NFL Fantasy Football Week 1 - a podcast by Jonny and Donny

We are fresh off of the first week of the NFL season and more importantly the fantasy football season. Doesn't that sound so wonderful? How did everyone fair with their teams and match-ups? Are you panicking or basking in early season glory? Either way, let us re-cap some of the more noteworthy players, news and booms, bums and waiver wire pickups in week 1 of the fantasy football season with the first ever Sports Reps Fantasy Football Week-in-Review.

Hopefully no one had too many Rams players because their guys were dropping like flies as the game went on against the Eagles. Amongst the offensive players, Sam Bradford suffered nerve damage to his finger, Danny Amendola went down with a dislocated elbow (potentially out for the season) and Steven Jackson left the game after 2 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown with a quad injury. WOW, hashtag ramsinjuries. Along with Steven Jackson several other running backs also got hammered with injuries including Derrick Ward (ankle), who ended up starting for the injured Arian Foster (hamstring). After scoring 3 touchdowns on Sunday Mike Tolbert left at the end of the game with a hamstring injury but has already stated that he is fine and will be ready for next weeks game against the New England Patriots (START ALERT). Lastly, although he was not injured, he might as well of been because Chris Johnson was a non-factor this week. Johnson only had 9 CARRIES, yes, 9 CARRIES for 24 yards and 6 catches for 25 yards. Although the 6 catches is nice to see for those in PPR (points per reception) leagues, the 9 carries is almost unacceptable and somewhat concerning even though it is only week 1. Johnson MUST redeem himself next week against Baltimore... Which on paper seems like an impossible task (YES that is a shot at you Rashard Mendenhall).

Moving on from injuries to actual match-ups themselves, for those not aware, we joined a public ESPN fantasy football league this year. It is a 10-team standard league with 1 flex (RB-WR) starting position. For those unfamiliar with our team refer back to First Ever Sports Reps Fantasy Football Draft. We suffered a close loss in week 1 and really could have benefited from starting guys such as Matthew Stafford and Mike Tolbert. Not that Eli Manning was disappointing or anything, Rashard Mendenhall just was. Incredibly unfortunate to take that loss in the first week of the season but we look to bounce back like Mendenhall next week.

Speaking of unfortunate losses, before I move along to booms, bums and waiver pick-ups, Jon and myself faced off in the first week of the season as previously mentioned inThe Sports Reps Talk Episode 14. It was our marquee Head-to-Head match-up topic. Going into Sunday night's game Jon was leading me 82.10-52.60. Both of our QB's were facing off (Romo@Sanchez) Sunday night while I also had the likes of Plaxico Burress, Wes Welker and Darren McFadden yet to play and my boys ended up coming through big for me Sunday and Monday night. With Sanchez and Burress hooking up for 45+ points, Darren McFadden running wild for 150 yards and Wes Welker putting up top-tier WR numbers for the week with 8 catches for 160 yards and a 99 yards touchdown, I was able to pull off a late 149.80-118.18 victory over Jon. But more importantly, a strong step into the fantasy football season (without Peyton Manning).

Now, moving on from my minor yet well deserved gloating moments, here are my booms, busts and waiver wire pickups for week 1 and 2 respectively:

BOOMS:
WES WELKER (NE-WR): As previously mentioned Wes Welker put up the second highest points for wide receivers (standard no bonus PPR leagues) (32.00). The 99-yard reception most certainly helped his totals and those who own him (DONNY!!) can only hope for continued production such as this moving forward.

TOM BRADY (NE-QB): Staying along the Patriot path, Tom Brady threw the ball around Monday night against the Dolphins like he was in video game mode. Brady completed 32 passes for 517 yards and 4 touchdowns. Sickening numbers. I feel sorry for whoever played Brady this week. (Well maybe @dannysuperstar you'll get em' next week).

Honorable Mentions: Cam Newton (Car-QB), Steve Smith (Car-WR), Kenny Britt (Ten-WR)

BUMS:
RASHARD MENDENHALL (Pit-RB): Everyone see the re-occurring trend here? I will ride this for one more day before going right back to having EXTREME faith in my first round draft pick. Rashard only picked up 45 rush yards, 0 catches and fumble (which I still believe should not have been credited to him...Watch Here, damn you Roethlisberger). Here's to next week everyone.

LEGARRETTE BLOUNT (TB-RB): 5 attempts, 15 yards. That is all. I feel sorry for you LeGarrette owners moving on this season. That is all.

Honorable Mentions: Ben Roethlisberger (Pit-QB), Dwayne Bowe (KC-WR), Chad Ochocino (NE-WR)

WAIVER WIRE PICK-UPS:
CARNELL "CADILLAC" WILLIAMS (STL-RB): I feel like this choice is an easy way out but lets be realistic here, how many quality running backs are available in 12-team (maybe even 10-team) standard leagues? You do not need to answer that question, it is a rhetorical one. With Steven Jackson (quad) currently being ruled out for week 2 Cadillac will get the start and may put up respectable numbers against an ailing Giants defense if you are lacking week 2 RBdepth.

DEVERY HENDERSON (NO-WR): Marques Colston broke his collarbone last Thursday night in the game against Green Bay and is expected to be out a minimum 4 weeks. Henderson, who had a fabulous game Thursday night to begin with, will only benefit from this injury moving into a starting role (especially with Lance Moore still hurt) and getting a lot of looks from Drew Brees, potentially for the rest of the season.

Honorable Mentions: Chad Henne (Mia-QB), Jermaine Gresham (Cin-TE), Ed Dickson (Bal-TE)

That concludes the week 1 version of The Sports Reps Fantasy Football Week-in-Review. Check us out on Twitter (@thesportsreps), on Facebook (J.d. Reps) and our podcasts also available on iTunes. Any questions or concerns for any fantasy sport? Send them our way ladies and gents!

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