Start Em Sit Em Week 3: Starters That Must Be Benched

Week 3 of the NFL season features some matchups that make it absolutely necessary to bench a starter who isn't likely to produce much.

Lamar Miller of the Miami Dolphins will look to build on what was a solid Week 2 showing against the Indianapolis Colts as the Dolphins play host to the Atlanta Falcons.

Eddie Royal's start to the season has forced fantasy owners to rush to the waiver wire in order to acquire his services, but the receiver is due for an off week and that could come against the Tennessee Titans.

The Indianapolis Colts and Andrew Luck are lucky to be 1-1 after two games. A Week 3 game with the San Francisco 49ers doesn't look to bode well for this struggling group.

Let's take a look at each of these players and why you should avoid starting each, as well as a potential alternative option to start in their place.

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins

After a much better showing in Week 2 of the NFL season, fantasy owners have a renewed faith in Miller, but don't let that faith become a misguided belief in Week 3.

Miller was able to compile 69 yards on 14 carries with a touchdown and had a minimal contribution through the air against the Colts. Those numbers weren't all that impressive in the first place, but even less so considering it was against a Colts front seven that is porous at best.

Against the Falcons in Week 3, Miller will have his work cut out for him. Atlanta's rush defense is ranked No. 8 in the NFL this season, averaging 73.5 yards allowed per game. To make matters worse, the Dolphins seem to be intent on splitting time between Miller and fellow running back Daniel Thomas, so that's another big factor weighing on such a decision.

Also keep an eye on receiver Mike Wallace, who is listed as questionable (per ESPN.com) for this game. If he doesn't play or isn't at 100 percent, the Falcons won't have to respect the Dolphins though the air as much and can focus more on stopping the run, which will make Miller's job more difficult than it already is.

Alternative Option: Bernard Pierce, RB, Baltimore Ravens or Joique Bell, RB, Detroit Lions

Eddie Royal, WR, San Diego Chargers

Royal is off to a remarkable start to the season for the Chargers with a league-leading five touchdowns.

Despite his ability to get into the end zone, his receiving yards have been average at best. In two games, Royal has 10 catches (14 targets) for 114 yards and while he has become a favorite target of quarterback Phillip Rivers, he clearly hasn't done much in the yards department.

Royal's success will make him the focal point of the Titans pass defense. That extra attention may benefit the receivers around him, but Royal won't have as much space to work with and that's especially true in the red zone where he's had the most impact.

Even Titans head coach Mike Munchak explained how to potentially game plan and stop Royal, per Michael Gelhken of the San Diego Union-Tribune:

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“Definitely. Definitely,” Titans coach Mike Munchak said. “You get him one-on-one quite a bit, and he can make people miss. All of a sudden, that is a big, big concern. Now, maybe you take one more guy out of the box in the run game, and that’s what a lot of these plays are off of: box counts.

“You worry about a guy you need help tackling. You’ve got to pull someone out, and all a sudden, (Ryan) Mathews or (Ronnie) Brown are taking off for a nice run. We can’t get that extra guy in the box because of what they’re doing with the receiver and what he can do. It definitely affects the game.”

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The 27-year-old has never totaled more than five touchdowns in a season, so that's something to keep in mind. Has he already hit his ceiling after two weeks or are there more great things to come from Royal?

To play it safe, it would be wise to choose another Chargers receiver before him in order to give Royal some time to prove he is truly for real. Maybe this game will be the coming out party that fantasy owners thought Vincent Brown would have this season.

Alternative Option: Vincent Brown, WR, San Diego Chargers

Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Luck will be taking on the toughest opponent he's faced thus far when he and his Colts travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. The Niners are coming off an ugly loss at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, so this is a team with a chip on its shoulder primed to put up an impressive rebound performance on both sides of the ball.

Indianapolis' offensive line has been an issue this season. Luck has already been sacked seven times, good enough to tie him for No. 6 in the NFL. In all, the Colts quarterback has suffered 14 QB hits through the first two weeks.

Things don't figure to get any easier this week as the Niners bring a pass rush that boasts Aldon Smith (3.5 sacks), one of the best at his position in the NFL. On top of that, San Fran is ranked No. 10 against the pass.

Because of a lackluster defensive unit, the Colts are susceptible to allowing long drives to quarterback Colin Kaepernick, running back Frank Gore and the rest of the Niners offense. If that's the case, Luck and the Colts offense will have far less time on the field than is desired, thus reducing their production.

Indy has a new toy to use this week as running back Trent Richardson will be making his Colts debut on Sunday. With a stud back in the mix, the Colts may end up taking some touches away from Luck as they look to establish a new, talented aspect to the offense.

Alternative Option: Phillip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers