Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by: Staff
- Edited by Marc Caviglia

The clock stuck Midnight on the West Coast and it is officially here. That is right Bruno Boys Nation, the 2010 NFL season kicks off tonight when the Minnesota Vikings travel to the Big Easy to take on the defending Super Bowl champ, New Orleans Saints. This contest will be a rematch of the NFC Championship game and should be one that has many fantasy football players glued to their television. Both the Saints and the Vikings have at least five players that could make a fantasy impact in Week 1 and it should be an interesting to see who will step it up and be the difference makers tonight? Don’t worry, the Bruno Boys have you covered with our Thursday Night Rankings preview.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Brett Favre (Minnesota Vikings) @ New Orleans

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre proved with last season’s performance that there is still something left in the tank. How much is left is anybody’s guess with that guy, but if there’s one thing Favre has done well the last couple of years it’s been starting strong. The last two openers Favre has combined to throw for two touchdowns and no interceptions, leading his team to wins both times. The problem is Sidney Rice isn’t available (he’s on the PUP list) and Percy Harvin is still dealing with migraines though he will play, so Favre doesn’t have the same set of playmakers he had a year ago. Still, the veteran shines on the national stage and he can be used as a low-end QB1 in Week 1.
Point Projection: 15 points

 
Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) @ New Orleans

The fact that many consider Peterson’s 2009 to be a bit disappointing says a lot about his skills. His 18 touchdowns are nothing to scoff at, and neither is 1,383 rushing yards. Peterson needs to control his one bugaboo and stop fumbling the ball so much, but as long as the ball is firmly in his hands, there aren’t many more threatening runners in the NFL. Peterson and the Vikings get a tough matchup having to travel to New Orleans to face the very same Saints team that ended their 2009 season. Peterson managed three touchdowns in that game, but also put the Vikings in trouble with two fumbles. As long as Peterson can keep the ball off the ground, he’ll have a great start to the season.
Point Projection: 22 points

Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings) @ New Orleans

With the loss of Sidney Rice for at least the first seven games of the season, you can make a case for Harvin as every week WR2 in 12-team fantasy football leagues. He will be active all over the field and is in line for a lot more targets considering his only competition at receiver is Bernard Berrian and new comer Greg Camarillo. Against the Darren Sharper-less New Orleans’ secondary he will find a lot of room to run. Expect big things Thursday night.
Point Projection: 13 points

38.  Bernard Berrian (Minnesota Vikings) @ New Orleans

Berrian has had a poor training camp, but the loss of Sidney Rice immediately makes him fantasy football relevant in the Minnesota offense. He is still only an okay option but should see enough targets to help your team as a low-end WR3 or a Flex option. New Orleans’ weak secondary and the anticipation of a pass-heavy game Thursday night means he will provide solid value in Week 1.
Point Projection: 7 points

Greg Camarillo (Minnesota Vikings) @ New Orleans

Camarillo comes over from the Miami Dolphins as a late addition to the Minnesota roster, but will be expected to contribute immediately in the absence of Sidney Rice. He is listed as the No.3 wide out on the depth chart but if the change of scenery and quarterback helps as much as some think. Look for Camarillo to push Berrian for his targets throughout the season. Having said that, considering he is still learning the offense let’s temper expectations for Week 1.
Point Projection: 5 points

Visanthe Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) @ New Orleans

Shiancoe caught 11 touchdowns last season as part of a 56-catch, 566-yard campaign. He had seven touchdowns in 2008, so it was no fluke that he found his way into the end zone that many times in 2010. He may be called on to do so again this year now that Sidney Rice is gone for at least six weeks and Percy Harvin has been slowed by migraines. And while Shiancoe did catch four passes for 83 yards against the Saints in last season’s playoff loss, the match-up is not one to write home about, hence his mid-range ranking. New Orleans allowed just a single touchdown to opposing tight ends last year, and only three teams allowed fewer fantasy points to tight ends all season.
Point Projection: 6 points

Ryan Longwell (Minnesota Vikings) vs. New Orleans

In 2009, Longwell was the third highest scoring fantasy football kicker connecting on 26 of 28 field goals which was good for 142 fantasy points. Longwell faces the New Orleans Saints in what figures to be a high scoring affair. When Longwell faced the Saints in the NFC Championship game he totaled just four extra points, however, he should see more opportunities this game. It’s the first game of the season and with the offense trying to get in sync some of those drives that are touchdowns at the end of the season might stall in Week 1.
Point Projection: 8 points

