Hot Fire Fantasy Football Questions for Week 1
Our “Hot Fire Fantasy Questions” series begins taking a look at Week 1 following up recent news, fantasy performances, and implications for owners moving forward. Our Hot Fire contributors from our Fantasy Footballers writing staff includes: Kent Weyrauch (@KentWeyrauch), Matthew Betz (@TheFantasyPT), and Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive). Give them a follow on Twitter along with all of our Footballers accounts to get goodness like this:
The Mayan Sacrifice of Nathan Peterman is complete
— Mike Wright (@FFHitman) September 9, 2018
I’m not saying I want to have Aaron Rodgers babies, but I’m not saying I don’t want to.
— Andy Holloway (@andyholloway) September 10, 2018
Make sure you listen to today’s podcast to get Andy, Mike, and Jason’s reactions from all the Week 1 action.
1. Which Week 1 Fantasy performance shocked you the most other than Ryan Fitzpatrick?
Phillip Lindsay
Incredibly enough, Lindsay and Freeman posted identical rushing totals — 15 rushes for 71 yards. But on top of that, Lindsay caught two balls for 31 yards and a touchdown. The guy is electric and showed a powerful burst on his scoring reception. Devontae Booker’s opportunities have been handed off to a player with intriguing talents. I think he should be rostered in all formats. Kent Weyrauch (@KentWeyrauch)
Tyreek Hill
Tyreek Hill’s performance really, really surprised me. It’s not because I don’t think he’s a talented player. I just didn’t expect the connection between Mahomes and Hill to be THAT strong. Sammy Watkins and Travis Kelce were non-factors leaving Hill to feast on what is supposed to be a top-5 passing defense. –Matthew Betz (@TheFantasyPT)
Patrick Mahomes
Four TDs and ZERO interceptions are just incredible for a guy who struggled with preseason turnovers. He added 21 rushing yards to a 256-yard passing performance and looks to be the right man at the right time for Andy Reid‘s offense in Kansas City. –Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive)
2. Whose Week 1 dud should Fantasy owners not worry about moving forward?
Alex Collins
I don’t think anyone expected Joe Flacco to pass for 236 yards and 3 touchdowns with zero interceptions. The Ravens were locked into the passing game today, which stifled the run game. Collins only touched the ball 8 times for 19 yards and a fortunate TD before the Ravens rolled out Kenneth Dixon with clock-burning duties. The Ravens upcoming schedule is more difficult so Collins will likely be getting more work as Ravens try to stay in close games. Kent Weyrauch (@KentWeyrauch)
Chris Hogan
He is a favorite trade target of mine after his dud in Week 1. He was only targeted 5 times, reeling in just one reception for 11 yards. Hogan and Brady showed excellent chemistry last year and I expect that to continue. Go trade for Hogan. –Matthew Betz (@TheFantasyPT)
Zach Ertz
I am going to go all the way back to Thursday night and tell owners not to worry about Zach Ertz. He is still the best receiver in this offense and will be leaned on all season long. The Falcons LBs and Safeties are made to shut down passing-catching TEs and there will be better weeks…starting with Week 2 vs Tampa Bay. He was targeted 10 times in Week 1 and I expect that volume for him all season long. –Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive)
Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
3. Which under-the-radar stat line should people be paying attention to?
Cole Beasley
7 receptions for 73 yards on 8 targets. The Cowboys’ offense didn’t look great overall, but Beasley had a solid outing. The Cowboys will constantly try to scrap together first downs this season which means running and short passes galore. Hurns may be useful downfield, but until the Cowboys have that luxury, Beasley will be startable in PPR formats. –Kent Weyrauch (@KentWeyrauch)
The Vikings Rushing Stats
Latavius Murray: 11 rushes for 42 yards. Dalvin Cook: 16 rushes for 40 yards. This is not a fluke. With Cook returning from ACL surgery, he’s going to give up work to Latavius Murray especially early on in the season. The Vikings will likely continue to distribute their rush attempts in a similar fashion over the next few weeks, or longer if Murray is effective with his opportunity. –Matthew Betz (@TheFantasyPT)
Jarvis Landry
Remember all the target regression talk for Jarvis Landry after he arrived in Cleveland? He was targeted 15 times in this game, putting him on pace for 240 targets for the season. While this is clearly not going to happen, maybe his 160 targets from last year are more attainable than we originally thought. Landry stil has every chance to be a top 10 WR in Cleveland that he had in Miami and he was available as a WR3 in your fantasy draft. –Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive)
4. Which WR would you rather own rest of season: Mike Evans, Stefon Diggs or Tyreek Hill?
Mike Evans
I have a feeling that the Bucs may begin their process of moving on from Jameis Winston. That doesn’t mean Fitzpatrick is the QB of the future, but he IS the QB for this season. The Buccaneers’ passing game under Fitzmagic will be wild all season, but volume for Evans should be no concern. Hill may still have some down weeks when Mahomes’ inexperience shows and Diggs plays with Adam Thielen. –Kent Weyrauch (@KentWeyrauch)
Tyreek Hill
I spent all offseason saying there was too much risk in owning Hill because of his up and down, rollercoaster style of scoring with big boom games and down weeks. BUT, after seeing how committed Andy Reid is to getting his WR1 the ball early and often in a variety of ways, I’ll take Hill. I was dead wrong on him. –Matthew Betz (@TheFantasyPT)
I’m not sure I need to explain. I saw a tweet that summed it up perfectly. “Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill were born for each other” The biggest arm in the league with the fastest WR…yes, please. –Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive)