Week 3 is upon us, and injuries are continuing to cause tough decisions for team owners. It’s time to look at the options for week 3 and attempt to make those decisions a little easier. Check out my week 3 starts and sits after the jump.
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Quarterback
Start:
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Andy Dalton vs Green Bay – RG3 scraped together a good week versus this secondary and Kaepernick did the same in week 1. The Packers are having a hard time putting together a solid defensive game and this trend should continue this week. With high scoring potential, Dalton will have a good chance to put up decent numbers.
Sam Bradford vs Dallas – St. Louis is having a hard time finding a running game this season and Bradford is taking advantage of it. He has done a great job of sharing the ball throughout his talent and from a fantasy stand point has been consistent through the first two weeks of the season. Dallas may be without starting defensive end Anthony Spencer this weekend, and that will give Bradford more time to find his open receivers.
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Sit:
Terrelle Pryor vs Denver – Well my liking of Pryor proved to end quickly. Look for Denver to take away the designed QB runs that Pryor has been effective with this season. Darren McFadden should continue to take advantage of Pryor and his extra attention but when Denver inevitably goes up big, the decision-making of this young quarterback could hurt owners.
Ben Roethlisberger vs Chicago – Until Le’Veon Bell returns to the lineup, the Steelers will have a very hard time running the ball. This will allow opposing defenses to play the pass and take away fantasy potential of Roethlisberger. Chicago always seems to find its’ way into turnovers and defensive scores and this week will be no different. I would start Ryan Tannehill once again over Ben-Ro.
Running Back
Start:
Joique Bell vs Washington – With Reggie Bush banged up, Bell is in line for more touches this week. As of today, Bush still seems to be a game-time decision. If Bell gets the chance to handle a full workload, he will flirt with RB1 numbers versus a weak Redskins defense. Worse case scenario Bell will be a solid flex play this week.
Ben Tate vs Baltimore – The Ravens defense is a shell of what it once was and Houston will take advantage of that. Tate has been the more consistent runner so far, averaging 8.2 yards per carry, and should be in line for more touches as the season goes on. If you’re looking for help in the flex spot, do not be afraid to roll with Tate regardless of Arian Fosters health.
Sit:
BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs Green Bay – In my opinion, it’s almost time to hand over the reigns in Cincinnati. Giovani Bernard has flashed his capabilities on Monday Night Football and will continue to eat into Law Firms touches. BJGE is averaging a lowly 2.8 yards per carry on the season and should be safely implanted on your bench.
Trent Richardson vs San Fransisco – Trent would not be here if he was playing anyone else. With a short week to learn a new offense, look for him to touch the ball 10-15 times but lose 3rd down and passing downs to Ahmad Bradshaw. While he still may rumble into the end zone this week, he is a very risky play. If you have someone else who can fill in, I would take a week to assess the Richardson situation.
Wide Receiver
Start:
Miles Austin vs St. Louis – Romo has shown that he will spread the ball around when defenses hone in on Dez Bryant. Miles Austin should see a higher number of targets this week versus a St. Louis team that is still trying to break out. I like Miles as a WR3 with a WR2 upside in a potential shootout.
Pierre Garcon vs Detroit – Garcon showed last week that he may be back to 100%. While RG3 continues to struggle, the one constant for him has been Pierre. The Lions have a secondary that has been questionable at best this season. Look for Garcon to continue his hot streak versus the Lions.
Sit:
Roddy White vs Miami – This hurts me as much as it hurts my fellow Roddy White owners. Bottom line is, until he can prove that he is at least back to 75% he shouldn’t be in your line up. White has been nothing but a decoy over the first two weeks and should continue that trend in week 3.
Torrey Smith vs Houston – With Ray Rice looking like he will not play this week, Torrey will draw extra attention from Houston. Last week he found 85 yards on 7 catches, and I expect those numbers to drop in week 3. There is too much going against him this week and if you have other options, I would look away from Torrey.
