Fantasy Football's Top Scorers from Week 3

It's Week 3 of the 2012 season in the National Football League, and the one thing you can expect in the NFL is the unexpected, as evidenced by the Minnesota Vikings making fairly easy work of a San Francisco 49ers team that looked like the class of the league through the first two weeks.

Those surprises trickled down to fantasy football as well, and whether it was a return to glory for one of 2010's best running backs or a dominant performance by the Red Rifle, here's a look at the top fantasy performances from the season's third week in point-per-reception leagues.

QB: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (39 Pts.)

Do you remember the days when the Pittsburgh Steelers were known most for a punishing defense and a smashmouth running game?

Well, the defense is still formidable, but make no mistake, the Steelers are a passing team now.

That was plainly evident Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger topped 325 passing yards and threw four touchdown passes against an injury ravaged Oakland secondary.

In the game's first three quarters.

RB: Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs (40 Pts)

Speaking of wild games, there was another tilt in the Big Easy that went to overtime, as the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs needed a bonus frame before the Chiefs emerged with their first win of the year.

Without a doubt, the biggest story of this game from a fantasy perspective was the offensive showcase put on by Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles.

To say that Charles won some fantasy teams their matchups this week would be an understatement, as the fifth-year pro made his first big game of the year a monster, scoring on a 91-yard touchdown scamper on his way to well over 200 yards rushing.

WR: A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals (33 Pts)

Given that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton put up huge numbers on Sunday, it stands to reason that his top wide receiver would have a solid fantasy afternoon as well.

What was surprising was that Green's biggest catch of the day wasn't even thrown by Dalton.

Of the second-year pro's nine catches of the day, the longest was a 73-yard touchdown bomb thrown by fellow wideout Mohamed Sanu, propelling Green to 183 receiving yards on the day.

TE: Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons (24 Pts)

For reasons that still escape me Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez dropped in many fantasy drafts this summer, with many team owners apparently predicting a drop off in production from the 36-year-old.

For the third time in three games Gonzalez caught a touchdown pass in Atlanta's obliteration of the San Diego Chargers Sunday, and his nine catches for 91 yards is enough to earn him the top spot among tight ends in Week 3.

Some drop off.