Fantasy Football Week Three Sit Ems

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Sitting your studs is typically the most difficult decision you will encounter in fantasy football each week. When your top overall pick is playing a tough defense like the Pittsburgh Steelers, it takes some serious guts to sit them for lesser talented players, but it can be that foresight that will lead to fantasy football championships. No we aren’t suggesting you bench your studs anytime the match-up is tough, but we do recommend you check out the Fantasy Football Week Three Sit Ems for players to think twice about before plugging them into your weekly lineup.

QUARTERBACKS—SIT ‘EM

Matt Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs) @ Philadelphia

Matt Cassel has been a huge disappointment thus far, and it doesn’t seem like it will get any better in week three. After already suffering a knee injury that kept him out of week one, he looked mediocre against the Oakland Raiders. Now, he has the pleasure of facing the Philadelphia Eagles and their ball-hawking defense that has given up only 371 passing yards in two games. With six INTs and seven sacks, they will get after Cassel all day without fail. The Chiefs best shot is to use RB Larry Johnson effectively to open up the passing game, but this game could be put away rather quickly.

Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Indianapolis

Granted, Kurt Warner did just break an NFL record last week by going 24 for 26 against Jacksonville, but unless you get points per completion percentage, his fantasy points have been just average. With 531 yards, three TDs, and two INTs in the first two weeks, he hasn’t looked like the old Warner (as early as last season). The Indianapolis Colts pass defense has been stellar this season, only allowing 278 yards with 0 TDs and one INT. Kurt Warner will change that zero in the TD column, but expectations shouldn’t be sky-high in this week three match-up.

Brett Favre (Minnesota Vikings) vs. San Francisco

This may be perhaps the last time we will say to place Brett Favre on the bench, even though he has done nothing to deny his ability to still perform. The day has come where Brett Favre is no more a gun-slinger, but instead a Pennington-esque game manager. Favre’s match-up against the 49ers could force Brett to make some throws since the SF defense has been solid against the run (then again, they haven’t faced Adrian Peterson either). The Niners have the 20th ranked pass defense allowing 476 yards and two TDs to three INTs. Favre’s days of 350+ yards and four TDs are well past him.

RUNNING BACKS—SIT ‘EM

Thomas Jones (New York Jets) vs. Tennessee

The Jets come in to Week Three facing a Tennessee Titans run defense that ranks second in the NFL. On the season the Titans have allowed a measly 99 rush yards and 0 TDs in two games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans. Thomas Jones has the unfortunate task of facing the Titans this week, and you can bet they will force QB Mark Sanchez to beat them through the air. In fact, this may be the type of game that backup RB Leon Washington sees more carries and snaps than Jones due to his breakaway speed and play-making ability. If you are a Jones owner it would be wise to keep him on your bench this week, because in all likelihood the only way he reaches 10+ fantasy points is by finding pay dirt.

Joseph Addai / Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts) @ Arizona

Joseph Addai and Donald Brown both warrant to be sat in Week Three facing a surprisingly strong Cardinals run defense. While Brown may not be seeing your lineup yet, Addai is in for a tough match-up with the Cardinals who have allowed only 112 rushing yards for a 2.7 per carry average thus far. They completely shut down RB Frank Gore in Week 1 and limited RB Maurice Jones-Drew in Week Two. If the Colts get stuffed running the football early expect them to abandon the run and let Peyton Manning pick apart their secondary all night. We recommend both of these players sit on the bench until one of them truly claims the top spot in Indy. Until then you should play both options at your own risk.

New Orleans Saints RBBC @ Buffalo

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