East Coast Offense: What Can We Take from Week 1?

This article is part of our East Coast Offense series.

Barring a significant injury like Keenan Allen's torn ACL, the answer is not very.

Here are the top-10 in passing, rushing and receiving leaders from Week 1 of 2015:

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

For Week 1 showings in 2014, click here. For prior years, click here.

Already A Bad Hire

As a Giants fan, I'm already aghast at new head coach Ben McAdoo's decision making. He nearly gifted the Cowboys an opening week win for the second straight year, punting up one point on 4th-and-1 from the Cowboys 37 with 1:12 left and Dallas having no timeouts and an all-world field goal kicker. The punt sailed through the end zone for a touchback, netting the Giants a meager 17 yards of field possession in exchange for a ~75-percent chance at locking up the win with a one-yard gain. The only reason this isn't a huge story is Terrance Williams returned the gift by not running out of bounds with nine seconds left at the Giants 40, already at the edge of Dan Bailey's range.

McAdoo's failure to grasp basic NFL strategy extended also to his play calling with 24 runs and 28 passes, only eight of which went toward Odell Beckham who torched a hobbled Orlando Scandrick on one of his two downfield targets.

The Giants have called the run-heaviest game in the league so far in Week 1. Pass% 9.5% below* expected once game flow is factored in.

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) September 12, 2016

Moreover, after a sequence of runs, McAdoo turned to the pass at 1st-and-goal from the three-yard line on first and second downs. Not only was he utterly predictably running on first down the entire game, the one time where the run is optimal (short-yardage on first down near the goal line), he passed! The Giants look like a decent team this year, but their coach is an albatross.

Heading into Week 2, you'd ordinarily love the passing game matchup against the Saints who are down to undrafted free agents at cornerback, but I'd expect Rashad Jennings to be a big beneficiary, and Odell Beckham to have a modest 7-120-1 line rather than the 11-220-3 one he could so easily achieve if they'd just throw him the ball. As a Beckham owner, I'm hoping to be proven wrong.

Freedom from DFS

Living in Berlin, I can't play DFS - the sites won't allow me even to see the salaries. While there's a 100 percent chance I'd be playing if I could, I feel as though Week 1 was more enjoyable without it. I have seven season-long leagues which I drafted, plus seven best-ball leagues, and three other leagues I co-drafted, plus four survivor pools, two pick 'em pools and of course my rooting interest in the Giants. In other words, I have plenty of action on all the NFL games and plenty of players for whom to root without adding 200 more random ones who happen to be in my DFS lineups, many of whom I'm probably going against in season-long.

Moreover, I'm not in the last-second scratch hell for 50 daily lineups across different platforms as well as my season-long leagues. Last year, I missed a few season-long moves because I was so caught up in re-working my DFS ones. Finally, when Chris Ivory was scratched, and T.J. Yeldon was slated to see a big workload, I didn't have to scramble to get Yeldon in some of my DFS lineups in case he went off. Basically, I used to think the more action I had the better, but the truth is last year was overkill with so much DFS in addtion to my regular load.

That said, if I could play I would - obviously.

How to Win Life-Changing Money for a Small Investment in DFS

Last week on the SXM show, we asked DFS expert Davis Mattek, "How does one win life-changing money from a small investment?" Because honestly, that's the only advice in which I'm really interested (were I still able to play.) Some people might want to grind out an extra $200 a week to supplement their paychecks, and that's all well and good, but I'm not in it for that. I just want to win $15K or more and buy something with it, and I don't want to risk a lot to do so. He answered, stack a QB and his two best receivers, pay up for two running backs and use a TE in the flex (if the site requires one.)

While cheap RBs with big projected workloads, e.g., Spencer Ware and Yeldon, are always easy to find, everyone's going to own those guys and spend up at WR. That's the optimal strategy to score the most points. But in order to win life-changing money, you can't be doing what everyone else is doing. Because in that case you have to get everything perfect, and the odds of that are too remote. Because the pricey RBs are bad values relative to the cheap ones with clear opportunities, they'll be less owned. I think I'd even target ones with subpar to mediocre matchups too - like Todd Gurley at Seattle or Doug Martin at Arizona. If they happen to have big games, you have a huge leg up on the field. Most of the time, this kind of lineup will not only not win, but finish in the bottom third of all entries. But on the rare occasion it hits, it has the potential to hit big.

