The leaves are beginning to change colors. The brisk Michigan wind is starting to chill the faces of Michigan State University students on their walks to class. The Spartans have already hit the gridiron and picked up two crucial wins. This can only mean one thing.
The big boys in the National Football League have arrived to join the fun.
Yes, it is true. The NFL kicked off on sunday and, despite the Lions’ second half debacle, there are still plenty of reasons to enjoy and engage in the rugged action of the NFL every week, and it all begins with one word.
Fantasy. That’s right, fantasy.
Fantasy football is back and and any partakers on campus should not fret after a disappointing week one (even if Dez Bryant was your top receiver), because the State News has all the tips for a great fantasy season covered.
CHECK THE LINEUP: It cannot be stressed enough, and it only takes two minutes. One game locks on thursday at 8:25 p.m. The next majority will lock at 1:00 p.m. on sunday, then 4:05 p.m. on sunday, plus a night game on both sunday and monday. Know your players. Know their game times.
TRUST THE TEAM YOU DRAFTED: It’s just week one, and sure Peyton Manning had a rotten performance at home against Baltimore, but that doesn’t mean the reigns to your team should be handed over to your backup just yet. You did the research, you made the picks based of facts or your own intuition. It’s not time to doubt yourself (although that time will come, just wait till about week nine when half your roster is on a bye week.)
LOOK AT MATCHUPS: If there is a defense that has been turning every offense it faces into a metaphorical heap of helmets, it might be a good idea to avoid playing the players they face. Sometimes, the ever so mighty Calvin Johnson might be a bad call against the Seattle Seahawks top-rated pass defense from last year.
TOP PLAYS FOR WEEK TWO
Drew Brees (QB, New Orleans Saints): It is the home-opener for Drew Brees and the Saints, and they take on Tampa Bay. The same Tampa Bay that was gunned down by the aerial attack of...rookie Marcus Mariota. If he can tally up four touchdowns and a near perfect quarterback rating, the Drew Brees certainly can.
Baltimore Ravens Defense/Special Teams: They shut Peyton Manning down and turned his lone interception into six points. Now they face mediocre Oakland Raiders team with, after Derek Carr’s hand injury, most likely a backup quarterback.
FLEX: Bishop Sankey (RB, Tennessee Titans): I know Mariota’s stellar opening has led people to pick up either him or his receivers. However, the Titans only threw the ball 16 times compared to 32 rushing attempts. Not to mention Sankey caught one of Mariota’s touchdowns, and ran for one himself. They go up against a Cleveland Browns defense who let Christopher Ivory trample them for nearly 100 yards and two scores.
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