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AFC South Fantasy Outlook

September 13, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Herija C. Green
Edited by Ryan Dodson

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Quarterback Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts: It was business as usual for Manning and the Colts in Week 1 as the two-time NFL MVP carved up the New Orleans Saints secondary for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Manning didn't play his best ball against the Tennessee Titans last year as he threw a matching three touchdowns and three interceptions in two games. Despite those struggles he's still a must-start this week.
Running Back Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts: Addai looked every bit the fantasy stud his owners hoped he would be in Week 1 as he racked up 143 yards and a touchdown against the Saints. Tennessee should present a sterner challenge for Addai, but the presence of Manning behind center makes putting an eighth man in the box a difficult proposition at best. Start Addai as a solid No. 1 in Week 2.
Running Back Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars: It was a tough day for Jones-Drew against the Titans in Week 1 with the second-year back accounting for just 60 yards of offense and no touchdowns. Jones-Drew also lost a fumble. Week 2 promises to be better as the Jags square off with an Atlanta Falcons team that was picked apart by Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in the opener. Keep Jones-Drew in your lineup this week.
Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts: Harrison seemed quiet in Week 1 but a closer review of the box score revealed he actually had 83 receiving yards and a touchdown during the Thursday night onslaught. Tennessee held him in check in their first meeting of 2006 but their second contest was a different story as Harrison burned the Titans for a season-high 172 yards and a score. Start him with confidence this week.
Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts: Wayne bounced back from an early fumble (which was returned for a touchdown) to have a huge (or 'yuge' if you're Al Michaels) game against the Saints with 115 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He was largely stymied by Tennessee in both 2006 contests with just three catches in each, but that's not near enough to have him anywhere but in your lineup in Week 2.
Wide Receiver Andre Johnson, Houston Texans: It's fair to say that Johnson did not miss former quarterback David Carr (Carolina Panthers) in Week 1 as he caught seven passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. He and Carr will be on the same field in Week 2 when Houston pays Carolina a visit. The Panthers gave up 121 yards and a score to opposing receivers in Week 1 so expect Johnson to put up good numbers this week.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Matt Schaub	Houston Texans	1	225.0	1.00	1.00	-1.0	0.00
David Garrard	Jacksonville Jaguars	1	204.0	1.00	0.00	24.0	0.00
Vince Young	Tennessee Titans	1	78.0	0.00	1.00	22.0	1.00

Schaub - The Texans have to be pleased with Schaub's debut as their new starter guided them to a 20-3 victory. Schaub was accurate and found No. 1 wide receiver Andre Johnson early and often. He's only a No. 2 quarterback this week against the rugged Panthers defense, but if you're in the market for a backup quarterback with upside he could be worth a waiver claim.

Garrard - Not having to look over his shoulder for the first time in his career didn't seem to help Garrard in Week 1 as the sixth-year passer completed just 56.7 percent of his passes and only led the Jaguars to 10 points in a disappointing home loss. He gets a chance for redemption in Week 2 when the rudderless Falcons come to town, but he is still no better than a No. 2 or bench candidate.

Young - The dreaded fantasy phrase "game manager" springs to mind after watching Young account for just 100 total yards (78 passing, 22 rushing) during a 13-10 victory in Week 1. He figures to throw only when necessary in Week 2 as the Titans will likely look to milk the clock by running the ball to keep the Colts offense off the field. Young is a low-end No. 2 quarterback and is better off on your bench this Sunday.

Running Backs

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TD/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Ahman Green	Houston Texans	1	20.00 (37.31)	4.00 (56.74)	73.0	0.00	4.00	23.0	0.00
Fred Taylor	Jacksonville Jaguars	1	7.00 (14.00)	0.00 (0.0)	16.0	0.00	0.00	0.0	0.00
Chris Brown	Tennessee Titans	1	20.00 (26.37)	3.00 (17.86)	175.0	0.00	1.00	3.0	0.00
LenDale White	Tennessee Titans	1	20.00 (26.37)	8.00 (47.64)	66.0	0.00	2.00	7.0	0.00

Green - The Texans were 2-for-2 on successful debuts in Week 1 as Green looked strong running the ball. His 4.6 yards per carry average was more than respectable, and he also chipped in with four receptions in the passing game. Carolina traditionally makes life tough on opposing backs (just ask St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson) so consider Green a weak No. 2 or solid No. 3 fantasy back with a weak play.

Taylor - Sixteen yards rushing in Week 1 is cause for concern among Taylor owners, though it's not time to panic considering what a good job the Titans did in keeping Jacksonville's offense off the field. Atlanta should be hard-pressed to duplicate Tennessee's success so consider Taylor a decent No. 2 with a strong play this week.

Brown - Probably the biggest surprise from an individual standpoint in Week 1 were the 175 yards Brown hung on a supposedly tough Jacksonville run defense. He's undoubtedly the hottest free agent pickup in most leagues, and if you had the good fortune to land him feel free to play him as a solid No. 1 back with a weak play against the Colts in Week 2.

White - White got the same 18 carries that Brown received but turned it into 109 fewer yards. To be fair many of the carries were of the short-yardage variety. In Week 2 he'll face an Indianapolis run defense that was incredibly stout against the Saints talented backfield last week. He should be played as a low-end No. 2 or strong No. 3 with a weak play.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Anthony Gonzalez	Indianapolis Colts	1	1.00 (1.75)	0.00 (0.0)	0.00	0.0	0.00
Matt Jones	Jacksonville Jaguars	1	2.00 (4.00)	1.00 (10.00)	0.00	0.0	0.00
Ernest Wilford	Jacksonville Jaguars	1	3.00 (6.00)	1.00 (10.00)	2.00	20.0	0.00
Eric Moulds	Tennessee Titans	1	3.00 (3.96)	1.00 (5.95)	1.00	4.0	0.00
Brandon Jones	Tennessee Titans	1	4.00 (5.27)	0.00 (0.0)	1.00	6.0	0.00

Gonzalez - A less-than-auspicious debut for Gonzalez resulted in no receptions and only one ball being thrown his way. There is still some potential there, but he belongs on your bench until further notice.

