Broncos vs. Bills
One of the hardest decisions I make each week is what two games to watch on Sunday at 1PM. Poor me, I know. I want to see every game, but you wind up seeing none if you flip between 5. I’m considering Denver/Buffalo for one of the slots because I’m very interested to see Marshawn Lynch and basically the entire Broncos offense. Let’s look at the players from both teams.
Broncos
QB1: Jay Cutler: Solid Play - This is a good week to use Cutler. I know they are a zone team, but Buffalo has one of the weakest cornerback tandems in football now that Nate Clements is gone.
RB1: Travis Henry - Must Start - Buffalo struggled to stop the run last year, and didn’t appear to solve their interior line problems in the offseason. If Denver’s line is back in form, Henry should have a big game.
RB2: Selvin Young – Must Sit - There’s no guarantee yet he’s the backup, but he should be. I’m praying Young turns into an asset for my NFFC team, so I’ll be watching closely.
WR1: Javon Walker – Must Start - Walker hasn’t exactly had a consistent career, but modest gains from his post-ACL campaign in 2006 will make him a WR1. This should be a great matchup for him.
WR2: Brandon Marshall – Borderline WR3 - Terrence McGee and Jason Webster can’t match up physically with Marshall. The question is whether Marshall can match up mentally to what Mike Shanahan wants. This isn’t a bad week to use Marshall as a PPR flex. We’ll watch to see if he’s improved on the little things that held him back.
WR3: Brandon Stokley – Must Sit - Still listed as a starter on the depth chart, but should come off the bench.
Buffalo
QB1: J.P. Losman - Must Sit - Not sure what new Broncos defensive coordinator Jim Bates is going to cook up, but Champ Bailey could neutralize Lee Evans. And Losman doesn’t have much other than Evans.
RB1: Marshawn Lynch – Flex option - I don’t want Lynch as my RB2 until Buffalo puts their slow preseason behind them. The division of carries will be almost as important as Lynch’s performance, though. How much of a committee is this going to be early? I like Lynch as a flex, but that’s it until I see more.
RB2: Anthony Thomas – Must sit - Next
WR1: Lee Evans – Borderline WR2 - I’m trying not to get carried away with matchups this early in the year. Who knows if Champ Bailey 2007 will be as good as Champ Bailey 2006? With that said, I had Evans too high in my initial rankings. This is a great test for Evans, but the Patriots have shown he can be taken out of games. A deep team without a flex could consider benching Evans.
WR2: Peerless Price – Must Sit - I’d rather play their slot man Roscoe Parrish if I had to.
WR3: Roscoe Parrish – Must Sit - Not that anyone should own Parrish.
TE1: Robert Royal- The Bills could really use Kevin Everett right about now. Leave it to them to draft the only Miami TE that doesn’t pan out.
Comments
Would you play Coles over Evans?
Posted by: Jon | September 7, 2007 01:40 PM
Buffalo may not have added anyone new to their interior line, but John McCargo, one of their first round picks last year, is back from injury.
Posted by: asg | September 7, 2007 01:53 PM
I have Denver's D. I am expecting a couple of sacks and maybe some picks. Your thoughts?
Posted by: Mike | September 7, 2007 03:50 PM
Thanks Gregg.....these are exactly the types of matchups we are looking for input on. Budding stars and borderline starts are very helpful.
Posted by: Beau | September 7, 2007 04:08 PM
Thanks Gregg. I've got Andre Johnson starting right now over Walker (Wayne is my WR1). Would you switch Johnson and Walker or leave em alone?
Posted by: Chris | September 7, 2007 04:18 PM
I was thinking of sitting Evans. My choices are Smith (obviously) Holmes, Edwards and Hacket. I need three.
Posted by: Dave | September 8, 2007 08:04 AM
Just wondering who you'd rather start this week, Calvin or Evans. I'd be shocked if you chose the rookie, but Champ is the best corner in the league. Few WRs (Chad, TO) have put up big games against him. Galloway and Colston (ouch) are my other starters this week.
Posted by: Andrew | September 8, 2007 04:12 PM