Empty the Bench

We’re all about bold predictions here at ETB. Sure, we’ll analyze and second guess other people’s decisions, but we also enjoy putting ourselves on the line as well. That’s why in the days leading up to Sunday we’ll be gazing into our crystal ball every week and both of us will post ten predictions our meditation generates.

Of course, not all of them will come true. But when they do, we’re going to be bragging about them. And when they don’t, feel free to let us know about it because we certainly are not going to bring it up. Without further delay, ETB’s NFL Week One Crystal Ball (in no particular order). Enjoy.

Andrew’s Predictions:

1. Two things I know: Randy Moss is always good for a big play when the spotlight is on him in the regular season, and Bill Belichick is obsessed with using and abusing injury reports for strategic leverage. I think Randy comes out and scores a TD in the first half on a set play and has a quiet rest of the game, finishing with 65 yards on 4 receptions. As for the rest of this season, I’m not convinced that Randy will put up consistent enough numbers to warrant his average draft position in the third round.

2. While Terry Glenn misses the entire season, Patrick Crayton becomes the regular season’s first waiver-wire gem as an excellent WR3. His steady production starts against the Giants this week. Crayton will be an ideal compliment to TO as a sure-handed wideout–he led the NFL in converting looks into receptions last season–who goes over the middle well, freeing Owens up deep. In a game that should see a lot of aerial fireworks, Crayton starts 2007 with 6 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. He won’t be a free agent in many fantasy leagues on Monday.

3. Go ahead and book it: Ravens stud-in-waiting Demetrius Williams will have one big play of at least 40 yards.

4. With Pro Bowl DT Rod Coleman on the shelf this week, Minnesota finds enough room to make both Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson good RB3s this week. Atlanta has a fine rush defense and Jonathan Babineaux is no slouch, but Minnesota will try to keep it simple for Tarvaris Jackson in Week 1. That means plenty of handoffs and short dumps to his talented backs, both of which put up over 60 total yards and combine for two TDs–one apiece.

5. ETB favorite Vernon “Florida” Davis will go off against a shaky Cardinals pass defense to the tune of 7 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown. I don’t care about the attitude problems. Yes, I appreciate the consummate professionalism of a Marvin Harrison or a Torry Holt. You know who else has attitude and cockiness issues though? Terrell Owens, Randy Moss and Chad Johnson. As long as they show up on Sunday, I don’t care.

6. Facing the staunch run defense of the Jacksonville Jaguars and their dynamic duo of DTs Marcus Stroud and John Henderson, both LenDale White and Chris Brown find little running room and we have to wait another week before knowing who the true number 1 is. I don’t want to count on either this week, but LenDale secures the job in Week 2 with a strong showing at home versus Indy’s rush D (I’m not buying in on them yet).

7. At home against the average Philly defense, Packers rookie RB Brandon Jackson comes out on a mission and puts together a strong start. I don’t think he’ll put up huge yardage totals, but his 110 total yards and two touchdowns will make him the clear-cut starter in Green Bay (For the time being).

8. DeAngelo Williams will flash his potential on a few dazzling plays in the first half versus the putrid Rams rushing defense, have a higher YPC than DeShaun Foster… and still finish with only 12 carries.

9. Out to prove the doubters wrong, Eli Manning leaves his ‘Aw, Shucks’ face at home. He tosses two touchdowns and passes for 280 yards, then follows it up with another strong performance against Green Bay the following week. The NY Media gets on the bandwagon in full force. They promptly jump back off around 6pm EDT on September 23rd.

10. Travis Henry makes the team that drafted him pay: 26 carries, 125 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Brian’s Predictions:

1. Steven Jackson still isn’t a household name outside of the fantasy football realm, but he’ll kick off his third NFL season with the kind of performance that’ll change that real quick. The Carolina defense is decent, but SJax will go for 150+ yards combined and 2 TDs.

2. It’s only the first week, but we’re going to learn a lot about both the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals late Monday night. In the past these contests were guaranteed snoozers, but these NFC West squads now employ explosive players on both sides of the ball that should make this one more entertaining than Thursday’s opening night letdown. I’ll be watching to see how comfortable Matt Leinart looks in the pocket (and how much time he has), how many looks & touches ETB favorite Vernon Davis gets from Alex Smith, and how well both teams’ defenses stop the running game.

3. All eyes will be on prized rookie WR Calvin Johnson during the second half of Sunday’s matchups, but look for already-established stud Roy Williams to show why he’s the #1 guy in Detroit’s passing game. The Lions will struggle to run the ball against the Raiders’ underrated defense, which means 40+ passes for Jon Kitna and at least two highlight-reel receptions for Williams… as well as a score.

4. Speaking of the Lions/Raiders, Jerry Porter is going to have a big game, and “Big” Mike Williams will score a touchdown. New head coach Lane Kiffin still hasn’t publicly revealed who his starter is, but he’d be wise to plug in Josh McNown, if only for this week. Former Lions have a long history of coming back to burn their old team; last year, Artose Pinner came from nowhere to put up 125 yards and 3 TDs for the Vikings, while Blue Skies Harrington torched them last Thanksgiving on national television to the tune of 220 yards and 3 TDs.

5. Maurice Jones-Drew’s fantasy owners will not be pleased with the initial return on their likely second-round investment.

6. Jeff Garcia will compete for the honor of posting the lowest QB Rating of any starting signal-caller. It’s always tough to win on the road in Seattle, and especially difficult for offenses that suck.

7. Chad Johnson will put on one helluva entertaining show Monday night against the visiting Baltimore Ravens. He’s already promised to smack Ray Lewis and Bart Scott in the mouth, has added safety Ed Reed to his “hit list,” and promises his endzone celebration will “probably be one of the greatest celebrations of all time.” Our prediction about Johnson earning his first fine in Week 1 is looking pretty safe.

8. Phil Simms will find it difficult to talk about anything other than head coaches William Stephen Belichick and Eric Mangini during the Patriots/Jets broadcast. We’ll be reminded, repeatedly, that Mangini used to coach with Belichick, and that last year their on-field relationship was contentious.

9. The Minnesota Vikings defense will post top-four fantasy defense stats after stomping all over the visiting Falcons and causing at least three turnovers.

10. Rex Grossman apologists will be out in full force after his dismal performance in San Diego, pointing to this, that, and the other as reasons why the embattled QB is way better than he’s given credit for.