Tonight's contest between the Ravens and Steelers is filled with "what if's":
- What if Michael Vick--who's had only one season with a 60% completion rate, and whose turnover issues and 35-year-old legs make him a greater liability than ever before--gives us a glimpse of greatness we haven't seen in years?
-- What if Le'Veon Bell--lacking complementary aerial support--is stymied by a solid Ravens run D whose primary aim is to keep fantasy's #1 RB contained?
-- What if Vick has trouble getting Antonio Brown the ball? Vick completed only 24% of passes beyond 10 yards last season. By comparison, this year Big Ben's completed 69% of passes beyond 10 yards.
-- On the other side of the ball, what if Steve Smith, Sr. continues his torrid pace? We saw great production from him early last year before he faded in the second half.
-- What if Justin Forsett has another ineffective outing? If he can't get going, it'll be only a matter of time before Baltimore shakes up its running game.
-- What if Maxx Williams asserts himself as Joe Flacco's #2 target going forward? Williams has more upside than Crockett Gilmore, and like Greg Olsen in Carolina last year, playing second fiddle to a clear-cut #1 WR has its fantasy advantages.
The beauty of Thursday Night Football is that (a) it gives us something to do Thursday night, and (b) it gives us an opportunity to capitalize on its results by assessing shifting values today and for the rest of the season.
- What if Michael Vick--who's had only one season with a 60% completion rate, and whose turnover issues and 35-year-old legs make him a greater liability than ever before--gives us a glimpse of greatness we haven't seen in years?
-- What if Le'Veon Bell--lacking complementary aerial support--is stymied by a solid Ravens run D whose primary aim is to keep fantasy's #1 RB contained?
-- What if Vick has trouble getting Antonio Brown the ball? Vick completed only 24% of passes beyond 10 yards last season. By comparison, this year Big Ben's completed 69% of passes beyond 10 yards.
-- On the other side of the ball, what if Steve Smith, Sr. continues his torrid pace? We saw great production from him early last year before he faded in the second half.
-- What if Justin Forsett has another ineffective outing? If he can't get going, it'll be only a matter of time before Baltimore shakes up its running game.
-- What if Maxx Williams asserts himself as Joe Flacco's #2 target going forward? Williams has more upside than Crockett Gilmore, and like Greg Olsen in Carolina last year, playing second fiddle to a clear-cut #1 WR has its fantasy advantages.
The beauty of Thursday Night Football is that (a) it gives us something to do Thursday night, and (b) it gives us an opportunity to capitalize on its results by assessing shifting values today and for the rest of the season.