker, but Hernandez was the difference maker for the Patriots’ passing game. The big tight end provides Brady another big target in the middle that can get lost in the shuffle. As the team continues to develop chemistry, he will find more space to operate.
Others: Wes Welker, New England Patriots (160 receiving yards, 2 TDs); DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles (102 receiving yards, 1 TD); Aaron Hernandez, Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills (63 receiving yards, 2 TDs); Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts (106 receiving yards, 1 TD).
Defense/Special Teams & Kickers
David Akers, San Francisco 49ers – Akers had 4 field goals, though none of them were over 31 yards in distance. Akers might prove to be the highest scorer in the NFL again as the 49ers exhibited some early troubles converting in the red zone.
Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders – Many of you saw extra points because of the distance of his field goal against the Denver Broncos (63 yards, tying an NFL record). Janikowski will see a lot of field goal opportunities as well as the Raiders may have the same issues scoring TDs.
49ers DEF/SP – The 49ers defense played solidly against the Seahawks. Although allowing 17 points, they did have one INT, 2 fumble recoveries, and 5 sacks. Not to mention Ted Ginn Jr’s 2 kick returns (one kickoff, one punt) for TDs in the 4th quarter.
Ravens DEF/SP – Not big on the special teams, though the defense proved to be stout against the defending AFC Champions. 7 forced turnovers and only allowing 7 points. They should be a solid unit again this season.
Others: Bears DEF/SP (3 turnovers, 5 sacks); Texans DEF/SP (2 turnovers, 3 sacks, 7 points allowed); Robbie Gould, Chicago Bears (3 FG made, 3 XP).
Cecil Butler III - A sports fan first, but one who looks at sports from all angles objectively with 20 years of self-taught knowledge.
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