Once called the Purple People Eaters, the Minnesota Vikings will jump on their purple jet and cruise into San Diego this weekend. Putting real football aside for a few minutes, let's talk fake football, or as it is most commonly called, fantasy football.
Here is a little fantasy preview of this week's game.
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers
After watching the game last night, I have a feeling NFL defenses are going to need some time to catch up to the passing game. Great news for Rivers owners. Rivers threw for over 275 yards in nine of his 16 starts last season and with this receiver group the Vikings will be in for a long day. I will note, the Vikings only allowed 275 yards or more passing twice last season, both times it was to Aaron Rodgers. Prediction: 325 yards and two TDs
Donovan McNabb
McNabb in a run first offense? This should be interesting. The Chargers were great against fantasy QBs last season and that should continue. McNabb tends to start the season off well, he has a 90.6 QB Rating and 58/18 TD/INT ratio during his career in the month of September. Prediction: 185 yards passing and a TD
Running Backs
Ryan Mathews
That preseason sure gave a lot of Chargers fans plenty to be excited about. I'm here to say... simma down. RM24 is still going to split carries, but should be productive. Prediction: 85 total yards
Mike Tolbert
Just in time to steal away the goal line carries, Tolbert will enjoy watching Mathews and company move the ball down the field, while he shows up just in time to steal the glory. Prediction: 65 total yards and a TD
Adrian Peterson
Cue the Tecmo Bowl music. The consensus number one fantasy pick gets a chance for an encore. Will he repeat his 296 yard three TD performance? Hell no! With concerns about the Chargers run defense, Peterson is going to do his best to exploit any weakness he can. If the Chargers are able to get out to a quick lead, they can take AP out of the game... once again... if. Prediction: 135 total yards and a TD
Wide Receivers
Vincent Jackson
Action Jackson is back! This will open up a lot for Rivers, although Jackson has never had a ton of catches, he makes the most out of his opportunities. Prediction: 5 receptions, 85 yards and a TD.
Malcom Floyd
Speaking of a guy that makes the most of his opportunities, Floyd averaged over 19 yards per reception last season. With Jackson back on the field, expecting a drop to the 17 yards per catch he averaged the two previous seasons is realistic. Prediction: 4 receptions, 65 yards
Percy Harvin
McNabb did a great job getting Moss the ball in Washington and he will do the same with Harvin. A threat every time he touches the ball, Harvin is the big play guy on this Vikings team. Prediction: 6 catches, 75 yards
Bernard Berrian
I like Berrian as a sleeper this season, but not today. Prediction: 3 catches, 25 yards.
Tight Ends
Antonio Gates
I cannot say enough to express how much I love Antonio Gates. If he is able to stay healthy, this will be an epic season for him as he continues his HOF career. Prediction: 6 receptions, 80 yards, and a TD
Visanthe Shiancoe
McNabb knows how to use his TE's and in recent years, the Chargers do not know how to stop them. I'm not sold that either of these trends will change. Prediction 5 receptions, 65 yards, and a TD
For those following the BFTB Staff league posts: Here is a preview of the matchups this week with yahoo's projected points:
All Starts (92.90) vs. DAYGOBOLTS (90.28)
Fear Boners (96.28) vs. Leptons (83.87)
Takeo's Neck (99.11) vs. A$$ and TDs (92.00)
Lockout with my 30ckout (99.73) vs. Marshall's multiples (94.46)
Revis and Butthead (98.06) vs. BuckminsterFullerine (87.74)
It's my Vick in a Box (95.29) vs. Vaginal Hubris (86.10)
Second Girl Fan Club (105.61) vs. Dithering Blathers (99.18)
Matchup of the week
Ginn & Tonic (96.80) vs. Todmaniacs (94.96)
That's going to wrap things up for this fake football post. Remember if you have fantasy questions, hit me up on fantasydaddy.com or if you tweet, feel free to send any start/sit questions to @fantasydaddy.