Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em Week 3: Who Will Thrive or Take a Dive?

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Sick and tired of getting the same old predictable fantasy football sit 'em start 'em picks? 

Looking into my crystal ball for Week 3 I see some star players getting held in check and some secondary players exploding onto the scene. 

Here are some early shocking sit 'em and start 'em picks for Week 3.

Cedrid Benson: Sit

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Cedric Benson has looked really good so far this year, totaling 199 yards in two games with a score. 

This week will be different. He is going against the stout San Francisco 49ers run defense who has only given up a league low 2.5 yards per carry and 109 yards through two games.

There is absolutely no way I am playing Benson this week as he will be completely shut down, so hopefully you have a serviceable RB3.

Shonn Greene: Start

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Shonn Greene has looked pitiful this year.  He is averaging a robust 2.9 yards per carry and has a total of 88 yards on 29 touches.  He did cross the goal-line last week against Jacksonville and if you thought that was a good match-up, this week is golden.

The Jets face off against the Oakland Raiders who are giving up an uncanny 6.7 yards a carry.  Yes, 6.7 yards per carry!  If Shonn Green can't have a break-out game this week, he will never have one. 

Get him in your lineup no matter who you have to bench for him.

Tim Hightower: Sit

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Tim Hightower has been a great early season surprise as many fantasy analysts predicted.  He has totaled just over 200 yards and a score in his first two games and has yet to fumble. 

This week is going to be a little different as he is going against the stout Dallas Cowboys defense.  The 'Boys are right behind the 49ers, allowing only 3.0 yards per carry and only 119 yards through two games.  It's not like they have faced scrubs either, as they went against tough runners Shonn Greene and Frank Gore.  If they can't break through the Cowboys front seven, Hightower definitely wont.

So sit Hightower, even after his breakout first two games.

Mike Tolbert: Start

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Mike Tolbert kind of fell apart at the end of the game last week, so he will look to redeem himself against the lowly Chiefs this week.  After getting stuffed and then fumbling the ball, Tolbert was held out of the end zone after scoring three touchdowns in Week 1. 

Surprisingly through two games, Mike Tolbert is leading all running backs with 17 receptions and just as Detroit's Jahvid Best torched Kansas City through the air, Tolbert will do the same. 

Get him in your lineup as a surefire RB2 this week.

Eric Decker: Sit

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After his breakout Week 2 it is clear that Eric Decker is the hottest waiver wire addition.  I am not saying don't pick him up, because he clearly has talent and Denver obviously is looking for WR help.  If you are the lucky one who gets Decker this week, don't start him!

The Broncos are going against a Tennessee Titans defense that has only given up a minuscule 186 yards a game through the air, just shut down the Baltimore Ravens and held Anquan Boldin to only three catches for 46 yards. 

Keep him stored on your bench this week and start him Week 4 against the weak Green Bay pass defense.

Mike Thomas: Start

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Mike Thomas was hyped up pretty good going into this season, but after two weeks and only 84 yards he has clearly disappointed.  This week will be different though, as he faces the Carolina Panthers defense that has more holes than Swiss cheese. 

Carolina is giving up a ridiculous 16.7 yards per catch to receivers and with Blaine Gabbert projected to start this week, Mike Thomas and the Jaguars are licking their chops. 

Get Thomas in your lineup as a weak WR2 to solid WR3 this week and you will not be disappointed.

Ben Roethlisberger: Sit

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Even though the Indianapolis Colts are 0-2 they actually have a pretty respectable pass defense.  They held Matt Schaub to only 220 yards in Week 1 and intercepted him twice.  Then in Week 2 Colt McCoy only went for 211 and a score. 

If you want to get a 200-yard, one touchdown day out of your quarterback, go ahead and start Ben Roethlisberger. 

There are plenty more options out there this week, so don't look at this match-up and think it is money—because its not.

Ryan Fitzpatrick: Start

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Ryan Fitzpatrick is for real.  This week he should put up huge numbers again as the Bills will go against division rival New England Patriots.  This game is likely to turn into a shootout, just like every other New England game so far this year, and the Bills have the weapons to keep up with them. 

Fitzpatrick is shaping up to be a solid starter every week for your fantasy team and this week will be no different, as New England has already given up 762 yards through the air in two games.  This should be a fun one to watch as the Bills will try to prove they are for real—and so will Fitzpatrick.

So there ya go, eight players to either sit or start this week.  Hope I made your decisions easier and good luck in Week 3.