NFL Week 1 Prognostications:
Lines as seen in The USA Today (Tuesday September 8th) www.dannysheridan.com
Tennessee @ Pittsburgh (9/10 - Thursday night game 8:30 Eastern)
What a great game to kick off the season, we are talking two great defenses smashing mouths and fighting it out in the trenches, right? Wrong this is Fantasy Football folks, and the King keeps it real! What we should be talking about is a Pittsburgh offense that is going to open it up this year. A huge year for Holmes (top 15 my friends). We also should be talking about Tennessee trying to do the same, but not likely as well…they are still going to try. Here is what you’ll see in the box score Friday morning:
Steelers: Titans:
Big Ben: chucks up 269 yards/2 touches/1 pick Collins: goes for 204 yards/1 touch
Parker: 85 rushing yards/3 catch 18 yds/1 rec TD Johnson: 98 rush/5 catch 36 yds/1 TD
Homes: 6/94/1 TD LenDale White: 45 rush/1 TD
Ward: 4/61/- Gage: 5/75/1 TD
Sweed: 3/38/- Britt: 3/28/-
Miller: 4/31/1 TD Scaife: 4/41/-
FFL King prediction: Steelers at home 27-21 (Steelers by 6)
Current Line: Steelers –6 Over/Under: 35
King says…stay away from the line…definitely take the over!
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis (9/13 – Sunday 1:00 Eastern)
Lights out in Indy this week! Jones-Drew will have a big game, but not big enough for the Colts offense that will be in mid-season form. Manning is going to get stupid here…a Fantasy Football highlight reel in the making. This game is going to make you wish you drafted all of the Colts! Also going to send the Jags back to the drawing board! Here is what you’ll see in the box score:
Indy: Jags:
Manning: unloads 322 yards/3 touches/0 picks Garrard: goes for 210 yards/1 touch/1 pick
Addai: 75 rush/2 catch 13 yds/ 1 TD MJD: 79 rush/6 catch 52 yds/2 TD (1 run)
Brown: 30 rush/3 catch 18 yds/- Holt: 4/40/-
Wayne: 8/115/1 TD Mike Sims-Walker: 4/49/1 TD
Gonzalez: 6/94/1 TD Williamson: 3/37/-
Clark: 5/60/1 TD Greg Jones: 17 rush
Garcon: 2/28/- Rashad Jennings: 21 rush
FFL King prediction: Indy at home 31-17 (Indy by 14)
Current Line: Indy –7.5 Over/Under: 44.5
King says…Indy = money in the bank! Avoid the over/under this week!
Detroit @New Orleans (9/13 – Sunday 1:00 Eastern)
Lots of Fantasy scoring in this one…but the Lions fall short in the swamp. The Lions are going to win some games this year... Just not this one. Brees and company are too much for the Lions secondary. Expect a closer game than many think…but a 3rd quarter dominated by the Saints…and some slop at the end for the Lions:
Lions: Saints:
Stafford: 270 yards/2 touches/2 picks Brees: 327 yards/3 touch/1 pick
Smith: 78 rush/4 catch 40 yds/ 1 TD Bush: 79 rush/6 rec 55 yds/2 TD (1 run)
Megatron: 8/134 catch/1 M Bell: 55 yards rush/3 catches 22 yards
B. Johnson: 4/57/1 TD Colston: 6/91/1 TD
Pettitgrew: 2/17/- Moore: 5/63/1 TD
Morris: 19 rush/ 2 rec 15 yards Meachem: 3/37/-
Shockey: 4/51/-
Defensive TD
FFL King prediction: Saints at home 31-21 (Saints by 10)
Current Line: Saints –13 Over/Under 49.5
King says…stay away, I know it is tempting but it is a trap…avoid both lines!
Dallas @Tampa Bay (9/13 – Sunday 1:00 Eastern)
Dallas is pretty darn good. Tampa Bay is not very good. On the road win for the Boys, with what you would expect from a Fantasy perspective with a cherry on top. This game is not even close…home crowd fans leave early. This is the start of a long season for the Bucs!...and the start of a productive one for Romo & Co.
Cowboys: Buccaneers:
Romo: 339 yards/3 touches/- Leftwich: 202 yards/1 touch (rush)/2 int
Barber: 117 rush/3 catch 24 yds/ 1 TD Carnell Williams: 42 rush/1 catch 5 yds/-
Jones: 53 rush/4 catch 62 yds/1 rec TD Graham: 25 yards rush/-
R. Williams: 3/29/- Ward: 38 rush/5 for 27 catch/-
P. Crayton: 2/17/- Bryant: 4/54/-
M. Austin: 3/67/- Clayton 2/19/-
Witten: 7/94/1 TD Winslow: 5/61/-
Bennett: 3/31/1 TD
FFL King prediction: Dallas on the road 37-10 (Dallas by 27, wow!)
