BRIEFLY

The first Sunday is truly one of the greatest sports days.  The format for the Tuesday Hangover will change slightly each week, but it will ALWAYS be informational and entertaining. And away we go….

 STUDS

Adrian Peterson (Minnesota RB): All he did was go for 198 yards and three touchdowns.  If you had the #1 pick in your draft and passed on ADP, please email jeff@411fantasy.com and I’ll send you an invite for my league mext year.

Drew Brees (New Orleans QB): Sure, we could see the 358 yards coming. But SIX touchdowns? By the way, he’s on pace for 5,728 yards and 96 touchdowns.

Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis WR):  Targeted 14 times, he caught 10 passes for 162 yards and a score.

John Carlson (Seattle TE):  Six receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. When you played TE roulette (after the first four were taken), hopefully you landed on his number.

Tony Romo (Dallas QB): Career-high 353 yards and three touchdowns and immediately called and re-dumped Jessica Simpson.

DUDS

Jay Cutler (Chicago QB): Four picks and only one touchdown pass, not the start you wanted as a Cutler owner.

Steve Slaton (Houston RB): You spent a first-round pick on him. He had 52 total yards. The person staring at you in the mirror isn’t pleased.

Brandon Jacobs (NY Giants RB): Was outplayed by his backup, the future starter for the Giants.

Roddy White (Atlanta WR): Big things were expected after signing the big offseason contract. Big things didn’t happen.

Anquan Boldin (Arizona WR): Two receptions, 19 yards and one still-bothersome hamstring. 

PROMINENT HITS BY THE 411 STAFF

Predicted a 45-27 New Orleans win. Exactly (CONN)

Didn’t believe in ANY of the Dolphins. (TITO)

Buy Jeremy Shockey. (HELBLING)

Liked Brent Celek as a strong start this week. (CONN)

Sell Willie Parker. (HELBLING)

 Predicted the Eagles would score more than 31 points this week. (TITO)

Sell Antonio Bryant. (HELBLING)

Said to stay away from Broncos, including Brandon Marshall. (TITO)

Forecasted Mike Bell would have a big game. (CONN/HELBLING)

Called for Minnesota to rush for more than 200 yards against Cleveland. (CONN)

Didn’t like any of the Giants or Redskins. (CONN/TITO)

“Buy Nate Burleson; Great value.” (HELBLING)

Liked Matt Hasselbeck as a solid start (CONN)

Predicted Julius Jones would have a good game. (TITO/CONN/HELBLING)

Liked Fred Jackson to get at least 60 yards and a touchdown. (TITO) 

SWINGS AND MISSES BY THE 411 STAFF

 This is the week to start Bengals. (CONN/TITO)

Didn’t endorse any of the Jets. (CONN/TITO)

Buy Chad Pennington. (Helbling)

Touted Matt Schaub. Oops. (TITO)

Downgraded all Cowboys, except Jason Witten. (CONN/TITO)

Sell John Carlson (Seattle TE). (Helbling)

Said to stay away from all Tampa running backs. (CONN/TITO)

Predicted a SF-Arizona shoot-out. (CONN)

Sell Chris Cooley. (Helbling)

Didn’t like Fred Jackson. (CONN)

GUYS WE LIKE MORE

Cadillac Williams (Tampa Bay RB): We were ALWAYS fans of Cadillac…we just never talked about it much.

Mark Sanchez (NY Jets QB): Aren’t rookie quarterbacks supposed to struggle?

Joe Flacco (Baltimore QB): Looks like he and Mark Clayton are starting to click.

Jeremy Shockey (New Orleans TE): He will be a force in the red zone.

Earl Bennett  (Chicago WR): Former college teammate Cutler targeted him 13 times.

GUYS WE LIKE LESS

Chad Pennington (Miami QB): Round one to Tito – but the 411 internal debate over the value of OCP will continue.

Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay RB): Clearly, clearly, clearly the third option.

Steve Smith (Carolina WR): Can’t catch ‘em if there’s no one to throw ‘em.

Reggie Bush (New Orleans RB): Not so much because of what he did, more because of what Mike Bell did; Bush might be a third-down back when Pierre Thomas comes back.

Marques Colston (New Orleans WR): Brees is going to spread it around, and there are plenty of options.

 

KEY INJURIES

Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia QB):  Andy Reid won’t rule McNabb out YET, but would be smart to do so. Cracked ribs on a 32-year old franchise quarterback should result in at least one week off. The signing of Jeff Garcia makes us think it’s going to be more than a one-week thing.

Anthony Gonzalez (Indianapolis WR): Out two-to-six weeks after straining a ligament in his left knee. Who will step in? We don’t know yet. Marvin Harrison is still unsigned…just saying.

Brian Urlacher (Chicago LB): Huge loss for the Bears defense. They might sign Derrick Brooks, but there’s no way he can fill the void.

Hakeem Nicks (NY Giants WR): He was one of our favorite sleepers, but he’s out at least two weeks with a sprained foot.

Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh SS): A strained MCL, but no significant ligament damage. His loss will be felt against the stronger passing offenses on the schedule, but Steelers will be fine against run-heavy teams.

IN CLOSING…

It’s just one week. If you had a bad start, don’t sweat it. E-mail us. We’re here to help.

Agree? Disagree? Spare a square? Email the411@411fantasy.com