Week 1 Matchups

Fantasy Spin - Dolphins vs Steelers Fantasy Preview

Talk about your super way to get it started: The Super Bowl XL champion Steelers (8:30 ET kickoff) get to raise the curtain at home as they take on a Dolphins team many are picking to make their own playoff run. This is shaping up to be a rather interesting Thursday night game. The Dolphins (9-7) ended 2005 with a six game winning streak and have added Daunte Culpepper. The Steelers (11-5) come off a Super Bowl win and will be without Ben Roethlisberger who apparently failed to make the final payment to the gods of fate for their work last January.

Miami - Culpepper (B), Mcmicheal (S), Chambers (S), Brown (S), Dolphins D (S)
Pittsburgh - Batch (B), Parker (S), Ward (B), Wilson (B), Steelers D (S)

Week 1 Fantasy Football Matchups
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
September 10, 2006 - Bank of America Stadium
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Fantasy Spin - Falcons at Panthers Fantasy Preview

Atlanta (8-8) comes into the 2006 season after a three game losing skid to end last year and miss the playoffs. The Panthers (11-5) made it all the way to the NFC Championship before running out of gas and are considered to be one of the favorites to return to the championship game again this year.This series was so one-sided last season, with the Panthers outscoring Michael Vick 68-17, I think it's going to be more of the same this time around. No early indications that this year will be any different. This critical NFC South game has all the makings of a classic showdown. Both teams have high expectations and need to get off to a fast start due to their tough schedules.

Fantasy Spin - Ravens at Buccaneers Fantasy Preview

The Ravens (6-10) start their new season with an aim for better offense while trying to maintain what has historically been a very good defense. The Ravens ranked 10th in points allowed last year while their offense turned in an anemic 25th best in points scored. The Buccaneers (11-5) went through a quarterback change early last season but held on to win the NFC South while featuring the Offensive Rookie of the Year in Carnell Williams. You have to figure this is a low scoring game, since each team has a flashy defense, and neither quarterback is the type to air it out and look for home runs. You can feel the life being breathed into the Raven offense with the arrival of McNair. With a solid O-line and running game already in place and a talented receiving corps, look for the Ravens to try to air it out more this week. The big question here is all about how well Cadillac runs, and how well the Bucs defense does to allow Cadillac even more opportunities.

Fantasy Spin - Bills at Patriots Fantasy Preview

The season opens rough for the Buffalo Bills (5-11) who come off a bad season that witnessed the loss of long-time wideout Eric Moulds and a new head coach in the recycled Dick Jauron. The Patriots (10-6) won the AFC East last year but it was no cakewalk with a resurgent Miami and a Patriots team that somehow kept plugging along despite injuries. No Givens and no Branch. Say what you want about the "spread it around" passing game, but those two holes will not be easily filled. Losman has had a solid pre-season and is showing improved play over last year. He has a nice stable of receivers and new OC Steve Fairchild is no stranger to a big passing game. New England owns this series, winning 10 of the last 11, and the last five at home. I don't want to take the favorite in every game, but this is not likely to be an upset. Bills fans have to be a bit nervous going into Foxborough with a new coaching staff.

Fantasy Spin - Bengals at Chiefs Fantasy Preview

The Bengals (11-5) had a terrific 2005 season that ended when the Steelers took out Carson Palmer's knee to start their playoff game. All the same players are back this year including Palmer who appears surprisingly unaffected. The Chiefs (10-6) also return much of the same crew from 2005. The revamped Kansas City defense will get it's first bit test Sunday facing Palmer and the Bengal passing attack. Cincinnati is an opportunistic defense, but they don't produce a lot of sacks and do allow quite a bit of yards in the passing game. Nothing against the Bengals, really, but why can't the Chiefs stay with them when it comes to offense? I'm pretty sure that Cincy will score on the K.C. defense, but I think the Chiefs will score as well. Palmer's knee is ready so start him as this game pits two teams that are thinking playoffs.

