Danger, danger. It’s a terrible sign if you are scouring the waiver wire list, one week deep into the 2005 NFL season. Chances are if that is the case, you might as well pay off whoever in your league you made a bet with. Then again, your moves to scoop up pass on players may help you get back into realistic competition. Lets begin the impossible voyage of trying to excavate your fantasy football team. The possibility of an undefeated season has already collapsed on you. What desperation attempts will you try to make?

h3. Quarterbacks

*Drew Bledsoe*
If you’re in dire need of a bail out at quarterback, Bledsoe may be a viable resuscitation for your team. All a long in preseason we told you to watch out for Bledsoe. He has always been a decent passer, and just needs an extra second or two in the pocket. He is the type of quarterback that gets rattled if he is pressured. As long as Dallas can have good pass protection and Julius Jones, this should be Bledsoe’s best year in some time.

*Gus Frerotte*
Don’t get crazy with this one. Frerotte and the entire Dolphins had a shocking display of how quick a team can transit from one season to the next. Either that or Denver was poorly conditioned going into the season in Miami. Regardless of the matter, Frerotte is worth nothing more than a better backup situation, if your current backup is a question mark. The Dolphins have implemented a lot of change, and one of them is to utilize some sort of passing attack. Chris Chambers, David Boston, and Marty Booker are not a bad combination.

*JP Losman*
Maybe the Bills can retrieve last seasons success with follow up finesse. Losman’s debut went fairly well. Defenses will continue to throw different looks at him, and that’s when will see a rookie Losman. The NFL still doesn’t know enough information on him, so he may get away with a few good games this month.

h3. Running Backs

*Willie Parker*
The bus made a trip to Parker and was hijacked. For all the toughest calls franchises have to make, Pittsburgh is going to be in a tussle. Once Bettis and Staley are healthy, they are going to have to deal with a crowd. It’s going to be like three brothers owning one car. There is no time to share, but someone is going to get the set of keys come Sundays. Lets face it, Parker is going to be the best difference maker for the Steelers. He is super quick, and does all the things Staley and Bettis can’t do.

With the way the Steelers like to baby Roethlisberger, it may not end up being that big of a situation. The Steelers may choose to run the football fifty times a game with all three backs. Seriously, I wonder if the Steelers make Roethlisberger practice handing off the football more times than he throws. He has it easier than a punter. Hut, hut, a quick turn and handoff. Instead of his arm hurting, he probably has to ice his ankles from all the shifts he makes from under center to a ninety degree handoff.

*Kevan Barlow*
He didn’t even do well in the 49ers shocking week one win. The good thing that came out of the 49ers win is hope. If their offense can bring something to the table, than there is some actual fantasy value to seek out of Barlow. A few years ago Barlow was a sleeper and ranked in the fifteen to twenty range. The light has been dim on the field for him since, and he went undrafted in many leagues. Any fantasy football team that is weak at the running position should sweep him up.

*Larry Johnson*
Err, is probably what your thinking. Yeah we know Johnson didn’t go undrafted in your league. But you better think of a way to land him on your team now. Offer whatever type of slightly baiting trade you can to lure an owner into accepting. Johnson put up killer stats with only eight carries. The Chiefs want to use him more, and there is actually room for two great backs in Kansas City. Now next year that may be a different story, as Holmes may need to find a new home.

*Brandon Jacobs*
Didn’t he look like a Ron Dayne replica live in action? He even wears Dayne’s old number. What Jacobs does do differently though is actually pound the pile for more than two yards. Jacobs will be the Giants short yardage back, and that’s already paid dividends with a touchdown.

h3. Wide Receivers

*Patrick Crayton*
Has any third or fourth receiver been in the stat column as much as Crayton? He did it last season and has ripped through the preseason and first regular season game with the same results. Crayton is an unbelievable talent that in due time will be a star. All that’s waiting is Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn. Before the year is over, Crayton will solidify a starting position opposite Keyshawn Johnson. This will be less than two years after being a seventh round draft pick. Talk about determination and hard work. These are the athletes that need restructuring of contracts.

