Survive and advance is a popular sports mantra normally saved for the month of March and the madness that comes with it.
But thanks to the rapid growth of the NFL and fantasy football, games like FOX Fantasy Survivor can feed your craving for “win or go home” competition seven months early.
Over 25,000 football fans signed up and participated in the FOX Fantasy Survivor game last season. The hope is, with cash prizes on the line, we can eclipse that mark in 2011.
The premise is simple: pick one (1) team who you believe is going to win that week. The survivor catch remains that once you pick a team to win, you can’t pick that team again for the rest of the season. The good news is, even if you lose, you are still eligible to win cash prizes.
To assist you with your survivor selections, the FOXSports.com’s fantasy football staff will provide you their picks for the week.
Just remember the mantra: survive and advance. In a couple months, you could be $2,000 richer.
FOXSports.com Week 1 Survivor Picks
Beall – Kansas City
Editor’s Commentary: The Kansas City Chiefs enter Week 1 with Matt Cassel a little dinged up, but prepared to start. Running back and fantasy football heartthrob, Jamaal Charles, must be chomping at the bit to attack the Buffalo Bills porous rush defense (32nd in rush defense in 2010).
The Bills will go with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback to start the season, with Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller lining up behind him. It will be interesting to see how Stevie Johnson fares in 2011 with no dominate No. 2 wide receiver or tight end in Buffalo.
Halpin/Harmon – Arizona
Editor’s Commentary: The two cagey fantasy veterans go with Kevin Kolb in his home debut. It’s a smart play with the Cardinals hosting Carolina in what will be Cam Newton’s regular season debut.
I expect a heavy diet of the two-headed monster that is DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. This will ease the rookie quarterback into his role, but may not be enough to win on the road.
Fowler – San Diego
Editor’s Commentary: The Chargers were the best team to NOT make the playoffs in 2010. Issues on special teams and turnovers at the worst time cost the team with the best overall offense and defense (statistically speaking) last year.
Philip Rivers – he of the 4,700+ passing yards and 30 TDs in 2010 – will have Vincent Jackson in the starting lineup on a weekly basis; a luxury that did not exist last year. A healthy Antonio Gates will allow the pass offense to open up a running attack that could applaud Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert as one of the best RBBCs by season's end.
