X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Booms/Busts Week 1: Late Games

By the time the NFL slate reaches the late games, a good part of your matchup will likely be decided. Maybe you are trying to make a gallant comeback after your opponent had Rob Gronkowski on Thursday. Or maybe your team will be comfortably ahead and you just need to pad that lead enough to help you sleep easy on Sunday/Monday night. Anyway, here are my picks for who will boom and bust in the late games (which includes the annual two Monday Night Football games in Week 1, a reminder that God loves us).

Editor’s Note: If you’re looking for a new, awesome, highly customizable and free option for year-round commissioner & dynasty leagues, something more capable than Yahoo, better looking than CBS, and built from the ground up with fantasy football in mind, play free fantasy football with our friends at Fleaflicker. Sign up your league on Fleaflicker, and get a Full Season Premium Subscription for FREE.

 

Week 1 Booms

QB Sam Bradford, PHI: Count me among the many that believe the Eagles are going to put up a ton of points this season. Chip Kelly quarterbacks have been fantasy producers and they were players that Chip did not handpick for his system. New Falcons coach Dan Quinn is looked at as a defensive guru, but his unit will have it's hands full with the fast-paced Eagles offense. Bradford has much more talent than previous Eagles QBs Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez and going from a Brian Schottenheimer offense in St. Louis to a Kelly offense in Philadelphia is like the difference between night(man) and day(man). I think Bradford will be a Top 5 QB this week and for the season, on his way to winning the Comeback Player of the Year award.

 

QB Eli Manning, NYG and Tony Romo, DAL: I fully expect both quarterbacks to put up numbers in this NFC East battle featuring mediocre defenses. These games usually devolve into furious finishes that rely on passing during the 2 minute drill. Romo, in particular, will be asked to shoulder more of the load than last year thanks to DeMarco Murray's defection to Philly. Both are viable QB1s.

 

RB Doug Martin, TB: Martin is a mix of last year's Lamar Miller and Mark Ingram, in that his name brings up bad memories for owners from previous seasons. The man they once called Muscle Hamster had rough 2013 and 2014 campaigns after setting the league on fire as a rookie back in 2012. Fantasy owners that want to live in the past can point to those disappointments as a reason to avoid Martin altogether. But anyone who watched the preseason saw that the Bucs running back was running with speed and power again after losing 15 pounds in the offseason. A Week 1 matchup against a poor run defense in Tennessee is exactly what the doctor ordered for Martin owners nervous that they drafted a lemon.

 

Calvin Johnson, DET and WR Julio Jones, ATL: I am lumping these two together because everybody expects them to boom week in and week out. This is more for players of daily games.  If you are going to pay for receivers, pay for these two.  Johnson has gotten over the ankle issues that plagued him last season and has been rested all preseason. The only thing scarier than Megatron is a rested, hungry Megatron.

Jones has always had the talent to be the highest-scoring receiver in fantasy, but has never been able to bust through his ceiling due to system issues or other mouths in the offense that had to be fed. Those two issues no longer apply. Atlanta's offense under Kyle Shanahan is an all-you-can-eat buffet for the X receiver, which happens to be the position Jones plays. Harry Douglas is now in Tennessee, Roddy White is old and banged up, and Tony Gonzalez remains retired. Matt Ryan will go at his favorite target early and often against a porous Eagles secondary that was lit up by passing attacks all of last season and did not get the upgrades needed to make them competent.

 

WR John Brown, ARI: This is a name that isn't as obvious, despite some preseason hype. I personally wrote about Brown in the preseason as someone that could play the T.Y. Hilton role in Bruce Arians' offense, so I'll keep this simple. Brown put up respeactable numbers as a rookie with bad quarterbacks throwing him the ball for most of the time. He gets back Carson Palmer in a home game against a Saints defense that varies between terrible and abysmal. Larry Fitzgerald is the bigger name and the safer play, but based on Brown's usage in the preseason and his raw tools, I expect him to be the highest scorer out of the Cardinals receivers on Sunday.

