Week 3 Fantasy Football: Guys to Bench and More to Bank On

This is my version of a Start 'Em and Sit 'Em column. Here, I'll highlight players who I expect to perform well -or not so well- in Week 3's NFL Games.  If you follow this advice and lose your game solely because of it, you can blame me, I don't mind. But at the same time, if none of your other options look like they'll equal or surpass the expected production of the player in question, then you should keep him in your lineup. If you don't follow my advice, and you would've won your matchup had you started (or sat) someone I suggested, that's on you. Of course, your final roster lineups are your decision. But you've been warned. That said, let's get into the guys you should Bench and guys you can Bank On.

(The number after the names represents how convinced I am of the prediction. 1 is kind of just a fleeting gut feeling, while 10 is as convinced as I'm going to be without seeing the stat line.)

Guys You Can Bank On:

Quarterbacks

Jake Delhomme, CAR (8, @ MIN). Delhomme gets his best, fastest target back this week in Steve Smith. The Vikings are a run-stuffing defense, but have struggled against the pass thus far. Expect more pedestrian days from guys like Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, but look forward to a decent passing performance.

Other quarterbacks to bank on: Jon Kitna, DET (9, @ SF), J.T. O'Sullivan, SF(6, vs DET), Matt Hasselbeck, SEA(4, vs STL), Matt Ryan, ATL (2, vs KC).

Running Backs

Jerious Norwood, ATL (8, vs KC). Julius Jones seems to be the flavor of this week, but since I started him last week, I won't go into detail on why he should start against ST. LOUIS. Norwood has a very favorable matchup against a Chiefs team that can't wait for Glenn Dorsey, the team's first first round draft pick (no. 5 overall), to come into his own as a run stuffing nosetackle in the league. Furthermore, Michael Turner, the Falcons' starting tailback, says that his ankle is sore. He is still expected to play, but Norwood could see a higher percentage of the carries this week compared to the previous two weeks. Lastly, I expect the Falcons to be ahead late in this one. The chiefs are expected to start two rookie cornerbacks in this game, and Roddy White is a pretty good receiver. He should be able to exploit their professional inexperience.

Other running backs to bank on: Julius Jones, SEA(9, vs STL), Maurice Jones-Drew (6, @ IND).

Wide Receivers

Torry Holt, STL (8, @ SEA). In a battle of 0-2 teams, it wouldn't be surprising if a shootout developed in Seattle on Sunday. Both the Rams and the Seahawks have given up over 30 points (36.5 avg) in each of their games this year.

Other receivers to bank on: Roddy White, ATL (7, vs KC), Justin Gage, TEN(6, vs HOU), Lee Evans, BUF (5, vs OAK), Chansi Stuckey, NYJ (4, @ SD).

Tight Ends

Jeremy Shockey, NO (7, @ DEN). Shockey's got to be on his game for the Saints to have a prayer at a win on Sunday. It doesn't hurt him that the Broncos are 29th in pass defense, either.

Other tight ends to bank on: John Carlson, SEA(8, vs STL), Vernon Davis, SF(5, vs DET), Randy McMichael, STL (4, @ SEA).

Kickers

Matt Prater, DEN (9, vs NO). Thin mountain air. Saints' defense. Broncos' offense. Any questions?

Another kicker to bank on: Jason Elam, ATL (6, vs KC).

Defense

Buccaneers, TB (3, @ CHI). The Bears' offense is still not for real. Their defense and special teams are what keep them competitive. Matt Forte helps, but he's not an entire offense.

Guys to Bench:

Quarterbacks

Matt Schaub, HOU (7, @ TEN). The Titans are a stingy defense. They allow the fewest points in the league, and are in the top seven in rushing and passing defense.

Other quarterbacks to bench: Derek Anderson, CLE (6, @ BAL), Carson Palmer, CIN (6, @ NYG), Peyton Manning, IND(4, vs JAX).

Running Backs

Willie Parker, PIT (4, @ PHI). A lot of us watched Monday Night Football this week: Eagles-Cowboys. Walking away from the shootout, it's easy to miss that the Eagles are 1st in rushing defense.

Other running backs to bench: Jamal Lewis, CLE (8, @ BAL), Joseph Addai, IND(6, vs JAX), Ryan Grant, GB (5, vs DAL), Larry Johnson(5, @ ATL).

Wide Receivers

Chad Ocho Cinco, TJ Houshmandzadeh, CIN (7, @ NYG). Refrain from starting Bengals until further notice. Especially against the Giants' defense.

Other receivers to bench: Laveranues Coles, NYJ (4, @ SD), Vincent Jackson, SD(2, vs NYJ).

Tight Ends

Owen Daniels, HOU (6, @ TEN). See: Schaub, Matt.

Another tight end to bench: Todd Heap, BAL(4, vs CLE).

Kickers

Phil Dawson, CLE(5, @ BAL). Eventually, the Browns offense will get back on track. Won't happen against the Ravens. Not this week.

Another kicker to bench: Adam Vinatieri, (4, vs JAX).

Defense

Seahawks, SEA(vs STL). See: Holt, Torry.

Good luck, and thanks for reading.