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 pick the players below for this week’s games, and we each get to predict whether we think they will go above (Boom) or below (Bust) their ESPN fantasy projections. We each pick two players from each position group. We make picks based on matchups, personal opinion, and player projection. After the first week, we will be keeping track of our personal records of our predictions throughout the season. 

OUR RECORDS THROUGH 4 WEEKS

Ben: 18-9

Aaron: 13-14

Jacob: 12-14

This weeks (5) possible choices:

(All based on ESPN projections)

QB Kirk Cousins 19.6 pts

QB Trey Lance 18.6 pts

QB Derek Carr 17.5 pts

QB Matt Ryan 16.7 pts

RB Chase Edmonds 16.3 pts

RB Kareem Hunt 13.2 pts

RB Ezekiel Elliott 18.0 pts

RB Cordarelle Patterson 13.1 pts

WR Deebo Samuel 17.1 pts

WR Terry Mclaurin 16.6 pts

WR Chris Godwin 14.8 pts

WR Marquise Brown 12.9 pts

TE Dawson Knox 9.7pts

TE Travis Kelce 17.6 pts

TE Jared Cook 8.4 pts

TE Maxx Williams 7.2 pts

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Aaron’s Picks week 5

(Total Record 13-14)

A 4-4 outing this past week. Overall, a good performance by me. Unfortunate results with Evans scoring 0.2 more than his projection and Jonnu Smith scoring 1.3 more than his projection. Those go in my favor and it’s a 6-2 record.  

QB Kirk Cousins 19.6 pts – BOOM

In 3 of his 4 starts, Cousins has gone over his total that he is projected for this week. Overall, Kirk has been very manageable this season. I expect him to go over his total this week in a favorable matchup vs the Detroit Lions. The trend this year, for the most part, is for QBs to boom their projections. Well see if Kirk continues that trend this week. 

QB Matt Ryan 16.7 pts – BOOM

Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons are headed to London for a showdown with the Jets. I think this week is the perfect opportunity for Ryan and the Atlanta Offense to get going and I expect a good showing from Ryan. He booms. There is nothing overly complex with this analysis. 

RB Ezekiel Elliott 18.0 pts – BUST

Elliott has started the year nicely. This week, it isn’t so much about him and more about the other weapons on his team. I think the Cowboys find more success passing the ball this week and that is where I think the emphasis on offense is this week. Elliott busts, but this is a lower confidence selection. We will see how it goes.  

RB Chase Edmonds 16.3 pts – BUST

Like with the Elliott projection, I think Edmonds busts. It’s interesting because he has also had a nice year. However, the same thinking is shared as I think the emphasis of the Cardinals Offense against the 49ers this week is passing the ball. Like with the Elliott projection, we will see.

WR Chris Godwin 14.8 pts – BUST

The same thinking with Buccaneer receivers continues with Godwin this week. I am not high in any given week of any one Bucs WR booming. Godwin busts his projection this week against the Dolphins in an otherwise favorable matchup.  

WR Marquise Brown 12.9 pts – BOOM

Unlike Godwin, I love Marquise Brown this week. He has scored more points than his projection for this week in 3 of his 4 games to begin the year. Although the Colts aren’t the most favorable of matchups, 12.9 seems low considering his production to start the year. Brown booms against the Colts. 

TE Travis Kelce 17.6 pts – BOOM

I think Kelce’s 17.6 point projection for this week is a daunting task against a Buffalo Defense that’s rostered in almost 92% of fantasy leagues. However, I like him to bounce back after having a poor performance for his standard against the Eagles. Part of me believes that Kelce is going to be open more than usual due to the Bills Defense double covering Tyreek Hill after his 50 point fantasy performance last week. This should open up Kelce in the passing game. This analysis is weaker than I am used to, but for now, expect Kelce to have a big game and expect him to boom in a selection that isn’t exactly of high confidence.

TE Jared Cook 8.4 pts – BOOM
The selection of Jared Cook booming is more straightforward. In a MNF win over the Raiders last week, Justin Herbert found Cook as one of his favorite receivers. Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, Herbert’s other two favorite receiving options were shut down for the most part in that game. I think a combination of that and Cook’s natural low projection are why he booms, barely. 

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Jacob’s Picks week 5

(Total Record 12-14)

A 5-3 outing for me last week. Best performance for me so far this year. Lots of players to choose from this week that have major upside potential. Excited to see how this week turns out.

QB Derek Carr 17.5 pts – BOOM 

Carr is having the best year of his career so far, the MVP front runner has led the raiders to a 3-1 start and they are showing no signs of slowing down. Expect Carr to have another great week offensively against a suspect Bears defense.

QB Trey Lance 18.6 pts – BOOM 

The rookie QB got his first start Sunday against the 4-0 Cardinals. Now I know what you’re thinking, a rookie QB’s first start is against the only team in the league that is undefeated. But I just have this feeling that Shanahan (one of the best offensive minds in the league) has a great game plan to use the incredibly talented rookie.

RB Ezekiel Elliott 18.0 pts – BUST 

Elliott has been interesting to say the least this year for the Cowboys, the star running back hasn’t necessarily been used as much as fantasy owners would like and has been fairly inconsistent. With how poorly the giants defense is you should expect the Cowboys to have an air raid attack against the giants.

