With all four teams sitting at 2-2 entering Week Five in the Battle of the Brands fantasy football league, we figured it’s time to address some of the questions and issues surrounding each team’s roster.
What better time to get started than the week of the first presidential election debate?
We presented one hot-button issue concerning each team to Zach Warren of the sports analytics firm numberFire. His stance on each will help set the tone for the rest of the Battle of the Brands season.
This week, Warren untangles the logjam at wide receiver for Team adidas and decides who fits the profile as the brand’s No. 1 wideout.
Which wide receiver from Team adidas is projected to have the greatest impact as the No. 1 starter: Davone Bess, Leonard Hankerson, Kendall Wright or Titus Young?
Warren: Quick trivia question: who leads the Titans’ receiving corps with 33 targets this season, 13 more than the next closest player? It’s not Kenny Britt, nor is it Nate Washington. Kendall Wright has been the breakout star for a team that desperately needs one, leading the Titans in both receptions and receiving TDs. His yards per catch average is the only thing keeping him down, but that’s likely to increase soon. None of the other guys has the QB’s eye quite like Wright does, and for that reason, Wright gets the nod as the No. 1 wideout.

Game 1: Team adidas (2-2) vs. Team Reebok (2-2)

Team adidas

You heard it from Zach Warren: Kendall Wright is locked in as the No. 1 wideout for Team adidas. Reggie Bush, now close to 100% healthy, replaces DeMarco Murray, who is on a bye week.

• QB: Robert Griffin III (vs. ATL)
• WR: Kendall Wright (@ MIN)
• WR: Davone Bess (@ CIN)
• RB:  Reggie Bush (@ CIN)
• RB: Frank Gore (vs. BUF)
• TE: Jimmy Graham (vs. SD)
• Flex: Kyle Rudolph (vs. TEN)

Team Reebok

Calling Antonio Gates. All of the offensive weapons have shown up for Team Reebok, save for Gates. The season is still young, but Gates will need to step up for Team Reebok to have a chance.

• QB: Peyton Manning (@ NE)
• WR: Roddy White (@ WAS)
• WR: Brandon Marshall (@ JAX)
• RB: Maurice Jones-Drew (vs. CHI)
• RB: Jamaal Charles (vs. BAL)
• TE: Antonio Gates (@ NO)
• Flex: Antonio Brown (vs. PHI)

Game 2: Team Nike (2-2) vs. Team Under Armour (2-2)

Team Nike

Plenty of favorable match-ups this week for Team Nike’s All-World roster, and that’s with Calvin Johnson on bye week. Let’s see who answers the call.

• QB: Matt Ryan (@ WAS)
• WR: Larry Fitzgerald (@ STL)
• WR: Victor Cruz (@ CLE)
• RB: Ray Rice (@ KC)
• RB: Adrian Peterson (vs. TEN)
• TE: Jermichael Finley (@ IND)
• Flex: Marshawn Lynch (@ CAR)

Team Under Armour

After a fast and furious start, Team Under Armour is mired in a two-game losing streak. These guys toppled Team Nike in Week Two. Does UA have what it takes to do it again?

• QB: Cam Newton (vs. SEA)
• WR: Julio Jones (@ WAS)
• WR: Steve Smith (vs. SEA)
• RB: Arian Foster (@ NYJ)
• RB: Stevan Ridley (vs. DEN)
• TE: Vernon Davis (vs. BUF)
• Flex: Torrey Smith (@ KC)

Don’t forget to visit the Battle of the Brands league page, powered by Yahoo! Fantasy Sports.