Top 10 Sure Thing FF Running Back Projections for Week 2

There are some pretty good matchups this week at the running back position. Here are the top 10 sure-thing starters.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson @ NE - LT has bad blood for the Patriots and will run hard.
   
2. Joseph Addai @ Ten - The Titans have improved, but Addai will get his points.
   
3. Shaun Alexander @ Ari - Has the Cardinals D really improved that much. We'll find out.
   
4. Frank Gore @ Stl - Slow start last week....Gore should easily penetrate the Rams D-line.
   
5. Steven Jackson vs. SF - We'll see how much the loss of Pace hurts this team.
   
6. Willie Parker vs. Buf - Henry put up 100 in week 1....so will Willie.
   
7. Travis Henry vs. Oak - These teams still hate each other, but look for Henry to play well.
   
8. Brian Westbrook vs. Wash - The Eagles offense looked out of sync in week 1.
   
9. Rudi Johnson @ Clev - Had 145 yards and 2 TDs vs. the Browns in week 2 last year.
   
10. Adrian Peterson @ Det - Week 1 was no fluke. Peterson has already arrived.
    

Offensive Lineman Take a Big Hit in First Week

Both Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Pace suffered potentially season-ending injuries in week 1. This could have a significant effect on running backs Steven Jackson and Willis McGahee. Orlando Pace is out for the season and Jonathan Ogden is out indefinitely.

Steven Jackson and Willis McGahee both struggled in week 1 after losing the two dominant OL stars. It make take some time for the two teams to adjust to these losses. I would certainly continue to start Steven Jackson on a weekly basis, but McGahee may become a week to week decision based on matchups.

Fantasy Football Week 2 Projections - QB

Here are the top fantasy football week 2 starters at quarterback.

1. Peyton Manning @ Tennessee Titans - No reason he shouldn't continue to light it up against this team.
   
2. Carson Palmer @ Cleveland Browns - Palmer looked pretty good against a tough Ravens defense. He should look great against the Browns.
   
3. Tom Brady vs. San Diego Chargers - This will be a test, but the Patriots offense looks loaded and should still put up points against a good Chargers defense.
   
4. Tony Romo @ Miami Dolphins - The Cowboys are now one of the leagues best offenses and will score against Miami.
   
5. Drew Brees @ Tampa Bay Bucs - Brees will come out more aggressive this week against Tampa Bay.
   
6. Donovan McNabb vs. Washington Redskins - McNabb had a poor showing at Green Bay. Look for him to light it up at home against a division rival.
   

JaMarcus Russell Signs - Daunte Culpepper may Start Week 2

Josh McCown had a nice start for the Raiders in week one. But McCown reportedly slightly cracked his index finger on the final play of Sundays game. As a result, Daunte Culpepper may start for the Raiders in week 2.

Unless you are completely desperate at the quarterback position, I would bench Culpepper for week 2 until he has a chance to prove himself. However, the Raiders offense did show some signs of life, which may be encouraging for later on in the season.

In a side note, JaMarcus Russell did finally sign a contract. But don't expect him to receive much playing time, if any, this season.

Steven Jackson Owners Could be in Trouble?

I heard different reports so far on the condition of Orlando Pace, who was injured in the St. Louis Rams game on Sunday. FoxSports is reporting that Pace could miss the season, while Rams coach Scott Linehan said that the initial diagnosis is a shoulder sprain. ESPNews is reporting a shoulder dislocation.

Any of these scenarios probably mean that Pace will miss some significant time. If this is true, its a huge blow to the Rams offense and their trio of stud fantasy football players -- Steven Jackson, Marc Bulger, and Torry Holt.

The Rams looked pretty good until Pace went out Sunday. They will still produce, but I'm sure that the loss of Pace will reduce their total fantasy numbers. The most affected player will probably be Steven Jackson, the consensus #2 overall pick in this years fantasy draft. Without Pace, he could be reduced from great to good.

Big Fantasy Football Scores from Week 1

The first Sunday of football had some big fantasy football scoring. Some of the surprising performances included a pretty good day from Josh McCown and Ronald Curry and a breakout performance from Adrian Peterson. Also, Randy Moss scored better than anyone could have expected in his first game with the New England Patriots. He could end up being the steal of this year's draft if he continues his success. Here are some of the highlights.

