Sunshine vs Short Bus Bullies, a breakdown

To really understand my prediction in my earlier post, lets breakdown the match up between the Sunshine and the SBB:

QB

Advantage: Short Bus Bullies
This is clearly the Sunshine's strongest position overall and in a normal week, she would win this going away. The problem is, she's starting the wrong QB this week. Brees will be calling signals in the season opener against Indy. While Indy's defense isn't that strong, look for Peyton and company to dominate with ball control, keeping Brees off the field. Starting McNabb against a decent Green Bay defense may not be a much better option but he'll have better numbers this week for sure. On the other hand, look for Hassleback to have a field day against the Bucs defense, which was one of the worst in the league last year.

WR

Advantage: Sunshine
Why doesn't anyone realize that Marvin Harrison is no longer the man in Indy's offense? True, he's still spectacular, especially for his age, but have no doubt that Reggie Wayne will be the man this year, and this match up over Steve Smith will prove it. Smith will get his, but with two shaky QBs throwing him the ball, don't look for him to have another lights out season like two years ago.

RB

Advantage: Short Bus Bullies
Brian Westbrook and Laurence Maroney vs. Shaun Alexander and ....Deuce McAllister??? Look, obviously Alexander is still a great back and Deuce is a weapon but Reggie Bush is going to continue to take away his touches, and with the Sunshine's best next option being LenDale White don't look for a ton of running production from the Sunshine this year.

TE

Advantage: Short Bus Bullies
Antonio Gates vs. Ben Watson. If I have to explain that then you should call me immediately about trade options.

K

Advantage: Sunshine
Neil Rackers will win out in a close battle versus Nate Kaeding. Kaeding will score a lot because he'll be kicking LT's extra points, but Rackers will ultimately win because he'll be kicking field goals because of Matt Leinhart's dropped TD passes and Edge's inability to overcome a crappy o-line and punch it in.

Defense/ST

Advantage: Tie
Neither team has an amazing defense with Minnesota and Dallas, so its not much to consider.

Wildcards:

If the Sunshine could find the guts to start McNabb over Brees, they could swing a close game in their favor this week. McNabb traditionally has a field day against the Packers, throwing for over a 100 QB rating the last two times he's faced them, including a 5 touchdown performance in 2004. Her starter, Brees, traditionally throws picks against Indy. Every time he's played the Colts in his career he's thrown an interception, including a 2 interception performance in 2005.

Conversely, If the SBB would slip T.J. Houshmandzadeh into the starting lineup this week, he could REALLY be a difference maker. Historically, in 9 career games versus Baltimore, Housh has 5 touchdowns and scored in both games against Ray Lewis et al last year including a 10 catch, 100+ yard performance last November. Bench Mike Furrey, who is going up against one of the league's most underrated defenses in Oakland and start a guy with a proven track record against another top D.