Fantasy Matchups for Week 2
by Scott Lange
Howdy, folks, and welcome to my League Preview. Each week I will give my analysis and predictions on how the games will play out, highlighting which teams and players will shine.
So without further delay, this is how things will shape up this week in the AFL.
Last Week: 5-4
2006 Record: 5-4
LAS VEGAS AT GRAND RAPIDS
The Rampage come in riding high from last weeks shocking road win at Colorado. The most impressive part of the Rampage win was the defense that held Colorado to just 42 points. Rampage DB Chuck Wesley had 12 tackles to lead the defense while WR Jerome Riley picked off a pass and ran it back 20 yards for a TD. Offensively, it was WR Troy Edwards leading the way with 8 catches for 50 yards and a TD. The Rampage will be without the services of QB Chad Salisbury who suffered a concussion last week and was replaced by Matt Sauk. Sauk filled in very nicely passing with 101 yards and 2 TDs on 15 attempts. Salisbury has been place on Injured Reserve and will miss at least 4 weeks. Meanwhile, Las Vegas suffered their first loss of the season on the road in Austin. However, the addition of WR Etu Molden to the Glads could reap some serious benefits offensively. The duo of Molden and WR Kevin Prentiss could create some problems for the Rampage. This is the perfect spot for a Grand Rapids letdown after their huge win last week. I think the Glads go into the Rampage's house and steal the victory. I just don't like what I saw last week from the Grand Rapids offense despite the impressive win on the road. Gladiator QB Shaun King should have a better week and I believe he rises to the occasion and delivers a win. My fantasy players of the game will be Las Vegas QB Shaun King and Rampage WR Timon Marshall.
Las Vegas 51 Grand Rapids 45
COLUMBUS AT NEW ORLEANS
Wow, just exactly how good is the New Orleans offense? VooDoo QB Andy Kelly ripped apart the Utah defense to the tune of 285 yards and 8 TDs. WR Darnell McDonald introduced himself to the AFL, producing 12 catches for 143 yards and 2 TDs, and WR Kenny Henderson added four receiving scores. This offense has the potential to be explosive. The Destroyers got their first win of the season riding the arm of QB Matt Nagy. WR Damien Groce should be able to create some mismatches this week in the VooDoo secondary. This game will feature a lot of points, as both QBs should be able to move the ball down the field with ease. Columbus will be walking into a wild and crazy environment as this will be the first home game for the VooDoo since Hurricane Katrina. I see this environment inspiring the home team to victory. QB Andy Kelly will pick apart the Columbus secondary with his trio of WRs in McDonald, Henderson, and Tyronne Jones. This will be a close game, but in the end the VooDoo escape with the victory. My fantasy player of the game for the VooDoo will be WR Darnell McDonald who should easily be able to go for 10+ catches, 120+ yards, and at least 3 TDs, while Damien Groce will produce 8 catches for 100+ yards and 2 TDs for the Destroyers.
New Orleans 65 Columbus 60
PHILADELPHIA AT NASHVILLE
The Soul will open up their 2007 season on the road against the Nashville Kats. The Kats are coming in off a disappointing loss last week as their defense forgot to show up. Destroyer QB Matt Nagy shredded the Kats defense for 7 TDs. The Kats will need to step it up defensively if they expect to slow down Tony Graziani and the Soul offense. New Soul Head Coach Bret Munsey has brought in a new offensive game plan for the Soul which could mean a big year for Graz. He will have rookie sensation WR Steve Gonzalez, WR Sean Scott, and rising star JJ McKelvey, which could form a deadly offense. I think a lot of people are going to be surprised at how good this offense will be during this year. The Kats just don't have enough weapons to hang with the Soul this week. I think Graz and Company come out firing and have a big night. Lets' see how the Kats respond defensively after last weeks let down. My fantasy players of the game are WR Tony Graziani for the Soul and Mr. 3-TD from last week, FB Dan Alexander for the Kats. Graziani should be able to go for 250+ passing and six TDs while Alexander should find pay dirt at least twice.
Philadelphia 50 Nashville 45
SAN JOSE AT CHICAGO
This will be a fun game to watch. The defending champs were stunned on the road against the Brigade, while the SaberCats survived on the road against the Avengers. Last year's game was a classic as the Rush won at home by six in overtime. I see the same type of game here - close and decided in the fourth quarter. The key offensive factor in the Sabercat offense is WR Ben Nelson, who has now approached Fantasy Studliness. The Cats love throwing to this guy, and why not? All he does is catch balls and score TDs. He also has the luxury of having a solid WR mate in James Roe. It will be difficult for the Rush to stop this duo. Rush WR Bobby Sippio busted out last week, scoring all 5 offensive TDs for the Rush. However, Rush QB Matt D'Orazio struggled, throwing two picks and will be staring at an 0-2 record. But I just don't see that happening this week, as the Rush match up very well with the boys from San Jose. The home field will be huge in this game, as the crowd should be into this one from the opening kickoff. In the end, a late turnover for the Rush will seal the win. My Fantasy Players of the game will be SaberCat WR Ben Nelson, and for the Rush, QB Matt D'Orazio. Nelson should get his typical ten catches for 140+ yards and score twice, and D'Orazio should be able to throw for four TDs and run for another.
