Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 3

Here’s a look at LestersLegends' sit and start advice as you set your lineups for the third week of the NFL season.

Quarterbacks

Start:
Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers:  Cutler faces the Packers at home, where he has been more productive. Last year, he averaged 72 more yards at home. In 2009, his TD-INT ratio was 15-6 at home and 12-20 on the road. He obviously played better against Atlanta in the opener at home than against the Saints on the road. The Packers have allowed 400 yards per game through the air.

Sit:
Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams vs. Baltimore Ravens:  Bradford is barely completing half of his passes and his passer rating has been below 80 in both games. Though he hasn’t thrown a pick, he has just one touchdown pass. He’s lost two fumbles already, which matches his total from last year.

Running Backs

Start:
Shonn Greene, New York Jets at Oakland Raiders:  Greene got in the end zone last week and gets to square off against Oakland’s 27th-ranked run defense. They have allowed 127.5 rushing yards per game thus far despite facing Denver and Buffalo.

Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City:  The Chiefs are a train wreck. They rank 25th against the run with 126 yards allowed per game. They have given up three touchdowns as well. Mathews looked good against the Pats last week and should build on that performance.

Sit:
DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers vs. Jacksonville:  The Panthers have yet to get anything established in the running game this year. Jacksonville is fifth in the league with 72.0 rushing yards allowed despite facing the Titans and the Jets.

Wide Receivers

Start:
Mike Sims-Walker, St. Louis Rams vs. Baltimore Ravens:  MSW got on the same page as Sam Bradford on Monday Night Football. They were able to move the ball, but not put points on the board.

That’s been the M.O. of the Ravens' pass defense. They rank 28th in passing yards allowed at 302 yards per game, but have allowed just two passing touchdowns. I think they’ll get some yards, which is why I like MSW, but will make mistakes and have their drives stalled out.

Johnny Knox, Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers:  Knox averaged 77.3 yards per game at home last year with four touchdowns. On the road, he averaged 42.8 yards with one score. He's the best weapon they have at WR and they’ll need him against the Packers.

Sit:
Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns:  Bess caught just two passes for 42 yards against the Texans and faces the Browns’ second-ranked pass defense (165.5 ypg). Brandon Marshall is going to get his. I’m not sure there will be enough for Bess.

Tight Ends

Start:
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Gonzo is tied with Kellen Winslow for third among tight ends with 16 targets. He as at least 72 yards in each of the games this year. There clearly is still tread on the tires.

Sit:
Owen Daniels at New Orleans:  Daniels only has four catches on the year for 37 yards. Against the blitzing Saints, who have eight sacks on the year, he could be called into extra coverage.

Defenses

Start:
San Diego Chargers defense vs. Kansas City Chiefs:  The Chargers only have four sacks and one takeaway on the year, but that should change when the Chiefs roll into town. They have had just too many key injuries to compete.

Sit:
Chicago Bears defense vs. Green Bay Packers:  The Bears have one of the top scoring defenses with six sacks, an interception, three fumble recoveries and a touchdown. That said, do you really want to use them against the high-powered Packers?

Also check out:

• Week 3 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• Week 3 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• Week 3 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• Week 3 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• Week 3 Fantasy Football K Rankings