2008 Fantasy Football Week 1 Recap

New York Giants 16, Washington Redskins 7

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Plaxico Burress NYG - Burress had a big fantasy opener. He caught 10 passes for 133 yards with a long of 30 yards. Plax was the primary target for Manning as no other receiver caught more than 2 passes.

Runner UP

• Brandon Jacobs NYG - Jacobs totaled 116 yards on 21 carries, and his 5.5 yards per rush should be a good sign from fantasy owners. Owners shouldn’t be worried about Manning getting the call on the goaline, even though he took away a TD from the 6’4 260 pound back.

New England Patriots 17, Kansas City Chiefs 10

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Randy Moss NE - Moss caught 6 balls for 116 yards and a touchdown. He also lost a fumble on the play where Brady got hurt. Moss caught a 51-yard pass from Matt Cassel from their own endzone to begin the touchdown drive.

Runner Up

• Dwayne Bowe KC - Bowe had a huge drop in the endzone on the final drive of the game. That catch would have propelled him past Moss, but he dropped it, and the Patriots won the game. Bowe had six catches for 59 yards and a touchdown in week 1.

Philadelphia Eagles 38, St. Louis Rams 3

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Donovan McNabb Phi - A healthy McNabb looks ready for a big season. Completed 23-31 for 361 yards and 3 touchdowns. A big test comes at Dallas next week.

Runner Up

• Brian Westbrook Phi - Westbrook scored two touchdowns along with 91 yards on 19 carries. McNabb’s success will only bolster his stock.

Baltimore Ravens 17, Cincinnati Bengals 10

Fantasy Bust of the Game

• Carson Palmer Cin - Palmer only put up 99 yards, going 10-25 with an interception and no touchdowns.

Runners Up

• Chad Ocho Cinco and TJ Houshmandzedah Cin - Between them, they put up 66 yards with only 3 catches and no touchdowns. We’ll see what they put up at home against Tennessee.

New York Jets 20, Miami Dolphins 14

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Tom Jones NYJ - Jones ran for 101 yards on 22 carries and a TD. Favre and Jones should help each other have big fantasy seasons.

Runner Up

• Anthony Fasano Mia - Fasano caught 8 balls for 84 yards and a TD. Pennington looks to have found targets in both TEs Fasano and Martin.

Pittsburgh 38, Houston 17

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Willie Parker Pit - Willie Parker rushed for 138 yards and 3 TDs on 25 carries. In 2007, Parker only had 2 rushing TDs all season.

Runner Up

• Hines Ward Pit - Ward had 2 TDs with 6 receptions for 76 yards. Ward is still Big Ben’s favorite target.

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Tennessee 17, Jacksonville 10

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Chris Johnson Ten - Rookie running backs are making significant contributions to their teams over the past few years. Chris Johnson ran for 93 yards on 15 carries, and caught 3 passes for 34 yards and a TD. Johnson left the game in the 4 th quarter with a leg injury.

Runner Up

• Bo Scaife Ten - Looks as if Alge Crumpler won’t as valued as once thought. Not unless Kerry Collins targets him more than injured Vince Young did. Scaife caught 6 passes for 105 yards, including a long of 44 yards.

Atlanta Falcons 34, Detroit Lions 21

Fantasy Player of the Week

• Michael Turner Atl - “The Burner” Turner’s debut in Atlanta yielded 220 yards and 2 TDs on 22 carries. Turner set a franchise record for rushing in a single game, and raised his fantasy value immensely.

Runner Up

• Jon Kitna Det - Kitna is one of the leaders in garbage fantasy points. He is always throwing the ball, and no matter how far the Lions are behind, Kitna will keep coming back. Kitna threw for 262 yards and two TDs.

Buffalo Bills 34, Seattle Seahawks 10

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Marshawn Lynch Buf - Lynch ran the ball 18 times for 76 yards and a TD. He also caught 3 passes for 18 yards. Lynch is the focal point of the Bills offense, and should see more touches as season progresses.

Runner Up

• Lee Evans Buf - Evans caught 4 passes for 102 yards including a 41-yard pass for quarterback Trent Edwards. Evans and Edwards are becoming more comfortable together, and is a deep threat if Edwards can deliver it.

