moss-and-brady

The first two weeks of the NFL season have been nothing short of exciting and informative, both from a fantasy and “real-life” spectrum.

We’ve seen a ton of close games, prime-time performances worthy of being shown under the lights, and enough stud fantasy production to make us feel “okay” about how we drafted before the season began.

On the other hand, we still have some uneasy feelings, even as we approach week three.

First we can’t be completely certain about the futures of some of the leagues undefeated teams. Are they truly division, playoff, and/or Super Bowl contenders? Or are they just getting off to 2008 Buffalo Bills-type fast starts?

Are the Patriots going to continue being this sluggish? Is this really a new and improved San Francisco team? And, quite naturally we think to ourselves, is this Mark Sanchez kid for real?

Those are just a few of the questions meandering in our thoughts as we make our bets, picks and set our weekly fantasy line-ups. Unfortunately, however, none of those questions can be answered in one week.

For the things to watch for-the things that can be answered in week three-continue reading:

5. Will the Browns Finally Score an Offensive Touchdown?

Not only will the Browns not score an offensive touchdown, but I’m fairly confident that they can go another two or three games without doing so.

looks flustered almost all the time, their running game is virtually non-existent, and Braylon Edwards is their only real threat on offense, and he can’t even catch the ball.

Believe me, the trade talks are heating up in Cleveland, and Eric Mangini wants a Leon Washington like Whitney Houston wants her voice back. Oh, too soon?

But seriously, it’s already really bad in Cleveland, as their main offensive threat has been Phil Dawson. Considering his off-season contractual issues, do you think this guy finally has leverage to get a new deal?

The worst part is actually the fact that Cleveland has to take it’s woeful rushing offense and run defense up against the Baltimore Ravens, a team that can run the ball at will, and can fall asleep while punishing running backs into submission.

Just ask Darren Sproles how it felt last week. Or Larry Johnson in week one.

You truly won’t know how happy Jamal Lewis is that he has a bad hammy until after you watch this game.

Fantasy Perspective: Outside of Joe Flacco getting another crack at 300 yards and Ray Rice and Willis McGahee running wild, is there one? Not for Cleveland, there isn’t.

Your only “safe” bets are Brady Quinn (33 attempts per game), and hope he doesn’t throw 33 interceptions, and Braylon Edwards (six catches last week), and hope he doesn’t go back to his one reception performance of week one. That’s way too much hoping for my liking.

4. Can the Giants Ground Attack Get Back on Track?

The Giants are 2-0, appear to be the best team in football, and are loving every minute of and his chemistry with his new top receivers.

Oh, and their defensive front four is making opposing quarterbacks cry. Constantly.

Even with Justin Tuck (shoulder) expected out for 1-2 weeks, they’re expected to not miss a beat. Sorry, Steve Spagnuolo, but apparently you aren’t going to be that missed.

Regardless of all the great things happening in New York, for what seems to be the third consecutive year now, there is still some ground that needs to be made-up. Quite literally, actually.

While the Giants rush attack of and hasn’t been non-existent, it has still been very under-whelming.

However, with a nice match-up with Tampa Bay’s soft run defense and spotty secondary, it figures to be a beautiful day for both backs in the Giants backfield, and also could figure to be a cakewalk for Eli Manning and the receivers, too.

Nothing like finally getting your entire offense clicking on all levels on your way to a 3-0 start.

Fantasy Perspective: The Buccaneers gave-up 160 rushing yards to Fred Jackson, and watched “Team Obliterator” (T.O.-thank you, Skip Bayless) obliterate them. Well, sort of.

It’s a safe bet that the Giants as a whole are better than the Bills on every level, so don’t be shy: Manning, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Brandon Jacobs, and Ahmad Bradshaw all make solid plays in week three.

3. Will and the Vikings Finally Air it Out?

In one completely unnecessary and made-up word: Abso-freaking-lutely.

