Friday morning comes. You look at the box score of the Saints/Packers game and get excited that Aaron Rodgers passed for three touchdowns, or Mark Ingram rushed for 75 yards and a score. They were a couple of your prized picks in your draft.
One problem: You forgot to start them because they played Thursday night instead of the usual Sunday afternoon.
I know it sounds ridiculous. How can people forget about the first game of the new season?!? With everything that is going on in our everyday lives, including bills, kids, maybe school, it's easy to forget and have a brain fart that you forgot to set your studs for the early game. It happens every year.
That's why I'm here as a reminder. There is nothing like watching an earlier-than-Sunday game and realizing you forgot to enter that game's players into the starting lineups.
Below are a couple of the storylines that I will be keeping an eye on as the game goes on.
Running Back Committees(?)
Both teams have two starting-quality running backs. For the Packers, last year's early starter Ryan Grant will look to keep James Starks on the bench as much as possible. Will it happen? At this point, it's looking doubtful. According to OC Joe Philbin and RBs coach Jerry Fontenot, the team would like to give Grant and Starks an equal amount of rushing attempts. Don't expect either player to put up RB2 stats. Not unless one of them breaks a tackle and scores.
On the flipside, Saints rookie Mark Ingram will look to make a name for himself early. But Pierre Thomas will stand in his way, at least for this week's game. Ingram has the most upside of the two and should eventually be the guy in the backfield. But as of Week One, both guys have value. Thomas being the flex option with Ingram being the better low-end RB2.
Will Marques Colston's knees hold up?
Colston had early knee problems during training camp after undergoing surgeries over the offseason. When healthy, he is easily a top-10 fantasy receiver and a big target in the endzone. The biggest issue is if he will be able to play the entire game without suffering swelling. Owners have no choice but to start Colston and cross their fingers if their other options aren't any better.
Can Jordy Nelson be the next Wes Welker?
Nelson blew up in the Super Bowl with 140 yards and a touchdown on nine catches. He will look to take that momentum into Thursday night's game. Aaron Rodgers has many weapons to throw to, so the big question will be how the chemistry is between he and Nelson right out of the gate. In PPR leagues, Nelson is definitely worth a flex option. I expect big things from him this year.