With the exception of a few guys who are super consistent, picking a fantasy football team is basically a crapshoot. You just never know how a guy is going to perform when they take the field. In fact, the best you can do is take in all the variables, mash them into a ball, and play the best guys you have from the info you got.
Easy enough….not.
With Week 1 all but behind us, many of you may be prone to over-reacting to the results of your teams. Well, don't be a fool, it's only week 1. Learn from your mistakes and check out the teams that did good and those who didn't so that you can rebound or keep it rolling next week.
Here are this week's top performers by position. If you had one or more of these guys, your team is looking pretty good so far. If not, well, the season just started!
Top Performers (By Position)
Quarterback
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: 23 for 31, 299 yards passing, 3 tds. 3 rushes 25 yards, 1 td (37 points)
There is a lot of pressure on the Atlanta Falcons to make it to the playoffs and advance past the first round; almost as much pressure that is on Matt Ryan who has to prove he's a franchise QB. With a deadly receiving core around him and a solid running game, now is the time for him to step up. While four total touchdowns may be a stretch to pull off every week, week 1's performance may become close to the norm for this potential stud.
Running Back
C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills: 14 rushes, 169 yards, 1 td. 2 receptions, 25 yards. (22 points)
Not many positive notes to take out of Buffalo for week 1, but Spiller's performance is tops on any lists they may have. Smart FF owners who drafted Fred Jackson also grabbed Spiller, but maybe if your lucky, he may still be claimable on the free agent market. While the durability of Jackson a question mark, Spiller may evolve into a top flight back for those in need. GRAB HIM!
Wide Receiver
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons: 6 receptions 108 yards, 2 tds. (22 points)
Heading into his second season, Jones is poised to become a top five receiver. This week 1 performance is highly indicative of what you will get from him on a weekly basis, especially with fellow wideout Roddy White on the other side of the ball.
Tight End
Jimmie Graham, New Orleans Saints: 6 receptions, 85 yards, 1 td. (14 points)
The Redskins' upset of the New Orleans Saints was a shocker and goes to show how the after-effects of 'Bounty-Gate' may be felt throughout the course of this season. That being said, Drew Brees is still Drew Brees, so expect a lot of balls Graham's way this season. He is poised to take the top FF tight end spot.
Special Teams
David Akers, San Francisco 49ers: 3 for 3 with 3 extra points (12 points)
There were a couple of kickers who had better fantasy days than Akers, but he gets the shout-out for tieing the NFL record with a 63 yard field goal make. With the 49ers offense looking impressive — even with the new additions in week 1 — expect Akers to be a busy man this season.
Rookie Watch
Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins: 19 of 26 for 320 yards 2 tds. 10 rushes, 42 yds. (28 pts)
While both Andrew Luck and RGIII passed for over 300 yards today, it was Griffin III who took the lead in this rookie QB battle. Nobody expected him to come out and light up the Saints like he did, showing poise and accuracy beyond expectation. This early look has owners thinking of Cam Newton of a year ago; and while that is a bit premature, it was all gold in week 1.
James LeBeau is a sports contributor for CraveOnline Sports and you can follow him on Twitter @JleBeau76 or subscribe on Facebook.com/CraveOnlineSports.
Photo Credit: Getty
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