Walshurleagueout: Week 1

Hello and Welcome to Walshurleagueout, your weekly source for happenings in the GFL.  The Grandville Football League established by Phil Smith in 2009.  The GFL is almost 10 years strong and though we've had turnover at the owner position, roster changes (good and bad), we've almost made it 10 years and I thank everyone who's been apart of it.

I'm your host, Eric Walsh, 4 time champion runner up...the Buffalo Bills of the GFL.  Not 4 consecutive years though...anyways, I'm an owner in the GFL and I figured we needed some more pizzazz to this league, so I'm gonna breakdown this weeks matchups, highlight some key players, DANGER ZONE (you'll see what that is) and give you some of my NFL picks.

So let's get started with some recent transactions and news.

Notre Dame beat Michigan 24-17 in South Bend...oh I'm sorry that's not league related at all.  Don't know how that got in the script.  Good luck Shea Patterson, and remember Shea, It's all in the hips!

ANYWAYS,  Let's get to the real news.

Jerick McKinnon tore his ACL, he's out for the year: Buster is hit with the first major injury leading into the regular season as he loses McKinnon to a torn ACL.  In his place, Alfred Morris and Matt Breida.  Nic picked up Breida, while Buster grabbed Alfred Morris.  I give the slight edge to Alfred Morris due to his past with coach Kyle Shanahan.

Le'Veon Bell is still not reporting to the Steelers:  Uh oh Jeff, Le'Veon Bell is being a stubborn little youknowwhat and hasn't reported to Steelers camp.  This is a must watch situation going into Sunday, if he does not report today,  I do not know if you can trust Le'Veon to be a big part of the Steelers game plan this Sunday against Cleveland.  The man is a headache for fantasy owners but he's talented and that's why he's drafted so high.

Royce Freeman named Broncos starting runningback: LFG, my boy Royce Freeman is going to be starting this Sunday against Seattle.  Drafted by me in the 6th round, Royce was one of "my guys" I was after. Talked up big by podcasts I listen to, I drank the Orange Crush Kool Aid and drafted the kid in 3 out of 5 leagues I'm in.  The kid has Kareem Hunt potential this season.  Go Donks.

Well that's the news.  Let's get onto the main event, WEEK 1 OF THE GFL!  Let's look at the matchups.

Revenge of the Goats (Walsh) vs WHAT BIKE? (Buster)
Projected winner: Goats152-149
Goats Top 3 players: DeAndre Hopkins, Leonard Fournette, Russell Wilson
Bike Top 3 players:  Todd Gurley, Davante Adams, Cam Newton

DANGER ZONE: The Danger zone is the two players to be cautious of in this matchup

Goats DANGER ZONE: Delanie Walker, Delanie Walker is dealing with a  toe injury, he could not be 100% for the game against the Dolphins but if he plays, he's a top play this week.

Bike DANGER ZONE: Greg Olsen, now say what you will about Greg Olsen, he's a hell of a player but I'm going to be real with you, his numbers aren't great, the Panthers are more about Cam.  Well Cam is all about Cam but yeah.  Keep an eye on Greg Olsen's targets this week.

This game is really going to come down to MNF, with Todd Gurley playing late along with the Rams defense also on Buster's team, I'm going to need a strong finish from my guy Jordan Howard to put enough cushion for me to win.  We will see how things turn out.  Best of luck Buster, you got a talented squad.

Lil Skeet Skeet (Philster Goodell) vs Ryan's Team (Ryan, please use Captain Insano)
Projected winner: Ryan 148-136
Skeet Top 3 players: Zeke Elliott, Andrew Luck, Dalvin Cooks
Ryan Top 3 players: Antonio Brown, Jimmy Garoppolo, Devonta Freeman

Skeet DANGER ZONE: Andrew Luck, Luck is a great QB, he's a great athlete but he has not shown off that rocket arm he once had, maybe he was holding back in the preseason but the fact remains the same, the Colts offensive line is still a work in progress, Luck is a high risk/high reward play this week.

Ryan DANGER ZONE: Jimmy Garoppolo, listen I know people love Jimmy G, Jimmy Handsome, he's the guy right now but going on the road to play Minnesota could be a disaster, Ryan has no choice since Wentz is his backup and already out for Week 1 but Garoppolo could struggle this week but hey,  #YOLO.

Ryan is going to hope that Phil is already done for by Sunday night but if not, he will rely on Matt Prater and the Lions defense to lift him over the top into the W column.  I think he has a good chance of victory if Darius Slay can get him a pick six.

Kilmer's Coyotes (Will) vs Shady Draft Strats (Goose)
Projected winner: Will 148-141
Coyotes Top 3: David Johnson, Michael Thomas, Rob Gronkowski
Shady Top 3: Tom Brady, Saquon Barkley, Keenan Allen

Coyotes DANGER ZONE: Josh Gordon,  I know Josh Gordon is the supposed savior of Cleveland after LeBron left but let's face it, the dude has issues, sure maybe he wanted to avoid Hard Knocks and yes, he's getting sober from his alcohol and drug issues but you're putting a lot of trust in him for a Week 1 matchup against Pittsburgh.

Shady DANGER ZONE: Saquon Barkley, you got a big set of cajones Goose to start a rookie running back in his first career start...AGAINST THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS.  But there is going to be volume there and hopefully a touchdown so hey, go big or go home.

