Going Yard – Week 1 Game Changers

With the first week of the 2015 NFL football season in the books, it’s time to take a look around the league and see which players were getting it done for their teams and who you want on your fantasy roster.  Often during preseason players get hyped up and other players are not really seen at all so it’s not good take those game for much for than tryouts.  In addition, there’s so much fantasy coverage in the media today, because it sells high dollar ads to websites like Fan Duel and Draft Kings, that there are many points of views with contradicting advice and various notions of speculation of what coordinators like to do that it’s enough to drive a pure fantasy player insane.  Now it’s time to get back to the real game, the actual stats, the true data that make fantasy awesome. Bring on the fantasy studs who were the week 1 game changers and let’s see who was GOING YARD in the first edition of the 2015 Fantasy Football season.

Best Week 1 Fantasy Football Players

  • Carlos Hyde – By the third quarter I was already saying that he was the best running back in the league for week 1. He didn’t even have enough yards or carries by that point, but it was very apparent. This dude is unreal right now. He is going to be a top 3 fantasy running back this year if he doesn’t get hurt. There is no doubt he is the one to own this year and should be owned in 100% of the fantasy leagues out there. If he is available, grab him now. If you can trade for him, get him. He is the real deal and needs to be grabbed quickly.  At the end of the game, he was the leading rusher for week 1 with both attempts and yards.  His 168 yards on 26 carries was an incredible performance, but his 2 touchdowns were both brilliant runs. There is no one behind him now so he is going to get the ball 20+ times a game and will average near 100 yards every game.  If you were smart or lucky enough to draft him, then good for you and hold on to him unless you are really deep, then sell high.
  • Julio Jones – He didn’t lead in catches or yards, but in terms of fantasy, he was the best and will be now most of the season. Again, if you got this guy, you are set unless he gets hurt, like another top receiver did this past weekend. Jones was a monster to cover and hauled in 9 catches for 141 yards with 2 touchdowns.  He was a top pick so this kind of performance is somewhat expected, but this could be the year that Julio ranks in the top 3 among receivers in yards, and could lead the way in touchdowns.
  • Tom Brady – Every time this guy gets counted out or hated on, he just continues to go out and prove people wrong. It’s easy to hate a guy who has everything, but hard not to respect him.  He is a constant competitor who loves the game and likes to compete a high level.  If you have him, then feel free to start him with confidence and if he is out on the wire then be sure to get him now.  His 4 touchdown on 288 yard performance this past weekend is pretty hard not to notice.

Most Targeted Week 1 Receivers

  1. Keenan Allen = 17 – Finally going to be the guy everyone thought he would.
  2. TY Hilton = 14
  3. DeAndre Hopkins = 13
  4. Rashad Greene = 13 – Was this guy on anyone’s radar for week 1?
  5. Jordan Matthews = 13

Most Week 1 Receptions

  1. Keenan Allen = 15 – Duh.
  2. Julian Edelman = 11 – Brady’s security blanket.
  3. Jordan Matthews = 10
  4. Tyler Eifert = 9 – If he is on the waiver wire then get him for sure.
  5. Julio Jones = 9 – He can do so much.

Most Week 1 Rushing Attempts

  1. Carlos Hyde = 26 – Beastmode.
  2. Alfred Morris = 25
  3. Matt Forte = 24
  4. DeAngelo Williams = 21 – One more week and then backup duties.
  5. Tevin Coleman = 20 – Yeah you need to go and get this guy now.
  6. Chris Ivory = 20 – He is legit this year and should be owned.

Most Week 1 Passing Yards

  1. Phillip Rivers = 404
  2. Tony Romo = 356
  3. Drew Brees = 355
  4. Ben Roethlisberger = 351
  5. Sam Bradford = 336 – He might be out there for those that have Manning.

Week 1 Fantasy Football Summary

With LeVeon Bell out for 2 games, Carlos Hyde could finish as the top running back this year.  He is the real deal and will be getting it done if he can stay healthy all year.  Chris Ivory looks like he is ready to take the lead for the Jets and carry that team so he is good to go if he is healthy.  There were a few backs that had pretty good performances despite many folks being down on them including Bishop Sankey, Alfred Morris, and Tevin Coleman.

There are quite a bit of teams with depth at the receiving corps and a few that were keeping guys under the wraps until game day.  Rashad Greene is owned 0% in Yahoo leagues, but he was targeted 13 times and had 1 touchdown.  Jermaine Kearse, who is very spotty and not usually reliable for fantasy had 10 targets for 76 yards and is owned in only 2% of Yahoo leagues.  Nate Washington is also owned in only 2% of Yahoo leagues but he was targeted 11 times for 105 yards.  Granted, some of these are stats are based on match-ups and in-game situations that free up certain player or take advantage against other team’s weakness, but other times these will be there go to guys.  I’m not saying run out and pick up Rashad, but I’m going to be watching him closely and if it appears that his value is going up, then I’ll be ready to pounce.

It seemed many teams were rusty this first week. Some were not quite ready for game time speed, while others came very prepared.  I’ve got to give it up to the Bills and Rams for getting it done at home against two very good opponents.  Rex’s team clearly wanted to win that game, while the Rams never stop fighting despite being down late at home.  Both showed great performances that their fan bases can very proud of and were the best of week 1, but hey that’s just my opinion and what do I know.