The Fantasy Football Blog

Brandon Jacobs (AP)
Welcome to the latest running feature here on the Daily Hampshire Gazette's Fantasy Football Blog. Each Monday we'll break down the biggest news and stats from the previous Sunday and preview the Monday night game.

I'm sure that part of this Friday's column will include me telling everyone not to overreact one way or the other to how their fantasy teams performed in Week 1. It's just one week, I'll say. Different matchups provide different results, so we have to give it a few weeks to really see who is breaking out and who is falling apart. Anyway, it will probably take me at least that long to settle down from this Sunday's performances to actually believe any of those words of wisdom.

So each Monday morning, I'll likely have five overreactions (sometimes with bonuses) to the previous day's results. Today is no different.

OVERREACTION NO. 1 - Brandon Jacobs (NYG-RB) is going to be a very, very good running back very soon. In Sunday's win over Arizona, Jacobs showed off a terrific blend of speed and power and will definitely see plenty of goal line carries for the Giants this year. He'll also get spot carries behind Tiki Barber (NYG-RB). Jacobs finished with 39 yards on six carries Sunday. New York would be crazy not to double his touches next week.


Ben Roethlisberger (7, AP)

OVERREACTION NO. 2 - There will be no sophomore slump for Ben Roethlisberger (PIT-QB). Big Ben torched the Tennessee Titans for 218 yards and two TDs on 9-for-11 passing and ended Week 1 with a perfect 158.3 passing rating. Granted, the Titans aren't exactly world beaters and first-round pick Adam "Pac Man" Jones (TEN-CB) didn't even play, but don't slow me down now! I'm on a roll!

OVERREACTION NO. 3 - Willie Parker (PIT-RB), the second-year player thrust into the starting role after injuries sidelined both Jerome Bettis (PIT-RB) and Duce Staley (PIT-RB) won't give back the starting spot. Parker finished with 209 combined rushing/receiving yards Sunday and will allow coach Bill Cowher to take his time getting the old-timers healthy.

OVERREACTION NO. 4 - Larry Johnson (KC-RB) looked far better than Priest Holmes (KC-RB) in Sunday's win over the New York Jets. Johnson showed a rare combination of speed and power, while Holmes looked a little old. Johnson finished with 110 rushing yards and two TDs on just nine carries, while Holmes had 85 yards and one score on 22 carries. Johnson should get at least 15 carries in any competitive game. Of course, the Jets were far from competitive Sunday.

OVERREACTION NO. 5 - Everyone's sleeper pick, Carson Palmer (CIN-QB) will absolutely make the leap to stardom this year. The third-year player completed 26-of-34 passes for 280 yards and two scores in the win over Cleveland. Expect 28 TDs and a trip to the playoffs.


Cadillac Williams (AP)

BONUS OVERREACTION (which means I'll probably still believe it come Friday) - Cadillac Williams (TB-RB) is going to be the top rookie running back this season. He rushed for 148 yards, including a 71-yard TD, in the win over Vikings. He's going to get the touches and the Bucs are good enough to get him the yards.

OOPS OF THE WEEK - Apparently, J.P. Losman (BUF-QB) wasn't such a bust this week. Losman (17-for-28, 170 yards, one TD, 31 rushing yards) looked like an old veteran and the Houston Texans defense looked pretty awful.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons (ABC, 9)

Because the game features so many talented fantasy players, many fantasy matchups are still up for grabs after the week's first 15 contests are over.

The NFC Championship game rematch has plenty of stories, including:

Can Donovan McNabb (PHI-QB) and Terrell Owens (PHI-WR) really coexist? If the Eagles are trailing, will a fistfight break out? There will be no in between with these two. Either they'll connect for 150 yards and couple of scores or they'll struggle. I'm not betting against them.

The Falcons believe their new running style will be the key to more success this year. Will it pay off immediately for Warrick Dunn (ATL-RB) owners? The Eagles are without defensive tackle Corey Simon, who they released in a contract disput (He signed with Indy). Will they be able to hold off the run?

Who is going to be Michael Vick's (ATL-QB) go-to receiver? Alge Crumpler (ATL-TE) is a talented weapon, but can rookie Roddy White (ATL-WR) or second-year player Michael Jenkins (ATL-WR) or anyone else step up?

Will either kicker or defense do something extraordinary and cause havoc in fantasy football matchups?

Are you ready for some (more) football?