Key fantasy option A.J. Green ready to return to 'elite' status, The Cincinnati Bengals open the regular season at 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday vs. the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Here are a couple things to watch for during the game:
Why watch: If you're a fantasy player with A.J. Green on your roster, you might end up looking like a genius for starting him by the end of the weekend. We're basing that primarily on two things: the completion of Green's contract extension Friday that will effectively pay him $70 million by 2019, and his desire to prove 2014 was a fluke. Although he still had more than 1,000 yards receiving -- he's done it every year of his career to this point -- Green ultimately called last season a "disappointment" because he never could get into a rhythm with injuries causing him to miss parts of six games.
Said Green following Friday's extension: "They forgot about me last year. Due to all the other receivers who had great years, but I think I'm still elite. ... It's definitely a chip on my shoulder to get back there and get back to the old A.J. with no injuries and go out there and put my team in the best possible position to win a game." Expect Green to try to make a statement with a breakout Week 1 performance.
Did you know? This might not be the game to watch if you're looking for a fast offensive start that includes first-score Week 1 touchdowns. It has been 11 seasons since the Raiders have had a touchdown on their opening possession of the regular season, and 12 since the Bengals have done the same. At least the Bengals have actually gotten points on the board within that span, scoring opening-drive field goals in their 2014, 2011 and 2008 season openers. Since their 2005 touchdown to begin that season, the Raiders have done the following on their first possessions of the seasons that followed: had three three-and-outs, two interceptions, three fumbles and one punt.
Why watch: If you're a fantasy player with A.J. Green on your roster, you might end up looking like a genius for starting him by the end of the weekend. We're basing that primarily on two things: the completion of Green's contract extension Friday that will effectively pay him $70 million by 2019, and his desire to prove 2014 was a fluke. Although he still had more than 1,000 yards receiving -- he's done it every year of his career to this point -- Green ultimately called last season a "disappointment" because he never could get into a rhythm with injuries causing him to miss parts of six games.
Said Green following Friday's extension: "They forgot about me last year. Due to all the other receivers who had great years, but I think I'm still elite. ... It's definitely a chip on my shoulder to get back there and get back to the old A.J. with no injuries and go out there and put my team in the best possible position to win a game." Expect Green to try to make a statement with a breakout Week 1 performance.
Did you know? This might not be the game to watch if you're looking for a fast offensive start that includes first-score Week 1 touchdowns. It has been 11 seasons since the Raiders have had a touchdown on their opening possession of the regular season, and 12 since the Bengals have done the same. At least the Bengals have actually gotten points on the board within that span, scoring opening-drive field goals in their 2014, 2011 and 2008 season openers. Since their 2005 touchdown to begin that season, the Raiders have done the following on their first possessions of the seasons that followed: had three three-and-outs, two interceptions, three fumbles and one punt.
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