Thursday Night Overview/Week 1 Awards

 

So this pretty much sums up last night. Owen Daniels scoring 2 TD's and it being totally irrelevant because for the most part that's what last night's game was in the fantasy world. There was a scare for Mayra, as it seemed like Antonio Brown would be out for the game with a concussion. He came back and didn't really do anything of note until the near end of the game where he racked up some garbage points. You take em any way you can. Le'Veon Bell wasn't the dominant beast he was in Week 1, but still managed a salvageable game thanks to his receiving stats. He narrowly missed his point projection. Mayra I guess should be content with her start, as it could've been worse had Brown not come back, but it is a little disappointing considering her opponent this week. There was two surprise spot starts as well as Ryan started Justin Forsett and Eugene went with Markus Wheaton over Jordan Cameron who's dealing with a shoulder injury. Unfortunately after allll that talk about Forsett stealing the starting job, Bernard Pierce got a ton of the work and if not for a late 40 yard run by Forsett (which he got tackled at the half yard line) he would've been a total bust play. Wheaton had a couple of nice reverses but didn't have much in receiving yards and only managed 7.5 points. I still think Eugene is fine and wins our matchup especially with the news that Brandon Marshall is a game time decision for me. Dad continues to be frustrated with how Torrey Smith is used and I don't blame him. Watching the game, Flacco RARELY even looks his way, and it seems like Steve Smith has become Flacco's favorite receiver target. Dad only getting 1.5 points from his top receiving is a big blow and a potential tide turner in his matchup against Alex. "Time for Pitta to get his 5 points". That's the negative text I got from Kenny earlier in the day. Kenny was pretty much spot on, Pitta finished with 4.5 points as he watched Owen Daniels outshine him. Pitta had a TD opportunity in the 4th but it was broken up. I still think Kenny's fine, especially with today's news about Adrian Peterson. He's definitely out this week and who knows how long after that. Tough blow for Drew. 

So as is customary, it's time to dole out Week 1 awards. For the new team in our league, I had out up to 4 awards to the Week's best/worst players and decisions. As usual they are as follows.

Wane McGarity Stud Of The Week-Best player performance usually on the winning team

Michael Wiley Dud Of The Week-Given to the most disappointing player of the week.

Drew Bennett Sneaky Surprise Award-Given to the team who makes a bold starting lineup decision and it pans out.

Tony Romo Bad Decision Award-Given to the team who makes a head scratching lineup move.

So without further ado...the Week 1 awards

Wane McGarity Stud Of The Week
Julius Thomas (JTG's Warehouse)

There were some excellent performances, including Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan, Le'Veon Bell, and Calvin Johnson, but I'm gonna give this to Julius for his not 1, not 2, but 3 TD's Sunday Night against the Colts. He also added a 100+ receiving yards. Guess that 3rd rounder was worth it for Drew after all.

Michael Wiley Dud Of The Week
Jamaal Charles (Dr. Light's Robots)
 

Part of it was the game plan, but still 4 points combined rushing and receiving from a guy who's supposed to neck and neck with LeSean McCoy as the best fantasy football player in the game is beyond disappointing. A big reason why Matt lost pretty handily.

Drew Bennett Sneaky Surprise Award
Drew goes Ertz over Ellington


Honorable mention goes to Eugene for having to spot start Andy Dalton for a injured Cam Newton. I give the nod to  Drew, only because Eugene really didn't have a choice, Newton was ruled out, while Andre Ellington went from a 4-6 week injury to a game time decision in like a day. Drew had a risky decision to make, take a chance that Ellington plays and is healthy enough to be a factor or start a second tight end who hasn't really proven himself much but has a lot of hype in Zach Ertz. Drew went with Ertz and it paid off. Ertz basically doubled Ellington's projected points and helped Drew pick up win #1.

There is no Tony Romo Bad Decision award as it's week 1 and basically no one really went out of the norm with their lineup decisions.