Week 3 Fantasy Football Advice: Avoid Starting Hakeem Nicks

Hakeem Nicks has emerged as a fantasy football stud. However, he is someone you should consider sitting this week. Nicks and the Giants have a tough matchup, as they face their division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles.

If you have Nicks on your team, you might not be in the position to put him on your bench. However, he has several things working against him. First, Nicks is still recovering from a quad injury. The injury has him playing below 100 percent. Quad injuries are tough to recover from and can be aggravated at any time. Starting Nicks with his injury situation is a risk, as he could easily be forced out of the lineup.

Having said that, Nicks has shown that he is capable of playing through injuries. His potential and toughness could probably keep him in your starting lineup, despite his injury.

However, Nicks faces another challenge that might keep him out of your lineup.

He will likely draw the attention of Nnamdi Asomugha.

The Eagles will utilize their All-Pro corner to shut down the Giants' top receiving-threat. Asomugha is known for his ability to take playmakers out of the equation.

In Week 1, the Rams only managed 200 yards passing. Their top playmaker, Mike Sims-Walker, was held to one catch. That trend continued in Week 2, as Matt Ryan only managed 195 yards passing. Ryan's top target, Roddy White, only had three catches for 23 yards. Asomugha also recorded his first interception versus the Falcons.

The Giants will be counting on Nicks to make plays, but the odds are stacked against him. If you're a fantasy owner that has Nicks, you should consider your bench options. Decisions like this are what makes fantasy football so painful.