Another football season is upon us, which means that another season of fantasy football is as well. Throughout the season “Coach on a Couch” will keep fantasy owners up to date with the latest injury reports and weekly scoring projections (based on ESPN standard scoring). Check back each week for more news and insight to gain a competitive edge on your opponents.
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Tony Romo QB, DAL, faces a familiar foe in the New York Giants. In two games against the Giants last season, Romo threw for seven touchdowns and only one interception, while averaging 277 passing yards per game. Romo was also able to eclipse 20 fantasy points in each of those games. This game looks to be a NFC East shootout in which Romo should put up big numbers.
Prediction: 22 pts; 260 yds, 3 TDs
Jeremy Hill RB, CIN, is one of the most powerful runners in the league, which will bode well for him under the ground and pound offensive system in Cincinnati. Over the final three weeks last season, Hill had a total of 70 carries and racked up an average of 132 rushing yards per game. Hill will again have a large workload in the season opener against the Oakland Raiders, who allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs last season. Mix a lot of carries with a poor run defense and you get fantasy gold.
Prediction: 17 pts; 110 yds, 1 TD
Davante Adams WR, GB, will be entering his second season in the league and will be primed for a breakout year. Last season as the third receiver for the Packers, Adams caught 38 passes for 446 yards and three touchdowns. Adams should build on these numbers as he will be one of the go-to targets in Green Bay, with Jordy Nelson out for the season and Randall Cobb not being 100 percent healthy. One of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers, will still be throwing the ball to Adams, which will only improve his upside.
Prediction: 13 pts; 70 yds, 1 TD
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Jay Cutler QB, CHI, will be challenged this week by division rival, the Green Bay Packers. In each of his 10 games against the Packers since joining the Bears, Cutler has 13 touchdowns to 21 interceptions, and has averaged just over 180 passing yards per game. On top of all that, the Bears receiving corp is dealing with multiple injuries, the most notable being lead receiver Alshon Jeffery (calf). With limited help and history against him, I don’t like Cutler’s chances in this matchup.
Prediction: 12 pts; 200 yds, 2 TD, 2 INTs
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Frank Gore RB, IND, is one of the notable additions to the high-powered Indianapolis Colts offense. Gore, who managed to rush for over 1,100 yards last season with a struggling 49ers offense, should have a wealth of opportunities with the Colts. This being said, the Colts will be on the road against a much improved Buffalo Bills defense. With Andrew Luck at the helm, Indianapolis will look to air it out, which will make Gore and the rushing attack an occasional change of pace play. I can see this guy doing big things, just not in this first week.
Prediction: 6 pts; 60 yds
Alshon Jeffery WR, CHI, has been battling an injury that leaves him questionable for this week. Even if he plays I think he will struggle along with teammate Jay Cutler. Jeffery was less than impressive in his two games against Green Bay last season, averaging just 51 receiving yards per game and catching only one touchdown in the first of two matchups. Jeffery is now the number one target in Chicago which means he will see the best opposing corner each week.
Prediction: 7 pts; 70 yds
Top Players by Position
QB
Matt Ryan, ATL: Don’t be surprised to see Matty Ice air it out in the neighborhood of 30-35 times.
Prediction: 24 pts; 320 yds, 3 TDs
Drew Brees, NO: Facing the Arizona Cardinals who allowed the tenth most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks last season.
Prediction: 20 pts; 300 yds, 2 TDs
Ryan Tannehill, MIA: Poised for a breakout season and facing the weak Redskins secondary.
Prediction: 19 pts; 280 yds, 2 TDs
RB
Adrian Peterson, MIN: In the first game back from a suspension, this guy will be running with both excitement and anger, which will make for a rather lethal combination.
Prediction: 16 pts; 100 yds, 1 TD
Eddie Lacy, GB: Will see an increased workload as the Packers try to take pressure off of Aaron Rodgers and company in the passing game.
Prediction: 14 pts; 80 yds, 1 TD
Marshawn Lynch, SEA: After last season’s Super Bowl debacle, it is a sure bet that the Seahawks will try to run a little bit more.
Prediction: 16 pts; 100 yds, 1 TD
WR
Odell Beckham Jr, NYG: As mentioned earlier, it is going to be a shootout in Dallas.
Prediction: 17 pts; 110 yds, 1 TD
Julio Jones, ATL: Similar to the DAL vs. NYG game, we might see 100 total passes thrown, many of which will find the hands of Jones.
Prediction: 16 pts; 100 yds, 1 TD
Demaryius Thomas, DEN: Has had either 100 yards or a touchdown in 26 of his past 30 appearances.
Prediction: 14 pts; 80 yds, 1 TD
Check out a comprehensive injury report here.
Thanks for reading and check back next week for more fantasy football insights.
Questions about your lineup?
Collegian Sports Reporter Alec Grimes can be reached at sports@collegian.com and on Twitter @GrimesAlec.
