Predictions Go Here - Week 1 (San Fran at Green Bay)

Brian:

I'm of the mindset that the Packers are going to be really pissed off this game based on how their season of high expectations to repeat ended and will come out of the gates hot in the season opener at home. I showed you the numbers of good/great QBs against us last year - I think Rodgers puts up 300-350 w/ about 3 TDs. I really want the Niners to start the season with a win like they did last year, but I'm just not feeling it. I hope I'm wrong though, but I'm writing this one from the gut. I want to see Alex Smith get better in the red zone. For this game, I see his struggles continuing over from last year.

Packers 31-16

Fantasy Outlook:

Fantasy Stud: David Akers - Last year, Akers led the league with 44 field goals on 52 attempts, thanks in large part to an anemic red zone offense. The next closest totals by any teams in field goals made was 33, attempts was 44 - a half field goal made/attempt than the second place team in each category. This is a category that needs improvement this year (i.e. needs to get lower - MORE TDS!) if the Niners are going to make a legitimate Super Bowl run. There are more high scoring teams on our schedule this season, so there's no room for trading touchdowns for field goals this year. For Week 1, I see Akers kicking 3 field goals.

Fantasy Dud: San Francisco D - If you're in a league that has yards as a category, benching the Niners D wouldn't be a bad play for one week. Even regular leagues with just points allowed, it might not be a bad move to see if Buffalo, NY Jets or Seattle D is available. While the Niners were world beaters against the run last year, they allowed 300+ yards to many of the good/great QBs last year. Rodgers is as elite as they come, and to expect anything less than 300 yards from him is hard to come by as a thought. They should be able to stop Benson/Starks/Green on the ground, but Rodgers is another monster all together.