Wednesday Edition
September 5th, 2013
David’s Daily Digest
Not-So-Bold-Predictions
For Thursday Night
We are less than 24 hours from Kick-off and the Water-Cooler
lines have to be running around the block by now; with fantasy football the
leading and only topic. Tomorrow night it all kicks off with the Ravens and
Broncos squaring off at Mile High; and what more appropriate place for the 2013
NFL (and Fantasy) Football season to get started.
As if fantasy owners needed any more reasons to salivate,
but give them Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense at home to kick-start the
season and we are talking plenty of fireworks and lots of points (we like
points).
So let’s get to it; no surprises here. Give Manning
weapons and one of the best offensive lines in the business and you can expect
production and lots of it. Fantasy owners will be starting Manning at the new
Peyton’s Place and even facing the defending champs we can expect big numbers.
Peyton will have plenty of weapons at his disposal and with numerous options I
like DT (Demaryrius Thomas) and (Eric) Decker to see plenty of targets and at
least one trip to the end zone for each. Welker (Manning’s newest toy) will
play well, but he’ll offer greater value in PPR snagging 6-8 balls (although I
wouldn’t think for anymore than 70-80 yards). Tight End Julius Thomas is big,
physical, and athletic, but owners may want to temper their expectations and
see how this ride handles before going all-in early.
The Broncos running game is a bit of an enigma with lots
of questions. We could be looking at the newest Rubik’s cube unless one of the
Broncos young horses finds a way to gallop some distant from their competition.
This play may be safest to steer away from for now, but if you play in a deep
league and must start one my favorite is Hillman. As long as he takes care of
the ball he has great explosion and is a threat to break one. The rookie
(Montee Ball) could show greatest value in PPR, if he can improve his pass
protection and get on the field during passing downs.
Without linebacker Von Miller the Denver defense takes a
hit, and might not be one of your better values for week 1. With that said, quarterback
Joe Flacco and company could have success in the air, although the only
reliable play in the passing game I see is Torrey Smith (should be a safe week
1 start as a low WR2). Flacco on the other hand is probably best on your bench
this week.
The versatility of running back Ray Rice always makes him
a solid start each week. He should be solid out of the backfield for owners in
PPR leagues. His ground numbers could be held in check, but I don’t see the
Broncos keeping him out of the end zone. Bernard Pierce will definitely see
some action, but I don’t see him doing enough damage to be worthy of starting
in week 1 on the road.
Other starts and sits for Thursday include (Broncos); Start-Manning,
D. Thomas, Decker, and Welker (PPR). Sit-J. Thomas, Tamme, Moreno. (Ravens)
Start-Rice, Smith. Sit-Flacco, Pierce, Jones, Dickson.
That’s my take.
~David Ortega
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