Quarterback

1. Tony Romo - 15 of 24 for 345 yards and 4 TDs, 1 Int - 1 Rushing TD
2. Eli Manning - 28 of 41 for 312 yards and 4 TDs, 1 Int
   
3. Tom Brady - 22 of 28 for 297 yards and 3 TDs
   
4. Jon Kitna - 27 of 36 for 289 yards and 3 TDs, 2 Ints
   
5. Josh McCown - 30 of 40 for 313 yards and 2 TDs, 2 Ints
   
6. Jake Delhomme - 18 of 27 for 201 yards and 3 TDs
   
7. Ben Rothlisberger - 12 of 23 for 161 yards and 4 TDs
   

Wide Receiver

1. Plaxico Burress - 8 rec. for 144 yards and 3 TDs
2. Randy Moss - 9 rec. for 183 yards and 1 TD
3. Ronald Curry - 10 rec. for 133 yards and 1 TD
4. Laveranues Coles - 7 rec. for 59 yards and 2 TDs
5. Terrell Owens - 3 rec. for 87 yards and 2 TDs
6. Steve Smith - 7 rec. for 118 yards and 1 TD
7. Andre Johnson - 7 rec. for 142 yards and 1 TD

Running Back

1. LaMont Jordan - 70 yards rushing for 1 TD, 9 rec. for 89 yards
2. LaDainian Tomlinson - 25 yards rushing for 1 TD, 7 rec for 51 yards, 1 passing TD
3. Adrian Peterson - 103 yards rushing, 1 rec. for 60 yards and 1 TD
4. Derrick Ward - 89 yards rushing, 4 rec for 27 yards and 1 TD
5. Travis Henry - 139 yards rushing, 3 rec. for 44 yards
6. Shaun Alexander - 105 yards rushing for 1 TD, 2 rec. for 12 yards
7. Tatum Bell - 87 yards rushing for 1 TD, 4 rec. for 6 yards
8. Chris Brown - 175 yards rushing, 1 rec. for 3 yards.
   

Tight End

1. Antonio Gates - 9 rec. for 107 yards and 1 TD
2. Jason Witten - 6 rec. for 116 yards and 1 TD
   

Fantasy Football 2007 Week 1 Injury Roundup

Here are a few of the significant injuries from Sundays action that may affect your week 2 starters.

• Eli Manning - Injured his right shoulder in the 4th quarter and did not return.
• Brandon Jacobs - Sprained knee in the 1st quarter and did not return. This could be a big injury for fantasy football owners who drafted Jacobs in round 2 of their fantasy draft.
  
• Orlando Pace - This could be a big one for St. Louis. The Rams didn't look the same after he left the game. He'll have an MRI on his shoulder on Monday.
  
• Chester Taylor - A hip injury will clear the way for Adrian Peterson to start. Peterson had a over 100 yards rushing and caught a 60 yard TD pass in his first game.
  
• Cadillac Williams - Left the game early with bruised ribs.
  
• Kevin Everett - This one doesn't have fantasy implications, but its worth keeping an eye on. Everett took a big hit while making a tackle on a kickoff. He will have emergency surgery tonight for a cervical spine injury. This is always the toughest news to hear.
  

Fantasy Football "The Breakdown" Week 1

Christopher Harris at ESPN writes a great weekly article called "The Breakdown" where he examines the fantasy aspects of each NFL game in detail. Here are some of the highlights from week 1 of fantasy football.

Players that he's "up" on are:

• Javon Walker
• Ben Rothlisberger
• Andre Johnson
• David Garrard
• Minnesota Defense
• Green Bay Defense
• Thomas Jones
• Randy McMichael
• DeAngelo Williams
• David Martin (Miami TE)
• Tatum Bell
• Joey Galloway
• Deion Branch
• D.J. Hackett
• Edgerrin James
• Darrell Jackson
• Mark Clayton
• Marion Barber III

Players to Avoid:

• Lee Evans
• Jamal Lewis
• Donald Driver
• Brett Favre
• Ahman Green
• LenDale White
• Chad Pennington
• DeShaun Foster
• Chris Chambers
• Oakland QBs
• Philip Rivers
• Cadillac Williams
• Steve McNair