Week One Preview
08/09/11 00:55
Here we go! With the season set to kickoff later tonight, I thought I'd get things started with a preview of this week's matchups along with my predictions. This is a HUGE week with all teams playing within their divisions.
VFL vs. BEASTMODE:
Two of the more interestingly named teams. One, because it keeps changing (Legacy, Red vs Blue Radio, Ryan Williams Experience and now Beastmode?) and the other, well, because I have no idea what it stands for (VFL?). Beastmode suffered one of the more significant injuries this summer (Ryan Williams) with such repercussions that it itself caused a name change. Beastmode is trotting out a very capable lineup in Vick, Lynch, Best, Calvin, Maclin, Thomas, Tampa Mike and Pettigrew. Still, I'm thinking this team gets off to a slow start with Lynch coming off of an injury, Best still shaking out the cobwebs and Maclin just now getting back into practice. VFL has similar issues as well, starting Brees, Turner, ADP, Woodhead, Lloyd, Collie, Gonzo and Gates. Turner hasn't yet hit his stride, Collie is coming off injury and so is Gates. Prediction: Beastmode in a defensive battle.
INVICTUS vs. $ EARN-IN MOUNT VERNON:
Last year's second place finisher (Invictus) is looking good in week 1 IF Arian Foster makes it onto the field. The supporting cast is strong with Big Ben, Blount, Nelson, Harvin, Wallace, Clark and Gronk, but without its star, this team is likely to struggle. Mount Vernon is going with Rivers, MJD, DThomas, Welker, Bennett, Manningham, Heap and Evan Moore. Always a bad sign when I have to spell out a player's entire name, but the rest of the lineup is solid. Prediction: INVICTUS takes it in a close one with Foster riding the pine.
CORNFINS VS. DESERT WIND:
One of the tougher matchups this week with two early favorites to make the playoffs. Cornfins is going with Fitzpartrick, Bradshaw, Greene, Moss, Boldin, Fitz, Nicks and Graham. Weak at QB this week but those WRs and TE are studly. Desert Wind is starting Manning the younger, Addai, Hillis, AJ, Colston, Austin, Britt and Daniels. Very nice lineup. Prediction: Cornfins in a high scoring affair and taking down the highest scoring effort of the week.
MURPHY'S LAW vs. QWIK-6:
Murphy just missed the playoffs last year and so a good early start is especially critical. He has the lineup to get it done with Rodgers, Grant, Mendenhall, Mathews, Stevie J, Amendola, Finley and Hernandez, BUT, Qwik-6's lineup is just a tad stronger this week with Schaub, Gore, Deangelo, Felix, Wayne, Desean, Witten and Winslow. Prediction: I have to go with Qwik-6 in this one.
FOR TAYLAR vs. THREE ARCH BAY BANDITS:
These two teams invested heavily in the draft this year taking, among others, the top 3 rookies in Ingram, Julio and AJ Green. Looks like Ingram and Julio will get in the lineup from Day 1. For Taylar took a huge hit this summer with Leshoure going down. What is left can still competitive, but they will need a few break out seasons with Kolb, SJax, Benson, Smith (CAR), Evans, Bess, Julio and Gresham. Three Arch, a bye team in year 1, decided to go with the youth movement as well and is now starting Orton, Forte, Moreno, Wells, Ingram, Roddy, Holmes and Kendricks. Prediction: Three Arch takes it.
GALAXY ACES vs. CAVALIER KING CHARLES:
I am extremely biased of course, but this is an early clash of the 2011 Titans in my opinion. Galaxy, the league champ, is starting the sickest trio of RBs imaginable in DMC, Rice and Charles. Along with them, he is starting Brady, Hightower, Marshall, Plax and Dickson. CKC, while not as strong at the top, has a strong lineup throughout with Romo, CJ3, McCoy, Jennings, VJax, Bowe, Dez and Vernon. Prediction: Unfortunately, Galaxy takes this one in a close and surprisingly low scoring battle.
Good luck everyone!
VFL vs. BEASTMODE:
Two of the more interestingly named teams. One, because it keeps changing (Legacy, Red vs Blue Radio, Ryan Williams Experience and now Beastmode?) and the other, well, because I have no idea what it stands for (VFL?). Beastmode suffered one of the more significant injuries this summer (Ryan Williams) with such repercussions that it itself caused a name change. Beastmode is trotting out a very capable lineup in Vick, Lynch, Best, Calvin, Maclin, Thomas, Tampa Mike and Pettigrew. Still, I'm thinking this team gets off to a slow start with Lynch coming off of an injury, Best still shaking out the cobwebs and Maclin just now getting back into practice. VFL has similar issues as well, starting Brees, Turner, ADP, Woodhead, Lloyd, Collie, Gonzo and Gates. Turner hasn't yet hit his stride, Collie is coming off injury and so is Gates. Prediction: Beastmode in a defensive battle.
INVICTUS vs. $ EARN-IN MOUNT VERNON:
Last year's second place finisher (Invictus) is looking good in week 1 IF Arian Foster makes it onto the field. The supporting cast is strong with Big Ben, Blount, Nelson, Harvin, Wallace, Clark and Gronk, but without its star, this team is likely to struggle. Mount Vernon is going with Rivers, MJD, DThomas, Welker, Bennett, Manningham, Heap and Evan Moore. Always a bad sign when I have to spell out a player's entire name, but the rest of the lineup is solid. Prediction: INVICTUS takes it in a close one with Foster riding the pine.
CORNFINS VS. DESERT WIND:
One of the tougher matchups this week with two early favorites to make the playoffs. Cornfins is going with Fitzpartrick, Bradshaw, Greene, Moss, Boldin, Fitz, Nicks and Graham. Weak at QB this week but those WRs and TE are studly. Desert Wind is starting Manning the younger, Addai, Hillis, AJ, Colston, Austin, Britt and Daniels. Very nice lineup. Prediction: Cornfins in a high scoring affair and taking down the highest scoring effort of the week.
MURPHY'S LAW vs. QWIK-6:
Murphy just missed the playoffs last year and so a good early start is especially critical. He has the lineup to get it done with Rodgers, Grant, Mendenhall, Mathews, Stevie J, Amendola, Finley and Hernandez, BUT, Qwik-6's lineup is just a tad stronger this week with Schaub, Gore, Deangelo, Felix, Wayne, Desean, Witten and Winslow. Prediction: I have to go with Qwik-6 in this one.
FOR TAYLAR vs. THREE ARCH BAY BANDITS:
These two teams invested heavily in the draft this year taking, among others, the top 3 rookies in Ingram, Julio and AJ Green. Looks like Ingram and Julio will get in the lineup from Day 1. For Taylar took a huge hit this summer with Leshoure going down. What is left can still competitive, but they will need a few break out seasons with Kolb, SJax, Benson, Smith (CAR), Evans, Bess, Julio and Gresham. Three Arch, a bye team in year 1, decided to go with the youth movement as well and is now starting Orton, Forte, Moreno, Wells, Ingram, Roddy, Holmes and Kendricks. Prediction: Three Arch takes it.
GALAXY ACES vs. CAVALIER KING CHARLES:
I am extremely biased of course, but this is an early clash of the 2011 Titans in my opinion. Galaxy, the league champ, is starting the sickest trio of RBs imaginable in DMC, Rice and Charles. Along with them, he is starting Brady, Hightower, Marshall, Plax and Dickson. CKC, while not as strong at the top, has a strong lineup throughout with Romo, CJ3, McCoy, Jennings, VJax, Bowe, Dez and Vernon. Prediction: Unfortunately, Galaxy takes this one in a close and surprisingly low scoring battle.
Good luck everyone!
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