Fantasy Football Week One Outlook: Rashard Mendenhall
Alex Dunlap, Rosterwatch.com

As I began to think about my week one fantasy football projections at running back, I decided I would start with Mendenhall. The reason being, the numbers across two years against a division opponent will yield the more established base line than a player’s history against a non-division opponent.

Mendenhall played 4 games in 2008, but none against Baltimore. Here is Rashard Mendenhall’s history against the Ravens:

2009 Week 11 @ Baltimore – 24 carries, 95 yards w/ 2 receptions for 22. No TDs.
2009 Week 15 @ Home – 17 for 36 and 1 TD.  One 4 yd reception.
2010 Week 4 @Home – 25 for 79 and 2 TDs.  2 receptions, 9 yards.
2010 Week 12 @ Baltimore – 19 for 45 w/ 3 receptions for 18 yards. No TDs.

He seems to play Baltimore better at home (a common theme in fantasy football). But he’s had some solid weeks against them and I can’t bump a guy like Mendenhall too far down my rankings in an important division match-up when he’s healthy.