Who To Start And Sit In Week 3 of Fantasy Football

 

We’re two weeks in and hopefully your season isn’t already in the tank with all these injuries and suspensions. If it is, well, Yahoo always offers pro leagues that you can join after the season starts. That’s if you have a fantasy football problem like me. I did one on Tuesday night and it was interesting to see the market value of certain players. So much has changed after two weeks and yet so much has stayed the same.

Below is a list of guys I’m focused on for one reason or another this week. If you’re curious about guys you don’t see listed here, you can always find me on Twitter (@MrT_BroBible) to ask questions, but remember to mention league specifics like PPR.

You Know Who You Should Start?

Russell Wilson (QB – Seattle)
The argument has been made that Wilson’s a better NFL quarterback than a fantasy quarterback, but he’s shown his value in the first two weeks of the season. He’s thrown four touchdowns and no interceptions while throwing for about 200 yards each game. Those numbers don’t fly off the page and touchdowns aren’t something you can necessarily count on, but Wilson’s opponent this week gives reason to believe he could fire the ball around again. Denver will need to turn this into a shootout to have a chance.

Khiry Robinson (RB – New Orleans)
We were all surprised at how successful Mark Ingram was in the first two weeks of the season, but he unfortunately broke his hand in last week’s win. Robinson takes over the lead back opportunity in his absence, not Pierre Thomas. Thomas is still the change of pace and third0-down back, but Robinson will get the early down and goal-line work. With the Vikings looking likely to get blown out in the dome, Robinson could get plenty of opportunities this weekend.

Ahmad Bradshaw (RB – Indianapolis)
The trade Indianapolis made for Trent Richardson last year hasn’t panned out and won’t get any better. Bradshaw has outperformed him in two weeks this year and should continue going forward. Bradshaw has put up at least 85 total yards in each game so far and is seeing plenty of snaps. The Colts should light up Jacksonville this weekend as they fight back from 0-2 and Bradshaw will have an active role in the party.

Keenan Allen (WR – San Diego)
Allen’s owners are probably frustrated through two weeks, but understand that Allen has worked mostly against the two best NFL cornerbacks in Patrick Peterson and Richard Sherman. Things loosen up this week as Allen heads to Buffalo. Antonio Gates’ huge game last week will put the Bills on alert to focus on him, leaving Allen to work one-on-one against the Bill’s defensive backs. That’s a battle Allen should win even the Bills have been playing well at corner this year.

Mike Wallace (WR – Miami)
Some owners have been on the fence with Wallace in the beginning of the year, but Wallace has shown through two games that he can be an impact player. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor is getting Wallace more involved, to the tune of 12 catches, 137 yards and two touchdowns. This Sunday, Wallace goes against a beaten down Chiefs’ secondary who has already given up the seventh most points to fantasy WRs through two games. Jackpot!

Niles Paul (TE – Washington)
Many people were excited about Jordan Reed’s potential this year, but his hamstring injury derailed that for the time being. Paul has stepped in with flying colors and received 11 targets last week. He’s blown up for 185 yards and a touchdown in two games and there are certainly worse options if you need a tight end this week.

You Know Who You Should Sit?

Andy Dalton (QB – Cincinnati)
I usually favor Dalton, especially at home, but this week’s situation leaves cause for concern. The Bengals would be wise to save A.J. Green this week because they have a bye coming up and he can return well-rested afterwards. Tennessee’s defense has done a good job stopping the pass in the first two weeks of the season, allowing less than 200 yards a game on average and only two touchdowns total. There are better options to pursue this week.

Montee Ball (RB – Denver)
Even though Eddie Lacy (going against Detroit), Le’Veon Bell (going against Carolina) and Matt Forte (going against the N.Y. Jets) are ‎all facing some of the best run defenses in football, you can’t bench them this week because they have too much talent. (Just temper your expectations for the week. Lacy’s a great buy low player early next week.) We can, however, tell you to lay low on Montee Ball this week if you have reserves. It’s probably hard for you to sit a running back you drafted as your RB1, but Denver hasn’t turned him loose through two games and won’t be able to against the “Legion of Boom” this week. Seattle’s defense has limited RBs to 164 rushing yards in two games. After seeing what Philip Rivers did to them last week, Peyton Manning probably believes his best options are through the air.

Doug Martin (RB – Tampa Bay)
It’s possible that Martin has lost his starting job. Word out of Tampa today is that there’s a good possibility that Bobby Rainey could get the start after gashing Atlanta, tonight’s opponent, last November and performing well in last week’s start. There’s just too much risk for Martin this week between his injury recovery and Rainey even though his opponent makes you salivate for the opportunity.

Emmanuel Sanders (WR – Denver)
Sanders is all the rage through two weeks as he’s started off the season leading Denver in receiving yards. Things will change this week as Wes Welker returns, taking targets away from Sanders. Denver plays Seattle this week, which means Richard Sherman will lock down half the field. Look for Denver to keep Demaryius Thomas away from Sherman and leave Sanders to be shadowed. It was nice while it lasted …

Eric Decker (WR – N.Y. Jets)
From a current Broncos receiver to a former one, Decker has some reasons to play against him this week. He left last week’s game against Green bay after re-injuring the same hamstring that was causing his trouble in the preseason. Hamstring injuries never go away and are especially harmful for wide receivers because they limit a receiver’s burst. The Bears are in the top half of defending receivers to begin with, so look for the Jets to focus on the run even if Decker does play.

Martellus Bennett (TE – Chicago)
It could be that the Jets’ cornerbacks are so bad or it could be that their linebackers are good at covering tight ends, but the Jets have done a fine job limiting TEs this year. Given that the Jets have only allowed 51 yards to TEs in two games, Bennett likely won’t see as many balls coming his way this Monday night as Cutlers bombs out to Chicago’s wide receivers.