Fantasy Football Week 3 Start Em Sit Em: The 5 Players You Must Start

Every week of the fantasy football season brings forth players who are "sleepers," or "waiver wire pickups." Think Eric Decker of the Broncos or Ben Tate of the Texans.

But there is also a set of players who fall under the category of "must starts." They are far more obvious to identify, but carry significantly more weight in the realm of fantasy football. These players are the big hitters.

Here are the five guys in Week 3 of the fantasy football season who you better not even think about sitting on your bench.  

5. Chris Johnson, Titans

Johnson has gotten off to a slow start in the first two weeks, but that's due more to his preseason holdout than anything.

There should be no worries, as Week 3 against the Broncos should be the time for his breakout.

There should no longer be any excuse over conditioning for Johnson, and Denver is in the bottom of the NFL against the run. If Johnson struggles again this week, there is reason for concern.

But I'd expect him to come out and prove why many owners still picked him No. 1 overall in their fantasy drafts.

Projection: 24 rushes, 116 yards, 1 TD; 3 catches for 29 yards

4. Adrian Peterson, Vikings

There is a lot of respect for the Lions' defensive front, but Peterson is the best pure runner in the game.

And for a Vikings' offense that lacks play makers, Peterson is the only option they have for being consistent with the football. Expect Minnesota to continue to feed the ball to Peterson, who is tied for seventh in the NFL in rushing attempts.

Despite teams stacking eight men in the box, Peterson is still averaging over five yards a carry. As long as he gets the ball on Sunday, he'll produce in big quantities. 

Projection: 26 rushes, 120 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches for 13 yards

3. Philip Rivers, Chargers

Rivers would probably find himself among the top starters no matter who the Chargers were playing, but he has an ideal matchup on his hands this weekend.

The Chiefs, fresh off 41-7 and 48-3 losses, are heading to San Diego.

Kansas City's secondary has been shredded by both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matthew Stafford, who, while both solid quarterbacks, aren't on Rivers' level. No Eric Berry at safety certainly helps Rivers here, so expect him to have a monster day.

Projection: 27 completions, 368 yards, 3 TDs

2. Ray Rice, Ravens

Rice has to be licking his chops in anticipation for this week. The Ravens take on the Rams, who are not only coming off a loss to the Giants but also rank last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed.

St. Louis is allowing over 175 yards per game on the ground for the opposition. In two games, Rice is well over 200 total yards for Baltimore.

What does this all add up to? A huge fantasy day for Rice.

Projection: 23 rushes, 136 yards, 1 TD; 5 catches for 43 yards and 1 TD

1. Tom Brady, Patriots

Simply put, Tom Brady is playing better right now to start the 2011 season than he ever has in his NFL career. For a guy like him, that's saying a lot.

Remember, he has a 50-touchdown season under his belt, and last season he threw just four interceptions to 36 touchdowns. He's on pace to put together the best statistical season ever for a quarterback. He won't stay on that pace for 16 games, but there's no reason to think the Bills will derail him in Week 3.

Brady is playing too well, right now. Losing Aaron Hernandez hurts, but Brady makes weapons out of average players on a weekly basis. He'll light the Bills on fire again on Sunday. 

Projection: 32 completions, 402 yards, 4 TDs