Fantasy Football: Week Three Preview, Part Two

After rounding up the action from the early games yesterday, time to dig in to the afternoon festivities. Let's get to it!

Detroit at San Francisco

Who to Start: J.T. O'Sullivan, Bryant Johnson, Kevin Smith, Jon Kitna

Who to Sit: Actually, only Vernon Davis

What to Expect: I'd expect a shootout.

Did you see how many points the Falcons hung on Detroit? What about the Packers? I'm convinced that the 49ers will be able to do well at home against what is just an out-and-out poor defense.

O'Sullivan should be able to hang 270 yards and two touchdowns on the Lions. Look for Bryant Johnson to be prominently involved in the offense to make that happen. I won't buy Vernon Davis until he shows me something.

Frank Gore is going to have fun, more like Michael Turner than the Green Bay combination. Gore should be able to run for 135 and a score as well. Good times if you own 49ers, how often do you hear that?

Looking at the Detroit offense, it's not like the 49ers have put up much resistance themselves. Because the Lions don't play defense, Kitna will be throwing. With that in mind, 275 and a couple touchdowns for him won't be unexpected either. Roy Williams should rebound to catch one of them, Calvin Johnson the other.

Both are must plays. If you're in a bind, I wouldn't hesitate to use Shaun McDonald for some yards either.

Their running game is still a work in progress, but Kevin Smith will see enough touches to have value as an RB2 of Flex play as needed. Look for around 85 yards and a score.

Sleeper Pickup: Love Antonio Bryant this week, and he should be available in most formats.

St. Louis at Seattle

Who to Start: John Carlson, Julius Jones, Matt Hasselbeck

Who to Sit: Marc Bulger, Randy McMichael, Dane Looker

What to Expect: The Rams haven't played much defense yet, and the Seattle offense is still looking for some help. This could be the day though...

Matt Hasselbeck is in for a very good day, and the additions of Robinson and Colbert will certainly help him out. Still think that John Carlson will be the big winner of the day, and he should be grabbed off waivers for those that need a tight end. Hasselbeck should hit around 230 yards with two touchdowns. Carlson should grab one, and Courtney Taylor the other.

In the running game, Julius Jones should have another solid day and be a good play as an RB2. Look for 110 and a score from Jones.

The Rams still haven't proven that they can score much at all. You have to start Steven Jackson, and odds are Torry Holt owners are in that position as well. These guys, most weeks, are going to be fine. The Seattle defense hasn't been good, and that will open up holes these two haven't seen in the first two weeks of the season. I'm just not sold on anyone else the Rams are going to suit up as viable this week.

Sleeper Pickup: Courtney Taylor and John Carlson. When Hasselbeck throws, these guys are the primary targets.

New Orleans at Denver

Who to Start: Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Jay Cutler, David Patten, Devery Henderson, Tony Scheffler

Who to Sit: Robert Meachem, Pierre Thomas, Denver Running Backs

What to Expect: Did you see how many points the Broncos defense allowed last week? You notice how Jason Campbell looked like Joe Theismann against the Saints? This is another one where we expect offense.

Cutler tore up the Chargers last week, and he shouldn't struggle against the Saints. Another three touchdown week is very likely, and give him almost 300 yards as well. Scheffler, Royal, and Marshall should all get in on the fun. Marshall will be the primary again, bringing in over 100 yards, but Royal is good for 90 and Scheffler for around 60.

I just don't trust the running game, and neither should you. Mike Shanahan is just going to screw with your head. You start Young, he'll play Hall. Start Hall, he'll go with Pittman. It's just how it works there. Stay far away.

Look for Drew Brees to share the love as well. Obviously, Reggie Bush is a go and should have himself a solid night. Robert Meachem is the only Saints receiver that makes me nervous. He's very hit or miss. Patten is a good possession guy that is going to register around 65 yards a game. He'll grab a touchdown this week as well. I like Devery Henderson more from a yardage standpoint, because he has that ability to go over the top.

Some guys like Pierre Thomas. I only do if you're in a touchdown only format. His 20-40 yards isn't going to help many teams. He may steal a goal-line touchdown from Bush, but that's the extent of his value.

Sleeper Pickup: David Patten, just because he's likely the most available.

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia

Who to Start: Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Ben Roethlisberger, DeSean Jackson, Greg Lewis, L.J. Smith

Who to Sit: Heath Miller, Hank Baskett, Reggie Brown

What to Expect: Ok, did you see the Philly pass defense last week? They may be great against the run, but they didn't look good against a team that threw the ball well.

Big Ben is having shoulder issues, and Santonio Holmes has been held out of practice with a knee injury. Both, though, should play. Since that's the expectation, they need to be started. Holmes is still playing second-fiddle to Ward, but should be good for around 80 yards and a touchdown. Ward should crack 100 yards and a touchdown as well.

The day likely won't be easy for Willie Parker, but I like the running back to put up around 70 yards. The end zone might be tough against a good run defense like Philly's, so don't bank on a touchdown.

When Philly has the ball, McNabb should be in fine shape, but this is a stout Pittsburgh defense that has been good in two games (admittedly, against weaker opponents). McNabb has given no indication of slowing down, so look to use his receivers if you can.

Lewis and Jackson should be the primary guys again, but L.J. Smith should get in on the action for a score. Lewis may not score, but 80 yards for a WR3 or Flex isn't a bad option.

Obviously, Westbrook is a must play and will again be one of the best starts of the week.

Sleeper Pickup: L.J. Smith, just have a feeling about the tight end against Pittsburgh. Winslow looked good in that intermediate area last week and Smith can duplicate it.

