Week Three Fantasy Football Start/Sit Review

This was supposed to be the week that the Washington Redskins turned it around. Well, at least in terms of offensive production in the fantasy realms.

For Jason Campbell and Santana Moss, that's exactly what happened.

However, someone forgot to tell Jim Zorn that thousands of fantasy owners around the nation were counting on Clinton Portis pounding out 100 yards and his first score against the Lions' sorry run defense. And what did they get? A measly 13 touches and under 50 total yards.

It's clear we've been underestimating the problems with this Washington offense. With that in mind, here's a look at the picks that didn't meet the mark, and the few that paid off.

With an 8-7 record this week in my player picks, the success has been good enough for three weeks to warrant a return trip back to TRZR for more start and sit advice.

The Winners

Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings (Start)

This is either a win or a tie, depending on how you look at it. Harvin didn't top 50 yards or catch a touchdown, but he did return a kick 101 yards for a score and finished with just under 200 total return yards.

If your league offers points for return yards and/or scores, Harvin could have pushed your team over the top. If not, it was a marginal effort for Harvin, who is still just a WR3.

After Brett Favre aired it out and gained his team's confidence with the big game-winning throw, however, Harvin could look to benefit from even more looks down the road.

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens (Start)

Rice may not have been quite the yardage beast I thought he would be, but he did finally score his first career touchdown.

It's quite clear that Willis McGahee is the guy Baltimore leans on when they get near the goal line, but Rice is still a fine start at RB2, especially if you're stressing over other RBBC plays like Derrick Ward, Ricky Williams, or Leon Washington.

Thomas Jones, RB, New York Jets (Sit)

Jones got the carries but simply found no room to run against a stout Tennessee front line (as predicted). With 13 totes and less than 20 yards rushing, you would have been well-advised to sit Jones and run with someone else.

It's becoming painfully clear after each game that it's foolish to not start whoever is facing Tampa Bay, Atlanta, or Houston, while on the other hand, it's crazy to start any runner going up against Baltimore, New York (Giants), or, in this case, the Tennessee Titans.

Nate Burleson, WR, Seattle Seahawks (Sleeper)

After formerly being best known as either a rising Minnesota Viking or a free agent bust, Burleson is finally making a name for himself as a Seattle Seahawk.

Burleson is firmly implanted as Seattle's second receiver, making him a constant source for solid targets, as well as a big-play threat.

With nine catches and over 100 yards against a solid Chicago Bears defense, Burleson gave you a decent fantasy outing, as well as optimism for a productive 2009.

Kevin Kolb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles (Sleeper)

While Kolb's run as Philly's starting quarterback is undoubtedly over for 2009, it was definitely interesting (and fun) while it lasted.

Kolb dropped two straight 300-plus-yard games, as well as at least two touchdowns in each contest, while leading the Eagles to a different side of two lopsided games.

He may play third fiddle to Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick the rest of the way, but be certain that he'll remain in the team's plans for the future. That, or he just played himself into a starting role with a new team next season.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions (Sleeper)

It wasn't pretty the entire time, but if you were hurting (badly) at quarterback and you listened to my sleeper advice, Stafford may have paid off.

Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys (Start)

Oddly enough, Tashard Choice was actually the only Dallas running back to score on Monday night, but Jones still had a game worthy of putting him in your lineup.

With 96 rushing yards and 20 yards receiving, Jones put together a decent enough line that he would have been a better option than both Clinton Portis and Thomas Jones combined.

Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans Saints

While Bush continues to take a back seat to the Saints' other "more traditional" runners, he still put up decent numbers against a porous Buffalo rush defense.

With 64 rushing yards and 17 receiving yards, Bush still had a decent enough day to provide you with a solid Flex play or an average day as a RB2. While his numbers weren't amazing, he still made a better play than Thomas Jones or Frank Gore and almost matched Adrian Peterson's production.

The Duds

Clinton Portis, RB, Washington Redskins (Start)

Easily the biggest letdown of the week for the column, Portis struggled to gain positive yardage and had less than 15 total yards heading into halftime.

However, hindsight is 20-20, as it is now violently clear that Washington has trouble with their offense all across the board and will have to re-evaluate their approach going forward.

Still, 12 carries for only 41 yards? That's nearly unforgivable.

For the rest of the Duds, fantasy news, and next week's Start/Sit column, go here.