*Greg Lewis*
Lewis plays like a hard nosed type receiver that wants a job. His job is to be the Eagles second receiver, and he fit’s the bill with opposite integrity of Terrell Owens. His style isn’t boastful (Shouts out to jobless Freddie Mitchell), and his stats are quiet numbers. Terrell Owens draws way too much attention for Lewis not to have some big games this year.

*Clarence Moore or Mark Clayton*
Kyle Boller went down briefly into the third quarter. Anthony Wright stepped in and the passing game suddenly began. If Anthony Wright can jar away the starting job from Boller, than Derrick Mason and either Clayton or Moore will be weekly fantasy swifts. Wright has always demonstrated an arm and ability to rack up passing yards. Remember interceptions and mistakes by the quarterback don’t hurt your receivers in fantasy football.

Who cost you a week one win? Naming one supposed super star athlete may not be the best solution. There were way too many athletes that didn’t bring their fantasy value to the field. After all the trash talking you did during the off-season, you started off the year with a loss. Let’s point the blame.

Quarterbacks

Daunte Culpepper
Culpepper should take the pepper out of his name, because he wasn’t hot. He was as cold as Lambeau field is in January, and he didn’t even balance out his miscues with some touchdowns. Hopefully he isn’t going to flashback completely to his old days, and is rid of this week in his mind. We all know that Culpepper has been a trend type of quarterback, so this isn’t a good sign.

David Carr
Carr isn’t worthy of starting in fantasy leagues, but if you got desperate boy did you pay. He lost you points. Like a coach that cuts a special teams player out of frustration for losing, as a fantasy owner I would cut Carr like it was nothing.

Chad Pennington
Should we even start with Pennington? The Chiefs defense was expected to be better, but Pennington made them look like the best defense in the league. We all know that can’t be the case. If it ends up being than that is what you call a 360. Pennington’s strength is obviously not there. Permanent damage may have been done to his shoulder, like a pitcher in baseball. You don’t want that to happen to anyone, but he has had the entire off-season and preseason to show improvement, and it hasn’t happened.

Running Backs

JJ Arrington
Pack it up and move on from Arrington. This detour was a site seeing disaster, not even worth developing film. The Cardinals running game has no chance, and Arrington is going to dread his rookie season.

Ahman Green
Fifty eight yards isn’t going to get it done as a starting fantasy football back. For the people that drafted a Moss or quarterback with their round one pick, Green was their choice as a starting fantasy back. Oh boy, fantasy teams with that mold are going to have a lot of fun this season.

Steven Jackson
Add one yard to Green’s stats and that’s what you call a close call. Sixty yards for Jackson, and this was against the 49ers defense. The Rams disappointed more than any team on Sunday. Hope was high and still can be for Jackson. But if the Rams are going to plan to abandon the run and let Bulger throw fifty times, than there is no chance for team success.

Wide Receivers

Lavernues Coles
Coles looked like he was a Seattle Seahawks receiver, dropping balls constantly. He dropped a for sure touchdown, and just had his mind elsewhere Sunday. With Pennington’s zip being a high concern, who knows how long that will affect Coles deep game.

Hines Ward
A new contract followed by a three catch twenty five yard performance. Willie Parker stole the show, but Ward wasn’t able to sneak out unnoticed. Roethlisberger did only throw the football eleven times, and Ward did catch three of those. So if Roethlisberger ups his attempts, than there will be no problem with Ward’s stats.

Jerry Porter
The Raiders opened up the offense, and you’d expect Porter to see some of that. He did get a portion but not enough, with only forty eight yards. He is a big key for the Raiders offensive success. If he can play at a Pro Bowl level, it’ll be history. Defenses are already geared at Moss, and once Porter takes some of that attention, Moss’s stock will boost to its highest point ever.

Based on Thursday’s juggernaut of a football kickoff, this weekend’s games should be a blast. Week one’s tend to be awfully non quarterback friendly. The stats may be okay, but the rust is evident in every quarterback. So leaning on your starting running backs, will be a huge key for starting off your week one with a W.

