Fantasy Football Week 3: 4 Valuable Insights Heading into Sunday

Every week in fantasy football, gathering a few tidbits of information can be the difference between a win and a loss. 

Week 3 is no different. 

Usually injuries force you to scour the waiver wire, and the good owners find the favorable match-ups that give their team the best chance to pull off a victory. 

A big-name running back could be on the self and a few offenses are facing some rather porous defenses this week. 

Let's take a look at the four things you must know heading into the weekend...

Even If Arian Foster Plays, His Carries Will Be Limited

There are serious questions surrounding Arian Foster's hamstring. It looked like it tightened up against the Dolphins and he only carried the ball 10 times. 

He didn't participate in any running drills Monday and is listed as "day-to-day."

Looking ahead to this week's matchup with the Saints in New Orleans, Foster could play, but don't expect the usual workload from last year's leader in rushing yards. 

The coaching staff likes Ben Tate a great deal and they won't rush Foster back into the lineup until his hamstring is fully healed. 

I don't blame them. 

Although, the absence of Foster against the Saints in the Superdome could be very costly. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick Is Facing the Patriots 31st Ranked Pass Defense

We've been mesmerized by the play of Tom Brady through the first two weeks, and rightfully so. 

He's averaging a ridiculous 470-yards through the air and has seven touchdowns with one fluke interceptions. 

However, the Patriots defense has been equally as bad. 

They have almost given up 1,000 yards against the Dolphins and the Chargers to start the year. 

I'm sure Bill Belichick isn't ecstatic about that. 

On top of that, cornerbacks Kyle Arrington and Ras-I Dowling were injured in Week 2 as was safety Patrick Chung. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick has been on fire for the Bills through their first two games and is a superb fantasy start this week against the Pats secondary. 

Start him. 

Ray Rice Is Facing the Worst Run Defense

Yes, it's only been two games, but the St. Louis Rams are giving up a whopping 177.5 rush yards per outing. 

The Ravens will certainly utilize Rice in a variety of different ways and the offensive line shouldn't have much of a problem creating running lanes for their shifty tailback. 

Even Ricky Williams, who could get some goal line carries, is an average fantasy option this week if you weren't fortunate enough to grab Rice in the early rounds. 

Michael Crabtree Should Play Against Bengals

The 49ers squandered a great opportunity to start the year 2-0 against the Cowboys last week and got a solid effort from Alex Smith in the crushing loss. 

He hasn't set the world on fire, but will get another weapon this week on the road with Michael Crabtree set to return from his foot injury. 

I don't think this will turn San Francisco into the Patriots on offense, but Crabtree should get a good deal of targets, especially with Smith's growing confidence.