Trapasso’s Finest Fantasy Matchups – Week 1

I’ll be running through the most intriguing fantasy football matchups every week throughout the 2014 NFL season. [Thank you, football gods, for bringing your game back to us. We bow to you.]

I’ll usually provide you an amazing little prediction at the end of each subheading.

Trapasso predictions

Cam Newton vs. Buccaneers defense

NEWTON QB MATCHUP via ROSTERWATCH MATCHUP TOOL: 2nd best

Newton has been a fantasy stud since his NFL debut in 2011 when he passed for 422 yards and accounted for three touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals. In 2013, the former No. 1 overall pick threw a career-high 24 touchdowns, and although his rushing statistics dipped, he still scored six times on the ground. Cam will test his injured ribs in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, an upstart club with two downright stars in their front seven — WLB Lavonte David and DT Gerald McCoy.

How will Newton, who may not be 100 percent, fare on the road in his first experience of life without Steve Smith? This matchup will have relatively large NFC South and fantasy implications to kick off the season.

Trapasso’s Amazing Little Prediction

Newton will have an easier time throwing the football than he will scrambling out of the pocket. David is the real deal. The matchup is good for QBs on paper, but I don’t like the circumstances here. Don’t expect a huge day from Newton.

Bills running backs vs. Bears run defense

BILLS RBs MATCHUP via ROSTERWATCH MATCHUP TOOL: 4th best

The Bills have taken the running back by committee approach to a new level. With C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson, Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon, Buffalo has four sound running backs who offer varying skill sets. The Bills are bound to be one of the run-heaviest teams in the NFL this season and much of that will be due to the loaded backfield keeping legs fresh throughout the year. In 2013, the Chicago Bears were thrashed against the run. The 2,583 yards they surrendered via the rush were the most in the NFL, and they allowed 15 yards on the ground per drive, easily the worst figure in football. However, they added defensive linemen Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston in free agency and drafted beefy defensive tackles Will Sutton and Ego Ferguson. The linebacker situation is still a bit iffy, though. Look for the Bills to exploit Chicago’s run defense frequently in this contest.

Trapasso’s Amazing Little Prediction

The additions of Allen and Houston will bolster the Bears’ run-stopping front, but Buffalo’s running back contingent should combine for an efficient afternoon in the Windy City.

Julio Jones / Roddy White vs. Saints secondary

JONES/WHITE WR MATCHUP via ROSTERWATCH MATCHUP TOOL: 4th worst

Julio Jones is back. The Falcons faithful rejoices. As it should. These Atlanta – New Orleans outings are always a blast, mainly because these teams are extremely familiar with each other and we get to witness two top-level quarterbacks do battle. Even with Jones on IR for most of the 2013 season and Roddy White in and out of the lineup, Matt Ryan mustered 4,515 yards with 26 passing touchdowns, but his interception total jumped to 17.

Trapasso’s Amazing Little Prediction

Now that Jones and White are fully healthy, Atlanta’s passing attack will undoubtedly be a fine barometer for the Saints revamped secondary which now includes ball-hawking extraordinaire Jairus Byrd. Also, cornerback Keenan Lewis is one of the most underrated defenders in football and Kenny Vaccaro is sick. I think Jones and White return to form but don’t be surprised if Ryan makes a few mistakes due to pressure. The Saints have a stout defensive front run by an aggressive coordinator in Rob Ryan.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Seahawks secondary

RODGERS QB MATCHUP via ROSTERWATCH MATCHUP TOOL: worst

It’d be football sacrilege if I didn’t include some insight on the NFL regular season opener between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks. You won’t find a better “stud QB vs. intimidating secondary” matchup on the league schedule this year. Rodgers is the best quarterback in the game and, as we all can hopefully agree, the Seahawks have the finest collection of defensive backs. For opposing offenses, playing in Seattle is like blasting Skrillex on repeat while nursing a monster hangover — loud and not fun whatsoever. But Rodgers is super calm under pressure, and he has a scary arsenal out wide.

Trapasso’s Amazing Little Prediction

This game will be more high-scoring than expected, and Rodgers should be in for a, surprisingly to some, fantastic – maybe even amazing evening.

