09/23/2009 – Lions WR Calvin Johnson will face a non-division opponent in Week 3 vs. Washington. The Redskins have allowed just 183.5 passing yards per game during the first two weeks of the season. They have allowed two touchdown passes.
Johnson caught five passes for 51 yards and a score in Week 2 against a good Vikings defense and should be in line for useful Fantasy numbers once again in Week 3. He is not a player we recommend sitting in any type of league, regardless of matchup. We currently project him to catch five passes for 85 yards and a score in Week 3.
09/10/2009 – Calvin Johnson and the Detroit Lions will take on a non-divisional opponent in Week 1 when they travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints. Last season, the Saints ranked 23rd in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 221.7 yards per game. They allowed 21 touchdowns.
Johnson is used to playing indoors as all of his home games are in doors, so playing at the Superdome should be a comfortable environment for him. Johnson remains one of the elite receivers in Fantasy despite playing for the lowly Lions and the fact he’ll have a rookie QB throwing his way should not scare anybody off. The Saints don’t have a strong secondary and we are currently projecting Johnson to finish with seven catches for 114 yards and a score. Start him in all leagues.
09/09/2009 – Even though the Detroit Lions where beyond bad last year, there was a reason to watch them play: Calvin Johnson. The freak wide receiver known as Megatron overcame playing with little offensive help and five different quarterbacks to finish with career-best totals: 1,331 yards on 78 catches (17.1 avg.) and 12 touchdowns.
Calvin Johnson had 100 yards receiving and/or a touchdown in 11 games last year and was able to beat double-team coverage on a number of occasions. There is little doubt that Johnson will continue to flourish in 2009, especially with the club adding the aggressive Scott Linehan as their offensive coordinator. And don’t forget that it’s his third NFL season, though we’d be pretty satisfied with a repeat of his stats. The addition of strong-armed QB Matthew Stafford helps his cause. Johnson is decidedly a No. 1 Fantasy WR worth a second-round pick (and possibly as high as 15th overall) in drafts this summer.