Week 1 Fantasy Football Duds
The NFL is back and the fantasy football community spent the weekend celebrating its return. However, if you started any of the players featured in this article you may feel a little hungover this morning. These are the players who pooped in their big boy pants when you were hoping they could be studs. The Footballers breakdown the Duds from Week 1 on the podcast, but if you need something to read while you… do routine things during the day, here it is in article form. You can also jump to the Week 1 Studs article.
Quarterbacks
Andy Dalton vs BAL
-170 passing yards, 4 INTs, 1 fumble
Just awful. The Bengals laid an egg at home on opening day, which is not how owners of the Red Rifle were hoping to start the season. At least he was cheap in drafts.
Russell Wilson @ GB
-158 passing yards, 40 rushing yards
It’s no coincidence that Wilson’s nickname, “Rushell Wilshen” sounds like “Russell Wilson” said through gritted teeth. Wilson struggled mightily on the road in Lambeau. A box score like this might be forgivable in Green Bay in December but in September, fantasy owners deserve better.
Eli Manning @ DAL
-220 passing yards, INT
Eli owners are surely sporting an Eli Manning face today after this let down in prime time. Eli needs Odell Beckham Jr. back as soon as possible.
Tom Brady vs KC
-267 passing yards
Sometimes football is hard. If only the balls were a little softer.
Carson Palmer @ DET
-269 passing yards, TD, 3 INTs
Palmer was a popular selection for owners looking to replace an injured Andrew Luck in their rosters because he had an easy schedule to open the season. Those owners may be looking to jump ship leading into Week 2.
Running Backs
Le’Veon Bell @ CLE
-10 carries, 32 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 15 receiving yards
The Steelers are bringing Bell along slowly after he ended his holdout just the week before this game. Look for his production and usage to jump way up when the Steelers need him more against stiffer competition.
DeMarco Murray vs OAK
-12 carries, 44 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 16 receiving yards
Everyone has a rough week every now and then but it is somewhat worrying that Murray only accounted for 12 of the team’s 21 rushing attempts. You’d like to see a bigger workload from one of the league’s premier backs.
Jeremy Hill vs BAL
-6 carries, 26 rushing yards, 1 reception, -2 receiving yards
Joe Mixon vs BAL
-8 carries, 9 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 15 receiving yards
You probably want to avoid the Bengals backfield altogether until further notice. Marvin Lewis appears content in using a hellish RB carousel and the Bengals offense needs time to work itself into form.
Matt Forte @ BUF
-6 carries, 16 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 20 receiving yards
Bilal Powell @ BUF
-7 carries, 22 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 17 receiving yards
If you started Blah Pow or Matt Forte in your fantasy league, I want you to take a good look in the mirror and ask yourself, honestly, what did you expect? The Jets offense offers zero upside.
Ameer Abdullah vs AZ
-15 carries, 30 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 11 receiving yards
When Zach Zenner was declared Inactive Sunday morning, fantasy players were all aboard the Abdullah Express, myself included. Unfortunately, Theo Riddick is going to continue to be a thorn in Abdullah’s side until the rushing attack becomes productive enough to support both.
Eddie Lacy @ GB
-5 carries, 3 yards
Lacy is working his way towards getting dropped by fantasy owners in a hurry. Not only was Thomas Rawls inactive, but Lacy was out-snapped by Chris Carson, 27-7 in this game.
Rob Kelley vs PHI
-10 carries, 30 rushing yards
The game script in this game did not favor a plodding big back like Fat Rob. He will have better weeks down the road.
Paul Perkins @ DAL
-7 carries, 16 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 9 receiving yards
Paul Perkins will need to earn the right to be called Smash Jackson. Until Perkins and the Giants offense gets on the right track they are going to be as boring as a roadside family diner.
Wide Receivers
Dez Bryant vs NYG
-2 receptions, 43 receiving yards, 9 targets
If Dez Bryant spent half as much time catching footballs as he spends jawing with defenders he might actually produce some solid stats. Unfortunately, the road ahead isn’t likely to get smoother for Dez as the Cowboys face the Broncos, Cardinals, and Rams in the next 3 games.
Jamison Crowder vs PHI
-3 receptions, 14 receiving yards, 7 targets, 1 fumble
There was some concern that Crowder could miss this game with an injury. His owners would’ve been better off if he had. Also, someone should tell Cousins that Crowder is not one of his 6’4 receivers. There were a few throws that were much too tall for the diminutive Crowder.