Of course, advice is cheap when you have no skin in the game, as I still can't actually play.

Week 1 Observations

• It's amazing the Pats were able to go into Arizona without their two best players and win the game. Of course, they cheated again with Tom Brady who was supposed to be suspended wearing Jimmy Garoppolo's jersey and managing 8.0 YPA and no interceptions on the road against a tough pass defense. The Pats defense was also stout, bottling up David Johnson except for one long run (15 for 44 otherwise.) The Patriots spread the ball around too much for anyone to benefit, and this was without Rob Gronkowski. Julian Edelman's PPR day was salvaged only because he caught all seven of his targets, and Chris Hogan's because he caught a long TD. James White's 5-for-40 wasn't worth much, given he saw only one carry.

•Larry Fitzgerald (8-81-2) isn't ready for assisted living just yet, and Michael Floyd saw seven targets, including some down the field. John Brown was an afterthought, but he'll have his games against weaker secondaries. Carson Palmer after a bad playoffs and shaky preseason looked more or less fine.

• The Giants offensive line held up pretty well and was able to open holes for Rashad Jennings in the fourth quarter. Keep in mind the Cowboys' top two pass rushers were suspended, and they weren't a great defense to begin with.

• The Giants failed to record a sack, but held Dak Prescott to 5.0 YPA and Ezekiel Elliott to 2.6 YPC. This was a solid performance against the league's best offensive line.

•Alfred Morris (7-for-35) actually looked like the more decisive and effective runner.

• Prescott was Mr. Dink and Dunk with 14 targets to Jason Witten and 12 to Cole Beasley. No wonder he had only 5.0 YPA. Dez Bryant had only one catch for eight yards, though he nearly hauled in a long touchdown that was overturned.

• Having the Seahawks in Survivor was fun.

• You could argue Seattle was a bad pick, based on how narrowly they escaped, but you could also argue you pick the team for which everything can go wrong (their mobile QB hobbled by a sprained ankle), and they can still win. Either way, it was uncomfortable, especially because I write the Survivor article for RotoWire, and I'd hate to have taken down so many people with me in Week 1.

• Looks like Doug Baldwin might be in for a big year. I wasn't a believer given his relatively tame target totals, lack of red-zone use and lack of 40-plus-yard catches, but he was Russell Wilson's only read in crunch time and caught 9-of-11 targets. Tyler Lockett is still a big-play weapon, but is more of a luxury when Wilson has time or buys it as plays break down. It might be a few weeks before the latter is possible given the way his ankle sprain hampered his mobility Sunday.

•Christine Michael saw more work than Thomas Rawls against a game Miami defense, and neither stood out. Expect this timeshare to continue until one of them takes control of it.

•Arian Foster looked reasonably spry against a good defense. He's the clear workhorse, and he'll catch passes every game.

•Devonta Freeman is in trouble. I had downplayed the threat of Tevin Coleman this summer because Freeman was such a workhorse last year, particularly in the passing game, but Coleman made a great play on a ball thrown behind him and looked quicker, faster and more effective (five catches, 95 yards.) This is a timeshare at best, and Coleman could be the starter before long.

• Of course Julio Jones was limping around on the sidelines after an awkward tackle. He missed time in camp with two different ailments too. I'm sure he'll be fine for Week 2, but I faded him this year because I don't trust him.

• The Titans punted on 4th-and-2 from plus territory again. It doesn't matter who the coach is, the organization is broken. Andre Johnson's carcass got seven targets, resulting in 30 yards. Maybe Tajae Sharpe has a good year, but 11 targets for 76 yards is just volume. And don't get excited about DeMarco Murray's two TD catches. He might not catch that many the rest of the year.

•Adrian Peterson is 31, so while one bad game isn't dispositive, 2-3 more, and we could be looking at the cliff. Stefon Diggs is a leading candidate for a Year 2 breakout, despite a sub-optimal setup.

