Fanrun Fantasy Scoreboard: Week 1

By Tucker Harlin

Week 1 was a pretty terrible introduction to fantasy football in 2024 and really the NFL in general.

The prime time games delivered, so that was at least nice. But the Sunday afternoon slate wasn’t the most enticing in Week 1.

Overall, there were a handful of good fantasy weeks in the Fanrun Fantasy Football Fight, but there were also several teams that couldn’t stay away from disaster class performances.

Essentially, the only close games were ugly ones.

TUCKER HARLIN 156.58 vs HOUSTON KRESS 121.44

Houston had one of those weeks where he would’ve whooped up on the rest of the league if he didn’t play the highest scorer of the week.

I won big at quarterback with Josh Allen scoring 31.18, but Houston had the edge at running back.

Breece Hall was good enough for me, but Derrick Henry’s 10.6 was a little less than I was expecting this week. Joe Mixon scored 26.8 for the Rumor Mill.

Both of us had a pretty big letdown with our top receivers, but 4.3 for what’s a consensus first round pick in Amon-Ra St. Brown is pretty bad.

Thankfully for me, Stefon Diggs scored some touchdowns to finish right at 21.9 because Michael Pittman Jr. only scored 7.1 in a game where the Colts probably should’ve given him more looks.

It was a pretty even match at tight end as I only had one more point than Houston there. However, if we knew Isaiah Likely would be the preferred option at tight end over Mark Andrews in Baltimore, the Vol Rumor Mill could’ve cashed in there.

Both of our flexes had solid weeks, but Aaron Jones had a bit more of a favorable than Devonta Smith.

Both of our defenses were blessed with good matchups, but Houston edged me out by scoring 21 with the Vikings defense, who played the hapless New York Giants.

I’m so glad I drafted Brandon Aubrey at kicker. If the Cowboys hadn’t taken the delay of game, he’d have given me 27 points instead of 21.

My bench had more strong performances than the Rumor Mill’s, but I think Chris Godwin is the only one I could start soon. Jayden Reed’s 33.1 was nice, but I just can’t start him with Malik Willis throwing the ball.

MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES 103.86 vs JACE BROWN 98.52

This was an ugly one.

Quarterback scores were solid on both sides, but Lamar Jackson had 25.12 for Jace while Issues scored 18.66 with C.J. Stroud.

RB2s were letdowns on both sides, but Najee Harris’ 8.9 was less of a letdown than D’Andre Swift’s 5.

The receivers were even less exciting than the running backs. Jace edged out More Important Issues here because George Pickens and Ja’Marr Chase had middling weeks while Chris Olave hung a stinker of a 3.1 on the other side.

Both Issues and Jace had solid tight end picks in the draft, but George Kittle edged out Travis Kelce by an unimpressive 8-6.4 margin.

Jace won the flex battle in ugly fashion as Raheem Mostert edged out Chuba Hubbard 3.9-1.4.

Defense and kicker weren’t ugly like the previous three position, but they were areas More Important Issues took advantage of. Issues won 30-15 here because the Steelers defense did what the Steelers defense does and Kai’mi Fairbairn scored a nice 17.

On the bench, J.K. Dobbins, Brandin Cooks, and even Keon Coleman outscored starters for Issues, but those probably won’t be start worthy players most weeks.

Jordan Love was the only bench player Jace had that didn’t outscore a starter at their position, but I’m sure Travis Kelce and Ja’Marr Chase will pick it up soon. Although, I do wonder how much gas Raheem Mostert has left in the tank.

RYAN BROWN 91.78 vs SAM BEARD 139.12

Ryan wasn’t projected to win, but he got absolutely screwed on Monday Night Football

The quarterbacks were alright. Sam’s 18.62 out of Tua is something close to average, but Jared Goff’s 11.38 is a number Ryan would like see improve.

Running back play through Sunday afternoon was good as Tony Pollard was the lowest scorer of the three with 18.4. But news broke that Christian McCaffrey would be out just an hour before the game, destroying any levels of hope management had.

Sam won decisively at wide receiver with Justin Jefferson scoring a fairly average 15.9 and Mike Evans scoring 23.1, better than most receivers this week. Management’s high scorer was Davante Adams at 10.9 and Keenan Allen had a disappointing 6.9.

Ryan won at tight end, but the 2.1 Dalton Kincaid gave Sam didn’t do much to challenge management.

Flexes were in a battle of lower level mediocrity. Sam won there as D.J. Moore came out on top of Courtland Sutton 10-7.8.