Jacksonville at Indianapolis

Who to Start: Anthony Gonzalez, Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew

Who to Sit: Dallas Clark, Matt Jones, Jax Receivers, David Garrard

What to Expect: There are a lot of reasons to like this matchup, but Garrard's prowess throwing the football isn't exactly one of them.

With an injured Bob Sanders, this is going to become a ground battle for the Jaguars. Look for Jones-Drew and Taylor to both play a major role in the offense this week. They certainly won't be as bad as they have been to start the season.

Right now, there is no indication that Jones-Drew's ankle is hurting badly enough to keep him out. That in mind, he'll be the better play because of his big-play ability.

Garrard has Matt Jones, but I'm just not sold that this is a game that is going to rest in the hands of the Jacksonville quarterback. Look elsewhere than this matchup to find a game-breaking wide receiver.

On the Indy side, it's still going to be tough going to run the football with such a banged up offensive line. Addai is due to break out one of these games, but Manning is going to be the star. He's averaging two touchdowns a game in his career against the Jags, and he managed to find rhythm at the end of last week. He and his receivers will have good days.

Obviously, you have to start Addai, but he's been losing carries to Rhodes in some respects and has had trouble getting off the block in others. He's likely good for a touchdown, but 70 yards probably does it.

Sleeper Pickup: Wouldn't exactly call anyone in this game a sleeper, but Gonzalez if he's available.

Cleveland at Baltimore

Who to Start: Yea, about that...don't go reaching here. Maybe Derrick Mason.

Who to Sit: Derek Anderson, Joe Flacco, not really sold on anyone here...

What to Expect: It's the movable object against the stoppable force!

Cleveland's offense has looked awful in two games. While Baltimore was off last week, as a result of the hurricane, they did perform well in their opening game against Cincinnati. Not being sold on the Cleveland offense, I think the Baltimore defense could be in for a good game here.

Anderson has looked lost and has no help on the outside beyond Edwards. I don't see more than 170 yards for Anderson with a touchdown pass to Edwards.

Their running game is just as tough. Jamal Lewis needed two games to hit 100 yards. It's not going to get easier against a good Baltimore run defense. Keep him reserved if you have better options.

On the Baltimore side to the ball, the going isn't going to be any easier. It's likely that they'll get Willis McGahee back, so that should reduce the value of McClain and Rice. The question is more if McGahee can handle the full load. He's probably ready just enough to make you stay away from all three options, but Rice is the better bet this week between himself and McClain.

When Flacco passes, all bets are off. 175 and a touchdown is all we'll go out and look for. Derrick Mason is the safest bet of the bunch if you're looking to use a Baltimore receiver. Clayton is too inconsistent to be relied upon.

Sleeper Pickup: Really, stay away.

Dallas at Green Bay

Who to Start: Brandon Jackson, Donald Driver, Felix Jones, Patrick Crayton

Who to Sit: Donald Lee, Jordy Nelson, both defenses

What to Expect: More of the same offenses you saw last week.

Ryan Grant is going to be the wild card here. His hamstring injury is going to leave him vulnerable to being pulled from a starting lineup more easily. It could also cause more use of Brandon Jackson. That in mind, Jackson will likely see enough carries to make his play worth it, especially this week. There's no safe bet as to who gets the touchdown between them, but they'll combine for 120 yards.

Aaron Rodgers has just as many weapons at his disposal as McNabb did last week. At home, look for him to air it out and bring down around 250 yards with three touchdown passes. Driver and Jennings should bring those in, with Jennings having the bigger day.

Tony Romo is still proving to be turnover prone, so a couple interceptions against the physical Green Bay corners are likely. He should still throw for close to 300 yards and a couple touchdowns, with Witten and Owens being the targets.

I continue to like the way Patrick Crayton works the field over the middle. I think he'll be good for 85 yards.

On the ground, both Jones and Barber will play enough to make them solid. Jones is the same type of player Maurice Jones-Drew was a couple years ago. He'll break off a big run or two and have an impact on the return game. If your league counts return yards, he should be active for certain.

Sleeper Pickup: I wouldn't call anyone here a sleeper.

New York Jets at San Diego

Who to Start: Favre, Rivers, Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers, Jerricho Cotchery, Darren Sproles

Who to Sit: Chansi Stuckey

What to Expect: No, I'm not jumping on the Sproles bandwagon for the sake of just doing it.

With Tomlinson being limited all week in practice and during Week Two with turf toe, Sproles is going to have more of an opportunity to shine. He has the speed to do the same type of damage that Turner did in spelling Tomlinson during his tenure. I'll call 60 yards and a score for Sproles. Unless he's out, though, you can't not start Tomlinson. It's in the rules.

Rivers is going to have Chambers flanked by Revis all day long, which should open up lanes for Vincent Jackson to make some noise. Chambers is still the top guy in the group and is a good start against the Jets secondary. Jackson, though, should be in line for a decent day himself. Give it 80 yards and a touchdown. Rivers is going to throw for two and rack up 240 yards.

On the Jets side, the picture is more murky. I don't buy into the Chansi Stuckey hype. Sorry, I don't see him as more than a fourth wide receiver in most leagues. There are too many guys out there and he's really a third option in the offense. Fourth when you roll Thomas Jones into the numbers.

Favre will have a decent day, as the San Diego defense hasn't looked good against the pass. I'll say 265 and two touchdowns for Favre. I'd say three, but he just doesn't have the chemistry yet. 

Thomas Jones should be fine. Look for 95 and a touchdown from him as well.

Sleeper Pickup: I'd say that Jackson qualifies, as he's under 70 percent owned across all leagues.

Enjoy the games! Have lineup questions? Send them to [e-mail].