This may be a meaningless preseason football game, but don't tell that to fans in Green Bay, who were forced to watch replacement officials blow the team's opportunity at an early-season win last year.
For the players, this game represents nothing more than an important practice run prior to their respective season openers. Both starting units should play at least a half, giving us all a gauge of where key players stand heading into the regular year.
Let's take a look at a few fantasy football-centric aspects of this game.
Eddie Lacy and the Green Bay Packers Running Game
Is Lacy going to be the next rookie running back who flames out around fantasy football circles? First it was Montee Ball with the Denver Broncos, then it was Le'Veon Bell with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's funny how we, as fantasy owners, expect these players to be studs before they have even played a regular-season game.
Next up, Lacy.
The second-round pick from Alabama had a stellar preseason debut against the St. Louis Rams last week and seems to be etched in stone as the Packers starter heading into the regular season. He put up 40 yards on five attempts against the Rams. Look for Mike McCarthy and Co. to get him the rock more, as the Packers play their starters throughout the first half this evening. We want to see whether Lacy can be counted on as a bottom-tier RB2 heading into the regular year.
Johnathan Franklin, on the other hand, has struggled a great deal. Many of us expected him to run away with the starting gig, but that's been far from the case thus far this preseason. He has just 23 yards on nine rushes in Green Bay's first two games and has struggled in pass protection during practice. We already know how much Green Bay values protection in front of Aaron Rodgers, especially with what will be a questionable offensive line. Let's see what Franklin does in what might be his final chance to create any type of competition at running back heading into the season.
Seattle Seahawks Wide Receivers
A lot has been made of Golden Tate, who returns as Seattle's starter opposite Sidney Rice with Percy Harvin out until at least November. Tate produced a 70 percent catch rate when targeted last season and could be a solid under-the-radar WR2 option in 2013. If Pete Carroll and Co. decide to open up the Seahawks offense like we saw towards the end of the 2012 season, Tate may end up being a stud. The Notre Dame product recorded two catches for 42 yards on two targets in Seattle's domination of the Denver Broncos last week. For his part, Rice has yet to play this preseason.
While they may be the only two viable fantasy receivers for the Seahawks at this point, others represent some upside in later rounds. Former Arizona Cardinals receiver Stephen Williams has been Seattle's top option in each of its first two preseason games with a total of four receptions for 128 yards and two scores. Meanwhile, Jermaine Kearse has scored two touchdowns in as many games. Each could challenge Doug Baldwin for the No. 3 wide receiver slot and could represent decent late-round value in deep dynasty leagues.
Better Fantasy Value Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers
Depending on who you ask, you are not going to find value by selecting a quarterback in any of the first three rounds of a fantasy draft. In fact, I have drawn the conclusion that Rodgers is the only one even remotely worthy of being selected that high. Even then, it's a questionable decision. With that said, Rodgers' performance the last two seasons has to be considered the best in the history of the NFL from a statistical perspective. He has completed 68 percent of his passes for 5,400 total yards and 89 touchdowns during that span.
That's utterly ridiculous.
With what appears to be a solid running game behind him and the emergence of a three-headed wide receiver monster, there really isn't any reason to believe that Rodgers will regress in 2013.
Green Bay's first-team offense has failed to score a touchdown thus far this preseason, but Rodgers has performed well in his limited playing time. He's completed 13-of-17 passes for nearly 200 yards. Of course, his performance in exhibition games doesn't matter all too much.
On the other hand, Wilson has lit it up during the preseason after performing like a top-five quarterback in the second half of his rookie season. He completed 8-of-12 passes for 127 yards and two scores against the Broncos last week. At this point, Wilson represents much better value than Rodgers.
The second-year starter has an ADP of 70.23, while Rodgers' ADP sits towards the end of the second round. Unless you are sold on the latter putting up 5,000 yards and 50 scores (don't hold your breath) Wilson is likely a better value option in redraft leagues. Rodgers remains the top dynasty option across the board.