Current Line: Dallas –6 Over/Under 39
King says…go Large, supersize me baby! Heck, run with the over too! Parlay this sucker!
Kansas City @Baltimore (9/13 – Sunday 1:00 Eastern)
Oh boy. This is gonna get ugly. The Ravens D is gonna go off! Expect nothing from the Chiefs in Baltimore, and I mean nothing. They might post a couple field goals and slop in a score…but that is about it. After the first half, the Ravens are just going to shove it down their throats with a heavy 1,2,3 of Rice, McGahee and McClain...For us that own Cassel, we just hope he doesn’t get too frisky and Suit Up!
Ravens: Chiefs:
Flacco: 219 yards/1 touchdown/- Cassel (If plays): 242 yards/1 touch/1 int
Rice: 91 rush/5 catch 33 yds/ 1 TD LJ: 39 rush/1 catch 5 yds/-
McGahee: 83 rush/1 catch 8 yds/1 TD Charles: 45 yards rush/3 catch 17 yards-
McClain: 38 yards rush/- Bowe: 6/71/1
Mason: 5/70/- Bradley: 3/18/-
Williams: 3/67/- Engram: 5/63/-
Washington: 3/34/1 TD
Heap: 2/27/-
Defense: 1 fumble return TD.
FFL King prediction: Baltimore at home 31-10 (Ravens by 21, yes 21)
Current Line: Baltimore –13 Over/Under 36
King says…take Baltimore…easy call! Shy away from o/u in case Baltimore shuts them out!
Philadelphia @ Carolina (9/13- Sunday 1 PM Eastern)
The Eagles get a chance to showcase their high powered offense against the Panthers. This game will tell us fortunes regarding the outlook for both of these teams with high expectations. Both teams will attempt to run the ball to control the clock and use play action to get their playmakers (Smith, Action Jackson and Maclin) the ball. 8-Ball sees a close game that should satisfy fantasy owners of Williams, Westy and McNabb. Don’t get excited and start playing Maclin and McCoy as their roles will be defined later in the season.
Eagles: Panthers:
McNabb: 270 yds – 2 td Delhomme: 225 yds – 1 td
Westbrooke: 80 rush/5 catch - 42yds/1 td Williams: 100 rush/4 catch 36yd/2td McCoy: 15 rush/ 2 catch -16 yd Stewart: 50 yds rush
Jackson: 5 – 89/ 1 td Smith: 6 – 86/1 td
Macklin: 4 – 54 Muhammad: 5 – 49
Curtis: 4 – 52 yd King: 1 - 18
Celek: 3 – 29 1 td
8-Ball prediction: Carolina 27 – 24 (Panthers by a Kasay FG)
Current Line: Philly -1 over/under 43.5
8-Ball says: Parlay the Panthers and the over on this one!
NY Jets @ Houston (9/13- Sunday 1 PM Eastern)
Move over Ken O’Brian let the Sanchez era begin! Everyone is pumped with the Jets new rookie with visions of Marino in their heads. You can’t help but think that he will make mistakes that will cost his team victories each week. It is hard to examine their roster and find a legitimate playmaker not named Leon Washington. Houston fans are ready to take the next step and enter the playoffs. Slaton, Andre Johnson, and Matt Schaub certainly take the lead over Thomas Jones, Cotchery, and Sanchez. Don’t buy into the hype and definitely don’t go nuts over any JETS this year.
Jets: Texans:
Sanchez: 230 yds/1 td/2 int Schaub: 270 yds/2 td/1int
T. Jones: 70 yds/2 catches 25 yds Slaton: 90 rush/4 catch 30 yd/1td
Washington: 30 rush/ 5 catch 54 yds/1td
Cotchery: 4/70 yds A. Johnson: 7 – 90/1td
Stuckey: 4 – 65 yds Walter: 4 – 70
Keller: 4 – 42yds Daniels: 3 – 45 yds
8-Ball prediction: Texans 24 - 10 (Houston by 14)
Current Line: Houston -4.5 over/under 43
8-Ball says: Take the Texans as a strong play as they ruin the debut of Sanchez. No o/u
Denver @ Cincinnati (9/13- Sunday 1 PM Eastern)
Welcome to Fantasy Heaven! Palmer, Benson, OchoCinco, Henry, Coles, Marshall, Royal all step up. This game is primed to be high scoring as Denver cannot tackle my 8 year old son! I look for the Bungals to become the Bengals for at least one week. Palmer will remind everyone why he was once a top three quarterback. Ochocinco will “kiss the baby” and state “child please” to all who doubt his ability this week. Palmer, Benson, Ocho, and Henry are all strong plays this week! Sit Coles till you see what his role in the offense is going to be.
