Every NFL owner has officially uncovered their eyes now that the preseason is finally over, and after six months of anticipation, it is time for opening weekend. Your fantasy team is set, L.T.’s owner has been ostracized and it’s time to start scouring the waiver wire for this year’s Marques Colston as well as second guessing who should be your flex starter for this weekend.
This week, we will help you with our top three waiver wire adds and examine some of this weekend’s matchups to keep an eye on.
Waiver Wire Adds:
Jacoby Jones (WR-Hou.): He certainly fell through the cracks of your draft, but the rookie showed flashes of brilliance this preseason. The versatile and athletic Jones has a big chance to make some noise as a return man and eventually be the other starting receiver opposite Andre Johnson.
LaMont Jordan (RB-Oak.): Be careful here. I’m not saying he is your new starter, but I do think he can do some damage this week against a weak Detroit defense and has looked impressive this preseason in Oakland’s new zone blocking scheme – the same scheme that makes Denver’s Mike Shanahan look so smart.
David Garrard (QB-Jac.): No more Byron Leftwich in Jacksonville leaves the door wide open for Garrard to have a big game against a questionable Tennessee defense.
Week 1 Matchups:
Kansas City Chiefs versus Houston Texans:
The Chiefs are going with Damon Huard at QB, but he has looked shaky and they still do not have anyone for him to throw to. Dwayne Bowe will be good, but not with Huard and not this week against a good Texans’ defense. Larry Johnson is a slow starter at running back and missing all the preseason could take a toll on a guy who will once again be the focus of every defensive attack. Johnson will be able to torch the secondary for some good numbers.
Chicago Bears versus San Diego Chargers:
The Bears are going to have a difficult time getting the ball moving against a very good Chargers’ defense, so every offensive starter for the Bears outside of Devin Hester is a question mark. Hester could be very good as the return man and do even more damage running past Shawne Merriman and the San Diego safeties as the third or fourth receiver. L.T. will get his touches, but Phillip Rivers could struggle.
N.Y. Giants versus Dallas Cowboys:
The Giants offensive starters’ fate will go as the fate of Terrance Newman goes. If Newman plays, Eli Manning will put on his best Eli face and be frustrated as the Cowboys’ defense shuts him down. However, if Newman is out, Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey and Manning could take advantage of a suddenly inexperienced Dallas secondary. Owners of Dallas’ offense have to be salivating regardless. New York’s defense has looked terrible and will leave the flood gates open for Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Marion Barber III, Julius Jones and Terrell Owens.
Baltimore Ravens versus Cincinnati Bengals:
The Bengals’ offense could have trouble finding a rhythm against a good Ravens defense and will rely on a Carson Palmer to T.J. Houshmandzadeh connection as the Ravens will try to neutralize Chad Johnson. The Ravens’ offense should have some room against a shaky Bengals pass defense, but it has yet to be seen whether Steve McNair can take advantage of it. If he can this should also help Willis McGahee to find some running lanes and make the Ravens pay.
Arizona Cardinals versus San Francisco 49ers:
In two Cardinals’ victories last season against San Francisco, Frank Gore rushed for four touchdowns, so look for Gore to pick up where he left off. Arizona will probably be down early courtesy of a bad running game and a decent 49ers front seven, but this will open the door for Matt Leinart, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin to post solid fantasy numbers.
