With Week 1 nearly in the books, there are a few surprises that need addressing and we’re here to do that in the first Fantasy Recap of the season.
In Texas it’s all about “Arian the Barbarian”
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
I’m not sure who had a bigger Sunday, Lady Gaga or Arian Foster. The Texans’ running back ran wild against the Colts defense, tallying up 231 yards (a team record) and three TDs as part of a 34-24 win over division rival Indianapolis. Considering the fact that I am not in any VMA Fantasy Leagues, Gaga’s eight wins pales in comparison to the monster week Foster had. Is he the real deal? I can’t say yet but he’s looks to be as explosive a runner as there is in the NFL and is immediately a must-start in any league.
In related news, the Colts lost safety Bob Sanders to an injury during yesterday’s game. Neither Sanders nor the team has said anything regarding the injury, but considering his past when it comes to being banged up, it doesn’t look good. Sanders is one of the best at defending against the run so if it does turn out that he misses a good chunk of time, RBs that match up against the Colts are a smart play.
In the “Nicks” of time
Giants WR Hakeem Nicks is either your fantasy hero or curse depending upon your decision to play or bench the second-year wideout out of North Carolina. Nicks tore up the Panthers secondary this week, snagging four passes for 75 yards and three TDs.
Nicks is the kind of receiver that Eli Manning loves, a physical guy who he can trust in the redzone. Nicks’ ability to make plays and haul in difficult passes make him a nice target for Manning and a nice complement across from Steve Smith.
Nicks is another must-start based on his performance, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves and anoint him the next Jerry Rice. The Panthers’ defense isn’t exactly the ’85 Bears.
The Eagles Have Landed
The Philadelphia Eagles were an interesting story coming into the 2010 season, seeing as they parted ways with two key pieces of their offense from the past decade in Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook. Well the Kevin Kolb/ LeSean McCoy era got off to an ominous start yesterday as not only did the Eagles drop the season opener against the Green Bay Packers, but they also lost Kolb early in the game to a concussion.
Kolb’s injury will likely keep him out at least one week, but that cannot be stated for certain until there is official word from the Philadelphia Eagles. Considering the level of severity the league treats concussions with, I’d pick up Michael Vick for insurance. Vick managed to throw for 175 yards and one TD while also rushing for 103 yards after taking over for Kolb, so his dynamic playmaking ability is still intact. With the Eagles matched up against the Lions next week, Vick isn’t a terrible play if you have no other options.