Buffalo at Houston
Toss Up:
Judging these two teams is a toss up. Neither has had tremendous success the past few years, but they haven’t been bad teams either. If one is ready to launch into playoff contention, it could very well happen this season. Both have legitimate top ten running backs, and their defenses are only getting stronger. Since the running game is key for both teams, that looks to be the only area to be fantasy starters. Hopefully, your fantasy team doesn’t have to throw Carr or Losman in as a starter this early in the year. Especially since Losman is going to go through some growing pains.

Cincinnati vs. Cleveland
Automatic: Stay away from any Browns players, except for maybe Antonio Bryant or Braylon Edwards as your third receiver. Even that is probably a big risk, as Cincinnati’s defense will likely stifle the Browns. The Bengals should have a field day offensively, so start all major offensive players from their team.

New York Jets vs. Kansas City
Automatic:
Will the Jets defense get the best of the Chiefs offense, or reversal? That’ll be the key to the outcome of this game. Fantasy teams know the Chiefs are always roll over starters, with Trent Green, Priest Holmes, and Tony Gonzalez. Even Larry Johnson can be considered on certain weeks, considering the way the Chiefs use all of their running backs. Kansas City looks like their defense has improved, but what year hasn’t that been said? The Jets don’t usually like to score points, but they’ll be forced to in this one. Lavernues Coles may show his trade worth real early, in this one.

Denver vs. Miami
Automatic:
Last season Denver ran all over Miami, and Mike Anderson is coming off a tremendous preseason. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Anderson have one of the best games by a running back this weekend.
Don’t Go There:
Miami’s offense is always turnover prone. That should setup easy field positioning, that will turn into short Anderson touchdowns.

Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota
Automatic:
People don’t realize how great Daunte Culpepper is. Give it time, but Peyton Manning’s record breaking touchdown season could be broke by Culpepper in a few seasons. Minnesota’s offense is prolific and always will be.
It’s Your Risk:
Tampa Bay’s offense has steadily grown, in large part to Brian Griese’s transformation. He has molded a new look to the Bucs, but don’t trust any Buccaneer this week. The Vikings defense has grown in all areas, and looks extra sharp.

Tennessee vs. Pittsburgh
Automatic: Halt before proceeding with expectations of five minute checkup’s on fantasy stats. In this one you’ll only need to look twice. Half time and at the end of the game. Both teams know how to play the clock. Unless you’re looking to get serious defensive points, I’d keep the pointer away from starting any player from either team.

Chicago vs. Washington
Automatic: Clinton Portis fell off more than any back that shouldn’t have in this year’s fantasy drafts. Here is an athlete that still hasn’t even crossed over the age of 24. The youth in this man will showcase more than anything this season. His stats weren’t even that bad last year.

Don’t Do It: Thomas Jones would be an okay play, if we knew the Bears offense could get a first down. With the Redskins defense being as good as it is, it’s not worth looking anywhere to start a Bears athlete. Santana Moss looks like he may be the next story of a Peerless Price. One year of giving a sample and that’s it.

New Orleans at Carolina

Automatic: Go ahead and start any positional star from this game. For some reason when these two teams get together, it’s actually an entertaining college type game.

Seattle vs. Jacksonville

Automatic: Making bold predictions emits good results usually. Fred Taylor is the latest to do it, and look at the defense he’ll be facing. It may be one of few games this year that Taylor gets you serious value, so use him. Darrel Jackson is creeping to the top five list of receivers, and will be there by season’s end.

Don’t Do It: Byron Leftwich just isn’t a fantasy guy. The Jaguars don’t make enough big plays with the passing game to insert him in your lineup.

Green Bay vs. Detroit
Automatic: Brett Favre may make his mistakes in this one, but it’ll even out. Somewhere around four touchdowns with a couple picks, would be worth starting Favre. He has always had Detroit’s number. That should continue in the stat column.

Don’t Do It: A lot of people are ready to see what the Lions offense can do. There is plenty to offer, but wait a week or two to see test results.

