Empty the Bench

We’re all about daring predictions here at ETB. We love analyzing and second-guessing other people’s picks, but we also enjoy putting ourselves on the line as well. That’s why in the days leading up to Sunday every week we’ll be gazing into our crystal ball and both of us will post the ten predictions our meditations generate.

Not all of them will come true, but when they do we’re going to be bragging about them. Repeatedly. And when they don’t, you’ll have to let us know about it because we won’t be bringing it up. In no particular order, it’s ETB’s NFL Week 3 Crystal Ball.

Brian’s Predictions:

1. This is the week that a few projected fantasy studs who’ve underwhelmed finally break out with some noteworthy production. In his infinite kindness, Bill Belichick ensures Laurence Maroney finds the endzone, Reggie Bush puts up solid YAC and catches about seven passes, and Donovan McNabb throws for over 225 yards and 2 TDs.

2. Is it finally okay, followers of the Detroit Lions, to call yourself “a Lions fan” in public without slumping your shoulders and hanging your head in shame? Fresh cornbread will be served piping hot Monday morning after the Leos move their record to 3-0 with a gutty road win in Philadelphia thanks to a late fourth-quarter TD by Roy Williams.

3. Perennial ETB favorite Chad Johnson (isn’t he one of everybody’s favorites?) is off to one helluva start to his ‘07 campaign with 16 catches, 304 yards, and 3 TDs. After only reaching the Promised Land seven times all of last season, Johnson keeps up his incredible pace with another score in Seattle.

4. He didn’t find the endzone last week–thanks in large part to five turnovers by his quarterbacks–but rookie Adrian Peterson experiences no such shutout in Kansas City. With my fellow MTSU alumnus Kelly Holcomb likely stepping in for an injured Tarvaris Jackson, Peterson is heavily leaned on and responds well to the challenge: 24 carries, 107 yards, 5 receptions, 44 yards, 2 TDs.

5. Least entertaining game of the week: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons. Outside of Stevonne Smith, there’s just really not much to see here. That is, of course, unless Panthers head coach John Fox comes to his senses and feeds RB DeAngelo Williams to see how he handles a true featured back role in his second season. Unfortunately, that’s very, very unlikely to happen.

6. LaDainian Tomlinson has rushed for a total of 68 yards in his first two games and thrown as many touchdown passes as he has rushing TDs (1). The Green Bay defense is very underrated, but they’re no New England or Chicago and Tomlinson takes advantage with 150+ combined yards and 2 TDs.

7. The Jets trot a hobbled Chad Pennington onto the field for “team morale,” but his performance has about as much positive effect on the team’s offense–and its fans–as David Brent’s post-dismissal visits did at Wernham-Hogg. The relentless NY media will be unanimously calling for Kellen Clemens on Monday.

8. Travis Henry owners groan in disgust after rookie Selvin Young crosses the goal line for his first NFL score. It’ll either be on a swing pass from emerging talent Jay Cutler or on a 20+ yard run.

9. He’s a forgotten man now after missing Week 1 and falling out of the limelight after strong performances by Torry Holt and then Isaac Bruce, but Drew Bennett gets back on the fantasy radar with his first score of the season. By season’s end, he’ll be a weekly flex consideration.

10. For those following along at home, yes, my ETB fantasy football team is off to a putrid start with an 0-2 record and the lowest number of total points scored. Laugh it up, fuzzball. My opponent this week, Win or Go Home, will be crying tears of embarassment into his soggy Cheerios Tuesday morning after I get back in the game, as John Monad told me to, behind strong performances by Maroney, Bush, Colston, and Cooley.

Andrew’s Predictions:

1. The San Diego pass rush can bring it, but the Charger’s secondary can be beaten. Brett Favre dons his gunslinger persona and stays in the pocket just long enough for his guys to get open and takes punishing hit after punishing hit. Sometime in the fourth quarter, his aging body fails him and Brett goes down with a significant injury that plagues him the rest of the season. The NFL-record run of 239 consecutive starts ends next week.

2. Edgerrin James has looked revitalized over the first two weeks, but he goes into the lions’ den in Week 3: Baltimore. In a fairly close game, HC Ken Whisenhunt keeps feeding Edge, but he can’t make headway and finishes with 20 carries for just 50 yards.

3. It’ll be a big day for tight ends in Pittsburgh. San Fancisco had the worst defense in football against TEs in 2006, and Heath Miller finds the enzone. While the Steelers defense focuses on bottling up Frank Gore and draping the San Francisco receivers in coverage, Vernon Davis shines. Davis takes two short passes and makes them big plays en route to a 5 reception, 60 yard, 1 TD day.

4. Like Brian, I’m expecting the New Orleans offense to get healthy in a big way this weekend. Playing in the friendly confines of the Superdome, Devery Handerson and Reggie Bush take a couple of passes to the house and Drew Brees finishes with over 300 yards and 3 TDs.

5. David Garrard has yet to turn the ball over in 2007, but that changes in Week 3. With the Jacksonville receivers completely overmatched by Denver’s secondary and unable to create seperation, Garrard tries to force the ball into tight spots and throws at least a pair of INTs.

6. Larry Johnson rested up in practice this week so he could resume his typical workload for the Chiefs, and they lean on him heavily this week. Meanwhile, after two Damon Huard INTs Brodie Croyle sees more action this week in the second half, but doesn’t impress.

7. The Green Bay Packers systematically worked up and down the field all day against the Giants last week with short and mid-range passes. Santana Moss excels at turning dinks and dunks into big gainers, and he has a huge day with 8 receptions for 150 yards and 2 TDs.

8. Kelly Holcomb isn’t spectacular by any means, but he plays fairly well. Well enough for a Vikings victory in Arrowhead, and well enough for Minneapolis papers to start a quarterback controversy on Monday morning.

9. After his 5 receptions, 52 yards and a TD last week, Glenn Holt keeps it going against the Seahawks and their smallish secondary. He puts together a similar performance, and turns into a big add on monday morning for owners hoping he’s the next Chris Henry in the Bengals’ prolific passing game.

10. Chris Chambers is the apple of Trent Green’s eye. He led the league in looks last week and has the second most on the season. Against the weak Jets secondary he finally finds the endzone and snags 7 more receptions.