Assignments for Kickoff Weekend
Each week, our staffers are assigned 3 to 4 games to breakdown for our readers – something we like to call our Weekly Assignments. Some are shorter than others, but they’re all equally fantastic. We know the Steelers handled their business last night – let’s see what else is on tap for the remainder of Kickoff Weekend:
Chris Hayre (CH), Mark Rogers (MR), Pat Greissing (PG), Veronica James (VJ)
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis - Jim Caldwell’s coaching debut is a rousing success as Manning finds each of his top three targets (Wayne, Clark, Gonzalez) for touchdowns. Jack Del Rio’s seat starts to get a little warm. (CH) Pick: Colts
Dallas @ Tampa Bay – Apparently Tampa is recession proof. If you’re a running back or quarterback and need a job, they’ll probably consider you. The Bucs start 2009 playing the QB carousel – first up on the ride, Big Byron Leftwich, with Josh Freeman and Josh Johnson waiting in the wings. At RB, you got the Caddy, Earnest Graham and free agent Derrick Ward. All three will play according to Coach Raheem Morris. Who plays the most? Who knows. Who cares! If you’re starting one of these guys on your fantasy team, you aren’t winning. With the potential offensive ineptitude, look for the Dallas defense to take advantage with their attacking style. They’ll force a couple turnovers and come out a winner. (MR) Pick: Cowboys
Minnesota @ Cleveland – Quinn or Anderson? It looks like Quinn but Mangini won’t say. Doesn’t matter, Favre and AP get the Vikings off to a good start with an easy victory. (PG) Pick: Vikings
NY Jets @ Houston – Rookie QB Mark Sanchez makes his debut for the Jets and is primed to look like a hero if backs Leon Washington and Thomas Jones show up ready to run. Given the fact Houston had one of the leagues worst rushing defenses, it shouldn’t be too daunting of a task. Rex Grossman is expected to start at QB if Schaub still has a bum ankle from his sprain during the Aug 31 preseason game. I’m no football coach, but I do know that Houston is better off starting an Egg McMuffin then Rex Grossman. (VJ) Pick: Jets
Philadelphia @ Carolina - The winner of this game will be the one that commits the least turnovers. On one side you have McNabb, on the other a turnover machine in Delhomme. Philly on the road gets it done. (PG) Pick: Eagles
Detroit @ New Orleans- New coach, rookie QB, on the road, virtually weaponless offense, 8 losing seasons and a donut for wins last year vs. Drew Brees and Co. I’m not wasting any more breath on this game. (VJ) Pick: Saints
Kansas City @ Baltimore – Word on the street is that Matt Cassel will be a game-time decision this Sunday against the Black Birds. Matt, do yourself a favor homey and let Brodie Croyle or Tyler Thigpen take this beating from Ray-Ray and the boys. Todd Haley’s first game as the sideline boss in KC gets ugly quick. (CH) Pick: Ravens
Denver @ Cincinnati – Denver’s a mess these days. Ironically, they travel to the Bungles in Week 1. Cincy must be like, “THANK YOU for the train wreck that is your team.” Speaking of the Bengals, Carson Palmer is back this year and if the defense shows a slight improvement, they could potentially win eight games. Cincy gets off to a 1-0 start at home vs. the Orange crushed. (MR) Pick: Bengals
Miami @ Atlanta- Miami’s all set to shred as they’ve built some momentum coming off a 4-0 pre-season. They’ve retained most of their starters from last year and added a few crucial weapons. Pennington has caught fire and the smoking hot, I mean great football player Jason Taylor is back. (Let’s face it though, if I was a QB and had Jason running after me, I’d let him tackle me all day long. No QB’s got a chance with this dude). But Miami has one of the toughest schedules in the league and are going to have to work their suntanned buttskies off for some W’s. Falcons are looking legit as their fearless leader Matt Ryan was just named Wall Street Journal’s “Most Handsome Quarterback.” I may or may not have drafted him as my starting fantasy QB solely because of this. (Hint: I did). It also helps he threw for 50,000,000 yards last season, (16 TD’s, 61.1%), but the 11 interceptions have got to go. Matty, YOU GOTTA KNOW WHICH GUY IS ON YOUR TEAM! Overall I say he’s feeling pretty good about life right now and the Tony Gonzo addition will make these guys a killer combo; on the cover of GQ and on the field. I’m taking Atlanta. (VJ) Pick: Falcons
Washington @ NY Giants – When you think of Giants/Redskins, you probably think the following: heated rivalry, Skins’ and Gints, the Burgundy and Gold vs. Big Blue. All I can think about is Brandon Jacobs giving LaRon Landry the snot bubbles. No charge! The Redskins need their young WR’s to step up – and they will, just not this week against a Giants defense that will have Campbell wishing he was traded. It’ll be a low scoring game but expect the Giants to come out on top at home. (MR) Pick: Giants
San Francisco @ Arizona – Do you hear me yawning? The 49ers have the advantage at the RB position, but that’s about the only place. Nine guys in the box for the Cards and the game is over. (PG) Pick: Cardinals
St. Louis @ Seattle – Pat, I’ll see your yawn and raise you a nap. Unless any of these players are on your fantasy team, why would you put yourself through watching this? Qwest Field is one of the toughest places in the NFL to get a road win so I don’t expect a team coming off a 2-14 season pulling off the upset. Take the ‘Hawks and feel good about yourself. (CH) Pick: Seahawks
Chicago @ Green Bay – This is going to be a passionate, high scoring, QB dual that will usher us into the next decade of Bears/Cheesehead rivalry and into a new decade of Cutler/Rogers excitement. Are you ready for some FOOTBALLLLL!?!?!?! (VJ) Pick: Packers
Buffalo @ New England - As a Jets fan, I hope both teams lose but I guess that can’t happen. I don’t know why I was assigned to evaluate this game. Just take NE. Go Yankees! (MR) Pick: Patriots
San Diego @ Oakland - After the nightcap to the Week 1 schedule, the Oakland players and their fans will need a nightcap as well. The one positive for Oakland fans - the consistency of losing will begin in Week 1. Note to management: don’t cut your best QB before the season starts. (PG) Pick: Chargers