Follow me on Twitter @ChrisTrapasso

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14 Comments

  1. ↓ Post By wmcgrath

    In our 12 team full point ppr redraft league we are allowed a maximum of 4 receivers and 2 tight ends. My current wide receivers are Antonio Brown, Cordarrelle Patterson, Michael Floyd, and DeSean Jackson. I noticed Kelvin Benjamin is not rostered in our league. Would it be crazy to drop DeSean Jackson for Kelvin Benjamin on waivers? It seems like a risky proposition to me but thought I would run the idea by you guys. Also, my 2 tight ends are Jordan Reed and Richard Rogers. Someone dropped Travis Kelce to waivers. Do you think Richard Rogers will be more productive than Travis Kelce this season? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help. Looking forward to week 1.

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      wmcgrath-

      Man, these are incredibly tough questions. All for good reason. In a ppr- yes we would drop DJAX for Kelvin- it sounds crazy and it’s incredibly close but Kelvin is going to be a target monster, and huge redzone threat. We also love Rodgers- I think you do have to drop him to roll the dice on Kelce, though—-very, very close. Good luck.

  2. ↓ Post By thomefan251

    just asked u a question on twitter, my bad ill add the rest here. 10 team ppr start 2 qb 3 rb 3 wr, if i do that trade for rashad jennings for my edleman which rb do u drop to add john brown? my other rbs are peterson j bell woodhead moreno and j hill. my wide outs will be aj green a brown and terrance williams if i move eldeman.

      1. ↓ Post By thomefan251

        In a full point ppr u would drop woodhead? Actuslly dropped hill for brown. In a 10 team ppr maybe able to add him again. Or can move woodhead later

  3. ↓ Post By thomefan251

    Forgot to add only have 3 bench spots.

  4. ↓ Post By tcards19

    I have a trade offer on the table. 10 team PPR: I get Arian Foster and Reggie Bush for Alshon Jefery and Toby Gerhart.

    Other RB’s: Andre Ellington and MJD
    Other WR’s: Cordarrelle Patterson and Terrance Williams
    TE: Jimmy Graham

    Make the Trade?

    1. ↓ Post By Alex Dunlap

      fair trade on the surface, but doing it makes your WR too weak, we’d hold off.

  5. ↓ Post By pbatts11

    Two Questions..
    1. I have a trade offer sending me Calvin Johnson AND (Rashad Jennings or Gio Benard) for LeSean McCoy. My other RB’s are Montee Ball, Reggie Bush, Mark Ingram. My other WR’s are Cobb, Alshon, Welker, Riley Cooper, and Kelvin Benjamin. Pull the trigger?

    2. I don’t know why, but i can’t get myself to drop Ingram or Cooper to pick up free agents such as Shonne Greene, Justin Hunter, Blount, Boykin, or Dwyer. I know most of these guys are ahead of them on the Cheat Sheet…Should I?

  6. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

    pbatts11-

    1- Yes- we would run to the computer and accept for Rashad Jennings (we’d also see if we can pick his backup Andre Williams up somehow). We especially like this trade if you think you are in an active trade league where you may be able to consolidate one of your sick WR who will now be moved to the bench in a trade to upgrade somewhere else later. The depth never hurts for now.

    2- You can wait it out and see- understand the curiosity with Ingram. We’d do either for Hunter- and/or Cooper for Greene/ Blount. Could be a fairly difficult mathchup for Hunter this week vs KC, so you may able to sleep on him for this wknd- we like him next week against he Cowboys secondary. Good luck

  7. ↓ Post By pbatts11

    Thanks, big help!

  8. ↓ Post By MicahACarter

    Hey guys, just started listening to you and love your show!!

    Need some help, PPR (1 pt) league…. Pick two.
    Vincent Jackson
    Julian Edelman
    Rashad Jennings
    Michael Floyd

    Leaning towards Jennings and VJAX but need your thoughts. Thanks!

  9. ↓ Post By Bill

    Need one for w/t flex in ppr 10 team league:

    Martellus Bennett
    Kyle Rudolph
    Mike Wallace

    Thanks

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      Rudolph is going against the toughest team in the league against TEs, so we have to go Wallace here.

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