• The Saints beat the Raiders after Oakland failed to convert a 4th-and-5, but the refs called pass interference on an uncatchable ball and extended the game. Good for Jack Del Rio going for two and winning it rather than hoping to force overtime and being at the mercy of the coin flip. After the game, this exchange was pretty funny, and Del Rio happened to be correct:

Good thing ESPN isn't coaching the Raiders https://t.co/X6tB1YlZ4d

— Jack Del Rio (@coachdelrio) September 11, 2016

• I'm still fading Derek Carr – remember this one-TD, 8.0 YPA was against the league's worst pass defense. The Raiders won because of a bad call and Jalen Richard breaking loose for a huge play. Latavius Murray was also unimpressive. Amari Cooper is the only Raider I'd be happy to own right now.

•Drew Brees went nuts as he always does at home against mediocre defenses. Willie Snead was the surprise, catching all nine targets for 172 yards and a score. Brandin Cooks is a top-five WR when the Saints are at home. It also looks like their tree could be smaller with Cooks, Snead and Thomas getting most of the work. I'd expect Coby Fleener to get more involved, but most of Drew Brees' 600-plus attempts will likely go to his top three wideouts.

• I'm not sure how the Chargers let the Chiefs (who are not built to play from behind) back in the game, but it's the Chargers, and Norv Turner's been gone for half a decade now. Spencer Ware had a decent day on the ground, but he made his money in the passing game as the team's leading receiver (7-for-129.) Jamaal Charles owners have more to worry about than goal-line vulturing when he returns:

Spencer Ware had 129 receiving yds today. Only 4 RBs had 100-yard receiving games last year. Jamaal Charles has 2 such games in his career.

— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) September 11, 2016

•Melvin Gordon finally scored a TD, and he did it twice, though Danny Woodhead got more carries (16 to 14), averaged more YPC (5.6 to 4.1) and caught more passes by a factor of infinity (5 to 0.)

•Keenan Allen is out for the year with a torn ACL. Tyrell Williams, Travis Benjamin, Antonio Gates and Woodhead should see a lot of targets.

• For all the 9/11-themed cleats and other symbolic patriotism on display in part to burnish the NFL's brand, here's an especially underrated hero from that period:

Barbara Lee's lone vote on Sept. 14, 2001 was as prescient as it was brave and heroic https://t.co/x5dgxK3JmE by @ggreenwald

— The Intercept (@theintercept) September 11, 2016

• Cruising through Revis Peninsula, A.J. Green had no problems getting around. And it was Brandon LaFell, not Tyler Boyd, who served as the team's No. 2 target. LaFell was a long shot a few years ago in New England when he beat out a bunch of candidates for the No. 2 WR job. Maybe it happens again this year in Cincy.

•Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard had roughly the same number of snaps, the difference being Bernard caught two passes and Hill scored a TD. That's probably the stoutest run defense they'll face all year, though.

•Matt Forte led the Jets in rushing and receiving. It's clear Bilal Powell is merely his backup.

• With Robert Griffin now out for the year, Josh McCown becomes an interesting QB target. Terrell Pryor (6-4, 223, 4.38 40) made some plays, rookie Corey Coleman was a first rounder, Gary Barnidge thrived with McCown last year, Duke Johnson is a good receiver out of the backfield and Josh Gordon is coming back in Week 5. Barnidge in particular gets a boost.

•Carson Wentz looked like the No. 2 overall pick, throwing two TDs, 7.5 YPA and no picks in his debut. With Zach Ertz out, it looks like Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor and Darren Sproles make up the primary branches of their passing-game tree. Ryan Mathews, Josh Huff, Brent Celek and Dorial Green-Beckham got three targets between them, but Ertz's injury should open up looks for one of them, probably Celek.

• My Twitter timeline was filled with exclamations about the Packers being back, but I'm not sold. This was against Jacksonville, and Aaron Rodgers still posted a meager 5.9 YPA, including an amazing 29-yard TD throw while being sacked to Davante Adams. Jordy Nelson was woefully inefficient despite catching a TD, and Randall Cobb most caught passes near the line of scrimmage aside from one 32-yarder.