Fantasy Spin - Saints at Browns Fantasy Preview

The Saints (3-13) started out with the hurricane problems and their luck changed little over the season as Deuce McAllister tore up his knee and the Saints were forced to become NFL vagabonds. The Saints are on the path up now and if nothing else, it's hard to imagine they could possibly face as many challenges this year. The Browns (6-10) start out the new Romeo Crennel era last year with some positives on defense and nothing but problems on offense. Reggie Bush makes his pro debut in Ohio, in what will be a messy game with turnovers and poor play. Bush is always going to be capable of breaking a long run, but I'll take Deuce McAllister over him in this game. Brees hasn't looked comfortable in the New Orleans offense so far. He'll need to get comfortable quickly if he's to remain a slightly viable fantasy starter. Frye was barely serviceable while closing out the season last year as a rookie. He averaged just 190 YPG and tossed four touchdowns in five games. He'll be the starter from game one this season. Both teams are looking to rebound and get off to fast starts in 2006.

Fantasy Spin - Jets at Titans Fantasy Preview

The Jets (4-12) come off a very bad year and not only are rebuilding, they appear to have less parts than before. The Titans (4-12) are also rebuilding according to an apparent never ending plan but have added several elements of the future. These are two bad teams, and this is the type of game in which nobody wins, especially in fantasy. Health will be the key for Pennington this season, plus he'll be setting up behind an O-line with two rookies. Officially the Titans won't announce their starting QB until Sunday morning. The odds are in Collins favor at this time. There are so many reasons to kick your feet up and watch these two struggling football teams. The New York Jets and new head coach Eric Mangini are starting out the 2006 season with several questions. For the Titans, it will be very interesting to see how much rookie quarterback Vince Young will play.

Fantasy Spin - Broncos at Rams Fantasy Preview

The Broncos (13-3) enter the year with yet another starting running back and while they were 8-0 at home last year, they only managed a 5-3 record on the road. The Rams (6-10) will start the year without Mike Martz and his pass-happy offense. Scott Linehan comes over from the Dolphins. Last season Plummer opened up on the road against a tough opponent and put up 250 yards and a score. Look for an extra touchdown in this season opening matchup. While many things changed for the Rams this year, Bulger and his talented WR corps remains the same. Outside of Champ Bailey the Broncos' secondary is still wet behind the ears. This is a showcase of two powerful running games. Running back Steven Jackson will carry the load for the Rams. Mike Bell will be lead the way for the Broncos, who Mike Shanahan has courageously opted to start. I don't think Jackson will have running room or much success. Marc Bulger will face much pressure. It's going to be a tough day for the home team.

Fantasy Spin - Eagles at Texans Fantasy Preview

The Eagles (6-10) ended their string of divisional wins by losing far too many of their players to injury last year, including Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook. Terrell Owens was kicked out and the offense never recovered. The Texans (2-14) come off their own heartbreak season though they are a bit more used to it.The Texans allowed a lot of points last season, and I think they will again. Look for a few Eagles touchdowns early, which should take Wali Lundy out of the game. Westbrook remains the key to the Eagles' offense. He'll continue to get a healthy dose of touches both on the ground and through the air. We know for sure the Philly defense is improved, and that's not a good thing for Carr or the Texans. Expect some aggressive play calling from Andy Reid. Both teams need to start out well to get the bad taste of last season out of their mouths. There is a lot of excitement in Houston with new head coach Gary Kubiak, and the home crowd should be noisy.

Fantasy Spin - Seahawks at Lions Fantasy Preview

The Seahawks (13-3) come off a NFC championship season that ended with the loss in the Superbowl. The scary thing here is that they could be even better this year in a division that rivals the NFC North as the worst in the league. The Lions (5-11) went through an implosion last year and start a whole new era with a new head coach and quarterback. The defending NFC champions head back to the site of their Super Bowl XL loss to Pittsburgh. The Seahawks should fare much better on this trip to Ford Field. The Lions need to take the field with not only a new attitude but much-improved performance to garner the support of historically apathetic fans. Jinxes aside, the Seahawks will put points on the board, and this isn't even a division game! Jon Kitna probably won't be great here, and Kevin Jones' comeback season might need another week. This is pretty much a no-brainer fantasy starter-fest for anyone in a Seahawk uniform this week. After four seasons of high hopes and low delivery in Houston it looks like we get at least another year of the same in Detroit.

