Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: 5 Stars Best Left on Your Bench

Generally the fantasy football owners who overreact and bench their struggling stars suffer in the long run because stars will break out sooner or later, regardless of the opponent. They're stars, and that's what they do—produce.

But there are a few exceptions each and every week, stars who are not only on a slippery slope, but also figure to continue sliding. You add in an unfavorable matchup and you have fantasy poison.

Here are five stars in Week 3 better left on your bench.

5. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams

Steven Jackson is questionable for his game against the Baltimore Ravens with a quad injury, but even if he plays, he's likely not going to give you much.

Jackson, who missed Week 2, has two rushes all season thus far. He's obviously a star and is bound to have some big games once he gets healthy, but overall I'm seeing a decline in the 28-year-old.

Part of the reason why Jackson has been such a fantasy football asset is because he's a workhorse, getting the touches each game to propel you to victory.

But that's exactly why I see him declining this year.

The least amount of rushes Jackson has had since his second year in the league has been 237. He's eclipsed 300 rushes three different times and he had the second-most rushes in his career last season (330). On top of that, he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, the lowest mark of his career.

Folks, Steven Jackson can only be a machine for so long. Before long, he'll begin to look like an actual human being.

Against Baltimore, a solid rush defense, and behind a shoddy offensive line, bench Jackson.

4. Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets

This selection isn't based on Greene's matchup in Week 3. He plays the Oakland Raiders and they tend to give up a lot of rushing yards (they've given up 7.1 yards per carry so far).

This is more based on the fact that I don't think Greene is ever going to live up to his potential.

Last season, we gave Greene a break, given LaDainian Tomlinson was stealing some fantasy production from him. This season, however, he's had the backfield primarily to himself, and he's done nothing to prove he deserves the starting spot.

Through two games, Greene's averaging 2.9 yards per carry. It's not like the Jets don't know this. He's received only 26 rushes so far. The Jets know they need to rely on their passing game right now.

Even with a favorable matchup, I don't like Greene this week, nor do I like him for the rest of the season.

3. Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler looked about as frustrated as he's ever been last week against the New Orleans Saints.

The Week 1 victory against the Atlanta Falcons masked the fact that Cutler was still sacked five times. The Week 2 loss exposed the fact that he was sacked six times.

You simply cannot expect Cutler not to struggle with this offensive line. The Bears gave up a league-high 56 sacks last season. The offensive line may actually be worse at this point.

Guess who Cutler gets to face in Week 3? His friends, the Green Bay Packers, the same team that ousted him and the Bears in the NFC Championship Game last season.

Cutler throws the ball a heck of a lot, so he'll generally get his numbers. The problem is, I see his numbers potentially digressing to his numbers of 2009, when he threw 27 touchdowns, but 26 interceptions.

And this is certainly not the week to put blind faith in Cutler.

2. Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos

Brandon Lloyd had the most points among receivers in fantasy football last season, with over 1,400 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns.

This season, however, he suffered a groin injury and missed Week 2.

Lloyd is a very good receiver, but he's not the superstar that his 2010 numbers would suggest. He's bound for a fall this season and against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3 he goes up against a solid secondary.

Don't count on Lloyd this week.

1. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans

I hate to pile on the "anti-awesomeness" of having Arian Foster on your fantasy squad right now—the general No. 2 overall pick in most drafts—but things are just not looking good right now.

Foster rushed back from a hamstring injury and re-aggravated it in Week 2. He's questionable now, but even if he plays he's not going to get a heavy workload vs. the New Orleans Saints, and backup Ben Tate has shown he's plenty capable of carrying the workload, one of the biggest surprises of the season.

Foster had 10 rushes for 33 yards last week. I wouldn't be surprised if his numbers are comparable if he plays in New Orleans.

This season is shaping up to be a massive disappointment for Arian Foster owners.