Fantasy Matchups for Week 3
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: 7-2
2006 Record: 12-6
PHILADELPHIA (-8) AT GRAND RAPIDS
The Soul and Rampage come into this game with their offenses clicking. Matt Sauk became a fantasy factor last week with his 360 yard, 7 TD effort against the Glads. Soul QB Tony Graziani had a workman-like 5 TD effort against a stingy Nashville defense. For the Soul to win this game, their defense must slow down the suddenly hot Grand Rapids offense, which is led by stud receiver Timon Marshall. Timon's stat line last week was just downright silly. Timon had 137 yards receiving, 191 yards in returns, 4 TDs, and a tackle. Don't expect that type of production this week, but the Soul will have their hands full with this guy. For the Soul, it's all about the tandem of WRs Sean Scott and Charles Pauley. Last week, Scott and Pauley had the majority of the production with four of the six passing TDs. I think the Soul will eke out a close win, but the line-makers are giving the Rampage no respect at home. The Rampage will be feisty enough to cover the 8-point spread, so take the points. My Fantasy Players of the Game will be Rampage WR Timon Marshall and Soul WR Sean Scott. Each receiver should go over 100 yards and post at least two TDs.
Philadelphia 62 Grand Rapids 58
AUSTIN AT ORLANDO (-5)
Austin QB Adrian McPherson will bring the Wranglers into the Jungle this week to take on Shane Stafford and the Preds. Both teams are coming off losses last week after disappointing defensive efforts. For the Wranglers, they had no answer last week for QB Chris Greisen and the Force receivers. For the Preds, it was a very lackluster team effort for their first home game of the year. You had better believe coach Gruden will have his boys ready to play Friday night. Orlando WR DeAndrew Rubin is quickly becoming an AFL star. Through two weeks, Rubin already has 19 catches for 266 yards and five TDs. Orlando has no choice but to keep feeding this kid the ball. I expect to see a different Preds team this week, and that could spell trouble for the Wranglers. I see the Preds not only getting the victory but also covering a weak 5-point spread. My Fantasy Players of the Game for Orlando will be WR DeAndrew Rubin. His 120+ yards and two TDs should carry the Preds to the victory. For the Wranglers, I like Adrian McPherson, who should be able to go for 220+ passing, 25+ rushing, and five total TDs.
Orlando 50 Austin 40
DALLAS (-10) AT KANSAS CITY
The Kansas City Brigade have a chance at home to deal the Dallas Desperados their first loss of the season Friday night. This will be a big task considering how the Desperados are rolling. The Desperados have made things look easy against the Dragons and Storm. However, this Brigade team is much better than either one of those teams in my opinion. For the Brigade, WR Charles Frederick has been the most productive player on the team. I don't see his offensive production being enough to keep up with the high-scoring 'Rados. Dallas QB Clint Dolezel has WR studs Marcus Nash and Will Pettis to help pad his stats week in and week out. The Brigade are going to have problems keeping up against a solid Dallas defense. This game may start out close, but I see Dallas running away in the second half for the win and cover. My Fantasy Players of the Game for Dallas will be Dallas QB Clint Dolezel who will throw his typical 280+ yards and six TDs. For the Brigade, I think WR Charles Frederick continues his success within the AFL as he combines for 100+ yards and three TDs.
Dallas 62 Kansas City 45
ARIZONA AT COLORADO (-3.5)
We are now two weeks into the season, and I can officially say I'm worried about the Crush. The main reason is the injury to last year's MVP Damien Harrell. Harrell's lack of production the past two weeks has also affected the overall performance of Crush QB John Dutton. It is not too late for the Crush to turn it around, but it is clear they need a healthy Harrell. The Arizona Rattlers come into this game looking for their first win of the season. This is not an offense the Crush want to see, as the Rattlers are averaging 68 points per game. QB Sherdrick Bonner has had a stellar start to the season, throwing for 680 yards and 15 TDs through two weeks. Bonner's WRs - Randy Gatewood, Jeremiah Pope, and Trandon Harvey - should create some problems for the Crush defense. Until Harrell can show me he's healthy, I'm staying away from them against high scoring teams, and that's exactly what you're getting with the Rattlers. Take the points, and don't be surprised by an outright Arizona win. My Fantasy Player of the Game for the Crush will be DS Rashad Floyd, who should easily post double digits in tackles trying to tame the Rattler receivers. For the Rattlers, QB Sherdrick Bonner should be able to continue his early season roll passing for 300+ and six TDs.
