Week 3 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Projections for Top 10 Players at Each Position

Many fantasy owners likely endured a rough matchup during Week 2 of the NFL season. That's because a rash of injuries left several big-name players putting up low numbers. Those owners will be looking to turn things around this weekend.

For those that are currently 2-0, all the power to you. If you're worried about some of the stud players expected to shine this season, well, you're not alone.

On Sunday, Robert Griffin III, DeSean Jackson, Jamaal Charles, A.J. Green, and Ryan Mathews all left their games with injuries. Several rosters were ravaged by those ailments but should have a respectable list of starters this week thanks to the waiver wire.

Prior to the weekend getting underway, here's a look at the Week 3 starts and sits in fantasy football.

Quarterbacks

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Projected Points
1	Drew Brees	NO	MIN	27
2	Andrew Luck	IND	@JAC	25
3	Aaron Rodgers	GB	@DET	24
4	Peyton Manning	DEN	@SEA	23
5	Matthew Stafford	DET	GB	22
6	Jay Cutler	CHI	@NYJ	22
7	Cam Newton	CAR	PIT	20
8	Tom Brady	NE	OAK	18
9	Nick Foles	PHI	WAS	17
10	Russell Wilson	SEA	DEN	17

Start 'Em: Jay Cutler, CHI (at NYJ)

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Didn't start Jay Cutler last weekend when he blew up the San Francisco 49ers in the second half? Well, most owners didn't look his way either.

ESPN Fantasy Sports points out the percentage of people who started Cutler in Week 2:

This week, Cutler is facing off with the New York Jets, who have allowed 21.29 points per week to quarterbacks. A tall task lies ahead for New York with both Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery lining up on the outside.

Cutler should have another stellar performance this weekend against a quarterback-friendly defense. He looks primed to pick apart this defense and help fantasy teams in Week 3.

Sit 'Em: Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (at CAR)

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Week 1 was a phenomenal one for Ben Roethlisberger. Last weekend was a completely different story. Fantasy owners are now left to ponder what type of results they will likely be getting from Big Ben moving forward.

Roethlisberger has been a consistent fantasy quarterback, but took a huge step back against the Baltimore Ravens. ESPN Stats & Info notes how horrid that start was for the Steelers signal-caller:

Coming off a weekend in which he didn't throw a single touchdown, Big Ben shouldn't be trusted in Week 3 either. He also faces a Carolina Panthers defense that allowed just one touchdown against the Detroit Lions—and superstar Calvin Johnson was not on the receiving end of it.

Carolina has allowed 14.23 points to fantasy quarterbacks, forcing three interceptions while allowing three touchdowns. After stymieing Matthew Stafford last weekend, expect the same struggles for Roethlisberger on Sunday night.

Running Backs 

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Projected Points
1	LeSean McCoy	PHI	WAS	22
2	Arian Foster	HOU	@NYG	21
3	DeMarco Murray	DAL	@STL	19
4	Giovani Bernard	CIN	TEN	18
5	Alfred Morris	WAS	@PHI	17
6	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	DEN	15
7	Matt Forte	CHI	@NYJ	15
8	Eddie Lacy	GB	@DET	14
9	Knile Davis	KC	@MIA	14
10	Le'Veon Bell	PIT	@CAR	12

Start 'Em: Knile Davis, KC (at MIA)

If Jamaal Charles remains sidelined with an ankle injury, Knile Davis has more than proved he's a running back to trust.

The backup running back posted 21 points in Week 2 after Charles left the game early. That total came from 22 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns, so he clearly has a nose for the end zone and the team trusts him.

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid spoke about Davis' preparation, per BJ Kissel of KCChiefs.com:

Now that fantasy owners can potentially prepare for who will have the biggest workload in Kansas City, Davis looks like a smart start. If Davis is the workhorse against the Miami Dolphins, he will shine.