Fantasy Spin - 49ers at Cardinals Fantasy Preview

The 49ers (4-12) once again ended the season in the cellar and early signs are that there are definite improvements and they won't likely be enough to get the franchise up the stairs again this year. The Cardinals (5-11) were the darlings of fantasy football last year for any owners of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The addition of Edgerrin James has fantasy owners thinking the Cardinals will cash in more this season. For the 49ers, Frank Gore should get yards, but not the chance to celebrate a touchdown. Smith has shown some improvement this pre-season and looks more comfortable running the offense. Not hard to do actually after last season. Bryant is coming off his best season as a pro (his first 1000 yard season) and seems to be adjusting just fine to his new surroundings in San Fran. Hopes are high in the desert and it all rests on the fragile shoulders of Warner. The Cardinals put up 739 passing yards in two games against what was then the worst pass defense in the league. This should be an exciting game to watch offensively, with the potential for big points to be scored by both offenses.

Fantasy Spin - Cowboys at Jaguars Fantasy Preview

The Cowboys (9-7) come off yet another season that got away from them and they've upgraded for 2006 with Terrell Owens and Mike Vanderjagt in the hopes that they are the missing pieces to the playoffs. The Jaguars (12-4) did catch a wild card last year but crashed in New England. Protection is the key for the stationary, pocket passing Bledsoe. The O-line hopes to be improved from last season's poor effort, allowing 50 sacks. This will be a tough way to start the season for Leftwich. He'll be under pressure all day as his O-line will be overmatched by the strong pass-rushing Cowboys defensive front. This should be a close one, but I'll go with the home team on a late field goal. Dallas has actually lost five of its last six openers. I know Bill Parcells hasn't been around for some of them, but this is a trend, and the Jags did win 12 games last season. Both teams have received a lot of hype this year and are expected to challenge for division titles in 2006.

Fantasy Spin - Colts at Giants Fantasy Preview

The Colts (14-2) come off perhaps one of the biggest chokes in recent history after seeming to have a free pass to the Super Bowl. The Giants (11-5) won the NFC East only to get shut out - at home no less - by the Panthers. This game is chock full of fantasy studs. Don't play the Colts running backs; Rookie Joseph Addai is going to see less time than Dominic Rhodes, but neither are going to be huge fantasy assets, even in a high scoring game. This is a tough spot for the younger Manning. He'll face a solid cover-two scheme secondary and an aggressive pass rush. Look for the Giants to work hard on establishing the run. Check Shockey's injury status, 2005 was his best year since his rookie season and he's primed to have a career year in 2006. Although this game will do little to determine which Manning Brother will have a more honored place in football history, it will give the winner bragging rights in family gatherings. Start em both!

Fantasy Spin - Vikings at Redskins Fantasy Preview

The Vikings (9-7) ended strongly last year but not nearly enough to keep the team from dumping Mike Tice and hiring Brad Childress. The Redskins (10-6) return with all the same offensive stars and with a couple of additions in the passing game. But Washington has looked surprisingly inept in the preseason. These appear evenly matched teams, with two limited quarterbacks who help their teams win by avoiding mistakes. Santana Moss is one of those receivers you play even when there's a decent opponent. Chester Taylor didn't have a great preseason by any means, but what I like about him is that there's not a ton of competition. Backup running back Mewelde Moore is far from 100 percent this week. No one will ever confuse Johnson's game for Culpepper's, that much we know. However, he has the skills necessary to run the West Coast offense. The addition of new OC Al Saunders and some wide receiver talent to go with Santana Moss will help greatly. Look for Brunell to bounce back nicely in this season opener on Monday night. I think Portis plays.

Fantasy Spin - Chargers at Raiders Fantasy Preview

The Raiders and Chargers open up with a Monday Night football matchups. The Chargers (9-7) start the year with Phillip Rivers under center as the most practiced quarterback in the league without actual playing time. If he plays as well as Drew Brees did, the Chargers will be just as good. This has GOT to be an interesting year. Kerry Collins was dumped in favor of Aaron Brooks. It's already been a drama-filled preseason and the year is only about to begin. The Chargers have won the last five in this series, and I see more of the same in this meeting. LT2 put up 290 total yards and two touchdowns last season in his two games against Oakland. Jordan will have a tough time, and fantasy owners will be disappointed. After a very sluggish start to the pre-season, Brooks and the Raiders' passing game began to show some signs of life by games 4 and 5. With Porter slowly working his way out of the doghouse. The Chargers will want to keep LT's carries in check this season, especially with Turner seemingly ready to start in the NFL. I don't have much faith in the Raiders this season.