The Early Slate: Is There Any Meat On This Bone?

Or are we getting tough, chewy sinew? We’ve got four games under our belt featuring more than a few primo teams so let’s check into the detritus.

To The Games!

Niners/Browns: 

Might we have another snow game? At the very least it should be blowy and not in a good way. Judkins leads all rook rb’s in rushing but is there all that much competition? Most peers are injured, part of a committee or like Jeanty, bogged down in an unimaginative offense. Garrett is on a ridiculous tear with an incredible 14 sacks in his last five fixtures. The sack record-only 5 away-is a foregone conclusion.

Jags/Titans:

Tennessee doesn’t seem to have that much talent but things are looking up in that Ward has strung together two straight half-decent games and could ambush the up-and-down Jags. Plus, at only one win the Titans have the luxury of adding to their total and not seriously impacting their draft spot. Afterall, they’re drafting an o-lineman or trading down for same.

Texans/Colts:

I like both these squadoos because they each have interesting pieces in place and I’m curious what the GM’s do from here-splashy free agent signing or continue with the young building blocks through the draft? There’s always the pressure to win right now. How does Jones navigate that insane Houston pass rush that is feeling its oats? (among other things)

Saints/Fins:

Rook rb Devin Neal is of interest here, if you’re a fantasy manager willing to take a flyer. You’d think that New Orleans would like to see what they have on their hands what with Kamara creeping up there age-wise. McDaniel is going to fend off the firing wolves yet again isn’t he?

Falcons/Jets:

I’d wager you’d be surprised to know that Atlanta has the third-most sacks in the league to date. And yet that somehow hasn’t translated into defensive dominance or a reputation of any kind, really. The team doesn’t even have a clue as to how to feature the 2nd-most gifted rb in the league. (I’d put Gibbs first for now)

Rams/Panteros:

There have been more unlikely upsets (these same Panthers beating Green Bay on the road comes to mind) but the Rams are on a different plane altogether and riding a six game win streak. During that time they’ve averaged 30.5 points and I just don’t think a Dowdle-centric offense can get there.

Cards/Bucs:

Stupid Arizona. With Harrison out (and he can’t get volume targets at the best of times) Michael Wilson has gone bologna salad with 25 snatches for 303 yards. I don’t understand Gannon’s approach whatsoever. With Los Panteros likely losing it is imperative that the Bucs put this one to bed and gain some more breathing room in the division.

Enjoy.