ProToppers Primer: Bobby Rainey in Thursday night action
Last week was a historic one for our ProToppers, as Jack Doyle recorded his first career NFL touchdown on Monday Night Football, although his Colts lost on a last second field goal. This week, we have another ProTop in prime time, and that’s where we will begin this week’s primer.
More from Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- LAST CHANCE: Secure Over $500 in Bonus Bets with Kentucky Sign-Up Offers
- WKU Spring Game Should Be All Sorts of Fun
- WKU Spring Preview Defense
- WKU Spring Preview; Remaining offense
- WKU baseball sweeps season series over Wildcats
Bobby Rainey – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Atlanta Falcons, tonight @ 7:25)
An early season key divisional game in the dirty south will pit Rainey and his Bucs’ against the Falcons, who got walloped in Cincinnati last week. Rainey will have to give the starting roll back to Pro Bowler Doug Martin, but if some quotes from head coach Lovie Smith are to be believed (or, at least, taken in the way I think they should be taken), we might see Rainey have a fair amount of touches, and he more than deserves them after running for 144 yards on 22 carries in a spot start. Last time the Bucs and Falcons squared off was in Tampa, and that’s when Rainey had his breakthrough day, taking 30 carries for 163 yards and three total touchdowns. Hopefully Rainey will prove that he deserves a spot at the starting back position, and racks up a ton of points. (Hint hint: If you’re a fantasy player and need a reliable back up, why freaking not pick up 43?)
Jack Doyle – Indianapolis Colts (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday @ 12:00)
What a night it was for Jack-attack. Not only did he score his first ever touchdown as a member of the National Football League, but he also saw a ton of field time, and was used in the halfback position during Indy’s “I” Formation quite a bit, being used as the lead blocker for Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw. With Indy’s tight end spot locked up for the most part with Colby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, wouldn’t it be interesting to see Doyle get some touches from the back field? Oh well, it’s just a thought…
Anyway, back to this week, Doyle and his Colts will hit the road and travel to Jacksonville for an AFC South game.
Jonathan Dowling – Oakland Raiders (vs. New England Patriots, Sunday @ 12:00)
Dowling and his raiders are looking for the season’s first win, after a 30-14 loss to the Texans last week at home. J-Dowl didn’t record a tackle, and was a part of a Raider secondary that allowed 139 passing yards. Dowling will head east and have a difficult task in week three, against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Quanterus Smith – Denver Broncos (vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday @ 3:30)
Q and the Broncos have a tall task this week as well, as they’ll head to the Great White North and rematch their Super Bowl foe in the Seattle Seahawks. What’s almost certain to be a tremendous game, Q will look to be a key on the Broncos’ defensive line and make his name known, and will look to follow up a one-tackle performance last week.
If you can watch any of the games above, tweet us at @WavetheRedTowel to let us know how the guys are doing. Who do you think will have the biggest week? Who has the toughest matchup? Let us know on twitter or in a comment below.