It’s arguably been all about for the first two weeks, as Minnesota’s solid defense has allowed only one offensive touchdown, and then sitting back and relaxing while the man nicknamed “All-Day” has waltzed his way to over 270 rushing yards.

But against a much better San Francisco defense, it will surely take more than Peterson to put up more than the 25.5 points they’ve been averaging. However, maybe not too much more.

While the 49ers have been solid on defense through the first two weeks, they, like Minnesota, haven’t been truly tested, as they beat up a struggling Cardinals team that couldn’t run the ball, and ran all over a Seahawks team that lost Matt Hasselbeck mid-way through the game.

We don’t make excuses here at TRZR, but something tells me Brett Favre and the rest of the offense aren’t about two lay an egg at home after winning two straight on the road.

Fantasy Perspective: Even if Adrian Peterson doesn’t figure to crack 150 and ramble for 2 or more scores, you still leave him in your line-up. He’s Adrian Peterson.

On a lighter note, this may be the week where it’s finally time for Brad Childress to see just what he has in Brett Favre. Prepare for some fireworks.

2. Can the Packers Continue to Play Poorly and Still Beat the Rams?

Hey, Washington did it, right?

I’ve already vouched against having a big day, but that doesn’t mean Mason Crosby can’t help Rodgers out-do Jason Campbell and get the offense four field goals against the Rams.

Rodgers has been hassled, tripped-up, hurried, hit, and beaten more than any other quarterback in the league through the first two weeks. He leads the league with 10 taken sacks (six against Cincy), and his offensive line is completely in shambles.

They were already struggling to replace the injured/departed Mark Tauscher, and now will have to do without their only quality tackle, Chad Clifton, for a good 2-3 weeks.

I know the Rams defense hasn’t been dazzling of late, but they did hold the Redskins to only nine points and no touchdowns. With a Steve Spagnuolo system and a Packers shredded line as their opponent in the trenches, it’s not too crazy to think the un-thinkable in week three.

Fantasy Perspective: With the tackle spots being downright horrid for Rodgers through the first two weeks and only getting worse, expect to see a quality dose of Ryan Grant early and often.

If the ground game can finally pick up the slack and do it’s best Julius Jones impression, then Rodgers will have some play-action capabilities and should be able to do enough damage to win the game. But while many are picking this game as the one for Rodgers to bounce-back in, I’m saying that Steven Jackson is the one more likely to have a coming-out party.

Did you see what Cedric Benson did to the Green Bay defense last week? It could be a long day for the Packers defense.

1. Which is More Likely?

This week’s candidate for “Which is More Likely” (drum-roll please) is…

breaking-out and running all over the New England defense, or getting back to form and tearing-up the Atlanta defense?

Fred Jackson had decent success in a near-win in week one, and while Thomas Jones wasn’t spectacular in week two, he and Leon Washington got the job done as a unit.

So, with superior blocking at the best quarterback of the three teams discussed, Turner should boast the best numbers.

Brady, on the other hand, shouldn’t have nearly as much trouble as he had in the first two week.

Buffalo and New York are both tough, division opponents with solid defenses and huge chips on their shoulders. While Atlanta’s defense is much-improved, the loss of Peria Jerry in the middle of their defensive line could cripple them, allowing the Patriots to finally run the ball, which will inevitably open things up for Brady and his slew of receiving deviants.

If returns, Brady could post numbers close to, if not exceeding week one, while his receivers could have huge days, as well.

Considering the huge loss on the defensive side for Atlanta, it’s very possible and co. will have no way in keeping up with the Patriots. Go with Brady as the “more likely” pick this week.

Fantasy Perspective: I still like Michael Turner to have his best game of the season, while I also can’t envision the connection between Matt Ryan and Tony Gonzalez being disrupted too much.

However, the Patriots have three solid backs who should find enough holes to open up the offense and relieve Brady from any serious pressure. And we all know what happens to opposing defenses when Brady isn’t pressured…

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