Brandon Marshall @ DAL
-1 reception, 10 receiving yards, 4 targets
It’s a good thing garbage time stats still count or Marshall’s streak of consecutive games with a catch that spans over a decade would’ve come to an end Sunday night.
T.Y. Hilton @ LAR
-3 receptions, 57 receiving yards, 7 targets
Donte Moncrief @ LAR
-1 reception, 50 receiving yards, 4 targets
Hopefully, Jacoby Brissett gets the start at QB for the Colts next week. The offense got a little kick in the pants when he replaced Scott Tolzien. Maybe then the Colts will be watchable, though I still won’t feel good about starting either Colts WR until Luck returns.
Davante Adams vs SEA
-3 receptions, 47 receiving yards, 7 targets
Say it with me now, “Davante. Adams. Stinks.”
Martavis Bryant @ CLE
-2 receptions, 14 receiving yards, 6 targets
In a game in which Antonio Brown did everything, there simply wasn’t enough offense to go around. Marty McBry will have better weeks, but he will continue to be a boom/bust play.
Eric Decker vs OAK
-3 receptions, 10 receiving yards, 8 targets
Decker got a few looks in the red zone that could’ve salvaged his day. In a crowded offense like Tennessee’s, Decker will probably disappoint unless he does manage to hit paydirt.
Alshon Jeffery @ WAS
-3 receptions, 38 receiving yards, 7 targets
The targets were there for Alshon to be useful but he has a long way to go to fully develop a rapport with Carson Wentz.
Kelvin Benjamin @ SF
-1 reception, 25 receiving yards, 5 targets
Benjamin was a late addition to this list, I don’t know how we almost missed him. He is huge, after all.
Tight Ends
Rob Gronkowski vs KC
-2 receptions, 33 receiving yards, 6 targets
Injuries to this offense, combined with Gronk’s limited preseason workload and a tough matchup against Eric Berry led to a disappointing day for Gronkowski. If you own Gronkowski, you drafted him too high to panic now. Just ride this one out.
Tyler Eifert vs BAL
-1 reception, 4 receiving yards, 1 target
Eifert’s fantasy totals have always benefitted from high TD totals. The Bengals scored exactly 0 points in this game. You do the math.
Jordan Reed vs PHI
-5 receptions, 36 receiving yards, 8 targets
There is currently a legislative proposal making the rounds in our nation’s capital to repeal and replace Rule 86.
Travis Kelce @ NE
-5 receptions, 40 receiving yards, 7 targets
I don’t think this stat line is surprising for a TE in an Alex Smith-led offense, though one could excuse Kelce owners if they feel a little jealous when looking at the stat lines for Kareem Hunt and Tyreek Hill.
Greg Olsen @ SF
-2 receptions, 18 receiving yards, 4 targets
This game was never really in doubt for Carolina and they seemed content funneling touches to their new toy, Christian McCaffrey.
Eric Ebron vs AZ
-2 receptions, 9 receiving yards, 3 targets
With the departure of Anquan Boldin, the hope was that Ebron would benefit from additional red zone work. However, the smooth routes of Kenny G appear to have dampened those hopes for now.
Jimmy Graham @ GB
-3 receptions, 8 receiving yards, 7 targets
Oh no! Not you too, Jimmy. I hope we aren’t looking at a second consecutive year of barfy TEs.
Jack Doyle @ LAR
-2 receptions, 41 receiving yards, 3 targets
[see above discussion of Colts pass catchers]
Martellus Bennett vs SEA
-3 receptions, 43 receiving yards, 6 targets
The Packers haven’t used a TE consistently for years. You’ll probably have to be patient while they work Bennett into the offense.
Dishonorable Mentions
Kirk Cousins vs PHI
-240 passing yards, TD, INT, 30 rushing yards, fumble
Duke Johnson Jr vs PIT
-2 receptions, 20 receiving yards, 5 targets
Frank Gore @ LAR
-10 carries, 42 rushing yards, 1 reception, 10 receiving yards
Tevin Coleman @ CHI
-8 carries, 16 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 42 receiving yards
Isaiah Crowell vs PIT
-17 carries, 33 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 33 receiving yards
Doug Baldwin @ GB
-4 receptions, 63 receiving yards, 4 targets
Julio Jones @ CHI
-4 receptions, 66 receiving yards, 5 targets
Jordan Matthews vs NYJ
-2 receptions, 61 receiving yards, 3 targets
John Brown @ DET
-4 receptions, 31 receiving yards, 9 targets, 10 rushing yards
Kenny Britt vs PIT
-1 reception, 13 receiving yards, 3 targets