 

WR Stevie Johnson, SD: Ever since Vincent Jackson left, figuring out who will be the leading Chargers receiver in a given week has been a guessing game. Keenan Allen looked to be the rock in 2013, but disappointed in 2014. Antonio Gates continues to produce, but father time will one day catch up with him and he is suspended the first four games on this season. Malcom Floyd and Ladarius Green consistently underperform, and Green is unlikely to suit up on Sunday due to a concussion. Someone will need to catch those targets from Philip Rivers. Enter Johnson, who is a better fit in the slot with the Chargers than he was lining up for the 49ers last year. Johnson put up good numbers with the Bills despite bad QB play, so pairing with Rivers could lead to a bonanza. I would comfortably start him as a WR3 or Flex if you are in a pinch.

 

Bucs Defense: Many people will be scared off by Tampa's rough season that left them with the number 1 pick, but this defense has real appeal, especially in Week 1. Gerald McCoy and LaVonte David are legitimate studs and Lovie Smith's Bears were the kings of forcing turnovers. All that being factored in with Marcus Mariota making his first NFL start on the road leaves the Bucs defense as a real sleeper for fantasy leagues.  Sure Tampa's offense worries you, but they aren't exactly going up against the 85 Bears.

 

Week 1 Busts

QB Drew Brees, NO: The Post-Jimmy Graham Era begins in Arizona. The Saints have rebuilt their roster to resemble a running team, with Mark Ingram leading the way. C.J. Spiller has officially been declared out this week, leaving Brees one less reliable option in the passing game. Former LSU teammates Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu hope to make Brees look like the turnover prone QB he was last year. If you have a better option than the Saints signal caller, I would consider it.

 

RB Joique Bell, DET: The amount of love Bell received in drafts this summer flummoxed me. His ADP as the 27th running back just seems short-sighted.  He was injured for almost all of the preseason and never has shown all that much talent. I expect Ameer Abdullah to get a fair share of reps in his inevitable rise to becoming the Lions starting back. Joique's hype is a product of worthless depth charts that are thrown out the door once on-field production begins. Avoid him this week and for the entire season.

 

RB Carlos Hyde, SF: Retirements, defections and turnover. Those were the three key words for the 49ers this offseason. Hyde looks around now as the lead running back in San Fran, but surrounded by much less talent. I believe the Vikings are a playoff team this year, led by Norv Turner's offensive system and Mike Zimmer's defensive knowledge. I expect the Niners to be down early and have to turn to Colin Kaepernick and the passing game earlier than they would like.

 

RB Bishop Sankey, TEN: Nothing in Sankey's tape from last season was all that exciting. I broke down how much I like the Bucs defense earlier in this piece, so that is strike one against Sankey. I truly believe David Cobb would be getting the lion's share of the carries if he was healthy. Having a running quarterback usually helps the starting running back's numbers but I think Sankey is too limited talent-wise and matchup-wise to be worthy of anything more than a Flex flier.

 

WR Mike Evans, TB: Hamstring injuries are tricky business, and there is nothing worse than watching your player struggle to a 0 as he limps around or re-aggravates something. Dealing with a rookie quarterback making the first start of his career is scary as well. I would avoid Evans altogether if you have another player that can contribute similar numbers. When he's healthy, he's a stud but that will likely not be the case this Sunday.

 

WR Roddy White, ATL: People are still drafting and starting Hot Rod because of previous seasons' performances. White is now a 33-year-old receiver coming off a season where he failed to put up 1,000 yards despite being in a pass-happy offense and opposing defenses focusing on Julio Jones. As I said earlier, Jones is now by far the focal point of the new offense and White is battling elbow problems. While the Eagles do present a potential tasty matchup, I would pass on White.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

J.J. McCarthy

has Shown Plenty of Arm Strength
Chet Holmgren

Has Tough Shooting Night in Game 5 Against Pacers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Outstanding at Both Ends Monday
Jalen Williams

Erupts for 40 Points in Game 5 Win
Pascal Siakam

Has Best Game of Finals Monday
Tyrese Haliburton

Determined to Battle Through Calf Injury
LeBron James

Progressing Well From Knee Injury
Lucas Giolito

Strikes Out Season-High 10 in Monday's Win
Logan Gilbert

Fans 10 in Return on Monday
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers, DeShon Elliott Agree to Two-Year Extension
Ryan Pepiot