M. Jones - The second AFC South receiver in a row to be shutout in Week 1, Jones' starting privileges are hereby indefinitely revoked. In other words, bench him.

Wilford - There appears to be no middle ground for AFC South receivers as they seem to fall into either the "must-start" or "don't start them if you take the game of fantasy football remotely seriously" categories. Wilford would be the latter so bench him in Week 2 with a weak play.

Moulds - I studied some 94-year-old file footage of Gus Dorais and Knute Rockne leading Notre Dame past Army to try and draw an accurate comparison to the modern day Titans passing game, but alas Rockne and the Irish circa 1913 put the Titans to shame. All kidding aside, bench Moulds this week, and if you're in need of a roster spot don't hesitate to show him the door.

Jones - Honestly, did anyone named Jones have a good game in Week 1? Find Brandon a spot on your bench next to Matt.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Owen Daniels	Houston Texans	1	1.00 (1.87)	0.00 (0.0)	1.00	14.0	0.00
Dallas Clark	Indianapolis Colts	1	6.00 (10.49)	2.00 (25.30)	2.00	48.0	0.00
George Wrighster	Jacksonville Jaguars	1	1.00 (2.00)	0.00 (0.0)	1.00	3.0	0.00
Bo Scaife	Tennessee Titans	1	3.00 (3.96)	1.00 (5.95)	2.00	18.0	0.00

Daniels - A non-factor in Week 1, Daniels is still worth holding onto as tight end depth. However, his outlook for Week 2 is no better than a weak flex option with a spot on the bench being preferable.

Clark - Clark caught a nice 39-yard pass against the Saints but otherwise was a non-factor. Clark played in only one of the Colts' two games with Tennessee last season where he recorded two receptions for 15 yards. He's a weak No. 1 or flex option this Sunday.

Wrighster - Wrighster was only utilized once last week and shouldn't be near the starting lineup. Actually, keep Wrighster away from your team.

Scaife - Scaife caught a pair of passes for 18 yards, which frighteningly enough was second on the team in both receptions and receiving yards in Week 1. This week against the Colts Bo knows he's a shaky No. 1 or flex play.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Kris Brown	Houston Texans	1	2.00	2.00	2.00	2.00	8.0
Adam Vinatieri	Indianapolis Colts	1	5.00	5.00	2.00	2.00	11.0
John Carney	Jacksonville Jaguars	--	--	--	--	--	--
Rob Bironas	Tennessee Titans	1	1.00	1.00	2.00	2.00	7.0

Brown - For one week Brown actually looked like a viable fantasy kicker. However, let's actually make him prove it to us again before we go and do something nutty like adding him to our rosters. He's a weak No. 1 or bench candidate with a weak play against Carolina.

Vinatieri - For all intents and purposes Vinatieri is an every-week play unless you have an extra roster spot to use on another kicker. He's a No. 1 kicker with a weak play against Tennessee.

Carney - An injury to regular place kicker Josh Scobee (quad) necessitated the signing of Carney, who was last with the New Orleans Saints. Carney hit on 23 of his 25 attempts last year and could do a nice job for Jacksonville while Scobee heals. However, for this week he should remain on your bench.

Bironas - Bironas was perfect in Week 1, but he faces a Colts defense that allowed just four points to the opposing kicker last Thursday. He is a very weak No. 1 and should be benched if at all possible this week.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Houston Texans	1	3.0	2.00	3.0	2.00	1.0
Indianapolis Colts	1	4.0	2.00	1.0	1.00	1.0
Jacksonville Jaguars	1	13.0	1.00	2.0	0.00	0.0
Tennessee Titans	1	10.0	0.00	2.0	1.00	0.0

Texans - Houston's defense looked dominating in dispatching the Kansas City Chiefs, 20-3, in Week 1. The Texans got to Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard three times and forced four turnovers (one of which was returned for a touchdown). Expect the going to be tougher when they face a Carolina club that scored 20 unanswered points in a 27-13 Week 1 victory. Houston is a solid No. 1 defense this week coming off such a great opening-week performance.

Colts - If Thursday night's dismantling of the talented New Orleans offense was a sign of things to come from Indianapolis' defense it could be an uphill battle for the other 31 teams to dethrone the champs. The Colts were one step ahead of the Saints at every turn and completely shut down their high-octane rushing attack (a supposed Colts weakness). Facing a Titans team that values ball control and running the clock above all else the Colts should be benched in favor of better matchups this Sunday.

Jaguars - Jacksonville's defense was miserable against the run in Week 1 and their 13 points allowed doesn't do their ineptitude justice. Their opponent this week managed just three points in Week 1, but even facing the potentially feeble Falcons offense isn't enough to recommend the Jags defense as anything more than bench warmers in Week 2.

Titans - Even if Tennessee was coming off a week in which they had 15 sacks and forced a dozen turnovers they still probably wouldn't be recommended going against the Manning-led Colts. As it is the Titans didn't do anything particularly special fantasy-wise last week and therefore they are an easy choice to leave on your bench for the upcoming weekend.