• The Jaguars moved the ball more, but Allen Robinson was held to just 72 yards on 15 targets, several of which were in the end zone. He'll get his eventually. The Jaguars went for a lot of 4th-and-shorts, converting most. Gus Bradley's courage and probability-based play calling will only help.

• With Chris Ivory out, T.J. Yeldon got into the end zone, but it was a painful 39 yards on 21 carries.

• It's hard to say much about the Ravens-Bills game, except be glad you didn't watch it. Steve Smith did nothing on nine targets, and Mike Wallace looks like the No. 1 WR for now. Brett Perriman, who caught a 35-yard pass, is worth watching.

• I have no idea what to make of Sammy Watkins now as he'll be playing to pain tolerance on his surgically-repaired foot. If he's not right - and I'd be surprised if he were - this not only kills his value but Tyrod Taylor's and possibly that of the entire offense.

• So much for the Brock Osweiler hype this preseason. The matchup could not have been easier, and he managed 6.6 YPA. Lamar Miller ground out 106 yards and four catches, but it was nothing special, except for the volume.

•Kevin White caught 3-of-7 targets for 34 yards. It was not a good game, but the team has too much invested in him not to keep trying.

•Andrew Luck will be a monster this year if he stays healthy. His receivers suffered from too much spreading of the wealth, particularly two TDs to backup TE Jack Doyle, but the points should be there for all of them. They're the Saints of the AFC, without the drastic home/road splits.

•Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah both got theirs, but keep in mind it was against the Colts. There probably won't be room for both most weeks. Eric Ebron had a nice day, catching all five of his targets, scoring a TD and proving he was healthy. Marvin Jones saw 10 targets, Golden Tate only seven in a shootout. This might be a spread-the-wealth situation with no true No. 1 option.

• The way the game started, you'd think Jordan Reed was going to have a huge day. He had a couple catches and several targets, including one in the end zone early. For some reason they didn't go back to him.

• The Steelers threw a TD to Antonio Brown on 4th-and-1 from ~25 yards out. Mike Tomlin doesn't always get it right, but he's not a coward, and he's willing to take a chance if the odds are in his favor. How I wish the Giants had a coach like that.

•DeAngelo Williams is actually older than Frank Gore, but doesn't look it. All those years of light workloads in Carolina must have kept him fresh. The odds five years ago that Williams and teammate Jonathan Stewart would still be starting in 2016 were beyond slim.

• A healthy Le'Veon Bell is going to be a monster again in this offense.

•Antonio Brown is better than Beckham in fantasy because he has a coach who will get the ball into the hands of his best player.

•Eli Rogers looks shifty, and so long as Markus Wheaton is out, he'll get targets.

• A healthy Ben Roethlisberger is a top-three real life QB. I'd take him over Tom Brady and Drew Brees right now. The throw to Sammie Coates on a fumbled snap was Aaron Rodgers-esque.

•Kirk Cousins needed to take more shots down the field to DeSean Jackson, who had a good game, but mostly on shorter throws. (Jackson drew a long pass interference penalty in garbage time on an underthrown ball. Had it been thrown right, it would have been a TD.)

•Vernon Davis is still in the league.

•Chris Thompson won't carry a big load, but should be the team's most useful back in PPR.

•Jesse James (The Outlaw) looks like a regular part of the offense. Even saw some red-zone work.

•Sammie Coates had an early drop, but made a couple big catches including a key third-down conversion in the fourth quarter.

• The Steelers put up 38 points on the road without Bell, Martavis Bryant, Ladarius Green or Markus Wheaton.

• Rams -2.5 at 49ers was a sucker play, and I knew it at the time, but I still took it.

• Chip Kelly is a slightly better coach than Jim Tomsula.

• BTW – this is my favorite kind of Twitter exchange:

Those thugs outside your house forcing you to follow me? I sent them home. https://t.co/FOnVVwru36

— Christopher Liss (@Chris_Liss) September 11, 2016

To listen to the podcast version of this column, click here