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

4. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

Remember that NFC title game from last year? It was the one where Brees threw for 197 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in an overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings. Both teams feature very similar starting lineups as they did last year, so this game is going to be hyped a lot. That’s just the way Brees likes it. He’s at his best when the spotlight is on him and the Saints. Minnesota’s defense is very good except at pass defense, where they are banged up and already lack coverage skills. Another good performance for Brees and the Saints is in the cards for Thursday.
Point Projection: 19 points

Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

It’s clear that Thomas is the guy in New Orleans. Reggie Bush has never been given the opportunity to handle a full work load and will be used in multiple different formations. Rookie Chris Ivory impressed in the preseason, but suffered an MCL injury and will be out at least three weeks. Thomas had a solid 2009 and there’s no reason he can’t build on it in that great Saints offense. He had two touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings back in January, and will look to use his elusiveness as a pass catcher and runner to haunt Vikings fans again in Week 1.
Point Projection: 13 points

Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

Bush is entering his fifth season in the NFL and has failed to live up to the hype. He saw a career low in carries (70) and receptions (47) in 2009 and there is no guarantee his role in the offense increases in 2010. New Orleans does have injury issues at running back; however, Pierre Thomas is expected to see an increase in carries and the Saints have never utilized Bush as a true running back. What Bush did well last year is find the end zone (eight total) and with this game expected to be a shootout don’t be surprised if he starts off 2010 on the right track.
Point Projection: 8 points

Robert Meachem (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

Projecting points for the Saints’ receiving core will be a headache all season, as their frequent use of three and even four wide outs means production gets spread out and touchdowns could end up in anyone’s hands. Robert Meachem has a knack for finding the end zone, as he showed with nine touchdowns last year including six in five weeks. He is the bet this week for a big score against a Minnesota Vikings defense that will be without cornerbacks Cedric Griffin and Chris Cook. Keep in mind this prediction includes Meachem finds paydirt.
Point Projection: 11 points

Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

Colston was a disappointment last season to many who expected him to continue thriving in the explosive Saints offense. His upside has been capped by how many options the Saints have, but he remains one of the most consistent receivers in the game. He could just as easily have a touchdown as Meachem, and will find a way to get his receiving yards against the stout Minnesota Vikings defense, like he usually does.
Point Projection: 11 points

Devery Henderson (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

Henderson boasts a big yards per reception average and is the starting slot in New Orleans explosive offense. However, as noted above (twice) Drew Brees tends to spread the ball around and it’s generally a tossup for who will be the most productive. Henderson is a major boom or bust pick against the Minnesota Vikings in the season opener. Proceed with caution.
Point Projection: 5 points

Lance Moore (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

Moore has gotten the short end of the stick on the depth chart, currently listed as the fourth option. Brees will get him the ball some and Moore will have some games that will make you think he’s a worthy pick up but don’t be fooled; at this time he is way too inconsistent to start on your fantasy team, especially against the Minnesota Vikings.
Point Projection: 3 points

Jeremy Shockey (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

Shockey had an average season last year with New Orleans, hauling in a total of 48 passes for 569 yards and three touchdowns. He’ll never again be a top-tier fantasy football tight end, but we have him in the top-15 this week based a lot on his match-up. Just four squads gave up more fantasy points to tight ends last season than the Minnesota Vikings, and just two allowed players at that position to catch more passes. Despite the fact he had just one catch for nine yards in New Orleans’ playoff win over the Vikings last season, we like him to have a solid game here.
Point Projection: 5 points

David Thomas (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

We told you about the Minnesota Vikings’ penchant for allowing tight ends to catch passes with as much frequency as porn stars catch gonorrhea, which is one reason to believe Thomas will be at least a middling factor in the Saints’ attack in the season opener this week. Still, he’s the back-up to Shockey, and as such will only play a secondary role. In last season’s playoff game against the Vikings, Thomas collected three catches for 36 yards.
Point Projection: 2 points

Garrett Hartley (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

After John Carney struggled with accuracy problems, Hartley took over as kicker in New Orleans in Week 13 and never looked back He made 9 of 11 field goals in the last five games of the season and was a key contributor during the Saints’ Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Saints explosive offense should score score points in bunches against the Vikings, which should give Hartley plenty of kicking chances. Start him with confidence on Thursday night.
Point Projection: 9 points

 
Week 1 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  |  DEF  (click to read)

Week 1 Start & Sit:  Start ‘Em  | Sit ‘Em  (click to read)

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