Hello everyone. The voices behind this column and our podcasts are Ben Horwitz, Aaron Stalkfleet and Jacob Williamson. We are current seniors, and involved in various things (and sports) at City. Our shared love of football and aggressive competitiveness is what initially inspired this column. Each week we plan to put out a different fantasy football prediction/analysis for the next NFL week. We appreciate your support and will be competing to see who has the best analysis.

This week we are doing a Boom/Bust analysis. We randomly picked the players below for this week’s games, and we each got to predict whether we think they will go above(Boom) or below(Bust) their ESPN fantasy projections. We make picks based on matchups, personal opinions, and player projection. After the first week, we will be keeping track of our personal records of our predictions throughout the season. Each week, there will be a different type of analysis.

This week’s possible choices:

(All based on ESPN projections)

QB Lamar Jackson  22.0 pts 

QB Jameis Winston 15.0 pts    

RB Nick Chubb 15.3 pts

RB D’andre Swift 12.4 pts

WR Marquez Callaway 11.4 pts

WR Calvin Ridley 16.0 pts

TE George Kittle 14.3 pts

TE Noah Fant 9.1 pts

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Aaron’s Picks 

QB Jameis Winston 15.0 pts – BOOM

Jameis Winston was given the starting nod over Taysom Hill and he won’t disappoint in his first start in over two years. Look for a big showing from Jameis and over 15 points. 

RB Nick Chubb 15.3 pts – BUST

The Browns will certainly need Chubb’s legs vs the Chiefs in the first half. However, if the Browns want to stay competitive with the high-powered offense of the Chiefs, they will need Baker and co in the passing game to put up big numbers. Chubb barely misses the 15.3 mark. 

WR Calvin Ridley 16.0 pts – BOOM

With Julio Jones out of town, Calvin Ridley looks to make his veteran QB Matt Ryan happy as the number 1 receiving option. Look for Ridley to have a big game and post over the 16 mark against a rather underwhelming Eagles secondary. 

TE George Kittle 14.3 pts -BOOM

Kittle looks to start the season off right against a depleted Lions defense. Look for Kittle to start the season off the right way and exceed the 14.3 mark by a wide margin. 

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Jacob’s Picks

QB Jameis Winston 15.0 pts – BUST

First start for Winston since December 2019, who knows maybe we see a different Winston

than in years past, but as of right now it’s too risky to go Winston in this especially against the Packers who have one of the better corners in the league in Jaire Alexander and company on defense. 

RB D’andre Swift 12.4 pts – BUST

New coach,new system, it will be hard for swift to get off to a good start week one, especially when the 49ers defense is coming to town who is getting almost all of their injured players from last year including Nick Bosa.

WR Marquez Callaway 11.4 pts – BOOM

Winston has loved Callaway in Pre season and you should expect for Callaway to be one of the main targets for Winston in this week’s match up against the Packers.

TE George Kittle 14.3 pts – BOOM

One of the league’s best Tight ends is back and looks to have another great year under the offense and mastermind in Kyle Shanahan. Look for him to go off to start the year.

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Ben’s Picks

QB Lamar Jackson 22.0 pts – BOOM

Lamar Jackson is coming off a somewhat disappointing passing season but is poised for a high scoring game against a struggling Raiders defense. With offseason upgrades at receiver and his elite scrambling and rushing ability, I see the former MVP booming this week.

RB Nick Chubb 15.3 pts – BOOM

Being one of the most efficient running backs in the NFL, I expect Chubb to have a big week 1 against the Chiefs average run defense. In what looks to be a high scoring game with powerful offenses I think Chubb will have plenty of carries and score over his projection. 

WR Calvin Ridley 16.0 pts – BUST

Ridley being one of the most exciting fantasy players this year, I still have him under projection. Against an all around solid eagles defense, I think the falcons will struggle on offense and Ridley won’t see enough targets to surpass 16 points.

TE Noah Fant 9.1 pts – BOOM

Fant has all the right features to become an elite tight end, but in recent years injuries and bad quarterback play has kept him away. Coming off a healthy offseason and on an offense with plenty of young talent I see him having a big week against the Giants. More importantly, Teddy Bridgewater might not be flashy at QB but he is an accurate passer, something Fant has never seen in his time as a Bronco.