Arizona 58 Colorado 55
GEORGIA (-6.5) AT TAMPA BAY
The Tampa Bay storm will look to get their first win of the year as they host the 2-0 Georgia Force. The problem for the Storm through the first two weeks is a severe problem scoring points. The Storm is averaging a pathetic 33.5 points per game. Meanwhile, the Force could possibly have the best trio of receivers in the AFL. The return of Troy Bergeron has been nothing short of amazing. Bergeron is leading the Force in receptions and yards, and is tied with Chris Jackson for TDs with six. This Georgia squad will present some serious problems for a Storm defense that just has not gotten the job done so far. I expect Greisen to have a huge game tossing TDs left, right, long, and short to Berg, CJax, and Lee. Vegas has this line way too low for me as I expect the Force to win by at least 2 TDs. My Fantasy Player of the Game for the Force will be QB Chris Greisen who should easily be able to throw for 300+ and seven TDs. For the Storm, I'll go with WR TT Tolliver who is the only Storm worth starting fantasy-wise. I can see Tolliver going for 100+ yards and two TDs. Lay the number here as the Force win, LARGE!
Georgia 62 Tampa Bay 45
NEW YORK AT CHICAGO (-9.5)
Is the Dragon offense really going to be as bad as Week 1? The Dragons return after a week off, to take on the defending champion Chicago Rush. The last time the Dragons took the field, they suffered the worse defeat in AFL history, 60-7, courtesy of the Dallas Desperados. Meanwhile, the Rush come in with a swagger of their own after a hard fought win last week against the Sabercats. The Rush defense stifled the Sabercats WRs and caused three turnovers. This same defense will be licking their chops to get at whoever starts at QB for the Dragons. I expect a monster game from Rush WR Bobby Sippio who should bounce back after a lackluster effort last week. I can see Sippio ripping apart the Dragon defense to the tune of 150+ yards and four TDs. He's that good folks. For the Dragons, they will not win unless they can get the ball into the hands of WR Mike "The Horror" Horacek. Don't expect much, but if you can get 100+ yards and two TDs from Mike, consider yourself lucky. The Vegas number is a little high to me. The Dragons have to motivated after their seven point effort in week one, and although I don't think they will win I can see them staying within the number. Lay the points here.
Chicago 48 New York 40
UTAH (-4.5) AT NASHVILLE
Fresh off an 11-TD performance, Blaze QB Joe Germaine looks to keep the offense rolling into Nashville. The Kats opened the 2007 season playing their first three games at home. However, they have not capitalized on this luxury, losing their first two. Injuries will be a key part to this game, as both teams are missing some key players. For the Blaze, WRs Siaha Burley and Aaron Boone did not play last week and continue to nurse injuries. For the Kats, WR Alonzo Nix took a nasty hit in last weeks game and is questionable this week. One positive to these injuries is that both teams seem to have found players to fill in nicely. For the Blaze WR Ryan Dennard exploded for 16 catches, 180 yards, and seven TDs filling in for Burley. If Burley is unable to go this week, Dennard is a solid play and should be in your lineup. For the Kats, WR Carlos Wright filled in for Nix, catching seven balls for 64 yards and a TD. I think the Blaze have too much offense for the Kats to handle. We saw what Germaine did last week without Burley and Boone, and I don't see the Blaze slowing down anytime soon. The Kats defense must show up this week if they have any hope in winning this game. I just don't see it happening. Lay the points here as the Blaze not only win, but cover the Vegas line. My Fantasy Player of the Game for the Blaze will be QB Joe Germaine. Joe should have enjoy a nice day hitting his receivers for 280+ yards and six TDs. For the Kats, Cornelius Bonner has been their most consistent option, so expect him to go over 100 yards and find the end zone at least twice.
Utah 65 Nashville 50
NEW ORLEANS (-1) AT LAS VEGAS
When I said that Shawn King would deliver a win last week, I had no idea he would back that up with 10 freaking TDs? King's performance put WR Kevin Prentiss into the AFL record books. Prentiss caught 13 passes for 236 yards and an AFL record 9 TDs. The Voodoo picked up their first win of the year at home with a solid performance. The most surprising part of the Voodoo team this year has been the offense. The Voodoo has maybe the most underrated group of WRs in the AFL in Darnell McDonald, Kenny Henderson, and Tyronne Jones. Kelly should be able to have a fine day against a Glad defense that has given up an average of 68 points per game through two games so far. The Glads on the other side of the ball must have to be wondering if King is the real deal. He went from only one TD pass in week one, to 10 TDs in week two. This could be a tough week for King, as the Voodoo defense has played well the first two weeks. I see King leveling off this week and passing for 280+ yards and five TDs. I just don't think it will be enough though, as the boys from the Bayou will steal a win on the road from the boys in Sin City. It comes down to the Voodoo having more experience at the QB position and I think Kelly lights up the Glad secondary. My Fantasy Players of the Game will be the QBs for each time. Expect Kelly to get 300+ and seven TDS in the victory.
New Orleans 55 Las Vegas 50
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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