Fantasy Football Week 3: A Review and Preview
By Tim Bearden in News on Sep 24, 2011 7:30PM
It's week 3 so how's the team looking? For first timers and veterans alike, the first two weeks is the hardest because there's no real stat sheet to look from. Sure there was the preseason, but that's hardly a barometer to go by.
At week 3 though, it's about time to start hitting a groove and focusing on line-ups a lot closer. We've had a chance now to see what the teams and individual players can really do, but, more importantly, how the fantasy stats are shaking out.
Nobody thought Cam Newton was going to be as big of a threat as he is in Week 1. Now fantasy owners are scrambling to grab him off waivers. The Carolina Panthers may not be a great team, but there's no denying Cam Newton is an impressive player dazzling one of the best defenses in the league with over 400 passing yards, a stat repeated from Week 1. Arian Foster, one of fantasy owners' messiah running backs, has turned out to be a big dud this season riddled with a hamstring injury. So don't fret if you went with last year's leaders and aren't performing as well as one would like, a lot of fantasy owners are also on proverbial third downs hoping for a conversion in week 3.
Of course there's also those go-to players like Tom Brady, who also threw for 400 yards or better in his first two games. He's performing better than expected, and a lot was expected of him. With all that said, here are some starts and sits for week 3.
Starts:
1. Tom Brady (QB)- This is a no brainer. Brady is playing at the top of his game and his schedule shouldn't make anyone question starting him. He's playing a Buffalo Bills team who are 2-0, but the New England Patriots are their toughest opponent yet. Expect Brady to put up big numbers against a defense that's mediocre at best.
2. Cam Newton (QB)- After a very impressive performance against one of the best defenses of the league, he should stay on your roster in week 3. He's playing a Jacksonville Jaguar defense that's allowed 215 yards passing per game, but that was to offenses that didn't have Newton in the pocket. Could be another 400+ yard game for Newton.
3. Michael Turner (RB) - He may not be the greatest running back in the business, but he's a definite starter in week 3 when the Atlanta Falcons face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccs have allowed 156 rushing yards per game this season and Turner has a combined 214 yards from weeks 1 and 2. Expect him to see a lot of touches on Sunday.
4. Adrian Peterson (RB) - Always a favorite among fantasy owners. Peterson's bursts of speed make him one of the most explosive running backs the game has seen. He may not be able to carry the Minnesota Vikings on his back, but he certainly tries.
5. Wes Welker (WR) - Welker has been Brady's go-to receiver all season. With 15 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns, he's a green light for Sunday against a questionable Bills secondary.
6. Aaron Rodgers (QB) - It would be a penalty not to mention Rodgers on the definite start list this week. He's playing a Chicago Bears defense that fell apart after week 1. The way Brees and company blew through Chicago, Rodgers should have no problem putting up big points for your team.
7. The Green Bay Packers (D/ST) - They're playing a shaky Bears offensive line who don't seem to protect Cutler's blind side very often. Most of the sacks against Jay Cutler in week 2 were from behind. Expect Clay Matthews and crew to exploit that weakness in week 3 and cause a lot of havoc on the Bears' offensive strategy.
8. Brandon Lloyd (WR) - Another popular pick among fantasy owners this year, and they have to be pleased with their acquisition. Lloyd complements an Orton-centric offense in Denver and is another go-to receiver. And they're playing the Tennessee Titans this week, who have let wide-outs run over them this season allowing over 350 passing yards.
9. Greg Olsen (TE) - Olsen may not be a Bear anymore, but that doesn't make him any less of a threat on the football field, particularly in the end zone. He may not have huge stats so far this season, but he's consistent. This could also be a break-out game for him against the Jaguars.
10. Devery Henderson (WR) - You're probably thinking, "Who?" But this New Orleans Saints wide-out has registered 100 yards per game for the last two games. He's going to be a favorite of Brees as they take on the Houston Texans in week 3.
Sits:
1. Arian Foster (RB) - I know his status is floating between questionable and probable, but don't waste your time this week. Even if he does play, he probably won't see many touches to keep from re-aggrevating his injury. Sideline him 'til week 4.
2. Joe Flacco (QB) - He's not going to throw much against a St. Louis Rams team that's allowing 177 rushing yards per game and not allowing more than 185 yards passing. If you have another quarterback in your arsenal, play him.
3. Matt Forte (RB) - Yes, he's done well early this season, but that doesn't change the fact he's facing an aggressive Packers defense in week 3. They're only allowing 74-yards rushing per game. Let him rest this week.
4. Bears (D/ST) - The Bears were impressive in week 1, yes. They were less impressive in week 2 and will probably only go down another notch this week against Rodgers and the Packers. Rodgers is an accurate and dangerous quarterback and unless the Bears can get pressure on that offensive wall around the pocket, he's gonna beat them through the air. If you were foresighted enough to pick up a secondary defense, start them instead.
5. Michael Vick (QB) - After week 2's concussion, don't expect much from Vick. He probably won't play this week as a cautionary measure. Don't rely on his stats and start one of your other QB's.
6. Miles Austin (WR) - Don't expect him to play again this week with that hamstring injury. Check back again in week 4.
7. Tony Romo (QB) - I know he's tough. I know he's only questionable. I bet he's probably going to sit this week out. He may be tough, but he's no dummy. It's a long season and he's got plenty of time to prove Dallas is a real team.
8. Chad Ochocinco (WR) - He hasn't seen many touches yet this season and with Welker being as hot as he is right now, don't expect him to get many this week either. He's still in back-up status.
9. Johnny Knox (WR) - As badly as Cutler is going to be pressured this week, he may not have enough time to plot out his receivers and get accurate throws to them. Keep Knox on the sideline. Same could be said for Devin Hester as well.
10. Jay Cutler (QB) - Let's be honest, you shouldn't have picked him up in the first place, but since you have him, leave him as a back-up. He's going to probably have more turnovers and sacks than weeks 1 and 2 combined. He'll only hurt your team this week.
Those are the top 10's this week. You can also tweet me (@tdbearden) on Sundays between 10 a.m. and 11:55 a.m. for last minute decisions.