Tight End
Start:
Antonio Gates vs Tennessee – Well touche to you Mr. Gates. After posting an 8 catch 124 yard performance in my face last week, you sir deserve to be started in week 3. Bottom line here is Tennessee does not have a strong defense and San Diego seems to be catering to Phillip Rivers “strengths” on offense. With Malcom Floyd out for the next month or so, Gates is in line for a bump in targets. Just like Reggie Wayne has proven, speed may decrease with age but hands continue to stay soft. Gates is in line for a huge week.
Kyle Rudolph v Cleveland – This is one of those weeks where Rudolph could stumble into a multiple touchdown game. Cleveland has already given up on this season in the front office and I expect the players to start following suit. Minnesota should spend a decent amount of time in the redzone this week and Ponder will undoubtedly be looking for his 6’7 target.
Sit:
Jordan Cameron vs Minnesota – With the Browns throwing in the proverbial towel two weeks into the season, this may spell the end of the Jordan Cameron run. The opposing defense does not have to account for a running game anymore from Cleveland which means more attention to Cameron. Personally, I just think there are better options here and if you can manage a trade now is the time.
Jermichael Finley vs Cincinnati – Would you want to face off against James Harrison every play? This is what Finley will see on Sunday when the Packers head to Cincy. James Jones, Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson should shoulder the passing game this week, leaving Finley as the odd man out. Match-ups can be a pain sometimes in fantasy, and this is one of those times.
Defense/ST
Start:
Minnesota vs Cleveland – Turnovers are a huge possibility this week with Brian Hoyer behind center and a RBBC approach in the backfield. The theme of this week around the NFL is “Browns waiving white towel,” and Minnesota is the first to take advantage of this. Great spot start here with sack and turnover potential.
New England vs Tampa Bay – Tampa is in distress on both sides of the ball this season. Josh Freeman is looking very shaky and most of the time there are 8 in the box facing Doug Martin. New England has the potential for turnovers and sacks this week, making them a solid start in any fantasy league.
Sit:
Arizona vs New Orleans – Drew Brees does a very good job protecting the ball and an even better job putting up points. Arizona had a weak showing last week vs the Lions and from a fantasy standpoint should continue that trend in week 3.
Baltimore vs Houston – No Ray Lewis + no Ed Reed = disaster in Baltimore. What was once the most feared defense in the NFL is nothing more than a shell of its’ former self. Houston will control the clock on the ground which will open up the passing game down the field. Turnover and sack potential is low here and should be avoided at all costs.
Last Weeks Numbers:
QB:
Start- Matt Ryan 374/2/0 Ryan Tannehill 319/1/0 Terrelle Pryor 126/0/0 50 yds rushing
Sit – Phillip Rivers 419/3/0 (ouch) RG3 320/3/1
RB:
Start – DeMarco Murray 25 yds/0 TD 5 rec. /49/0 Darren McFadden 129/0 4 rec./28/0 Ben Tate 93/0 3 rec./8/0
Sit – Lamar Miller 69 yds/1 TD 2 rec. /6/0 Daryl Richardson 35/0 5 rec./45 David Wilson 17/0 0/0/0
WR:
Start – Desean Jackson 9/193/1 Reggie Wayne 5/46/0 Eric Decker 9/87/0 Brian Hartline 5/68/0
Sit – Roddy White 3/21/0Anquan Boldin 1/7/0 Torrey Smith 7/85/0
TE:
Start – Brent Celek 0/0/0 Jared Cook 1/10/0 Owen Daniels 2/24/1
Sit – Kyle Rudolph 3/42/1 Antonio Gates 8/124/0 Brandon Pettigrew 3/32/0
D/ST:
Start – Houston 4 sacks, 0 TD, 0 Int Philly 2 fumbles, 0 TD, 0 Int Chicago 1 sack, 1 Int, 1 TD, 2 Fumbles
Sit – Arizona 1 sack , 0 TD, 0 Int Denver 4 Int, 1 sack, 0 TD Pittsburgh 0 Int, 0 Sack, 0 TD
