Fantasy Friday: Week 3 Starters, Sitters & Sleepers
Another week of the 2016 NFL season is behind us.
And once again, we are left with more questions than answers.
When will Jay Cutler be run out of Chicago?
Will the Saints win a game this season this season?
Both of which lead to possibly one of the most important questions for fantasy owners after this week: What do I do now?
It's OK to bang your head against solid objects. Or whatever.
It'll all be alright, Knowshon.
Todd Gurley has been an utter disappointment through two games, making it hard for fantasy owners to trust him.
For those who own Adrian Peterson, Danny Woodhead and/or Ameer Abdullah, its time to seek long-term help.
Week 2 was just an injury-riddled mess that caused many fantasy owners to rethink their season strategy, probably in the fetal position.
Listen, being 0-2 doesn't mean your season is over. Not by a mile.
It means that it's time to research harder, study the matchups, and become ruler of the waiver wire.
Not to mention, a little start-or-sit advice never hurt anyone ,so let's jump right into it!
Where's my beer?
Quarterbacks
Starts
Philip Rivers @ Indianapolis: An impressive four-touchdown performance a week ago lands Rivers in the start column against a Colts defense that needs mucho help. They gave up 300+ yards and three scores in Week 1 to Matt Stafford. 'Nuff said.
Drew Brees v Atlanta: The offensive shootout Act II never happened last week against the Giants, as Brees only had one touchdown in a loss to the GIants. With the Saints returning home this weekend on Monday Night Football, Brees is a good bet to shine under the bright lights against a Falcons D that's allowed seven passing TD's so far.
Andrew Luck v San Diego: So I wasn't entirely crazy recommending Luck take a seat on your bench last week. Dude only produced one touchdown as opposed to two turnovers against Denver's snarling defense. Week 3 should be easier for Luck, as he faces a cushy Chargers defense that's given up 300+ yards through the air and three TD's in each of his first two games. However, keep an eye on that injury report.
Sits
Andy Dalton v Denver: I think the only proof I need here to convince anyone not to play Dalton -- and that might even include his mother -- is Andrew Luck's performance a week ago. Big Red didn't even connect very much with No. 1 target AJ Green in the loss to Pittsburgh. Despite back-to-back 300+ yard games, Dalton may come crashing back to earth at QB2 status this week. Leave him on the bench.
Tyrod Taylor v Arizona: Through two games, I still can't figure out what kind of player Taylor's going to be this season. Just over 100 yards passing in Week 1 followed up by nearly 300 and three scores against the Jets. This week, he gets the Cardinals, who made Jameis Winston look silly last week. Stay away.
Matthew Stafford at Green Bay: Divisional matchups are tough for fantasy football. It always seems like the teams bring a little bit more on defense that hampers down offensive players' fantasy numbers. Stafford against the Packers? It all depends on which Stafford we're going to get this week. It's either going to be the Week 1 dude (300+ pass yards, three scores) or this one:
Did I mention the game is at Lambeau this week?
Sleeper
Marcus Mariota v Oakland: In my opinion, Mariota gets better every time he steps out there on the football field. The Titans now have an actual running attack, letting Mariota have more freedom and variety in the offense. He makes for a nice play this week against the worst pass defense in the league so far.
Running Backs
Starts
CJ Anderson at Cincinnati: Touchdowns? Yup. A consistent workload? You got it. Dude's performing like the true RB1 that fantasy football owners drafted him to be, with three scores through two games and 20 carries in each. Taking on a Bengals defense that's allowed 100+ yards on the ground in each game so far, Anderson's a lock in all lineups this week. It helps to have a chucker under center who's only played in three career games.
Melvin Gordon at Indianapolis: With Branden Oliver and Danny Woodhead done for the season due to injury, dude'is the only back left standing in San Diego. He's flourished this season with three touchdowns so far -- zero in 2015 -- and will be the feature back now. The Chargers take on the Colts this week, who couldn't stop the run if it didn't move. Roll out Gordon with confidence this week in a potential shootout.
Matt Forte at Kansas City: Just in case you didn't know how good he was last weekend against the Bills, dude was dominant with 100 yards on 30 carries and three touchdowns. Talk about showing no signs of slowing down despite his age and career workload! Forte should be given the chance to put up gaudy numbers once again against Kansas City this week. Just don't call the man old.
