Every weekend, before the slate of NFL games begin, we’ll take an in-depth look at fantasy football and evaluate who should be in the starting lineup and on the bench for each fantasy team. Winning in fantasy football is all about not having a potential surprise player riding the bench in a week where he’s primed to explode, and not having a high draft pick in the lineup when he’s likely not to have his usual solid day.
Here are this week’s “Sit and Starts”. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t “bench” all of the sit guys just because they aren’t set to have a good week and the opposite is the same for the guys that should “start”. But keep these in mind as you decide who will be your starting squad for Week 3.
PLAYERS TO SIT
QB: Sam Bradford, Rams
As the Rams take on the Baltimore Ravens this week, I’d be weary of starting any St. Louis players. The Ravens have 4 interceptions this year already and opposing quarterbacks have a 74.3 quarterback rating. Even though Matt Hasselback went for 300+ yards last week, the fact that the Ravens haven’t lost two games in a row since a 3 game losing streak early in 2009 and the Rams haven’t gotten over 16 points yet, it’s a safe bet to go with a different quarterback tihs weekend.
RB: Tim Hightower, Redskins
Tim Hightower is as of now the feature back in Washington. But a major concern is how many carries will start to go Roy Helu Jr’s way as the season progresses. Also, the Dallas Cowboys have allowed just under 60 yards rushing per game through the first two games.
RB: Steven Jackson, Rams
As said before, it may not be smart to start any Rams this weekend as they take on the Ravens. While it’s tough to say bench Jackson (and you still probably shouldn’t unless you have a capable replacement), the Ravens haven’t allowed a 60+ yard rusher through two games. The two running backs they faced? Rashard Mendenhall and Chris Johnson.
WR: Hakeem Nicks, Giants
With Dominic Hixon now out for the year and Mario Manningham questionable as of now, it’s obvious who Eli Manning will plan on going to each and every time he throws the ball down the field. While against some teams that could be great for Nicks, he’ll be matched up with Nndami Asomugha this weekend for Philly. I’d be surprised if he gets more than 3-4 catches.
WR: Dez Bryant, Cowboys
As of now he’s listed as questionable, but Dez Bryant has shown why he’s so talented so far this year, especially in the Jets game. But having to go against a surprisingly stout Redskins defense that has only allowed two passing touchdowns (one on a 73 yard big play), it may be risky to keep Dez in the lineup.
WR: Deion Branch, Patriots
The Bills, the Patriots opponents this week, have had success defensively this year thanks to their ability to keep pass plays short and prevent big plays. They have allowed a league low 9.8 yards per catch for receivers. While Wes Welker and the tight ends should have solid days for Brady, don’t expect Branch to get any 20+ yard plays and probably only a handful of catches.
TE: Jimmy Graham, Saints
Graham has emerged as one of the future studs at tight end in the NFL and Drew Brees loves targeting Graham in the middle of the field. But the Texans defense has done a complete turnaround with Wade Phillips as the defensive coordinator, and they have only allowed 62 yards total against tight ends through the first two weeks.
DEF: New England Patriots
While it’s safe to say most people outside of upstate New York feel pretty confident that the Patriots will win against the surprising Buffalo Bills. Still, the Bills have the 7th best offense in the NFL so far this season, and I wouldn’t bank on the Patriots slowing down the Bills for sure.
PLAYERS TO START
QB: Matt Stafford, Lions
I took Stafford in all of my fantasy leagues, and if he’s still available in any leagues, he should be picked up immediately, as he’s the 4th best quarterback in fantasy as of now. He’s going against the Minnesota Vikings this weekend, who’s defense has talent, but has allowed quarterbacks to complete 70% of their passes. I’ll take Stafford and Calvin to have huge days.
QB: Kevin Kolb, Cardinals
I’m not a Kevin Kolb fan and I don’t think he’s the answer to the Arizona Cardinals problems. But, he will be playing a Seahawks defense that has been quite poor in pass defense. They allow 74.5% completion percentage, do not have an interception this year, and have only 2 sacks through two games now. Kolb should be able to have success this week.
RB: Shonn Greene, Jets
Greene has been a fantasy tease the past two years, as he has the talent and was great as a rookie, but has yet to be a consistent fantasy starter. Still, he’ll be matching up against the Oakland Raiders this week, who are allowing a league worst 7.1 yards per carry for running backs.
RB: Thomas Jones, Chiefs
With Jamaal Charles out for the Chiefs, Jones is a must pick-up for all fantasy leagues. As far as a starter this week, there is some concern as to will he or Dexter McCluster get the bulk of the carries. Based on the past two years, Jones should get the bulk of the carries against a Chargers defense that is allowing 5 yards a carry and 126 yards a game rushing.
RB: Ryan Matthews, Chargers
On the other side of the Chiefs and Chargers game, I think Matthews should be a solid fantasy start for much of the rest of year. He outplayed Mike Tolbert last week and he could start getting more and more touchdown carries. Couple that with the fact that the Chiefs have allowed 4 rushing touchdowns this year already and 126 rushing yards per game, and Matthews could have a breakout game this weekend.
WR: Michael Floyd, Chargers
Staying with the Chargers/Chiefs game, the fact that Eric Berry is gone for the Chiefs should continue teams taking advantage of that opening in the middle of the field. The Chiefs have allowed 8 receiving touchdowns this year (an average of 4 a game), so despite V-Jax there, Floyd should get a chance to get a touchdown, at least one.
WR: Early Doucet, Cardinals
Doucet is the clear cut (as of now) number two receiver for the Cardinals, and as said before with Kevin Kolb, it’d be a huge surprise if the Cardinals didn’t air it out with success this weekend against the Seahawks. Kolb should have time to target Fitzgerald and Doucet down the field, and both could go over 100 yards this weekend.
WR: Mike Thomas, Jaguars
Maybe a surprise considering the fact that the Jaguars have decided to move into the Blaine Gabbert era at quarterback, but Mike Thomas should still be in positon to have a good day against the Panthers. The Panthers allow 10.8 yards per attempt for the quarterbacks, and have been susceptible to the big play. Gabbert had success with smaller, big play receivers in college, and he could find Thomas for a few big plays this weekend.
TE: Brandon Pettigrew, Lions
Matt Stafford has been one of the best quarterbacks int he NFL so far this season, and playing a team in Minnesota who, as said before, is allowing quarterbacks to complete 70% of their passes, that means good things for all receivers for the Lions. Look for Pettigrew to be used in the seam and on the outside to keep the Vikings defense in position to allow big plays for the other receivers.
DEF: Tennessee Titans
The Titans have the 3rd best pass defense in the NFL as of now this year, and have kept quarterbacks to a 68.5 quarterback rating so far this year. While the Jaguars weren’t a great test, Joe Flacco’s struggles were impressive for the Titans. This weekend, they take on the Denver Broncos and the 23rd best offense in the NFL.
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