Tackling The Downfall Of All Fantasy Players: The Projection's

They say the first step in fixing a problem is to admit that you have one. Well, here goes. I look at Fantasy Projections too much.

Before we all start judging each other though, let's be honest. We have ALL looked at a projection too closely, and more than likely it has cost us a game or two in our fantasy career.

In order to more closely monitor this situation, I have decided to test myself against the best of the best... ESPN.

Rules

1. My dad has chose, at complete random, one quarterback, two running-backs, two wide-outs, one tight-end, one kicker, and one defense

2. Let me also clarify that I have NOT looked at ESPN's projections for these players and have done all research myself.

3. I have included some projected stats, but based them solely off what I thought their complete total would be, not vice-versa.

3. The scoring system we will be using is ESPN's standard scoring point system which looks something like this...

QB: TD= 4, 25 yards= 1, Interception= -2

RB + WR + TE: TD= 6, 10 yards= 1, 10 yards receiving= 1 pt

K: Extra Point= 1, FG Missed= -1, FG's 0-39 yds= 3, FG's 40-49 yds= 4...

DEF: ALL returns for TD= 6, Sack= 1, INT= 2, Points Allowed also determine a point total between -10 [46 points allowed] and 10 [shutout]

4. This will be an ongoing piece, written by myself every Friday night so we can determine who deserves your fantasy attention, Travis Rand, or ESPN

The Players

QB: Brett Favre, New York Jets

If there is any quarterback in the NFL who could shoot up to the top five in QB Rating one week, and drop out the top ten the next, it's Favre.

Favre has the third most TD's in the league with 13, but also second in INT's with eight.

He has a strong matchup going up against Kansas City at home [31'st ranked defense], but they also front a better-than-average pass defense [13th in league]

Favre goes into this game with his weapons a little banged up. Leading receiver Jerricho Cotchery is questionable with some banged up shoulders, and Laveranues Coles suffered a mild concussion, but should be all set to go this week.

Projected Stats: 250 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT = 16 points

ESPN Projection: 13 points

RB: Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Johnson makes his prime-time debut this week against the Indianapolis Colts on MNF, and should explode onto the scene.

Indy currently gives up over 150 rushing yards a game, which is good for... 28th in the league. Johnson and the Titans should be running on the Colts all game, which is the reason they are still undefeated.

Projected Stats: 90 yards, 1 TD = 15 points

ESPN Projection = 18 points

RB: Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons

The Burner gets another chance to show the NFL why he never should have been a back-up for so long.

The Falcons head to Philly this week which isn't the greatest match-up. They currently boast a top-ten rush defense [9th in the NFL]

Turner has 597 yards on the season, but only 31% of those have occurred on the road. Of his six touchdowns, only one was brought in outside of Atlanta.

Projected Stats: 70 yards, 1 TD = 13 points

ESPN Projection: 15 points

WR: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

I can promise you that for the rest of this season, the only person on the entire Lion's roster that you want on your fantasy team is Calvin "Megatron" Johnson.

The Lions face off against the average Washington Redskins pass defense, which ranks 12th in the league. This of course almost doesn't matter when you factor in that Dan Orlovsky will be chucking the pigskin.

I think the Lions go down early [surprise, surprise] and they will be forced to throw. I see Johnson haveing an OK game at Ford Field.

Projected Stats: 110 yards, 1 TD = 17 points

ESPN Projection = 15 points

WR: Randy Moss, New England Patriots

Moss is coming off a breakout game this season, in which he had his first two TD outing.

The Pats get the honor of playing the St. Louis Rams this weekend, and there 25th ranked pass defense. New QB, Matt Cassel, has had plenty of time to get in sync with Moss this season, and it might come to a full circle this weekend.

Then again, it may not. I do see a big game from one Pats wide-out, but it ain't Moss. I see Welker being a better play here, and the Rams focusing their coverage [If that's what it can be called], on Moss for most of the game.

Projected Stats: 60 yards = 6 points

ESPN Projection = 12 points

TE: Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins

Chris Cooley has only faced off against Detroit twice in his career, and he has averaged an epic two receptions, and 13 yards per.

While Chris has had a great year yard wise [347], it hasn't been so great TD wise [1]. I think the Skins take this one in the first half and we will see plenty of Portis, Cartwright, and Alexander, but not so much Randle El, Santana, and Cooley

Projected Stats: 50 yards = 5 Points

K: John Carney, New York Giants

As a Giants fan and avid listener to their team podcast, coach Tom Coughlin makes it very obvious that as long as he continues doing whats asked of him, he will retain the job over Lawrence Tynes.

Anytime you play a road game it's tough, but especially one at Pittsburgh. The Steelers have the 2nd ranked D when it comes to points, and the 1st ranked in yards allowed.

I see the G-Men stalling a few times near the endzone, and should further Carney's chances for some solid attempts

Projected Stats: 30 yard FG, 20 yards FG, 2 XP = 7 Points

ESPN Projection = 3 points

Defense/ST: Philadelphia Eagles

The Atlanta Falcons have a tough match-up this week when they come to Philly to take on the birds.

Matt Ryan has thrown all three of his INT on the road, but has only been sacked six times. Philly however, ranks third in the league with 21 sacks of their own. Should be a great game for both sides.

Projected Stats: 4 sacks, 1 INT, 17 pts allowed [1 fantasy point] = 7 points

ESPN Projection: 4 points

Wrap-up

I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this week's projections and will be writing a follow-up after Monday's game.

Would you like your Fantasy team to be projected on? Leave Travis a message on his profile with a list of the positions used here, and maybe he will choose it for next week's article!

Written By, Edited By, Developed By Travis Rand NFL Fantasy Football Bleacher Reporter