Fantasy Football Week 3 Rankings: Which Stars Should You Avoid Starting?

It kills to have to do this, but benching a star player is sometimes one of the smartest moves you can make in fantasy football.

Now obviously it must be done with much research, and then still undertaken with caution.

However, for that one particular week it could pay off big, especially if one of your backups has a favorable match up that week.

All this said, here are three stars to sit in Week 3.

Note: Click the link for a full list of the NFL injury report.

Matt Forte: RB, Chicago Bears (vs Green Bay Packers)

Although the Packers have been suspect in the pass defense though two games, they've only allowed 76 rush yards per contest.

On the flip-side of that, Bears' RB Matt Forte has only gained 117 yards on the ground, and Chicago collectively only averages 74 rush yards per game.

And to make matters even worse, rookie OT Gabe Carimi is out for two weeks with a dislocated knee.

Include the fact that longtime center Olin Kreutz is not in New Orleans and the Bears have some holes to repair along the offensive line.

Now, Forte is currently Chicago's most effective receiving target in gaining 207 yards on 15 receptions, but being that he's a RB, that won't last for one, and two, the Packers will be prepared for it.

Darren McFadden: RB, Oakland Raiders (vs New York Jets)

He's currently averaging 111 yards per game and has also averaged over five yards per carry.

So it's safe to say that the Raiders like running the football with Darren McFadden.

But, in come the New York Jets in Week 3 and they only allow 88 yards per game, ranking them No. 9 in the NFL.

Add to that Oakland's weak passing offense (ranked No. 23, 211 yards per game) versus the Jets pass defense (ranked No. 11, allowing 208.5 yards per game), and Rex Ryan is putting at least seven in the box to shut-down McFadden.

Thus forcing Jason Campbell to throw, and he's not going to out-smart Antonio Cromartie, Darrelle Revis or Jim Leonhard.

Which causes Oakland to revert back to the run, but with seven in the box all game, McFadden's best chance will be on screens and draws to gain yards, which won't work against New York either.

Steven Jackson: RB, St. Louis Rams (vs Baltimore Ravens)

Right now Jackson is listed as day-to-day, but even if he does suit up on Sunday, he's not going to be very productive against the Baltimore Ravens.

Through two games Baltimore has only allowed 70 rush yards per game (ranked No. 4), but St. Louis does average 106.5 (ranked No. 14).

However, the Rams haven't gone against a defense like the Ravens' yet, and although it's at home, that will be an irrelevant factor.

Additionally, Baltimore is coming off a frustrating setback loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 2, so you know Ray Lewis and company are going to be out for blood in Week 3.

Don't be surprised if Jackson ends up playing, because he is in his own right a stud NFL RB, but until St. Louis becomes a more established team, he and the Rams will be no match for an AFC title contender like the Ravens.

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