Manitoba dispatched New York, with the former banking what proved elusive in 2017: A win. They already have a third of last year's total. The Finest should not be ashamed in their effort by any means, but the bigger insult is injury: top receiver Doug Baldwin was injured before he could register a point, and a partially torn MCL leaves a murky timetable for return. Better than top safety Keanu Neal who is out for the season after tearing his ACL. Benched receiver Desean Jackson could have helped in week one (his 33.35 points were stranded on the bench) but is questionable for week two, along with defensive players Deion Jones, Trumaine Johnson, and Darqueze Dennard. Olivier Vernon was out week one, and may not be ready to return in week two, leaving the defense depleted against current points leader Mar-A-Lago.
Blowouts abound in week one, with five teams cruising to easy victories. For two of those squads this is familiar territory- Phoenix and HCM City competed for the title last year, and they've shaken off any residual hangover. The rest of the squads with big victories are turning it around after lost 2017's: South Park and Mar-A-Lago spit out bad tastes, while the Killa Beez move to quickly overwrite the moribund legacy of the Oakwood Drivers.
On the flip side: Binghamton, Pawnee, Deputy, Philadelphia, and Orgrimmar are reeling, hoping to reboot their season in week two and get even. Due to a quirk of scheduling, at least two teams that should be plausible; The Snipers and Rum Ham face off, while the Pride and Horde do battle. Meanwhile, the bottom feeding Van Halens get the defending champion Uprising in week two.
SCOREBOARD:
Week 1 Matchups
- MAL 249: The Grabbers ascend to the top spot on an all-around effort helmed by free agent pickup Phil Rivers and defensive captains Myles Jack and Quandre Diggs
- SPC 248: The Cows' deep roster was able to absorb a minimal showing from their top receiver Amari Cooper, who is coming off a very boom/bust 2017.
- HVM 235: The McFlys eke it out in the 4th thanks to a shrewd waiver claim of James Connor, who mitigates Le'Veon Bell's holdout in the early going.
- PHX 234: Despite a host of inactives on the bench, Phoenix took care of business thanks to superb secondary play from rookie Denzel Ward and entrenched captain Reshad Jones.
- SAV 232: The Petes will be holding their breath for a stat correction by Thursday, otherwise Kenny Stills' big day in support of a magnificent defense will be for naught.
- HCM 217: hWon despite some points left on the bench and six players under performing by more than 50%. Long WR group looks tough to manage after pair of Thomas' at the top.
- BKB 208: A new era puts the Beez in the drivers seat to do what Oakwood never could... win more than they lost. Huge days by Tyreek Hill, Von Miller, and Antonio Brown led the way.
- MMC 201: A win is a win, but a hotly contested victory is all the more satisfying. The Moosecrew will look to keep the train chugging despite the loss of Delanie Walker to IR.
- NYF 197: The Finest could still get a reversal (it happens every season!) but their mounting casualties are a concern; They'll need to address issues at WR and S regardless.
- BIN 184: The Snipers' defense really lulled besides a big day from Ronald Darby. TE Greg Olsen's injury already addressed by clever Jared Cook acquisition.
- ORG 182: Horde was hoping to return from half decade hibernation and win, but an early injury to Marquise Goodwin and a slow return from Rishard Matthews prevented it.
- RUM 172: Twas not to be in South Philly on this day, as only 6 players mustered double digits, and only Kamara's mammoth output made the final tally approach respectability.
- PAW 171: No Pride in this set of pass catchers, who had Jarvis Landry and almost nothing else for Patrick Mahomes to throw at. This is a very young team with 7 rookies and 4 sophomores.
- DVH 158: Yuck. Last year the team had its best season ever, winning 10 games and finishing in the top 7 in points 14 times. Having seven players score less than 2.5 points wasn't how.
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