Five Star Fantasy Focus: Week 1 Edition
Injuries got you undecided on your lineup?
Draft Percy Harvin without knowing he’d be on the PUP list?
Is this the face you made when you realized Peyton Manning scored 50 fantasy points against you?
Sep 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts following win over the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Ravens 49-27. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Luckily for you (and if you have any Colts players in fantasy) the Colts play the Oakland Raiders who are still in rebuilding mode! If you were fortunate enough to nab some of my stars for the game to go off in fantasy then maybe it’ll help you win and possibly get over the hurdle that was Peyton Manning last night!
* STAR: Darrius Heyward-Bey
Aug 18, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (81) runs with the ball during the second quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Newly signed receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey did not have a good young career in his days wearing the silver and black. He had a carousal of quarterbacks and could never stay consistent due to a constant change in the Raiders organization year after year. This time around, he has a competent quarterback, franchise and all around team to thrive on. He could also finally breakout and become a great player that deemed him being the first wide receiver to be chosen in the 2009 NFL draft. There is an added bonus too! He is facing his old team that has a very weak secondary that is exploitable. If he works on his drops, he could finally live up to his true potential. You think DHB would love to stick it to his former team? I think so.
Aug 24, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) reacts to scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
** STAR: T.Y Hilton
A young receiver who had a very solid rookie campaign a year ago looks to work off that and breakout in 2013. Hilton was a very solid deep threat that had major speed and could speed by defenders in an instant. The Texans learned this the hard way in both games last year. He has had a very solid preseason and looks to be already gelling with Andrew Luck. As an added bonus, he can always return a punt for a touchdown just like he did against Buffalo last year! Hilton’s talent and juicy matchup make a must start if you’re looking for a good 2nd WR or Flex option.
*** STAR: Colts D/ST
Jan 6, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Robert Mathis (98) against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at M
Although this may be a risky choice with the unknowns of the true potential of the Colts defense and the unknown of how Terrelle Pryor will run the offense, I believe the Colts D/ST is a must start in fantasy this week. With the additions in the secondary in Greg Toler and LaRon Landry, I think they will do a great job of blanketing the Raiders receivers. With additions to the defensive line such as Ricky Jean-Francois and Aubrayo Franklin, Darren McFadden may not be able to do much especially if they challenge Pryor to throw and just crowd the box. It also helps that the Raiders offensive line is in shambled due to lack of talent and injury. I don’t expect the Raiders to mount much of an offensive threat throughout the game and forces Pryor to make critical turnovers.
Jan 6, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne (87) in action against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Wild Card playoff game at M
**** Star: Reggie Wayne
We all saw last year how well Reggie Wayne played being Andrew Luck’s favorite receiver. In a PPR league, Reggie Wayne is a monster because he catches roughly over six balls a game and amasses a whole bunch of yards in the process. He didn’t find the end zone too much last year but don’t expect that to be duplicated this year as Luck has a new offensive coordinator and he will be better as a sophomore than he was as a rookie. Reggie Wayne also just happens to catch any ball thrown his way by hook or crook somehow. Wayne’s output in Week 1 will guarantee him as a low-end #1 WR, high-end #2 WR start
***** Star: Andrew Luck
Aug 24, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass during warm ups before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
At long last we get to my five star fantasy player in the Colts game being Andrew Luck. Luck thrived last year at home with 12 TDs and 5 INTs vs. on the road where he had 11 TDs and 13 INTs. Fortunately for Luck, he learns from his mistakes very quixk and immediately attempts to rectify them if he ever makes one. Another positive is that Luck has not faced a defensive this depleted of talent in his young NFL career which would make a skilled player like him salivate at the opportunity to slice and dice the Raiders defense. I just wouldn’t expect him to emulate a certain quarterback from the Denver Broncos’ 7 TDs.
GO COLTS!!!
Frank McMahen is a Staff Writer at Naptown’s Finest. Follow Frank and Naptown’s Finest on Twitter.