Week 1: Sleepers of the Week
If one of your normal starters is injured or facing a tough match-up, here are some players you might consider starting in their place. While these players may not be every week starters, they are good bets to perform well this week.
QB Matt Hasselbeck, ---
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Matt Hasselbeck and the Seattle Seahawks open the 2007 season at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hasselbeck struggled last season, but should be able to begin a bounce back season against the Buccaneers. Hasselbeck enjoyed success against Tampa Bay last season, throwing for 216 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions in a 23-7 victory for the Seahawks. With Shaun Alexander fully healthy and Deion Branch entering his second season as a Seahawk, Hasselbeck should be able to put together a season similar to his 2005 campaign. Look for Hasselbeck to get off to a solid start this season, throwing for 200 yards and at least one touchdown against the Bucs.
QB Ben Roethlisberger, ---
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Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Cleveland to face the Browns in week one. In two games against the Browns last season, Roethlisberger accumulated more than 500 total yards and four touchdowns. During the 2006 season, the Browns defense allowed more than 200 yards passing per game, along with almost one and a half touchdowns per game to opposing quarterbacks. The Steelers should be able to move the ball against a porous Browns defense, and you can count on Roethlisberger for 200 total yards and at least one touchdown this week.
RB Tatum Bell, ---
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Tatum Bell and the Detroit Lions travel to Oakland to face the Raiders in week one of the 2007 season. Bell is in a similar situation to Lamont Jordan in Oakland. Bell is expected to share carries with incumbent starter Kevin Jones, but Jones is unlikely to play in week one, and is currently listed as week to week with a foot injury. The injury to Kevin Jones means that Bell will get his chance to prove that he can be an efficient starter for the Lions. In two games against the Raiders last season, Bell had mixed results. In their first meeting of last season Bell rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown, but only managed 37 yards in their second meeting. Look for Bell to stake his claim for the starting running back job with 85 total yards and one touchdown this week against the Raiders.
RB Maurice Jones-Drew, ---
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Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars open the season at home against the Tennessee Titans. Jones-Drew came out of nowhere and was a dominant player for the second half of last season. While Fred Taylor is still in the Jaguars backfield, he is getting older and is always an injury concern. Jones-Drew should have a tremendous season, and will get off to a flying start against the Titans in week one. In two games against the Titans last season, Jones-Drew averaged more than 115 total yards per game and scored one touchdown. The great thing about Jones-Drew is that even if he splits carries with Fred Taylor, Jones-Drew can still be more than effective catching the ball out of the backfield. Look for Jones-Drew to have around 100 total yards and one touchdown this week against the Titans.
RB Lamont Jordan, ---
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Lamont Jordan and the Oakland Raiders begin the season at home against the Detroit Lions. Coming off an extremely disappointing and injury plagued season, Lamont Jordan has to get off to a good start this season if he hopes to keep his starting position following the week five return of Dominic Rhodes. With the Raiders quarterback situation uncertain, they will have to rely on Jordan to move the chains on the ground and through the passing games. I expect Lamont Jordan to eclipse 90 total yards and score his first touchdown of the season this week against the Detroit Lions.
