Week 1 of the 2015 NFL season is in the books and what an opening drive it was for fantasy football. Before marching ahead to Week 2, let's look back on the gridiron's best and worst performers in Week 1. Hut one, hut two ... Hike!
Best Fantasy Performer: Tom Brady
Love him or hate him, you've got to respect the greatness that is Tom Brady. Fresh off of defeating the NFL in his Deflategate court case, the New England Patriots quarterback racked up 288 passing yards and four touchdowns to lead the defending Super Bowl champions to a opening-night win over the Pittsburgh Steelers to be Week 1's top fantasy performer in standard, nonpoint per reception leagues.
Time and time again, Brady reinforces why he's a four-time Super Bowl champion and arguably the best QB to ever play the game. To be 38 years old and showing no signs of losing any steam is no small feat. That being said, it will be harder for Brady to deliver a similar performance on the road against Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills' blitzing defense in Week 2. Cinch that chin strap on real tight, Tom.
Surprise, Surprise: Marcus Mariota
It's only one game but, boy, did Marcus Mariota start his NFL career on a solid note. The rookie QB aired it out for 209 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Tennessee Titans to a rout of Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His production put him only behind Brady as Week 1's top fantasy performer. While Mariota is bound to make rookie mistakes, his splashy debut makes him one to watch early on this season.
Biggest Disappointment: Adrian Peterson
Considering all the changes that the San Francisco 49ers defense went through in the offseason, one would have thought that Adrian Peterson would run roughshod against them on Monday Night Football, right? Wrong. After being suspended for 15 games last season, the Minnesota Vikings' rusher returned and only mustered 31 yards rushing and 21 more receiving for a measly five points in non-PPR leagues. Oof.
In other words, many fantasy owners who tabbed AP with their first-round pick wound up losing their opening-week matchup because of his performance. While we don't expect this to last, Peterson was flat out brutal in Week 1. Odell Beckham Jr.'s 44 receiving yards, Calvin Johnson's 39 receiving yards and Andre Johnson' 24 yards receiving were bitter pills to swallow for fantasy owners as well.
Most Costly Injury: Dez Bryant
After leading the NFL in touchdown receptions last season with 16, a lot was expected from Dez Bryant in 2015. The worst-case scenario for fantasy owners who drafted the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver would be to see him suffer an injury early ... and that's exactly what happened during Week 1. Bryant broke a bone in his foot during the third quarter of the Cowboys-New York Giants' game on Sunday Night Football and had surgery on Tuesday. He's scheduled to be out four to six weeks, a projection which could easily increase if more recovery time is needed. Tough loss for America's Team. Another costly injury was that to Terrell Suggs, who tore his Achilles tendon Sunday. The veteran linebacker was the anchor of the Baltimore Ravens defense. Without him, the unit should take a significant step back.
And now looking ahead to Week 2...
Claim Him Off Waivers Now: Marcus Mariota
If Marcus Mariota wasn't drafted in your league, he's worth snatching up now. While the rookie might be hard-pressed to throw four touchdowns in a game again, anything that the Tennessee Titans run on offense will likely go through Mariota. That alone makes him an intriguing fantasy player, one worth claiming on the waiver wire heading into Week 2. Tech Times likes the rookie's chances of having another big game, this time on the road against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday (Sept. 20).
In addition to Mariota, if you're weak at tight end, you may want to roll the dice on Tampa Bay's Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who was targeted seven times and finished with 110 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Wideouts Steve Johnson (San Diego Chargers), Brandon Coleman (New Orleans Saints) and Donte Moncrief (Indianapolis Colts) are worthy selections from the free-agent pool as well, if available.
Anticipated Letdown: Seahawks Defense
After losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC title game, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are going to apply pressure on the Hawks' defense ... especially at Lambeau Field. As good as the Seahawks defense still is, let's not forget that the St. Louis Rams rang up 34 points against them in Week 1. Just imagine what Rodgers will do against them? Expect the top QB in the game to set off some fireworks and light up the Legion of Boom.
Sleeper Pick: Percy Harvin
After throttling the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, think the Buffalo Bills are going to be up to the challenge of defeating the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots? You bet they are. While Tech Times expects New England's defense to lock up Buffalo wide receiver Sammy Watkins, we fully expect Percy Harvin to come through with some big game-changing plays. Harvin is a live wire.
When he goes off, he puts points on the board. It's as simple as that. Week 2 should be one of those games. Also, as daring as it may sound, Tech Times thinks Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel will actually have a decent game at home against the Tennessee Titans this week.
Confusion By Committee: Lions running backs Joique Bell and Ameer Abdullah
Sometimes a team with options could be problematic for fantasy owners. Take the Detroit Lions' backfield, for instance. It boasts two talented rushers in Joique Bell and rookie Ameer Abdullah. Many analysts believed Abdullah would significantly bite into Bell's workload this season, but Bell would stay being the Lions' No. 1 running back.
Well, Week 1 saw Abdulla rush for 50 yards and a touchdown and receive for another 44 yards en route to putting up a solid 15 points in non-PPR leagues. Meanwhile, Bell rushed for just 14 yards and received for 27 for an anemic three-point performance. Ouch. Tread lightly with Bell this season, even going as far as to bench him and keep an eye on the waiver wire, looking to possibly find a replacement.
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