2009 Fantasy Booms and Busts—Week One

Fantasy Booms

1.  QB Tom Brady

As mentioned in our Week one fantasy football rankings, the NFL world braces for Brady’s return and we’re expecting an airout in on national television.

Don’t be surprised if he throws for 200 yards and two TDs in the first half alone. When it’s all said and done, or the Pats are up by 25 late in the game, expect Brady to have well over 300 yards with three, maybe four TDs.

2. RB Ray Rice

The more this matchup is examined, the more we like Rice. Not only should Baltimore jump out to an overwhelming lead, but the Chiefs defense is extremely soft…especially in the middle.

Last year’s top pick defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey hasn’t developed and now they’re switching to a 3-4, a style he’s not suited for. All this adds to a huge fantasy day from Rice who should easily top the 100-yard plateau.

3. WR Larry Fitzgerald

Apparently, 49ers cornerback Nate Clements has been getting torched all camp and now he gets the best receiver in the NFL. Fitzgerald entered another stratosphere last post season and he’s poised to carry that over in week one against a defense that doesn’t do a good job of pressuring the quarterback.

Fantasy Busts

1.  QB Jay Cutler

The 2009 version of the Packers defense is going to look drastically different than 2008. They’re healthy, they’ve added two top rookies in the draft, defensive tackle B.J Raji, linebacker Clay Mathews. Dom Capers is going to implement a more aggressive approach which takes advantage of his linebackers speed.

Cutler on the other hand has very few receiving options outside of tight end Greg Olsen and wide receiver Devin Hester at this point. He’ll certainly have better days ahead, but Sunday isn’t going to be one of them.

2. RB Steve Slaton

Although the Jets will be playing without defensive ends Ellis and Pace, they’re plenty deep and will focus their attention on taking Slaton out of the gameplan. Head Coach Rex Ryan knows that if you make Schaub one dimensional, it’s much easier to defend than when you have a running back picking up first downs and keeping the offense balanced.

3. WR Antonio Bryant

Bryant’s coming off a career year in which he supplanted Joey Galloway as the No. 1 wide receiver, but he’ll struggle on Sunday. Quarterback Byron Leftwich has an extremely slow release and DE/LB DeMarcus Ware and Co. will be all over him before he has a chance to locate his top receiving option. And cornerback Terrance Newman, who’ll be lining up against him, is no slouch either.