Broncos: Bengals:
Orton: 280 yds / 2 tds Palmer: 285 yds / 3 tds
Moreno: 60yd rush, 3 catch/25 yds Benson: 100 rush/ 1td/ 2catch 12 yds
Royal: 8 / 110 1 td OchoCinco: 6 / 90yds 1 td
Marshall: 5 / 70 1 td Coles: 4 / 50 yds
Stokely: 4 / 50 yds Henry: 4 / 80 yds / 1td
Sheffler: 4 / 30 Coffman: 2 / 20
8-Ball prediction: 34 – 17 Bengals (Cats by 17)
Current Line: Cincy -4.5 over/under 43.5
8-Ball says: Bengals are 8-Balls play of the Week. Also take the over!
Minnesota @ Cleveland (9/13- Sunday 1 PM Eastern)
Attention Adrian Peterson Owners! Move your clocks ahead 3 months as all of you are receiving an early X-Mas or Hanukah present with the Browns defense giving you a gift. Peterson left, Peterson right, draw Peterson will be the game plan for the Vikings. Favre’s shoulder will really hurt as he hands the ball off thirty-five times this game. Browns fans (and 8-Ball is one) prepare for a long, long, long season whoever is quarterbacking. Other than Peterson and perhaps Edwards as a reach, stay away from this game fantasy owners.
Vikings: Browns:
Farve: 170 yds 1 td Quinn: 210 yds / 1 td / 2 int
Peterson: 150 yds / 2 tds Lewis: 40 yds
Berrian: 4 / 50 yds Edwards: 6 – 75 yds / 1td
Rice: 2 / 25 yds Cribbs: 3 - 40
Harvin: 3 / 40 yds Royal: 2 / 20 yds
Viashancoe: 3 / 30 yds/ 1 td
8-Ball prediction: Vikings 24 - 10 (Minny by 14)
Current Line: Vikings – 4 over/under 39.5
8-Ball says: Vikings are a strong play this week. Bet with confidence, avoid o/u.
Miami @ Atlanta (9/13- Sunday 1 PM Eastern)
My dog is 12 years old. He has no sense of smell or eyesight. However yesterday he found a bone in the backyard! What does this have to do with fantasy football you ask? Last year the Dolphins were the equivalent to my 12 year old dog and winning double digit games was definitely a bone. Don’t expect the same this year. The Falcons are rearing and ready to show their high powered offense led by Ryan, Turner, White and Gonzo. I see a big game for Turner in the works as well as a good receiving game for Brown.
Dolphins: Falcons:
Pennington: 260 yds 1 td Ryan: 220 yds / 2 tds
Brown: 50 rush / 5catch – 45 yds Turner: 125 rush 1 td
Ginn: 4 – 55 yds White: 75 yds 1 td
Bess: 6 – 70 yds Jenkins: 3 – 45 yds
Camarillo: 4 – 35 yds 1 td Gonzo: 4 – 55 yds 1 td
Fasano: 2 – 20
8-Ball prediction: Falcons 27 - 17 (Birds by 10)
Current Line: Falcons -4 over/under 43
8-Ball says: Once again take the home team and give the points, avoid o/u
Washington @NY Giants (9/13- Sunday 1 PM Eastern)
Giants control the ball, run away from the big guy with the big guy…take Washington out. Eli is productive as he needs to be with short controlled passes and Jacobs runs down hill. Washington’s Defense will win a few games this year. Not in week 1…at the Giants…This will be a boring game…
Redskins: Giants:
Campbell: 179 yards/1 touchdown/1 int Manning: 228 yards/1 touch/1 int
Portis: 89 rush/3 catch 25 yds/ 1 TD Jacobs: 94 rush/2 tds
Moss: 5/59- Bradshaw: 39 rush/4 catch 43 yards
Thomas: 3/22/- Smith: 5/62/1
Kelly: 2/19/- Nicks: 3/29/-
Cooley: 6/67/1 Hixon: 3/34/-
Boss: 2/24/-
FFL King prediction: Giants at home 27-17 (Giants by 10)
Current Line: NY Giants –6.5 Over/Under 37.5
King says…take the Giants at home…take the over.
St. Louis @Seattle (9/13 – Sunday 4:15 Eastern)
Seattle flexes their muscles at home and makes you wish for a piece of their offense. S-Jax proves why he is worthy of a top 5 pick and the capability of carrying a team. He is that good and the only reason the score appears to be as close as it will be. Hasselbeck goes off in this one as Bulger takes a back seat!