Sits
Jeremy Hill v Denver: The Bengals haven't had a 50-yard rusher since last season. That's sad. Granted, they've faced stout defenses with good front sevens -- and at least Gio Bernard is catching passes to make up for his ground game -- but Jeremy Hill has no excuse. Without his Week 1 touchdown, dude would be considered as a drop candidate. But with running backs going down to injury left and right, Hill needs to be rostered. Starting him against the Broncos defense this week, though, is not wise.
Duke Johnson Jr at Miami: It seems like half the Cleveland Browns offense is either injured or suspended. Dude's a back with great pass-catching ability and speed out of the backfield, but he only has seven catches and just over 100 all-prupose yards to date. Are you willing to trust that he builds a rapport with rookie quarterback Cody Kessler this week? As they say, the third time's the charm, right? In my opinion, not happening.
Jeremy Langford at Dallas: Don't be fooled by the touchdowns he's scored in consecutive weeks. Take those away, and he barely looks better than Jeremy Hill; dude couldn't top 30 rushing yards against the Eagles. With Langford sharing time in Week 2 and not taking full advantage, he's not worth even a flex play against the Cowboys.
Sleeper
TJ Yeldon v Baltimore: Dude's output for the upcoming matchup with the Ravens depends entirely on whether or not Chris Ivory returns. Dude had eight catches last game ... eight! However, those eight snares went for just 10 yards. Yeldon's a somewhat appealing option, especially if Ivory can't go.
Wide Receivers
Starts
Jarvis Landry v Cleveland: Following a 10-137-0 line from a weekend ago, Landry should be rolled out as a solid WR1 where he will see very little of Joe Haden working out of the slot once again in a battle with the lowly Browns.
Jeremy Maclin v New York Jets: The Jets have given up a healthy amount of fantasy points to WR's to start the season, including two long touchdowns for the Bills last weekend. Maclin could benefit heavily from the Chiefs throwing a lot, due to easing Jamaal Charles back from injury.
Marvin Jones at Green Bay: Dude's been a target monster for the Lions with 21 through two games and converting twelve of them for catches. Due to find the end zone soon, Jones is about to hit his stride and should be a WR2 with upside after 118 yards in Week 2.
Sits
Randall Cobb v Detroit: A healthy Jordy Nelson has put Randall Cobb in a backseat role, especially with Davante Adams working the outside too. There are a lot of mouths to feed in the Packer offense and Cobb could be the odd man out most weeks. Unfortunately, I see it getting worse before it gets better against a Lions D that didn't surrender even 100 yards to Titans' receivers.
Emmanuel Sanders at Cincinnati: The problem with the chemistry between Trevor Siemien and Sanders is that there is none. You also can't forget about the resurgent running attack in Denver. Couple those with a game against a Bengals defense that didn't allow Antonio Brown into the end zone, and that might as well spell S-I-T for Sanders.
Corey Coleman at Miami: Due to a broken hand suffered in practice, Coleman's sit recommendation has now become more of a warning to not pick up any more Cleveland Browns players this season. As soon as you do, they may go down with injury immediately. Stay away!
Sleeper
Jamison Crowder at New York Giants: More of a longshot in standard scoring leagues, Crowder has 6 catches in each game so far and caught a touchdown in the loss to Dallas. He makes for an intriguing play in PPR leagues and leagues that give points for return yards.
Tight Ends
Starts
Delanie Walker v Oakland: A 6-83-1 line was just what Walker owners needed last week to reinstill their confidence in him as a TE1. Next up is the porous Oakland secondary, which should put a smile on the faces of his owners in fantasy.
Jason Witten v Chicago: We were duped in Week 2 when dude only caught three passes after a nine-catch explosion in Week 1. Things should fare better for Witten this week, as the Cowboys face a Bears defense whose best linebacker just went down with an injury.
Jacob Tamme at New Orleans: You can't ignore him in fantasy football anymore. I don't think he'll let you after a 5-75-1 line against the Raiders, showing that he's a fantasy force in the Atlanta offense. It's Tamme time once again, and one has to wonder: is the NFL ready?
