Week One Answers: Detroit at Atlanta & Seattle at Buffalo

Beginning now, I am going to review every game from Week One of the NFL.  Included will be what I saw from Things To Watch column and included will be a Fantasy Player To Watch as a result.  Let me know what you think.

Detroit at Atlanta 1:00 PM

Three of the four players I watched passed with flying colors.  Falcons' RB Michael Turner justified all the money he was given with a 220 yard/2 TD effort.  Lions'  WR Calvin Johnson caught seven balls for 107 yards and easily outproduced the other Lions' WRs.

RB Kevin Smith had a solid game with a rushing TD and four receptions.  He didn't lose carries to veteran RB Rudi Johnnon.  Right now, he is what he was expected to be - a solid Flex play, boardline RB2.

Finally, WR Roddy White looks like he will suffer a bit because of the rookie QB Matt Ryan.  Ryan attempted 13 passes, and one wouldn't expect any change in game plans as long as Turner and fellow RB Jerious Norwood remain an effective 1/2 combo.  Maybe White catches a bomb TD every third week or so, but, until the Falcons throw the ball 25+ times per game, White looks like he will be a slight disappointment.

Fantasy Player To Watch:  Whoever runs against the Detroit Lions defense.  It allowed 318 yards!

Seattle at Buffalo 1:00 PM

After the flame war I got into with the SBNation's Seattle Seahawks blogger, I had hoped to be proven wrong.  Why?  Because that would mean the Seahawks had more viable fantasy options than I anticipated, and I always like more options than less.  Unfortunately, the 'hawks were just as bad as I feared.

WR Nate Burleson was living-up to the fantasy hype with 6 receptions and a TD before leaving in the 3rd quarter with a knee injury.  Even before that, he had a mere 50 yards receiving, though.  Starting RB Maurice Morris was also injured.  He was mildly productive in his six carries (31 yards) but nothing to write home about.

Without their top WR, I don't expect the Seahwaks to do any better next week though RB Julius Jones could have a better game if Mo Morris is unavailable to take carries from him.

In a blowout, Bills' RB Marshawn Lynch did all anyone could have expected.  With 18 carries, 76 yards a TD and three receptions.  he looks like he is justifying the 1st round status fantasy footballers gave him.  For now, ignore Fred Jackson's 10 carries as a result of the blowout.

Fantasy Player To Watch:  Seahawks' TE John Carlson.  Without a viable WR, expect veteran QB Matt Hasselback to utilize his TE more.  Carlson could be a 4-7 reception TE each week until a WR corps materializes.