Rams: Seahawks:
Bulger: 221 yards/2 touchdown/2 int Hasselbeck: 310 yards/3 touch
S-Jax: 91 rush/7 catch 68 yds/2 rec TD Jones: 74 rush/1 td
Avery: 5/68/- Edge: 29 yards rush
Robinson: 3/22/- Houshy: 6/106/1
McMichael: 3/19/- Branch: 4/54/1
Burleson: 5/59/-
Butler 3/28/-
Carlson: 5/39/1
FFL King prediction: Seattle at home 31-17 (Hawks by 14)
Current Line: Seattle –8.5 Over/Under: 41.5
King says…Hawks at home…run with the over
San Fransisco @ Arizona (9/13- Sunday 4:15 PM Eastern)
How many of you know Arizona fans that have popped up in the past ten months? It seems that people are coming out of the closet with their Warner jerseys on claiming their allegiance to their favorite team. I hope they have the receipts for those jerseys! I see some positive plays here especially with Gore! Warner and his banged up receivers will struggle against the 49ers Defense. Call me Crazy but I think this game is much closer than one thinks. I expect a couple of Warner turnovers and the emergence of Vernon Davis to spark the Niners.
49’ers: Cardinals:
Hill: 250 yds 1 td Warner 300 yds / 3tds / 2int
Gore: 110 rush / 2 tds Wells/Hightower: 70 rush
Bruce: 5 – 75 yds Fitz: 8 – 130 yds 2 tds
Morgan: 6 – 80 yds Boldin: 6 – 90 1 td
Davis: 7 – 60 1 td Breaston: 3 – 45 yd
no TE catches
8-Ball prediction: San Fran 27 - 24 (49'ers by 3)
Current Line: Zona – 6.5 over/under 46.5
8-Ball says: 8-Ball upset special of the week, avoid the o/u take money line!
Chicago @ Green Bay (9/13- SNF 8:20 PM Eastern)
First off let me say thanks William, a solid citizen in Cheesehead County, WI...for letting me know this game was not on the site...Outside of the Philly game, this is probably the toughest one to predict for the normal folk, the mere mortals...walking the street. Lucky for me...my Tarot Card reader...let's call him "Jester" for now has informed me that Aaron Rodgers is the man this year that separates himself from the herd of superstar quarterbacks and demonstrates the leadership and "under center" skills to take this team to the superbowl. The only question the King has today...can the Packer defense do the same? The Pack win at home, but the Bears will be a force as the year unfolds. If you don't watch the game...here is what you'll see in the box score come Monday morning:
Bears: Packers:
Cutler: 267 yds 2 td / 1 int Rodgers 313 yds / 3 tds / 1 int
Forte: 103 rush TD / 5 rec 42 yds TD Grant: 74 rush / 2 rec 10 yd / 1 TD
Hester: 6 – 83 yds TD Jennings: 6 – 104 yds 1 TD
Bennett: 4 – 39 yds Driver: 4 – 69
Olsen: 7 – 91 Finley: 4 – 47 yd / 1 TD
Jones: 3 - 50 / 1 TD
FFL King prediction: Green Bay 28 - 24 (Packers by 4)
Current Line: Green Bay – 3.5 over/under 46.5
FFL King says: Take the Pack at home...and the over!
Buffalo @ New England (9/14 – MNF 7:00 Eastern)
The Brady bunch will begin their quest to go undefeated this season. There is little risk that they have anything to worry about come Monday. Just like the “TO Show,” the product that the Bills put on the field will get lackluster ratings. TO’s performance on his show rubs off on his “other” TV appearances…like a football game. The Patriots are too good for the talent Buffalo possesses. Here is what the box score says:
Buffalo: New England:
Edwards: 239 yards/2 touches/1 pick Brady: 340 yards/3 touch/1 pick
F Jackson: 55 rushing yards/6 catch 39 yds/1 TD F Taylor: 50 rush/1 TD
Owens: 4/54/- Moss: 6/142/2 TD
Evans: 4/98/1 TD Welker: 7/97/1 TD
Galloway: 3/29/-
FFL King prediction: New England at home 35-20 (Pats by 15)
Current Line: Pats – 10.5 Over/Under: 47.5
King says…take the Pats but stay away from the O/U until we see what Buffalo really has!
San Diego @ Oakland (9/14 – MNF 10:15 Eastern)
San Diego is one of the best teams in all of football. Oakland is clearly not. The Chargers make a statement…the Raiders take a whoopin’ behind the wood shed!
San Diego: Oakland:
Rivers: 284 yards/3 touches/0 pick Russell: 173 yards/1 touch/1 pick
LT: 75 rush yards/2 catch 13 yds/1 TD McFadden: 62 rush/ 4 rec 39 yds/1 TD
Sproles: 42 rush/4 catch 60 yards/1 rec TD Bush: 34 rush yds/-
Jackson: 5/121/1 TD Walker: 1/16/-
Chambers: 2/23 Heyward-Bey: 3/34/-
Gates: 7/105/1 TD Miller: 6/81/1 TD
FFL King prediction: San Diego on the road 31-14 (Chargers by 17)
Current Line: Chargers – 9.5 Over/Under: 43
King says…take the Chargers, avoid the O/U
