Owen Daniels is a nice pick this week against the New York Jets.
In Week 1 of the Home Team Challenge, the free fantasy football game with great prizes on HoustonTexans.com, the winning player receives two passes to hold a Texas flag at a Texans game.
Don't forget that you can pick a new team each week and you have 300 points to construct a team. For exmaple: This week, Drew Brees will cost you 73 points, but if you want to skimp at the quarterback spot, Cleo Lemon is yours for just one point.
Here's my absolute…airtight…110%...guaranteedyouwillwinoryoucankeymyMercedesBenzlimo weekly fantasy advice, with a few players I like and a few players I don't.
PRICE IS RIGHT
QB Tom Brady, NE, 69 (vs. BUF): Unoriginal, uninspiring and, at the same time, easy money. The Patriots' signal-caller is back under center after missing 15-plus games in 2008, and he has a coterie of pass-catchers at his disposal. Plus, he's at home on Monday Night Football, and even though the Bills' pass defense was 13th in the league in 2008, they won't make anybody forget the 1985 Bears.
VALUE PICK
WR Chad Ochocinco, CIN, 28 (vs. DEN): For some reason, I feel weird typing "Ochocinco" instead of "Johnson," but that's the man's new last name. The Twitter Tiger is at home this weekend against a Broncos' secondary that's old. And we're talking close-to-Wilford-Brimley-old. Without T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Ochocinco likely will see tighter coverage, but he's got a chance this weekend against Denver to pick up some yardage and scores. Like Marion Barber below, Ochocinco is probably a dumb pick for the entire season, but in the Home Team Challenge, he could help you out big time in Week 1.
NOT WORTH IT
RB Matt Forte, CHI, 41 (@ GB): No thanks. It's pleasant this time of year at Lambeau Field. It's easier to pass, and the Packers' defense should be a bit stiffer with coordinator Dom Capers overseeing the switch to the 3-4 scheme. I think 41 points is a bit much for Forte this week, so hold off until the nastier weather comes in November and December.
SLEEPER SPECIAL
RB Marion Barber, DAL, 36 (vs. TB): 'The Barbarian' and the Cowboys open their season against a Bucs' defense that lacks the teeth it used to. For the span of a 16-game schedule, Barber's not your top choice at running back for fantasy players. But in Week 1, when he's as healthy as he'll be, against a lackluster defense, he's a safe bet.
TEXANS FANTASY STARTER OF THE WEEK
TE Owen Daniels, HOU, 20 (vs. NYJ): The Jets have pretty solid corners in Darrelle Revis and Lito Sheppard, as both have recent Pro Bowl experience. That helps against a guy like Andre Johnson, so look for Daniels to get loose underneath in the red zone with the extra attention paid to the league's leading receiver in 2008. Daniels caught just a pair of scores in 2008, so expect that number to rise this season. The ascent should start on Sunday at noon.
To register for the Home Team Challenge, click here. Make sure to set your lineups by Thursday, Sept. 10, at 6:30 pm.
