Jacksonville at Tennessee 1:00 PM
I wanted to see how QB Dave Garrard would do because his efforts would naturally lead to an examination of the pass distributions and which WRs may prove to be fantasy viable. Addtionally, Garrard is considered a sleeper QB based on his strong 2007.
Nothing in the game lead me to think this was justified. He completed 23 passes for 215 yards with a TD and two picks. His top WR was Matt Jones who had six receptions for 80 yards. RB Maurice Jones-Drew caught four passes, and six other players caught between 1 and 3 balls.
The Titans gave an fifteen carries each to their RBs, LenDale White and rookie Chris Johnson. White went for 40 yards and a TD while Johnson had 93 yards rushing and caught three passes for 34 more. Johnson looks like he is going to be the player ffbers hoped him to be.
A caution though. The injury to QB Vince Young changes the passing game as kerry Collins cannot be expected to keep defense back on the threat of his legs.
Fantasy Player To Watch: Chris Johnson.
NY Jets at Miami 1:00 PM
Brett Favre looked good. So good that the injury to Patriots' QB Tom Brady has some thinking the Jets could win the AFC East. Favre executed a perfect play action fake and hit WR Jerricho Cotchery with a 56-yard TD pass. Favre still has it, and, as a result, the Jets receving corps will benefit.
RB Ricky Williams started for the Dolphins and garnered 10 carries. Ronnie Brown received 6 and gained one fewer yard on the ground. With four receptions, Brown looked better. I don't see the Dolphins reaching their 2008 potential if Brown receives fewer touches per game than Williams as he did this week (10 to 13).
Fantasy Player To Watch: Dolphins' TE Anthony Fasano who caught eight passes for 84 yards and a TD. With no WRs to speak of, QB Chad Pennington is going to be throwing underneath. A lot.
Kansas City at New England 1:00 PM
Priro to Brady's injury, the Pats threw 11 times and ran 4 times. After the injury, the team threw 18 times and ran 24. I don't think I am too far out on a limb to claim the Pats will run much more without Brady. The question now becomes how will the carries be split? RBs Sammie morris and Laurence Maroney each ended with 10 carries, but Morris caught five passes to Maroney's zero.
Fantasy Player To Watch: RB Sammie Morris