Sam also won emphatically on defense. Ryan had a nice matchup with the Seahawks playing the Broncos, but the two touchdowns, two interceptions, and fumble recovery the Bears had against the Titans scored Sam 26.

Ryan won at kicker, but for basically the same reason he won at tight end. Daniel Carlson only scored 3 for Sam, missing one of his two field goal attempts.

Ryan had nothing going on his bench. Adam Thielen outperformed Keenan Allen, but that’s not a guy I would consider starting in any league.

Rashid Shaheed, Brian Thomas, and Jameson Williams all outperformed some of Sam’s starters, but other than D.J. Moore I wouldn’t consider starting those guys most weeks.

TIM HILL 91.84 vs WILLIAM PATTESON 88.38

Another ugly matchup.

The quarterbacks weren’t very productive in this one as Tim edged Bill out 15.14-11.28 with Patrick Mahomes.

Bill outperformed Peaches by a long shot at running back. Kenneth Walker had a nice 18.9, but the biggest surprise was Rhamondre Stevenson’s 21.6.

What wasn’t so nice for Overtime Bill was the play of his wideouts. First overall pick of the 2024 Fanrun Fantasy draft CeeDee Lamb only scored 13.6 while Drake London was held to 3.5. Deebo Samuel’s 18.7 picked up Tank Dell’s slack for Tim.

Tight end was the ugliest of ugly advantages for Tim as Tyler Conklin outscored Evan Engram 1.6-1.5

Flex was an easy win for Tim as James Conner outscored Christian Kirk 19.3-4.

Bill had the edge in kicking and defense, both the 49ers defense and Cam Little scoring him 7 points.

Xavier Worthy was the only bench player that may have proven himself a starter this week, a good sign for Tim. Zeke did play better than Christian Kirk for William, but I’m not sure the washed version of Zeke warrants starting.

BOB BASKERVILLE 83.02 vs CODY MCCLURE 111.02

Another stinker.

Cody had the edge at quarterback as Bob was treated to a brutal 7.22 in Caleb Williams’ NFL debut.

The former varsity athlete also had a heavy advantage at running back as Javonte Williams posted a sad 3.3 for Bob. Travis Etienne finished with 11.9 for Cody, and Rachaad White was the high scorer at RB2 with 16.6.

The receiver production was comparable with Bob hold a 40-37.6 advantage over Cody. A.J. Brown scored 22.9 on Friday, and Rashee Rice was a nice find with his 17.3 in the Chiefs’ win Thursday. Tyreek Hill did Tyreek Hill things for Cody, but I could’ve told you Malik Nabers on the Giants would be a letdown.

Bob also won the matchup at tight end, but 8.5 out of Sam LaPorta is far below what he’s capable of doing.

Cody won at flex with Calvin Ridley’s 8 points. Marvin Harrison Jr. only had one catch for four yards in is NFL debut, another rookie that didn’t help Bob.

The defenses ended in an unimpressive 4-4 draw, and Cody doubled up Bob at kicker with “Dicker the Kicker’s” 12 points.

Both benches showed some possibilities for different options at flex this season.

For Bob, Zack Moss, Brian Robinson, and Khalil Shakir all outplayed Marvin Harrison Jr. and Javonte Williams.

Ladd McConkey, Jerome Ford, and David Montgomery all had promising performances from Cody. When Nick Chubb returns, Ford’s usage will go down, but Montgomery and McConkey are strong options.

RUSSELL SMITH 134.78 vs JON REED 81.58

This one was the biggest beatdown of the weekend.

Receiver, flex, and tight end were the only areas Russell didn’t dominate.

Jon held a 16.8-14.1 advantage at receiver, and that probably isn’t the case if Puka Nacua doesn’t leave with an injury. Jon also won big at flex with Cooper Kupp’s 32 point outing, a player that should only see better performances with Nacua out for a few weeks.

Both drafted well at tight end, but Trey McBride won Russell the matchup by a disappointing 8-3.4 margin.

He outscored Jon 46.5-11.2 at running back. Saquon Barkley scored 33.3 while Jon’s top RB output was Tyjae Spears with 7.2.

The Cowboys’ dominant defensive showing in Cleveland scored Russell 19 to Jon’s -2 from the Chiefs.

The victories for Russell at kicker and tight end weren’t as dominant, but they were important nonetheless.

Jayden Daniels was the only bench player that did enough to prove he could start in this game for Jon. He almost doubled Kyler Murray’s 14.18 in his NFL debut, although I’m sure Kyler’s best is yet to come.