Strikes Out 11 in Win
Hunter Goodman

Homers Twice, Drives in Three
Stephen Curry

"Not Even Close" to Retirement
Jonathan Kuminga

Linked to Bulls, Heat
Kevin Durant

Has "No Desire" to be Traded to Minnesota
Isaac Paredes

Returns as DH on Monday
New York Giants

Mike Kafka Expected to Reclaim Play-Calling Duties
Jon Runyan

Limited During Minicamp
Saquon Barkley

Feels Great Physically
Justin Simmons

Panthers Have Talked With Justin Simmons
Jordan Addison

Trial Date Set for July 15
New York Jets

Jets Sign Kingsley Jonathan, Marquis Hayes
Jarace Walker

Remains Sidelined for Game 5
Justin Verlander

Returning to the Rotation on Wednesday
Tony Finau

Finishes Tied For 38th at U.S. Open
Bud Cauley

Misses The Cut at U.S. Open
Cameron Young

Finishes Tied For Fourth at U.S. Open
J.J. Spaun

Wins U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Finishes Tied For 12th at U.S. Open
Robert MacIntyre

Finishes Second at U.S. Open
Si Woo Kim

Finishes Tied For 42nd at U.S. Open
Vershon Lee

Vikings Ink Undrafted Offensive Lineman Vershon Lee
Luke Clanton

Misses The Cut at RBC Canadian Open
San Francisco 49ers

C.J. West Signs Rookie Deal with San Fran
Jaylen Warren

Training to Handle Larger Workload
Giancarlo Stanton

to Make Season Debut on Monday
Will Campbell

Ends Minicamp as Top Left Tackle
Sam Cosmi

Making Good Progress From Torn ACL
Kamaru Usman

Gets Back In The Win Column
Adonai Mitchell

Impresses at Minicamp
Joaquin Buckley

Winning Streak Comes To An End
Miranda Maverick

Drops Decision At UFC Atlanta
Bradley Chubb

Fully Healed, Looking Disruptive
Jonnu Smith

Contract Talks "Still Fluid"
Rose Namajunas

Wins Decision At UFC Atlanta
Andre Petroski

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Edmen Shahbazyan

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Raoni Barcelos

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Chase Elliott

Ends Mexico City with A Great Finish of Third
Christopher Bell

has A Strong Runner-Up Performance At Mexico City
Chase Briscoe

Wild Day Ends with A Top-10 Finish
Michael McDowell

Leaves Mexico City with A Top-Five Finish
Cody Garbrandt

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Cody Brundage

Defeated After Accidental Clash Of Heads
Cody Brundage

Mansur Abdul-Malik Defeats Cody Brundage By Technical Decision
Oumar Sy

Suffers His First Loss
Alonzo Menifield

Scores Upset Win
Alex Bowman

Delivers Bravura Performance After Michigan Injury
Tyler Reddick

Inexplicably Mediocre on his Once-Best Track Type
John Hunter Nemechek

Canny Strategy Gives John Hunter Nemechek Best Career Road-Course Finish
Cole Custer

Earns Best Finish Since Cup-Series Comeback at Mexico City
Grant Holmes

Punches Out 15 in Loss
Elly De La Cruz

Goes Yard in Fourth Straight Game
Will Vest

Dealing With Finger Injury
Jackson Merrill

Placed on Seven-Day Concussion Injured List
J.J. McCarthy

Looking "a Lot Stronger"
Shohei Ohtani

Will Be Dodgers' Starting Pitcher Monday
Roki Sasaki

Shut Down From Throwing
Garrett Wilson

Receives New Contract Offer
Jordan Hicks

Headed to Boston
Kyle Harrison

Traded to Red Sox
Travis Kelce

Slims Down During the Offseason
Trey Hendrickson

Bengals Restart Contract Discussions
Brady House

Nationals Promoting Brady House to Major Leagues
Rafael Devers

Traded to San Francisco
Logan Gilbert

to Start on Monday
Jayden Higgins

Impresses During Minicamp
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

on the Move to Memphis
Cole Anthony

Dealt to the Grizzlies
Tyler Mahle

Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Luis Robert Jr.

