Who's here that shouldn't be?
Who's not here that should be?
1 - Chris Johnson home against the Raiders
2 - Ryan Matthews at Kansas City
3 - Maurice Jones Drew at home Denver
4 - Frank Gore at Seattle
5 - Ronnie Brown at Buffalo
6 - Matt Forte home against Detroit
7 - Steve Jackson home against the Cardinals
8 - Rashard Mendenhall home against Atlanta
9 - Adrian Peterson at New Orleans
10 - Ray Rice at NY Jets
11 - Michael Turner at Pittsburgh
12 - Caddy Williams home versus Cleveland
Ryan Mathews - I'm OK with him in the top 12, but I don't see him finishing as the #2 RB first week. I'm one that feels KC will be markedly improved this year.Ronnie Brown - Buffalo's DEF isn't that bad and with Ricky Williams in play as well, I wouldn't put the odds too high that Ronnie finishes in the top 12.
Steven Jackson - I wasn't a big fan of him when I drafted but have a good feeling about the Rams this year. Bradford looks like the real deal and I think that really helps Jackson. I'll say he finishes top 7 this year.
Peterson - I think he finishes top 3 RB this week. Thursday night with the whole nation watching I think he puts up something like 125 yds and 2 TDs.
The rest of the list I'm OK with being top 12.
It wouldn't be fair for me to comment without providing my expected top 12 for week 1.
1. Adrian Peterson - Like I wrote earlier, I think Peterson goes nuts this week.
2. Frank Gore - He's a beast and SEA defense won't be able to do too much against him while having to account for Crabtree and Davis.
3. Chris Johnson - OAK will focus on Johnson and while I think he breaks 100 yards, I don't like him more than Gore or Peterson.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew - Assuming full health, should run well against DEN banged up defense.
5. Steven Jackson - See above.
6. Ryan Grant - I don't think he goes off against a tough PHI defense but it will be hard for him not to find running lanes with the offensive weapons at Rodgers disposal.
7. Ryan Mathews - I think will look good but don't expect him to go bonkers over KC.
8. Ray Rice - As a Rice owner (and Rutgers alum) I would love to say he'll finish higher than this week 1 but I don't think he will be able to do explode against a tough Jets DEF. I would look for 80 total yards and a touchdown.
9. Jahvid Best - Has looked great in pre-season and I feel Stafford will do enough to keep Chicago from stacking the box.
10. Matt Forte - Of all the players on this list, I feel he has the biggest boom/bust potential for week 1. Can see him putting up 120 totals yards and a touch as much as I can see him going 12 rushes for 50 yards. Upside is that Martz may use him out of backfield and get him a good number of receptions.
11. Marion Barber - I love Barber and feel he gets the lion's share of carries against Washington.
12. Reggie Bush - Minnesota's secondary is banged up and with Reggie playing essentially as a WR a lot he'll constantly be covered by a LB who will have trouble keeping up with him or a 3rd or 4th string corner back.
12a. Ahmad Bradshaw - I feel like I have to mention Bradshaw. He's looked great but CAR is tough. That said I still think he puts up good numbers. He may end up with more receiving yards than rushing.
Notable exclusions:
D Williams - NYG has a very good defense and I don't think williams will be able to do enough with Stewart there as well.
Foster - I think this becomes a shootout with Indy and while Foster has a good day he won't light up Indy, at least not with Bob Sanders back there.
Benson - I don't think very highly of Cedric and feel his success last year was mostly a product of him getting 25+ carries a game. That won't happen this year.
i like Bradshaw this year, but not week 1