Sit 'Em: Frank Gore, SF (at ARI)

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

In fantasy terms, a running back posting 13 points one week means he should be a starter the following game. But Frank Gore has yet to total more than 70 yards rushing in a game and was saved by a touchdown against the Bears in Week 2.

Thus far, he has scored 19 points in two weeks and has his toughest matchup yet against the Arizona Cardinals. Through two games, the Cardinals have allowed just 133 rushing yards and just one touchdown on the ground.

This matchup might wind up being a fantasy nightmare for running backs, with the Niners having a similar rush defense. But for owners looking at Gore as an RB2 option, looking elsewhere this week will pay off.

Wide Receivers

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Projected Points
1	Calvin Johnson	DET	GB	20
2	Brandon Marshall	CHI	@NYJ	19
3	Jordy Nelson	GB	@DET	18
4	Dez Bryant	DAL	@STL	18
5	Demaryius Thomas	DEN	@SEA	17
6	Andre Johnson	HOU	@NYG	15
7	Alshon Jeffery	CHI	@NYJ	14
8	Cordarrelle Patterson	MIN	@NO	14
9	Randall Cobb	GB	@DET	12
10	Antonio Brown	PIT	@CAR	11

Start 'Em: Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN (at NO)

An erratic start to the season for Cordarrelle Patterson might see another huge jump in Week 3 in the Superdome.

Patterson burst onto the season with a total of 128 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, but returned to earth against the New England Patriots. He may be a receiver, but Ian Kenyon of Bleacher Report notes just how deadly he is as a runner:

Ironically enough, Patterson didn't have a single carry against the Patriots in a 30-7 loss. Expect that to change in Week 3 against an angry New Orleans Saints team looking for a win.

New Orleans has allowed the seventh-most points to running backs (25.40) and second-most to receivers (29.45). Regardless of how Patterson is used, he should have a huge performance against the Saints.

Sit 'Em: Wes Welker, DEN (at SEA)

The revision of the NFL drug policy led to Wes Welker's suspension being reduced from four to two games, per Mike Klis of The Denver Post.

Peyton Manning referenced the veteran wide receiver following the announcement, via Klis.

"Wes has played in a lot of big games, on the road, and he's seen about every defense you can possibly see, so his presence helps our entire football team," Manning said. "So there's more than just his catching a pass or route running that Wes Welker provides."

His prize for returning this week? A date with the Seattle Seahawks defense and the 12th Man. If that sounds daunting, that's because it is.

Welker posted 84 receiving yards against the Seahawks in the Super Bowl but was unable to reach the end zone. Fantasy owners may be excited to start the slot receiver, but waiting until after the bye week might be a better choice.

Tight Ends

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Projected Points
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	MIN	17
2	Julius Thomas	DEN	@SEA	15
3	Rob Gronkowski	NE	OAK	14
4	Dennis Pitta	BAL	@CLE	12
5	Greg Olsen	CAR	PIT	12
6	Zach Ertz	PHI	WAS	11
7	Jordan Cameron	CLE	BAL	10
8	Vernon Davis	SF	@ARI	9
9	Charles Clay	MIA	KC	9
10	Antonio Gates	SD	@BUF	7

Start 'Em: Charles Clay, MIA (vs. KC)

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

Early results for Charles Clay haven't been overly positive, but the Miami Dolphins tight end should be able to stage a comeback this weekend.

Going against a ravaged Kansas City Chiefs defense, Clay will be a key target for Ryan Tannehill all day. Prior to the season, Miami coach Joe Philbin had high praise for his tight end, via Tom E. Curran of CSN New England.

“We’re very fortunate to have a player like Charles Clay, we really are,” said Philbin. “He can do so much. He catches the ball well and has a little slip-and-slide to him. He can blow by a guy or cut underneath him and go over the top. He’s got a little shake. He can do a lot.”

Clay had 69 receptions for 759 yards and six touchdowns last season, so his production should see a boost soon. The Chiefs have allowed 14.20 points to tight ends, so Clay finally has a defense he can exploit and will shine on Sunday.

