Fantasy Football Start 'Em or Sit 'Em: Week 3

Trying to decide who you should start or sit this week? 

Let’s take a look at a few potential decisions owners have and try to sort through them:

Start - Clinton Portis - Washington Redskins (at St. Louis)
Sit - Jamaal Charles - Kansas City Chiefs (vs. San Francisco)

Those in FLEX formats can still use Charles, but the first two weeks have certainly hurt his value. Thus far, he has received just 22 carries (11 in each game), as the team appears committed to having him share time with Thomas Jones.

That makes him a tougher play, especially against a 49ers team that has allowed just 63.5 yards per game on the ground. He can contribute in the passing game, but his value is still diminished.

Word is that the Redskins have already given up on Larry Johnson, just further entrenching Portis as the team’s main running back. While Portis has not overwhelmed, if there was a week for him to get things going, this would be it. 

The Cardinals have allowed 153.0 yards per game over the first two weeks, so look for them to feed him the ball and try to finally get him on track.

Start - Tim Hightower - Arizona Cardinals (vs. Oakland)
Sit - Shonn Greene - New York Jets (at Miami)

It’s hard to imagine that Greene was actually going in the first round just a few weeks ago. Now, he appears to have fallen behind LaDanian Tomlinson on the depth chart and is a tough play in all formats.

At this point, we still don’t know if Beanie Wells will return or not, but it’s hard to picture him making a big impact even if he does. He’s going to have to be worked slowly into the lineup, so Hightower should again see the bulk of the carries. 

With the Raiders run defense struggling (140.0 yards/game) and Hightower putting up 169 yards and 2 TD over the first two games, he appears poised for another big day.

Start - Jeremy Maclin - Philadelphia Eagles (at Jacksonville)
Sit - Michael Crabtree - San Francisco 49ers (at Kansas City)

The announcement that Michael Vick will again start for the Eagles should bring ease to fantasy owners. He showed that he could pass the ball in Week 2 (21-34 for 284 yards and 3 TD) and faces the Jaguars, who have allowed the fourth most passing yards per game thus far this season. Maclin has scored a TD in each of the first two games and could be in line for a solid game.

This applies to those in leagues who require just two starting WR: If your league requires three starting receivers, I’d probably still roll the dice with Crabtree. Otherwise, you have to have become disenchanted with him by now. Just three catches for 44 yards through two weeks? Just leave him on your bench until he proves worth using.

Start - Dez Bryant - Dallas Cowboys (at Houston)
Sit - Mike Wallace - Pittsburgh Steelers (at Tampa Bay)

Wallace has the potential for the big play, but you need a quarterback in order to accomplish the feat.

Who exactly is going to be throwing the ball for the Steelers? 

At this point, it’s anyone’s guess and Wallace hasn’t performed well to date (four catches for 87 yards). The question marks just make him a tough play.

Bryant, meanwhile, has looked pretty good thus far in his rookie season. The matchup with the Texans, who have been torched by the pass in the first two weeks, should put him in line for another strong performance.

Start - Brett Favre - Minnesota Vikings (vs. Detroit)
Sit - Jay Cutler - Chicago Bears (vs. Green Bay)

It’s hard to argue against Cutler, who has 649 yards, five TD and one INT thus far in 2010. Of course, one of those games came against the Detroit Lions (third worst in the league, allowing 304.5 yards/game). The other was against the Dallas Cowboys, a tougher matchup, but this week’s game against Green Bay will be the true test. 

The Packers have allowed just 116.5 passing yards per game over the first two weeks, shutting down Philadelphia and Buffalo. I know those aren’t tremendous offenses, but the numbers are certainly impressive. 

The Bears receiving corps is still a little unproven, and the Packers rushing defense is significantly worse (136.5 yards/game). Charles Woodson’s presence certainly has an impact. (Obviously, this decision applies solely to one-quarterback formats).

Favre has been terrible, there’s just no way around that. Still, with the Lions on the schedule you have to like his chances to have a strong week. Detroit has been torched by Chicago and Philadelphia early on, so look for the Vikings to try and mimic their success. With or without Percy Harvin, short passes to Adrian Peterson and utilizing Visante Shiancoe should be more then enough for Favre to succeed.

What are your thoughts on these decisions? Who would you start? Who would you sit?

Make sure to check out our Week 3 Rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends (coming soon)
• Top 15 Kickers (coming soon)
• Top 15 Defenses (coming soon)

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