Sits
Gary Barnidge at Miami: Just as Josh McCown and Gary Barnidge were getting back to their 2015 form, McCown went down with a shoulder injury. McCown is now out for the near future and Cleveland will start rookie Cody Kessler under center. Time to look elsewhere as Barnidge tries to re-establish himself in the Browns' offense.
Jimmy Graham v San Francisco: Despite saying he's ready to rock and roll, dude's in the same spot as Doug Baldwin, ie- stuck between a rock and a hard place. Returning from a severe knee injury, Graham has yet to make his presence felt as a consistent fantasy starter at tight end. In a division rivalry game, it's best to play it safe and not take a risk on the Seattle offense.
Zach Miller at Dallas: With very little production through two weeks and now a change at quarterback, Miller won't crack any fantasy lineups until he shows he deserves it. Leave him on the bench.
Sleeper
Jesse James at Philadelphia: Dude found the endzone in the win against the Bengals, but faces a Philly defense that ranks in the top three against tight ends to start the season. There are better matchups this week as the man with the outlaw name is touchdown-dependent.
Defense
Starts
Carolina vs Minnesota: We now know that Adrian Peterson won't be playing in this game or the next few, and the Panthers defense will be the biggest beneficiary this week. If they can stop the speedy McKinnon and the bigger Asiata, they can force Bradford to throw a lot, making the Vikings one-dimensional.
Denver at Cincinnati: You can't argue with the numbers. The Bronco defense is one of the best in the league and will continue to be, even on the road this week.
Baltimore vs Jacksonville: The Jags are as turnover-prone any given week, and the Ravens defense stopped the bleeding at 20 points against Cleveland in Week 2. They should be a good bet to produce against Bortles & Co in Week 3.
Sits
Philadelphia v Pittsburgh: The Eagles have been solid to start the season, holding both the Browns and Bears to less than 15 points. However, they have yet to play a team comparable to the likes of the Steelers, with a potent offense featuring a dangerously good receiver. Philly could be playing catch up in Week 3.
Buffalo v Arizona: The Cardinals have a deadly pass attack that can explode for points galore on any given Sunday. The Bills are not a considerable option this week against one of the NFC's best offenses.
Cincinnati v Denver: Based on the output from the Bengals defense the first two games, they're struggling to stop offenses, allowing 23 points per game. Without the big plays that Cincinnati is used to getting on defense, they aren't the usual start they have been in years past. Not to mention, they play Denver this week.
Detroit at Green Bay: The Lions defense has only created one turnover through two games so far and takes on Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers this week in a heated divisional game, especially at Lambeau. Look elsewhere for a streaming option for Week 3.
Sleeper
Dallas v Chicago: The Cowboys might even make for a better defense to play this week if Jay Cutler started. Even though he's not, it's still the Bears, and Dallas has got a chance.
Kickers
Starts
Dan Bailey v Chicago: One of the best kickers in the league today, dude should have no problem getting opportunities against a Bears defense that's next-to-last in the league in surrendering points to kickers.
Steven Hauschka v San Francisco: Don't give up on Hauschka yet. Even if the Seattle offense can't score, they should be able to move the ball into field goal range against the 49ers to give him some opportunities.
Matt Bryant at New Orleans: On the road, and he still gets to kick in a dome? Life should be a little easier for him this week and will be even better for him if the game is a shootout as projected.
Sits
Roberto Aguayo v Los Angeles: Only one field goal made in two weeks is convincing enough to keep Aguayo on waivers and go in a different direction until the rookie becomes more consistent.
Jason Myers v Baltimore: Looks like rain in Jacksonville this weekend, which doesn't bode well for Myers, Dude missed his only field goal attempt a week ago.
Phil Dawson at Seattle: In a game that very well could be dictated by field goals, I'm deciding to leave Dawson on the bench this week due to the intensity of the Seahawks defense against the inconsistencies of the 49er offense.
Sleeper
Josh Lambo at Indianapolis: Playing in a dome automatically gives Lambo a leg up on the other kickers this week.
Get it? I made a kicker joke.
Agree? Disagree? Let me know!
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