Sit 'Em: Martellus Bennett, CHI (at NYJ)

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Martellus Bennett has been a consistent tight end for fantasy owners so far, but he should take a step back in Week 3.

Bennett had just 37 yards receiving last week, but the touchdown saved those who put him in the starting lineup. In fact, Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk points out Bennett's deficiencies in the passing game:

He now heads into a matchup against a Jets team that has been strong across the middle. Tight ends are scoring an average of 1.95 points against New York, making Bennett an irrelevant target for Cutler this week.

Cutler may put up good numbers this week, but it won't be thanks to Bennett.

Kickers

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Projected Points
1	Justin Tucker	BAL	@CLE	15
2	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	OAK	14
3	Steven Hauschka	SEA	DEN	14
4	Dan Bailey	DAL	@STL	11
5	Nick Novak	SD	@BUF	11
6	Mason Crosby	GB	@DET	11
7	Adam Vinatieri	IND	@JAC	10
8	Cody Parkey	PHI	WAS	9
9	Graham Gano	CAR	PIT	8
10	Shayne Graham	NO	MIN	8

Start 'Em: Graham Gano, CAR (vs. PIT)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Picking a kicker is never a perfect science, but Graham Gano heads into a pretty favorable matchup.

Last Thursday night, Justin Tucker's booming leg led to 14 fantasy points on four field goals and two PATs. This week, the Pittsburgh Steelers head to Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers with Gano looking to have a huge day.

Gano is coming off a good week of his own after scoring 12 points with three field goals, including a 50-plus yard kick. Carolina's offense stalled out multiple times against the Detroit Lions and should give Gano multiple opportunities to help fantasy owners.

Sit 'Em: Phil Dawson, SF (at ARI)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Owners who picked up Phil Dawson have been slightly underwhelmed thus far. Then again, he's a kicker, so not too much is expected in the first place.

The 39-year-old has just 12 points through the first two weeks after two field goals last week against the Bears. Heading into this weekend's matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, he will be limited even more against a stout defense.

Allowing just 3.50 points to kickers this season, Arizona will look to shut down the Niners offense. With the Cardinals surrendering just one field goal all season, don't look to Dawson to put up good numbers.

Defenses

Rank	Unit	Opponent	Projected Points
1	Patriots	Raiders	12
2	Bengals	Titans	11
3	Panthers	Steelers	10
4	49ers	Cardinals	10
5	Texans	Giants	9
6	Cardinals	49ers	9
7	Seahawks	Broncos	8
8	Broncos	Seahawks	7
9	Ravens	Browns	6
10	Colts	Jaguars	6

Start 'Em: New England Patriots (vs. OAK)

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Here's a tip for owners: Start any defense facing the Oakland Raiders.

At 0-2, the Raiders have looked befuddling on offense. Derek Carr is a rookie quarterback, and looked like one against the Houston Texans. A week after throwing two interceptions and with no running game to speak of, the Raiders will be swarmed by the Patriots.

ESPN Stats & Info noted the struggles by Carr this season:

Through two weeks, New England has allowed an average of 9.30 points to quarterbacks. Expect much of the same against Oakland and a huge week for this fantasy defense.

Sit 'Em: Buffalo Bills (vs. SD)

USA TODAY Sports

Despite the Buffalo Bills defense ravaging the Miami Dolphins, fantasy owners might want to think twice before starting them in Week 3.

Last week, the Bills scored over 25 points thanks to four sacks, one interception, a fumble recovery and C.J. Spiller's return for a touchdown. That sensational week should see a huge drop-off against the San Diego Chargers.

San Diego destroyed the Seattle Seahawks last week by scoring 30 points and allowing just one sack. Buffalo might not be giving up that many points at home, but they shouldn't be expected to put up a notable point total.

Fantasy statistics courtesy of NFL.com.

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