Chicago 55 San Jose 52
TAMPA BAY AT DALLAS
This will be an ugly game, folks. Trust me when I say that the Desperados are going to hang a big number on the Storm this week. The scariest part about the Desperados is that they have a defense to go along with the offense. The defense only allowed 7 points last week to the Dragons, and those seven points came in the fourth quarter. Granted, although the Storm will most definitely score more than seven points this week (I hope?), I see another game of Clint Dolezel playing for three quarters, toying with the Tampa defense, and then sitting out the 4th because the game is out of hand. The Storm were devastated by free agency and just are not the same team they have been in the last couple of years. More depressing though, this offense is going to have a hard time scoring this year. The 27-point effort last week was a sight for sore eyes. You think Terrill Shaw misses Clint Dolezel yet? To sum this game up, a horrendous offense against a great defense with some serious offensive power equals disaster. Enough said. My Fantasy Player of the Game for the Desperados will be QB Clint Dolezel who should have no problems throwing for 250+ yards and seven TDs in three quarters of work. And for the Storm, WR TT Tolliver will try and keep his team in the game with a 6 catch, 100 yard, 2 TD effort.
Dallas 60 Tampa Bay 24
UTAH AT ARIZONA
Now we're looking at a game with some serious value fantasy wise. Do I have to tell you to start your Blaze and Rattler players? Arizona QB Sherdrick Bonner is loaded at the WR position this year, starting with WR Randy Gatewood. Gatewood is Mr. Consistency, as every game he calmly goes about his business, catching passes, racking up yards, and finding the end zone. The difference maker this year for the Rattlers could be WR Cosmo DeMatteo. DeMatteo exploded onto the scene last week with 13 catches for 171 yards and 3 scores, but with DeMatteo going on Injured Reserve this week, the Rattlers better find ways for Jeremiah Pope to contribute. With the Utah defense in town, don't expect much of a drop off with Gates and DeMatteo. The Utah defense gave up 8 TD passes to the VooDoo's Andy Kelly. The Blaze come in clicking on all cylinders offensively with QB Joe Germaine, WR Siaha Burley, and WR Aaron Boone. These three will see plenty of time on the field, since their defense is struggling to keep teams out of the end zone. The Blaze defense is what will cost them this game, as I see one too many TD passes from Bonner than Utah can handle. My Fantasy Players of the Game for Utah will be WR Siaha Burley who will go over 150 yards receiving and should find pay dirt at least 3 times. For the Rattlers, I'm rolling with QB Sherdrick Bonner who should be able to have a field day against this bad secondary, so look for 300+ yards and 7 TDs.
Arizona 70 Utah 60
KANSAS CITY AT COLORADO
The Crush hope to rebound after their stunning home opening loss to the Grand Rapid Rampage. Offensively the Crush looked flat as QB John Dutton was only able to connect on 4 TDs. The Rampage defense confused and harassed Dutton all game long. They even held last year's MVP, WR Damien Harrell, under 100 yards receiving. Don't push the panic button just yet in Colorado, as there is way too much talent on this team to continue playing like they do last week. I expect the Crush to rebound and make a statement. For the Brigade, they come in riding high after their win over the defending champion Rush. Brigade WR Charles Frederick had 60 of the 131 yards rushing last week for the Brigade, and scored 3 times as well. We'll all get a better idea of how good Kansas City is when they visit a Crush team not in a very good mood and looking for a statement game. I see the Crush getting back to business this week as they get the offense rolling with the best player in the league, Damien Harrell. I see one of those 160+ yard, 6 TD efforts this week from Harrell. The Brigade played some nice defense against Chicago, but will have no idea how to defense The Human Highlight Reel. My Fantasy Players of the Game will be Harrell for the Crush, and for the Brigade I like WR Jerel Myers.
Colorado 55 Kansas City 40
AUSTIN AT GEORGIA
I admit that I was not that high on Force QB Chris Greisen entering the season. But after last week's performance, consider me sold. Greisen absolutely picked apart the Arizona defense, shredding them for 337 yards and 9 TDs. Greisen made things look easy throwing to WR Chris Jackson (95 yards, one TD), WR Derek Lee (97 yards, two TDs), and most importantly, WR Troy Bergeron (138 yards, six TDs). The Georgia offense has the best trio of WRs in the AFL, and Greisen should be able to benefit from that the rest of the season. For Austin, the Adrian McPherson show was in full effect as he threw for 206 yards and 5 TDs, adding 26 yards and a TD rushing. He's a dual threat with his legs and could present some problems for the Force. McPherson has the duo of WR Derrick Lewis and WR Kevin Nickerson to throw the ball to downfield. The Force just have too many weapons and Greison has picked things up quickly for the offense. Playing at home, I see the Force pulling away late. My Fantasy Players of the Game will be Force QB Chris Greisen who should be able to throw for 280+ yards and seven TDs. For the Wranglers, Adrian McPherson will have to have a big game to keep his team close, so I expect 230 yards passing, 25+ yards rushing and a total of 5 TDs.
Georgia 62 Austin 48
LOS ANGELES AT ORLANDO
It's East meets West this week in the Jungle as the Avengers visit the Preds. Shane Stafford had a successful debut with his new team throwing for 329 yards and 5 TDs while rushing for another. The surprise of the night was Orlando's WR DeAndrew Rubin who amassed 141 yards receiving and 3 TDs. For the Avengers, WR Lenzie Jackson erupted for 14 catches, a league best 196 yards receiving, and 3 TDs in a loss to the SaberCats. Orlando will not have as easy time a defending the Avengers as they did last week against the Storm. This is an Avengers team that knows how to score and has the ability to produce some big numbers offensively. I expect the Avengers to keep this game close with their fire power, but I think Stafford and his receivers do just enough to get the win in the Jungle. My Fantasy Players of the Game will be the QBs for each team. Stafford and Sonny Cumbie will trade blows, each throwing for 280+ yards and 6 TDs. A late field goal by Orlando's Jay Taylor is the difference.
Orlando 58 Los Angeles 55
Scott Lange is a founding member of Arena Football Online and has been following Arena Football for 6 years. Contact Scott at slange@arenafootballonline.com
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