Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 3: Fantasy Football's Top Locks and Flops

The Week 3 lineup of games gives fantasy players some wonderful opportunities to put points on the board this weekend.

When a quality team like the Seattle Seahawks comes home for the first time and is still looking for its initial win of the season, that means there are a number of motivated players. When that home game is against a struggling team like the Chicago Bears, those chances to excel become even greater.

Have you noticed that a certain quarterback named Tom Brady is playing like a 28-year-old in the prime of his career instead of like the 38-year-old that he is? Hmm? Wonder what Tom Terrific's true motivation is? Could it have something to do with a certain commissioner named Roger Goodell? That's a pretty good possibility.

There are also matchups to avoid. It may seem obvious that there are huge problems in Dallas with injuries to Tony Romo and Dez Bryant, but some fantasy players may look at the 2-0 record and think they can still get key points from skill-position players on the Dallas roster.

We are here to disabuse you of that notion.

Here's a look at some of the top locks and sure-fire flops in Week 3.

Position	Player	Team	Opponent	Lock/Flop
QB	Tom Brady	New England	Jacksonville	Lock
QB	Russell Wilson	Seattle	Chicago	Lock
QB	Sam Bradford	Philadelphia	N.Y. Jets	Flop
RB	Marshawn Lynch	Seattle	Chicago	Lock
RB	Frank Gore	Indianapolis	Tennessee	Lock
RB	Joseph Randle	Dallas	Atlanta	Flop
WR	Travis Benjamin	Cleveland	Oakland	Lock
WR	Brandon Marshall	N.Y. Jets	Philadelphia	Lock
WR	Brandin Cooks	New Orleans	Carolina	Flop

Top Locks

QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots

The numbers are other-worldly for Tom Brady, and we know most fantasy players are wondering when it will all come to an end. Brady has a 7-0 touchdown-interception ratio through two games, and he is coming off a 466-yard effort at Buffalo in Week 2.

The fear and skepticism should disappear for at least one more week. The angry and motivated Patriots play the improving but still vulnerable Jacksonville Jaguars, and that means Brady should be able to light it up once again. 

He may not top 400 yards, but you can be sure he will get at least 300 with three more touchdowns. If the Jaguars have any success with Blake Bortles and their own offense, that will just push Brady that much more.

"

Patriots blog: Tom Brady's work ethic praised as he looks better than ever at age 38 http://t.co/PBsVbLK30m

— ESPNBoston (@ESPNBoston) September 23, 2015"

This is another no-doubt game for the ever-vigilant Brady, and you must keep him in your lineup.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

RB Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

After rushing for a respectable 73 yards in the opener at St. Louis, Lynch was basically stopped in his tracks as he had 41 yards in Week 2 at Green Bay.

Of all the angry Seahawks you can choose to put in your lineup Sunday, Lynch may just be the angriest. He has not gotten into the end zone yet, and that's a shocker. The fact that the Packers held him in check should result in an overpowering effort against Chicago.

"

Over the previous three seasons, Marshawn Lynch has rushed for 25 touchdowns in 24 home games. He's gotten 11 rushing TDs in 24 road games.

— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) September 24, 2015"

The Bears' defense was among the worst in the league in 2013 and 2014, and it doesn't appear to be much better since it has allowed a league-worst 79 points (through the first two weeks). While we have full respect for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, he simply does not have a lot of playmakers to work with on this defense. Pernell McPhee may grow into that role, but he's not there yet.

Look for Lynch to run for at least 125 yards and put two touchdowns on the board.

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

WR Travis Benjamin, Cleveland Browns

While it looks like Josh McCown will start at quarterback for the Browns this week against the Raiders, it would not be a shocker to see Johnny Manziel get some action, as well.

No matter who is under center, we expect another big day for Travis Benjamin against Oakland. Benjamin is fast and explosive, and he has shown off his ability to run right by defenders as a receiver or punt returner.

"

Travis Benjamin is the first player since the great @JimBrownNFL32 in 1963 with four TD of 50+ yards in his team's first two games.

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) September 20, 2015"

The Raiders have given up 33 points in both of their first two games, so that defense is quite vulnerable. The fact that the Raiders showed a much improved offense in Week 2 against the Ravens means this could be a back-and-forth, high-scoring game. That means a lot of opportunities for Benjamin, who already has 204 receiving yards and three touchdowns as a result of his pass-catching (and one more TD as a punt returner).

You must put Benjamin in your lineup this week.

Fantasy Flops

QB Sam Bradford, Philadelphia

We don't pretend to understand why the Eagles have gotten off to such an horrendous start with their offense. While we have many questions about Chip Kelly's leadership, he had shown through his first two seasons that the Eagles' offense could attack quickly.

Some of the changes made in the offseason may have been questionable, such as saying goodbye to LeSean McCoy, but the acquisition of Sam Bradford looked like a good move. While Bradford has had problems staying healthy, he has the arm strength, quick release and excellent decision-making ability to put up big numbers.

"

Eagles probably didn't mean to dump the offense in Sam Bradford's lap so quickly, but there it sits http://t.co/RTAxOGPLqD via @phillysport

— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) September 24, 2015"

So far, that has not happened, as Bradford has a 2-4 touchdown-interception ratio and the Eagles are 0-2. They line up against the defensively sound New York Jets, and it looks like it will get worse before it gets better. 

Keep Bradford on your bench this week.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

RB Joseph Randle, Dallas Cowboys

Joseph Randle has been up against it since the Cowboys decided not to bring back DeMarco Murray. While he had an excellent opportunity in front of him as the Cowboys' No. 1 running back, there was no reason to think he could approach Murray's productivity.

Owner Jerry Jones knew he had to make a choice between Murray and Dez Bryant, and he chose the receiver. Unfortunately for Jones, Bryant broke a bone in his foot in Week 1, while Tony Romo broke his clavicle against the Eagles in Week 2.

"

Confident that TONY ROMO @dallascowboys will be ready to play & be 100% when allowed in 8wks (IR/dfr). Clavicle fractures heal reliably.

— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) September 23, 2015"

The Dallas offense is now in the hands of Brandon Weeden, and that is not a great way to go about winning football games, even if Weeden was 7-of-7 in his fill-in performance against Philadelphia. Randle has rushed for 116 yards, and he has not gotten into the end zone yet.

Look for the improving Atlanta defense to key on Randle and keep him out of the end zone once again. He won't rush for more than 60 yards, and he needs to stay on your bench.

WR Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints

After losing to the Buccaneers, the Saints could be in for a rough game against Ron Rivera's Carolina Panthers. While Carolina is not a juggernaut, Rivera's defense is consistent and nasty.

That's bad news for Brandin Cooks (ankle), who won't have a healthy Drew Brees throwing the ball to him. Brees is as tough as they come, and there's little doubt that he wants to play. However, if he can't go, that means Luke McCown may start for him or come in later in the game.

Cooks has caught nine passes for 111 yards through the first two games with Brees at quarterback. Much was expected from Cooks this season, and the first two games have not been stellar.

The Carolina defense is not going to make life easy for the Saints, either. The Panthers are off to a 2-0 start, and they have given up 26 points, which is second overall and first in the NFC.

Cooks should get it going at some point this year, but it won't be against the Panthers in Week 3. Keep him on your bench.