Arizona vs. NY Giants
Automatic: Plaxico Burress will get a chance to face a rookie cornerback in Antrell Rolle. Rolle is a great prospect, but all rookies have that breaking in game.

Don’t Do It: The Cardinals offense isn’t as nearly sexy as it looks. Besides when playing the 49ers, Seahawks, and bad defenses, they’re not a team to look at in the fantasy world. Especially in the quarterback and running back department.

Dallas vs. San Diego
Automatic: LT is always a given, but look for Drew Bledsoe to come out with a determined different look. He has been made out to look like a bust the past few years. When it actually seems that New England and Buffalo just gave up on him.

Don’t Do It: Both teams actually match up well for fantasy points. Just don’t do anything abnormal like start Antonio Gates by accident.

St. Louis vs. San Francisco
Automatic: No 49ers and all Rams.

Indianapolis vs. Baltimore
Automatic: Just look at every major Colt’s starting players stats from a year ago?
Don’t Do It: If anyone considers Kyle Boller as a sleeper starter this week, deserves to be slapped. He may be the worst quarterback going into the season, and that is counting Trent Dilfer, Tim Rattay, and Gus Frerotte.

To go along with week one’s predictions, we’ll also throw in some season long predictions. Division winners, busts, rookies of the year, and more. We’ve done it year in and year out, so make sure to copy this page, and put our predictions against other sites.

Division Winners

AFC East: Jets
AFC North: Cincinnati
AFC South: Colts
AFC West: Broncos

NFC North: Minnesota
NFC South: Atlanta
NFC East: Philadelphia
NFC West: St. Louis

Super Bowl Champs: Falcons over Jets

Fantasy Rookie of the Year: Ronnie Brown
Receivers have picked up a lot in recent years, in terms of rookie success. This year isn’t going to be one of them. So with the running backs that are starting, there is Ronnie Brown, Carnell Williams, Cedric Benson, and JJ Arrington. Arrington has no offensive line, Brown is in a horrible offense, Benson is too hard to tell right now, and then there is Carnell Williams. Williams is in a solid offense, but will likely split time with Michael Pittman. It’s a tough choice, and it definitely won’t be a runaway, rookie season by Ronnie Brown. Miami’s offense failed to produce anything last season, but Brown’s talent should help him barely top the 1,000 yard mark and get six to seven touchdowns rushing.

Fantasy Bust of the Year: Willis McGahee
He won’t be a complete bust, but he shouldn’t have been ranked a top five back. Therefore, don’t expect top five stats from him. JP Losman is going to really hurt his production this season, and don’t forget about his prior injury history.

Fantasy Athlete of the Year: Daunte Culpepper
Manning should come down a bit in stats, and that’s going to put up a contest between him and Mr. Culpepper. The NFL has really failed on marketing Culpepper, but after this year that will come to an end. No quarterback poses as much danger as a passer and runner as consistently, and he is only getting better.

Mr. Consistent: Amani Toomer and Rod Smith
A potential sixth straight years in posting 1,000 yards was grounded, because of Eli Manning’s struggles last season. Expect the offense to open up with Manning’s arm, and for Toomer to get back in the thick of things. Burress is the perfect receiver to draw attention deep, and that means Toomer will get easier looks and plenty of more throws. Toomer is an adequate third receiver option on difficult match up weeks, and a plug in for a starting receiver that’s on a bye week. Rod Smith and the Broncos are finally set to do some serious damage. It may require doing it with a wild card, but their team is going to scare anyone they face.

Worth the Gamble: Cowboys Vet WR’s
Julius Jones is going to help alleviate tons of pressure on Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe’s tendency to stand in the pocket too long, is because he can’t move. Once Jones establishes the running game, Bledsoe is going to have that extra time to air it out. Furthermore, that means either Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, or Peerless Price is going to have a phenomenal year. Bledsoe may have lost a lot of tenacity as his career has went on, but he still has that deep ball. Therefore, Glenn or Price has more of a possibility of catching on as a fantasy sleeper. Considering the Cowboys offense, it was shocking to see how low any of the Cowboys receivers were taken in fantasy drafts. So, the value of your pick on any of these receivers will be worth it.

