Volume One

We are done with five fantasy drafts and it’s time for actual NFL games now! As mentioned in my fantasy football rankings, I am blessed to be the Commish for the League of Lakers. I am also the current defending champion in my Rutgers league which consists of 12 former Rutgers student equipment managers. Fantasy football is the best because the league keeps the friendships prolonged and keeps us in touch. I also split a league with my lovely Fiancé. This is a free family league consisting of 10 brothers, sisters, and cousins. That league definitely has some interesting picks, and last year’s champ auto drafted and she didn’t set her lineup alllllll year. Her team got hot for the final three weeks and that’s all that matters in this game we all obsess with. I actually took last place in that league … as we drafted underperformers in Deebo Samuel, Javonte Williams, Kyle Pitts, Lamar Jackson, Gabe Davis, JK Dobbins, and Trey Lance. I owe it to her to rebound this year! Lastly, I split two teams with my dad, the “big Butch Kowals league” and the “little Butch Kowals league.” This is so fun, and at times frustrating. Both my dad and I are so opinionated and we rarely come to an agreement in fantasy. We get our lineups set and watch the games together at the bar. Fantasy Football is such a fun social activity. Whether it’s working with a co-owner, or all the banter in a league group chat, I just can’t get enough of it. But, for now, the Korner is based on games and not props/DFS, so let’s get into it!

After going 0-1 in the college Korner picks, and not having the strongest weekend outside of that, I want to reevaluate my college process. I am not loving the board, and I am one who tends to overreact to week 1. I will still give the Rutgers breakdown (which I thought Northwestern would cover but the Knights smacked them boys up)! I’ll also be starting light in the NFL with just one game as week 1 is always full of surprises and there isn’t much data to go off of.

Recap
UTSA pk at Houston – Miss. Houston 17 UTSA 14
Season Record 0-1
NFL 0-0
NCAAF 0-1

Rutgers -9 vs Temple
This line says a lot about what Vegas thinks about Temple’s turnaround. Temple has gone 3-9 the last two years, and last year, at Temple, Rutgers was an 18 point favorite. Now, in year two for Temple coach Stan Drayton, they are just a 9 point underdog going to Rutgers. I was thoroughly impressed with Rutgers last weekend against Northwestern, especially with the first half. Rutgers opened up with two 15 play 75 yard drives that resulted in touchdowns. The mix between passing and rushing made them feel balanced, and Gavin Wimsatt protected the ball. Temple will constantly blitz Rutgers so we’ll need our athletes to be quick in their breaks. Rutgers will always want to run the ball, but if Temple will rush 6 or 7 constantly, then it might be best to work the quick passing game. The addition of OC Kirk Ciarrocca has given me the confidence that Rutgers knows what they are doing on offense. They might lack production at times, but this guy knows ball, and he’ll counter Temple’s blitzes somehow.
Where Rutgers should excel this weekend is on defense. Temple will try to air it out. Max Melton is one of the premiere corners in all of college and already has one interception this season. I expect the defense to find another interception, as pass rushers Aaron Lewis and Kenny Fletcher should make EJ Warner get rid of the ball quickly. If Gavin Wimsatt can have another turnoverless game, and the defense plays like their normal selves, I can see this one being similar to the Northwestern game. Rutgers was conservative in their play calling, and aggressive on fourth downs. They moved the chains, picking up four yards a play, and with the size advantage they have to find a way to keep picking up those yards on third and short. This is a big game for Temple, as the AAC local team goes up to their neighbor rival in Big Ten Country so Rutgers will have to match their feistiness. That’s one thing I know Schiano can do, and these boys will come to play.
Rutgers 28 Temple 14

Saints -3 vs Titans
Big picture, I believe the Saints have the makeup and the schedule to challenge for the NFC #1 seed. They’ll start their campaign versus the Tennessee Titans who started 7-3 and then lost their final seven. When talking about the Titans, the first thing many people think of is Derrick “King” Henry, and rightfully so as he is destined for the Hall of Fame. The Titans offensive line is in a transition and I’m not even sure if Henry could make them look good. Three of their starting lineman were backups last year, including both tackles. They did take Peter Skoronski in the first round to be their left guard which is a building block. The only returning member is center Aaron Brewer who’s been a swing guy himself, playing guard and center for the Titans and only being a starter one of his first three years. Overall, many analysts rank the Titans in the bottom three of offensive line rankings.
Last year the Saints defense wasn’t up to par so for this season they changed defensive coordinators and hired a new defensive line coach. They also spent their first and second round picks on defensive lineman and signed two defensive tackles in the offseason. Head Coach Dennis Allen is a defensive guy and is looking for a retool instead of a rebuild here. A point of attack for me is the new Saints defensive line versus the bad Titans offensive line. I do not think King Henry will be able to run wild. I also think this will greatly hurt the Titans pass game. None of the Titans top three receiving weapons are 4.40 40 yard guys, they are bigger receivers like the aging Deandre Hopkins. Even though it’s just tenths of a second speed wise, these big bodied Titans receivers will be rushed in their breaks as the Saints defensive line should speed up Tannehill’s reads. I believe this Saints defense will match up perfectly against the Titans and limit their scoring.
The potential for the Saints offense is why I am so high on them this year. Derek Carr is deadly accurate and in my opinion the most underrated quarterback in the league. Last year he was stuck with the worst coach in the NFL in Josh McDaniels, but before that Carr was completing close to 69% (nice) over a four year stretch. The accuracy of Carr fits perfectly for the indoor New Orleans Saints, and he shouldn’t have a hard time finding open receivers as the Titans gave up the most passing yards last season. Michael Thomas is finally healthy, and Chris Olave is a budding star, and Juwan Johnson is a touchdown machine at tight end. Just get the ball in the playmakers hands and let them march down the field. The Titans have All-Pro Jeffery Simmons on the defensive line, but outside of him they do not create too much pressure on the edge. Neutralizing the tackle will be a hard task, but if they do I expect Carr to have a 70% completion percentage game and to lead the Saints on multiple touchdown drives. All in all, I see the Saints coming out on top for week 1.
Saints 24 Titans 14

Thank you,
Goose