RB Cordarelle Patterson 13.1 pts – BOOM 

Patterson has been a workhorse for the falcons. The man has more touchdowns through the air than the ground. He is definitely going to be a factor against a rebuilding Jets team. Having scored 43 points last week and is ranked 2nd in fantasy so far this year in points, expect Patterson to have yet again another big game. 

WR Deebo Samuel 17.1 pts – BOOM 

 It will be interesting to see how the connection between Lance and Samuel develops. But until Samuel stops being so consistent on offense he is an automatic boom for me and anyone who has him on your team. Having scored 30 + points in 2 out of 4 weeks he is definitely a player to watch out for on this 49ers offense going forward.

WR Terry Mclaurin 16.6 pts – BUST

Although Mclaurin has been consistent to start the season for Washington, they play one of the best secondaries in all the NFL this week in the Saints. Expect for Washington as a whole having a tough time trying to score against this tout Saints D.

TE Travis Kelce 17.6 pts – BOOM 

Kelce had a down week to say the least last week only scoring 6 points. But he is the number one tight end for a reason. Before last week he was averaging 18 points per game, expect him to get back to his usual role this week on offense going up against the Bills in what should be a high scoring game. 

TE Dawson Knox 9.7pts – BOOM 

Knox has been one of Allen’s favorite red zone targets this year with catching 4 tds in the past three games, expect him to continue to be a factor this week against a notoriously bad Chiefs defense.

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Ben’s Picks week 5

(Total Record 18-9)

After crashing and burning last week, we are back to normal. Went 7-1 on the predictions, just getting Stafford and Evans right. Gives me a comfortable best record between the three of us, with the two of them sitting right around even. This week is another interesting group to pick from, let’s get into it.

QB Kirk Cousins 19.6 pts – BOOM

Kirk Cousins is quietly having a great season. He has reached 20 points in ¾ of games this season, with his only quiet game coming in a low scoring defensive battle vs. Cleveland last weekend. And to top it all off, he gets to play the Lions at home this week. I will be surprised if he doesn’t at least get close to his projection, if not surpassing it comfortably. Look for big games from both Vikings WRs Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielin. 

QB Trey Lance 18.6 pts – BOOM

This is the week for bold predictions, and Lance is a dice roll. Rookie quarterback gets his first real start as Jimmy G is on the injury list this week. He surpassed 20 points in the second half alone after filling in against the Seahawks last Sunday, and I see no reason for him not to get the same production this week. The 49ers play the only 4-0 team in the Arizona Cardinals, but Lance will get plenty of opportunities. Being a threat in the run and pass game, offensive mastermind and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will be sure to have a great game plan, against a team where defense is not the reason for recent success. 

RB Kareem Hunt 13.2 pts – BOOM

This is tough. Kareem Hunt is a huge part of the Browns offense, with his role in the RB tandem of him and Nick Chubb. He has been great in fantasy thus far, beating his projection in ¾ weeks, but I have him continuing that this week. The Chargers have been a solid run defense so far this season, and to keep up with their offense I think Cleveland will be forced to throw the ball downfield more than usual, which means Hunt will hopefully get a handful of receptions, which is what makes him so valuable in fantasy football. He is also seeing the majority of red zone snaps which makes him a more likely red zone target than Chubb, who is the main rusher.

RB Ezekiel Elliott 18.0 pts – BUST

Zeke has been making doubters eat their words with his recent performances, but this weekend I expect huge passing success for Dallas. Both WRs Ceedee Lamb and Amari Cooper have been quiet since week 1, But I see them both having big games on their way to a thumping victory against a lackluster New York Giants team. Zeke will no question still get yardage, but maybe not as much as usual and we see the Cowboys show off what could be a great passing attack.

WR Terry Mclaurin 16.6 pts – BUST

Mclaurin had a crazy game against the falcons weak defense last weekend, but don’t expect that from him this week. He has a tough matchup against the Saints strong secondary, and I think this will be a defensive battle. I don’t trust Heinicke at QB for Washington, especially with star CB Marshon Lattimore who has a knack for shutting down big players tailing him all game long. Don’t bet on Mclaurin to be a game winner.

WR Chris Godwin 14.8 pts – BOOM

Last week I bet on a Bucs WR, and I’m doing it again. Godwin had a down week against the patriots, but is generally a reliable option. Brady and the Bucs are at home against a struggling Miami team who are letting teams put up big scores. Being the #2 WR on the team, he will likely have a favorable cornerback matchup, so I see him grabbing a TD and decent yardage on his way to Boom and pass his projection.

TE Maxx Williams 7.2 pts – BUST

Maxx Williams is a toss-up every week, so I have to have the under. I can’t say with confidence that he will have a big game or a favorable game matchup, as he is such an unreliable player. I can say that Kyler Murray will perform and most likely keep up his MVP form, but with Williams it is hard to predict. They play a decent 49ers defense that may keep him quiet like he was in week 3.

TE Dawson Knox 9.7 pts – BOOM

Again, it is always hard to predict lower end TEs, but one thing I can predict is Kansas City’s defense. They are probably the worst in the league, if I’m feeling generous in the bottom 5. They have given up points in every position to practically every player all year, and I think Knox will have another big game on Sunday night. In what looks to be a high scoring game, put Knox in lineups with confidence.