Week 1 Picks

Here is a quick rundown of Notjustagame.com’s week one picks

New England over Oakland
Washington over Chicago
Bengals over Browns
Denver over Miami
Houston over Buffalo
Carolina over Saints
Jets over Chiefs
Jaguars over Seahawks
Vikings over Bucs
Titans over Steelers
Giants over Cardinals
Dallas over Chargers
Lions over Packers
Rams over 49ers
Colts over Ravens
Falcons over Eagles

Up and down the Panthers depth chart, are three intriguing running backs. Stephen Davis, DeShaun Foster, and Nick Goings. They’ve each had their time under the spotlight as a Panther. Now that all three are apparently healthy, it’s going to set the stage for an interesting year. What type of philosophy will we see from the Panthers to utilize their backfield at full strength?

Figuring that Stephen Davis was just recently named starter, is a head twister. He barely played in the preseason and there was serious doubt of him being able to return from his serious knee injury. Nevertheless, he showed enough to warrant the starting job, according to the Panthers. Even DeShaun Foster admitted that Davis deserves the job. Either Foster is non caring about the position, or someone is on the verge of comeback player of the year.

Davis success as a back shouldn’t be overlooked. He was ridden off coming into the league as a fullback for Washington, before dazzling as a running back. After the Redskins let him go, it appeared that the majority of people also thought Davis was done. He proved people wrong once again, and now is set to do the same.

He plays a lot like the old style Jerome Bettis. He is a big bruiser, but once he gets in the clear, he can showcase a little speed. He has always averaged over four yards per carry in the years that he has played a substantial amount. A lot of that comes in the waning periods when he has worn down opposing defenses.

At 31 though, questions have began to linger on how much longer he can do it. If he is fully rehabilitated and not being pushed, then Davis will be a huge sleeper. Reason being is that the Panthers use one of the best passing-running styles of attack in the league. Even Nick Goings was able to have a great campaign last season, with Davis and Foster out.

For Deshaun Foster, fantasy owners have to be ticked. Foster was the sleeper on everyone’s draft board, because they figured Davis was out of the picture. That didn’t happen, but don’t give up on Foster just yet. He’ll be a great asset to the Panthers, and they’ll use him so that they don’t wear out Foster.

It’ll be very similar to how they used Foster in their stretch run to make the Super Bowl, two seasons ago. Foster’s durability is probably more questionable than Davis’s, so that’ll be a good role for him.

With Nick Goings, it’s pretty much back to special teams, and a carry here and there. Unless of course either Davis or Foster goes down. Based on the past few years, that is a high possibility. But for now, it’s the Davis-Foster show. Expect a 60/40 percentage in carries for the backs.

Team rankings may bore you, but they’re often associated in a perfect link to your fantasy football players. The teams that are ranked highly have more dominant players, because they’re scoring the points to win games. Without points, you don’t have yardage, and without yardage you have a loss with your fantasy football team. Now that we’ve spun your mind with extra wordage nonsense, here’s a look at the team rankings as the football season commences.

1. New England
Dynasties were suppose to end with the Cowboys. Nope, and now the Patriots are on the verge of becoming legendary. For some reason three Super Bowls in four years hasn’t done that.

2. Atlanta
Catapulting to the top over the Eagles seemed probable last season. The only obstacle that keeps holding them back is Vick’s accuracy. This seems to be the year that he can overcome that area, and begin to write his successful story.

3. Philadelphia
All jargon aside, the light is still bright in Philadelphia. McNabb and Owens will need to make up, and once that happens it’ll be another trip deep into the playoffs.

4. New York Jets
The addition of Ty Law is going to be the key ingredient on defense, especially come playoff time. The Jets style of play is similar to the Steelers. They’ll grind it out and make the necessary plays at the end of games. They know how to win, and as long as Pennington stays healthy, they’ll be the strongest contender to knock off New England.