New Orleans Saints 24, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Reggie Bush NO - Bush ran for 51 yards on 14 caries, and 8 receptions for 112 yards and a TD. Bush is looking like a fantasy giant this season, especially with question marks around the status of Deuce McAllister.

Runner Up

• Drew Brees NO - You could rotate Brees and Bush because both had big games. Brees threw for 343 yards and 3 TDs. His touchdown passes for of 39, 84, and 42 yards respectively.

Dallas Cowboys 28, Cleveland Browns 10

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Marion Barber Dal - Barber ran the ball 16 times for 80 yards and 2 TDs. Barber had a rib injury during the game, which allowed Felix Jones quality carries and a TD. Barber should be ok for Week 2.

Runner Up

• Tony Romo Dal - Romo was barely touched in the first half, and picked apart the defense for 320 yards and a touchdown. He hit Owens on a 35-yard TD, and got robbed of another TD when the official wrongly called Owens down on the 1 yardline.

Carolina Panthers 26, San Diego Chargers 24

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Philip Rivers SD - Rivers finished strong with 2 4 th quarter touchdowns, 3 in total. He threw for 217 yards as well.

Runner Up

• Dante Rosario Car - Rosario caught the winning touchdown from Jake Delhomme on the last play of the game. He totaled 7 catches for 96 yards. With Steve Smith suspended, Rosario picked up the slack along with good showings from D.J. Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad.

Arizona Cardinals 23, San Francisco 49ers 13

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Frank Gore SF - Gore looks to thrive in Mike Martz’s offense. The San Francisco running back ran for 96 yards on only 14 carries and a TD. Gore also caught 4 balls for 55 yards.

Runner Up

• Edgerrin James Ari - James ran for 100 yards on 26 carries, and added some balance to Kurt Warner and his arsenal of WRs. James didn’t get the call on the goaline when Tim Hightower punched in a TD in the 3rd quarter.

Chicago Bears 29, Indianapolis Colts 13

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Matt Forte Chi - Forte debuted with 129 yards and a TD on 23 rushes. He also caught 3 passes for 18 yards. Forte showed why the Bears have so much confidence in him and looks to have increased his fantasy value.

Runner Up

• Reggie Wayne Ind - Reggie Wayne caught 10 passes for 86 yards and a TD. This is what to expect from Wayne, but it’s still commendable.

Green Bay Packers 24, Minnesota Vikings 19

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Aaron Rodgers GB - Rodgers totaled 2 touchdowns, one on the ground and one in the air. He finished wit 178 passing yards, and 35 rushing yards. Rodgers also executed his first “Lambeau Leap”.

Runner Up

• Adrian Peterson Min - Peterson carried the ball 19 times for 103 yards and a TD. His runs were exciting to watch, and agonizing for the Packer defense as he broke several tackles along way to his 103 yard opener.

Denver Broncos 41, Oakland Raiders 14

Fantasy Player of the Game

• Eddie Royal Den - Rookie Eddie Royal had a strong showing in Brandon Marshall’s absence. Royal caught 9 passes for 146 yards and a TD in his NFL debut. Royal ran the ball twice for 9 yards and also returned punts and kickoffs.

Runner Up

• Jay Cutler Den - Cutler had a huge game without his 100 reception WR Brandon Marshall. He threw for 299 yards and 2 TDs. Cutler looked fabulous as he picked apart the Raider defense.

NFL Fantasy Players of the Week

• Gold - Michael Turner Atl: 220 yards on the ground and 2 TDs in Atlanta opener. Turner’s patience has paid off as he enters his first year as a starter.
• Silver - Donovan McNabb Phi: 3 touchdowns and 297 yards in the 1st half. Finished with 361 yards and sat for most of the 4th quarter.
• Bronze - Willie Parker Pit: 138 yards on the ground and 3 TDs. Enough said.

By Brian Chmielewski
ProFootball-fans.com Fantasy Football Director of Content

Fans can contact Brian via email at bchmfantasybaseball @ yahoo.com