With a close game projected, this one is coming down to the MNF double header, Goose will rely on Marvin Jones and Amari Cooper while Will hopes Cooper Kupp finds the end zone once or twice to secure the victory, this game is a toss up imo.

OMWTFYB (Nic) vs KZOO RIVER MONSTERS (Jeff)
Projected winner: Nic 157-139
FYB Top 3: Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffery, Deshaun Watson
KZoo Top 3: Le'Veon Bell, AJ Green, Drew Brees

FYB DANGER ZONE: Tyler Eifert, despite being a former Notre Dame player, I'm worried about Tyler Eifert, the man cannot stay healthy, he's like Gronk lite.  It's a smart idea to play him against the hapless Indianapolis Colts defense but I worry about durability.

KZoo DANGER ZONE: Le'Veon Bell, like I already said, he has not reported to Steelers camp, he might not be part of the game plan against Cleveland. He had a pedestrian game against Cleveland last year in Week 1 also.  Not saying it's gonna be Deja Vu but...welp.

Nic's team is stacked with PPR gold (Kamara and McCaffery) and is peppered with high upside RB talent, he really did draft well.  Adding Deshaun Watson is just icing on the cake. Jeff is going to need strong games out of Le'Veon Bell, Jay Ajayi, and Drew Brees to make this closer. If it is close though, Greg Zuerlein for Nic and Robert Woods for Jeff will be duking it out for the win.

OBJs give me a Chubb (KJ, defending champ) vs Tyler's Team (Tyler...duh)
Projected winner: Tyler 139-132
OBJ Top 3: Aaron Rodgers, Odell Beckham Jr. , Kareem Hunt
Tyler Top 3: Melvin Gordon, Julio Jones, Kirk Cousins

OBJ DANGER ZONE: Randall Cobb,  Randall Cobb may be one of Rodgers targets but with Davante Adams and Geronimo Allison getting receptions and throwing Jamal Williams into the mix, he could have a down game.

Tyler DANGER ZONE: Kelvin Benjamin, yes, he is going to be Peterman's top target for the game against Baltimore but Kelvin Benjamin has had multiple ailments and injuries through his career, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.  Proceed with caution.

KJ will rely on Aaron Rodgers and Trey Burton to provide enough cushion to hold onto a victory while Tyler will root on Robby Anderson to get the bulk of receptions in Sam Darnold's first career game and for Marshawn Lynch to go BEAST MODE and steal the victory on MNF.

Well that's the matchups, here's my NFL picks as an added bonus.

Atlanta vs Philadelphia:  I'm gonna take the Falcons in an upset, despite Philly's defense, I think Atlanta gets off to a fast start and Foles and the offense struggle and the Falcons take down the defending champs to start Week 1.

Tampa Bay vs New Orleans: Give me the Saints to beat the Buccaneers without Jameis Winston, I don't instill much confidence in Ryan Fitzpatrick to defeat the Saints defense.  Saints win big.

Buffalo vs Baltimore: Baltimore big time, that defense is no joke and Nathan Peterman is going to be eaten alive by Terrell Suggs.

Houston vs New England: Listen, I like Houston's squad a lot but you don't go against Tom Brady in Week 1 even up against all odds.  Tom Brady finds a way like he always does.

Jacksonville vs New York Giants: The Jaguars defense is a top 3 unit in the league, Eli Manning is old and dopey, there will be turnovers and the Jaguars will take care of the Giants easily

San Francisco vs Minnesota: I'll take the Vikings at home to beat the 49ers in a shootout and Kirk Cousins to deliver his first win in the Purple Reign.  Jimmy G struggles but the Niners make it close.

Pittsburgh vs Cleveland: Cleveland is not the joke they once were but they still don't have the firepower to match that Steelers offense.  Big Ben throws 3 TDs in the win.

Cincinnati vs Indianapolis: As much as it pains me, the Colts are not a great team, the Bengals will roast them.  Dalton and AJ Green have a big game against a lackluster Colts secondary.

Tennessee vs Miami: I like Marcus Mariota to deliver the Titans a W because I simply think the Titans are the better team but this game could go either way.

Kansas City vs LA Chargers: I like Philip Rivers to outperform Pat Mahomes and for this darkhorse Chargers team to get their first win this season.  Kansas City still a work in progress after the loss of Matt Nagy, now the head coach of Chicago

Dallas vs Carolina: The turnover in Dallas is too much to overcome as Cam Newton and the Panthers walk all over the Cowboys.  Zeke Elliott will have a decent game but expect big games from Newton and McCaffery.

Seattle vs Denver: I'll take the Broncos at home to beat out Russell Wilson and the Seahawks in what should be a close game but I think the Seahawks struggle a few drives and the Broncos salt the game away.

Washington vs Arizona: This is a great game, Sam Bradford vs Alex Smith, should be a shootout, I like the Cardinals defense to get pressure on Smith and deliver the W though.

Chicago vs Green Bay: Despite the great moves Chicago has made and the addition of Khalil Mack, I still think Aaron Rodgers is the best QB in the NFL and he will find a way to get the Packers the W.

New York Jets vs Detroit: Despite Detroit looking lackluster in the preseason, Sam Darnold on the road for his first career start against a solid Lions team should equal a Lions victory.

LA Rams vs Oakland: This should be a cakewalk for the Rams offense now that Khalil Mack is in Chicago, the Rams led by Jared Goff and Todd Gurley should easily take care of the Raiders and the Rams defense will have Derek Carr running for his life.

Well that's Week 1 in the GFL.  See y 'all in the next column.