5. Carolina
This is a shocking spot, but also deserving for the Panthers. They are only two years removed from representing the NFC in the Super Bowl, and they went through a year that no team should have last season. Injuries caused their season to be cut short, but they also never gave up. They were the hottest team at the end of last year, and there are a lot of good things to look at on their team. They’re deep at wide receiver, running back, and they have a veteran quarterback in Jake Delhomme that has the most confidence he has ever had. Not to mention their defense is one of the best at turning turnovers into points themselves.

6. Minnesota
Their defense has really improved, and the Vikings are looking to finally add a running game to the offense.

7. Pittsburgh
It’s going to be a long season if the Steelers are going to keep seeing Bettis and Staley listed on the injury report.

8. Indianapolis
Their shaky preseason, should be an afterthought. The defense won’t be though.

9. Dallas
As long as Drew Bledsoe can be a little bit of his old form, than the Cowboys will be inching their way to the top of this list.

10. St. Louis
If offense could win championships, than St. Louis would be a lock. It’s almost a given that they’ll be neck and neck with Indianapolis and Kansas City for points scored. Their offense may be even better than their Super Bowl days at this point.

11. Denver
There have been a lot of borderline seasons for the Broncos, and now Shanahan is feeling the heat. If Plummer can limit his turnovers, and the defense plays a little better, than the Broncos will win their division and look good heading into the playoffs.

12. Cincinnati
It’s all coming together for the Bengals. If the Steelers running back problems continue, they have a great shot at winning the division title.

13. San Diego
Many people would put the Chargers up higher, but it appears a downfall is apparent this season. Antonio Gates isn’t going to jump on everyone again, and there goes the Chargers threats downfield. Any type of bad play by Brees is going to draw too much swirling controversy, that is ultimately going to keep this team from reaching the playoffs. Plus, there division is much improved from last year.

14. NY Giants
The Giants were a playoff team last year, before they inserted Eli Manning. Manning is going to show his worth this season, and the Giants will nab a fifth or sixth wild card seed.

15. Baltimore
Their defense is so amazing, that it’s a shame their offense is going to be the worst in the league. Jamal Lewis will not be able to make it thru the season, if Kyle Boller can’t step it up.

16. Seattle
It may be the end of the road for Mike Holmgren. The Seahawks are going to have a very tough time keeping up with the Rams, and even the Cardinals.

17. Kansas City
How can they score so many points without a receiver? The answers are Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Tony Gonzalez, and the fact that Trent Green is underrated.

18. New Orleans
Always a sketchy team, that can never be figured out. The tragedy to their city may help create an extra will for this team, that doesn’t even know where they’ll be playing the majority of their games.

19. Houston
The climb to playoff success is going to be put on hold, just due to the overpowering teams in the AFC conference.

20. Green Bay
A bad year is brewing in Green Bay. Frustration was already evident in the preseason, and that’s a bad sign.

21. Arizona
Many people are jumping on the Cardinals band wagon, but soon people will jump off while on. Their offensive line may be the worst in the league, and JJ Arrington is a rookie behind it. Also, Kurt Warner has been about as durable as ice cream in Arizona summer heat.

22. Jacksonville
Before mid season, Byron Leftwich is going to be wanting to call it quits. By then Fred Taylor should be hurt, and Jimmy Smith is still their number one receiver. Leftwich is one of the best young quarterbacks in the league, but he needs some help.

23. Oakland
Not until Lamont Jordan shows his worth, will we believe the Raiders can have any type of success.

24. Tampa Bay
The Bucs are a dark horse team. If Brian Griese is really on the right track, then the Buccaneers will be a definite potential wild card team.

25. Tennessee
Changes are needed, but at least talent is in key areas.

26. Detroit
The soon to be team that bugs the heck out of Minnesota.

27. Miami
Their defense is still good, and offense can only get better from last season.

28. Washington
Any bets on who’s quarterback of the Redskins by seasons end? Our bet, no one on their current roster.

29. Cleveland
A sly move already made by Romeo Crennel, in moving Charlie Frye to second string quarterback.

30. Buffalo
The woeful Losman chronicles begin.

31. Chicago
Da Bears.

32. San Francisco
Oh man.