Scratched with Thumb Soreness
Desmond Bane

Traded to Orlando
Byron Buxton

Scratched from Sunday's Lineup
Steven Adams

Rockets Agree to Three-Year Contract Extension
Ty Dillon

Is a Respectable Cap Flexiblity-Focused DFS Option For Mexico City
Corey Perry

Produces 10th Postseason Goal
Connor McDavid

Scores First Finals Goal
John Hunter Nemechek

Is John Hunter Nemechek Worth Rostering In Mexico City DFS Lineups?
Sam Bennett

Nets Another Road Goal in Game 5 Win
Eetu Luostarinen

Earns Two Points Saturday
Brad Marchand

Pots Two Goals in Game 5 Victory
Sergei Bobrovsky

Ties NHL Record with 10th Road Win
Ross Chastain

Trackhouse Racing's Mexico Focus Makes Ross Chastain a Leading Contender for the Win
Kyle Busch

One of Two Past Mexico City Winners in the Field
Ryan Preece

Earns Surprising Front-Row Start
Austin Cindric

Not as Strong of a Road Racer as People Think
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Stronger on Infield Road Courses Than Purpose-Built Ones
Joey Logano

Seemingly Alternating Between Good and Mediocre Races
Brad Keselowski

One of the Few Drivers with Mexico City Experience
Denny Hamlin

Ryan Truex Makes First Cup Series Start Since 2014
Erik Jones

Mexico City Will Likely be a Struggle for Erik Jones
Noah Gragson

Front Row Motorsports' Speed May Make Noah Gragson a Decent DFS Option
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Road Courses Are Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s Worst Track Type
Evander Kane

Drops to Fourth Line Saturday
Kasperi Kapanen

Won't Play on Saturday
Calvin Pickard

Starts Game 5 for Oilers
Tyrese Haliburton

Struggles in Friday's Loss to OKC
Chet Holmgren

Dominates the Glass in Game 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads the Way in Game 4
Jalen Williams

Has a Quality Showing on Friday Night
Russell Westbrook

to Decline Player Option
Kevin Durant

Trade Could Happen in the "Next Few Days"
Joaquin Buckley

Set For Main Event
Kamaru Usman

An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
Miranda Maverick

Set For Co-Main Event
Rose Namajunas

Looks To Bounce Back
Andre Petroski

Looks To Extend His Win Streak To Four
Edmen Shahbazyan

A Favorite At UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos

Set To Take On Former Champion
Cody Garbrandt

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mansur Abdul-Malik

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Connor Hellebuyck

Wins Vezina And Hart Trophies
Aleksander Barkov

Records Two Power-Play Assists Thursday
Sam Reinhart

Collects Three Points in Thursday's Loss
Matthew Tkachuk

Notches Three Points in Losing Effort
Calvin Pickard

Joins Exclusive List with Thursday's Win
Mattias Ekholm

Logs Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Leon Draisaitl

Delivers Victory in Overtime Thursday
Myles Turner

Playing Through Illness
Anze Kopitar

Wins Third Lady Byng Trophy
Sergei Bobrovsky

Heading Out for Win No. 15
John Klingberg

Won't Play in Game 4 Against Panthers
Viktor Arvidsson

Sits Out Game 4 Against Panthers
Stuart Skinner

Remains in Oilers Crease Thursday
Matt McCarty

Comes Off Season-Best Showing at RBC Canadian Open
Justin Thomas

Desperate to Continue Good 2025 Season
Jon Rahm

Seeks Revenge at U.S. Open
Tom Kim

Aiming for Improvement in U.S. Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Expects Solid Performance at Oakmont
Brian Harman

Aims to Rebound From the Memorial
Tony Finau

has Been Up and Down at U.S. Open
Patrick Cantlay

Hoping This is the Year at Oakmont
Akshay Bhatia

Improving in Time for U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Primed for Another Major Championship Run
Cameron Young

May Struggle at U.S. Open
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Third Major Championship Title
Matt Fitzpatrick

Seeks to Avenge Oakmont Collapse
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF