NFL Fantasy Football: Start Mario Manningham over DeSean Jackson

Three games is a small sample size. It's hard to draw many conclusions based on such a small amount of data. Ironically, we have tons of fantasy football data. The problem is, that most of it is based on opinion. But none of it can accurately predict the future. No **** right?

Maybe we can't trust the stats from our offensive players so far. One 99-yard Wes Welker TD really skews the stats doesn't it? That's why Mike Tolbert is still a top-10 RB in PPR leagues. So I'm not going to pretend that I know what's going to happen. Call Ms. Cleo for that. But I will tell you which players I think can exploit favorable matchups.

TALENT and OPPORTUNITY

Those are the traits you seek in fantasy football. You want to own talented players who have the opportunity to utilize their talents. Once you're digging on the waiver wire, you're not going to find players with both. At least on an every-week basis without an injury.

I'm not here to tell you to start Arian Foster. You drafted him with a top-five pick. The Texans have said that he will get his usual workload. You're starting him. You have to. I'm here to help you with that tough flex play or WR3. If your team is really good, you don't need my help with who to start this week.

So without further ado, START these players:

QB

ELI MANNING over MICHAEL VICK

Eli faces the Cardinals who are in the bottom five in terms of fantasy points allowed to QBs. Hakeem Nicks looks good to go and Mario Manningham is back. The Eagles will look to feature LeSean McCoy and keep Vick safe.

JOE FLACCO over TONY ROMO

Romo is still nursing his broken ribs and Miles Austin isn't riding in for the rescue. Dez Bryant might not even play. Meanwhile, Flacco faces a Jets defense that is actually ranked in the bottom half of the league. Antonio Cromartie is not expected to play.

RB

JAMES STARKS over PEYTON HILLIS

Ryan Grant is out this week, giving Starks a real shot at 20-plus touches. Peyton Hillis returns to a backfield that he will share with Montario Hardesty. Against a Titans defense currently ranked No. 1 in the NFL.

MARK INGRAM over JOSEPH ADDAI

The Colts are going to start Curtis Painter at QB. While he might be better than Kerry Collins, he's still no Peyton Manning. The Bucs will look to shut down the run and the short passing game while daring Painter to beat them deep. Ingram will be getting carries (and goal line looks) against a struggling Jaguars team starting a rookie at QB.

MIKE TOLBERT over WILLIS MCGAHEE

While McGahee will start and see goal-line carries for the Broncos, Knowshon Moreno is back and will see his share of touches. Oh, and the Broncos are playing in Green Bay. For the Chargers, it looks like Antonio Gates will be out. Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd and Ryan Matthews were limited in practice all week. Look for Tolbert to see 15-plus touches and be very effective with them.

WR

MARIO MANNINGHAM over DESEAN JACKSON

As an Eagles fan, I've quite frankly seen enough of their offensive line. The bottom line is that the line can't protect Vick long enough to let Jackson get open deep. So the only way Jackson is good in fantasy is if he busts a short pass for a long TD. Manningham is going to be heavily targeted against one of the worst pass defenses in the league.

REGGIE WAYNE over JORDY NELSON

How far have the Colts fallen? Far. But Reggie Wayne has been stumping for Curtis Painter since Kerry Collins was signed. Painter will return the favor by targeting Wayne whenever possible. Nelson might be the No. 3 option on the Packers, but he won't be needed much this week.

SANTANA MOSS over BRANDON LLOYD

Did you not see what the Ravens (and Torrey Smith) did to the Rams in Week 3? The Redskins will still feature Tim Hightower, but they will finally get Moss more involved this week. Lloyd will see heavy doses of Charles Woodson this week. Eric Decker is slowly bleeding targets away from Lloyd.

TE

FRED DAVIS over DALLAS CLARK

The Cowboys specifically game-planned against Davis last week. The Bucs don't have the defensive personnel to do that. But they do have an excellent young defensive line. The Colts will attempt to run the ball and get the timing passing game going. That leaves Clark blocking or just running short dump-off routes.

GREG OLSEN over BRANDON PETTIGREW

Olsen has already had a TD and two long plays called back by penalties. He's almost reached "start every week" status. Pettigrew had an excellent game in Week 3. But the Cowboys have done an excellent job of taking opponent's tight ends out of the game. That should continue this week.

I hope that this can help you when you're filling out your lineups this week. If you have any questions or comments, I will absolutely try to respond. You can use the comments feature or follow me on Twitter. If you do have any questions, please be as specific as possible, without being too long. That's what she said!

Good luck in Week 4.