Tomorrow already starts week 3 of the Fantasy Football season, it totally seems like the season is flying by already. Last week, I provided some good (Marlon Brown) & not so good (Sit Eric Decker) advice. This week is my week of redemption for those who sat Eric Decker. I will guarantee that these guys are, well no wait I can’t predict the future. So I will tell you that heading into week 3 we have better feeling on who is good and who isn’t good for your Fantasy team. (Check out my Week 3 Fantasy Sleepers http://wp.me/p2MUTr-m4)
Week 3 Must Start
Matthew Stafford vs. Washington Redskins (52/79, 635 yards, 4 TDs & 1 INT)
Stafford didn’t throw his 4th touchdown pass until week 5 last year and he had 4 INTs in the 1st two games last year. So there has been much improvement in his decision-making this year. He has probably one of the best matchups he will have all season. The Redskins have given up 621 yards and 6 touchdown passes to quarterbacks in week 1 and 2. Stafford is set up to have a top 5 QB game this week.
Marshawn Lynch vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (45 carries, 141 yards, 2 TDs & 5 catches, 46 yards & a TD)
Lynch is a perfect example of why not to panic and trade or bench a guy after the 1st week of the season. He totaled over 100+ yards and 3 touchdowns against the 49ers in week 2. The Jaguars are fresh off giving up 226 yards (129 to McFadden) on the ground to the Raiders. Lynch is in place to have a field day against them.
Rashard Mendenhall vs. New Orléans Saints (31 carries, 126 yards & a TD, 3 catches, 32 yards)
While the Saints defense has improved against the pass, they rank 27th against the run. Mendenhall looked pretty good against the Lions last week (Did I really just say that?). Even with Ellington in the fold Mendenhall will be a great play this week against the Saints.
Julio Jones vs. Miami Dolphins (23 targets, 18 catches, 258 yards & 2 TDs)
The Miami defense has played really good this season but they kind of got exposed last week with the deep ball by Luck and T.Y. Hilton. They connected on 6 catches for 124 yards in week 2 and this is only great news for Jones and this matchup. Through two weeks we have gotten consistent play out of Julio, it is only the 2nd time in the last 2 years he has had games with back to back touchdowns. In what could be a tough matchup for the Falcons, Julio is a must start.
Pierre Garcon vs. Detroit Lions (24 targets, 15 catches, 207 yards & a TD)
I expect this game to be a full on shootout as the Redskins do not know how to defend the pass. Garcon has become the captain of garbage time points (12 catches 140 yards & a TD in the 2nd half). With the high scoring affair, he is an easy WR1 this week.
Greg Olsen vs. New York Giants (17 targets, 12 catches, 140 yards & a TD)
Olsen comes into week 3 as the 4th most targeted tight end in the league. He had a big day last week against the Bills. He has a matchup against a Giants team that has given up a total of 14 catches 117 yards and 3 touchdowns to tight ends over the 1st two weeks of the season. Olsen is one of Newton’s favorite targets and with this matchup he is easily a must start this week.
New England Patriots Defense vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs have mustered up 31 points in the 1st two games of the season. They are facing a Patriots team that may be lost on offense but have played really good defense. I recommended them last week and will do the same again this week.
Week 3 Must Sit
Terrelle Pryor vs. Denver Broncos
Can the Pryor chatter finally die down? In probably the best matchup he will have all season he mustered up 10 Fantasy points. He just isn’t a guy you can rely on week to week, I’ll even go one better he is a guy I wouldn’t start again this season. He has a tough matchup against the Broncos where they are going to force him to throw and throw from behind. He is droppable in everything but 2 QB formats.
Daryl Richardson vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys did a great job against Jamaal Charles in week 2, shutting him down to only yards through 3 and half quarters. He did manage to reach 53 yards rushing towards the end of the game basically against a tired, ran down Cowboys defense. Richardson isn’t a very good matchup this week against them. I would sit him unless you are thin at the RB position.
Stevan Ridley vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers defense has only given up 118 yards in the 1st two games on the ground to RBs. Ridley hasn’t been impressive at all this year. He should see his normal 15-20 touches but I don’t see him getting more than 50-60 yards. Without him reaching the endzone, I find it hard to start him unless you are in deeper leagues.
T.Y. Hilton vs. San Francisco 49ers
Hilton was a great play last week against a tough matchup in the Dolphins. Hilton faces a 49ers team fresh off a blowout loss by the Seahawks. I look for them to shut down the Colts and I think they will focus on shutting down deep threat in Hilton.
Any Jaguars vs. Seattle Seahawks
Did you see what the Seahawks did to the 49ers? The Jaguars aren’t a quarter as good as them. Shorts might be the only guy worth looking at but he gets Richard Sherman this week. Sit any and all Jaguars you own.
Miami Dolphins Defense vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Dolphins Defense was haven’t given up a lot of points but they have been shown that they can be thrown on. They face a team that is known for its great aerial attack in the Falcons. I think this will be an easy sit for the Dolphins D this week.
Also don’t forget to check out our new Podcast/Show on Sunday’s at 11am (EST) http://www.blogtalkradio.com/foryourconsideration we answer questions your Fantasy Football questions live on the air.
You can also follow me on Twitter (@rickygangster) or (@thesportsscript) as we answer all your Fantasy Football questions all week up until game time.
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