Fantasy Depth Chart's Week Three Sits and Starts

Another week of great NFL football leads us into another week of chaotic fantasy football. Lets look back at my predictions last week and on the season. To see the full article (including wide receivers and tight ends) check in at FantasyDC.com

Week 1: 11-5, Week 2: 15-8

HITs: TEN running backs (Start), Matt Forte (Sit), Steve Slaton (Sit), Julius Jones (Sit—was an obvious Week One wonder), McFadden (Start—the TD saves my prediction but I was off on this one), DEN running backs (not enough touchdowns, but still good yardage games for RBBC), Trent Edwards (Start), Brett Favre (Start—Two touchdowns saved a poor yardage game), Matt Ryan (Start—Has become a must start and won’t appear in any more articles), Dwayne Bowe (Start—Touchdowns define good wide receiver production), Johnny Knox (Start—His speed forced the Bears to start him the whole second half…don’t expect a repeat performance though), Antonio Bryant (Sit—He didn’t even play so this one doesn’t really count), Roy Williams (Sit—From Stud to Dud but you don’t hear the media talking about it), Dustin Keller (Start—Three touchdowns on the season and you could get him in the 12th-14th Round…when will people learn?), Owen Daniels (Start—72 yards and one touchdown is great tight end play)

MISSes: Brandon Jacobs (Start), Matt Schaub (Sit—This one stings…sorry everyone), Kurt Warner (Sit—Wasn’t a huge game, but it was very good), Palmer (Sit—Not a good week for sitting quarterbacks from me), Greg Jennings (Start—That's a zero point ouch), Antwan Randle El (Start—Four receptions is not enough), Braylon Edwards (Sit—Six receptionss for 94 yards is a great game without scoring a touchdown), Antonio Gates (Sit—Five receptions for 78 yards isn’t good enough for Gates but it is for the average tight end…so he proves me wrong and upsets his owners)

RBs

Start:

Felix Jones vs. Carolina Panthers—The Panthers are giving up 168 yards per game thus far this year. With Marion Barber nursing a strained quad, it doesn’t really matter if he plays or not. Big plays are needed from the Dallas running game (to counter a hot/cold Romo) and Jones is going to be the player to provide them this week. Look for them to use a few more screens and short passing plays to get Felix into the open field but also expect an increase in standard looks/carries. Tashard Choice may snipe a couple carries, but Jones looked strong near the goal line against the Giants.

Ray Rice vs. Cleveland Browns—The Browns haven't provided great weeks of fantasy football production to AP and a RBBC. This week the efficient Ravens will run all over them, keep them from scoring and then run out the clock. Both Rice and McGahee should be used at worst as flex plays, but I side with Rice this week to rebound after a poor Week Two.

Clinton Portis at Detroit Lions—The Lions have played a great first half twice in a row only to fall apart in the second half. I guess 30 minutes of good football is an improvement over last year? Portis was not overly impressive last week against the Rams and hasn’t really been his explosive self this year. But this is the week to have him in your starting lineup and then try to sell high.

Sit:

Leon Washington vs. Tennessee Titans—You noticing a trend when running backs play the Titans? This will be the first time a productive running back goes up against this Tennessee defense and it should be fun to watch. Washington is gaining steam as an excellent flex play at worst and a possible No. 2 running back depending on the matchup and roster situation.

This week will really come down to one big play, if Washington makes it, he should see a good stat line. But if the consistent Titans defense finally puts their foot down, Washington could be in for a long day of short receptions and negative yardage runs.

Darren Sproles vs. Miami Dolphins—The little guy lit up a very good Baltimore Defense to the tune of 171 receiving yards and one touchdown. The very physical Baltimore defense (4-3) doesn’t matchup well against pass catching running backs and Sproles put on a one man show. However, the Dolphins 3-4 fields some excellent defensive backs used to handling underneath throws and linebackers used to man coverage. Sproles should still see his fair yardage but expect a steep decline and no touchdowns.

Michael Turner at New England Patriots—The Pats have allowed third down running backs to produce against them the last two weeks. But Turner is the stud furthest away from that designation. Even with the loss of Mayo, the Pats will be able to stop the running game Turner brings by maintaining gap control and not overpursuing. However Matt Ryan should make them pay to the tune of a big big day.

QBs

Start:

Matt Schaub vs. Jacksonville Jaguars—This isn’t a knee jerk reaction to Schaub’s big week. Its an acknowledgment that the Jaguars are doing little right as a team and doing even worse in pass defense. Schaub looked great given time to throw the ball (something the Jags will provide him with) and even spread it around successfully. He won’t match last week’s numbers but he’ll be worth starting this week.

Ben Roethlisberger at Cincinnati Bengals—Fantasy owners should always be aware of division games. While it is important to looks back on historical production, that can sometimes lead to false conclusions (Slaton having two 100-yard games against the Titans last year).

However, Ben has showed some maturity in the passing game leading to many more passing attempts and better ball control. Interceptions could become a concern if pressure is consistent throughout a game but the Steelers offensive line may actually be showing signs of not being horrible and simply being bad (I’m a Steelers fan so I can say that). If the offensive line can give Ben the time, he’s shown he can make defenses pay.

Aaron Rodgers at St. Louis Rams—The Packers offense that looked so great in the preseason has not fully arrived here in the regular season. That all changes this weekend against the battered Rams. Rodgers is a must start for any team this week (unless you have Drew Brees).

Sit:

Kerry Collins at New York Jets—This is more for those out there that might view Collins Week Two performance as anything more than an aberration. Collins faces a very tough New York Jets defense that is punishing everyone they play. Collins should be used only in the worst of situations.

Matt Cassel at Philadelphia Eagles—The Eagles defense had a tough matchups last weekend against Drew Brees, this week they will take it out on a team much lower on the totem pole. I look for Cassel to be harassed and sacked often on Sunday. Keep him on your bench.

Byron Leftwhich vs. New York Giants—Leftwhich shouldn’t be starting anyways, but the high number of touchdowns and yards coming from him might lure owners into a false sense of productivity. The Giants should be balanced this week allowing a decent running game from Tampa Bay whiling making sure Leftwhich eats grass.

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