Fantasy Football

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Philip Rivers (SD) at GB- Hey, don’t get me wrong, the Packers defense is much improved this season, but they aren’t the Bears defense and they aren’t the Patriots defense. The Chargers are going to play a good offensive game at Lambeau Field, and Rivers should be a big reason why. If you have been playing him as your QB1, now is not the time to sit him. I’m expecting at least 250 yards and two touchdowns.

Vince Young (TEN) at NO- I can’t believe I’m suggesting to start Young as a QB1, but if you are going to do it, this would be the week. I expect the Saints offense to get it together in a big way Monday night, which should leave the Titans playing from behind in the 2nd half. Young should have to throw enough to allow him to reach 200+ yards and get a score or two through the air. As usual, he will have a solid game on the ground.

Jon Kitna (DET) at PHI- If you have been going with him as your QB1, he has given you no reason to sit him so far. Because both the Eagles and Lions love to throw the ball, this should be one of those lengthy noon games which play well into the three o’clock starts. There should be plenty of incomplete passes and dead clock time, which should lead to a high scoring game. I expect the Eagles to avoid the 0-3 start at home, so the Lions should be trailing late. Anything less than three touchdowns from Kitna would be disappointing.

Ronnie Brown (MIA) at NYJ- Let’s all hope that the Jesse Chatman split carry experiment is over. I think this will be the week that Brown gets the workload he deserves, and the Jets run defense isn’t good enough to stop him if he does. Give Brown one more chance to prove his worth.

Clinton Portis (WAS) vs NYG- If Portis has been riding your bench, wait no longer to get him into your starting lineup. Ladell Betts hardly saw the field on 1st and 2nd down Monday night against the Eagles, and Portis seems in line for his biggest workload of the year in week 3. I am expecting 100+ yards and two touchdowns against a pitiful Giants defense.

The Saints and Deuce McAllister should finally have a 2nd half lead in week 3 against the Titans.

Deuce McAllister (NO) vs TEN- I would put Reggie Bush on the list along with McAllister, but I doubt his owners have resorted to benching him just yet. This should be the perfect matchup for McAllister, as I am expecting the Saints to have a good lead throughout the game in their home opener on Monday Night Football. Deuce should reach 25-30 touches, and I expect him to surpass 100 yards rushing and score at least once.

Vincent Jackson (SD) at GB- Much like the rest of the Chargers offense, Jackson hasn’t been what many fantasy owners expected in the first two weeks. Because I think Philip Rivers and the Bolts will get it together in week 3, I am expecting a very solid game from Jackson.

Wes Welker (NE) vs BUF- After what they have seen in weeks one and two, there is no way the Bills aren’t going to roll coverage Randy Moss’ way the entire game, which should leave Welker with plenty of room to maneuver once again in week 3. This may be the week he breaks the 100 yard mark.

Santana Moss (WAS) vs NYG- Let’s face it, after what we have seen from the Giants secondary in weeks one and two, it would be shocking if Moss didn’t catch at least one 50+ yard touchdown. Plus, Jason Campbell proved Monday night that he can make good throws when he needs them. Start Moss with confidence.

Ronald Curry (OAK) vs CLE- Champ Bailey last Sunday, and now the Browns cornerbacks this Sunday. He probably won’t be as good as he was in week 1, but a solid WR3 game is well within his reach.

Bernard Berrian (CHI) vs DAL- Five catches in both weeks one and two, but he failed to reach 100 yards and score a touchdown in either game. I expect him to do both in week 3.

Owen Daniels (HOU) vs IND- Daniels had a solid game with five receptions in week two, and there is no reason he won’t get at least seven against the Colts with Andre Johnson missing the game because of a knee injury. Daniels should be Matt Schaub’s favorite target in a game the Texans should be losing big in the 2nd half.

Sit

Matt Leinart (ARI) at BAL- This is an absolute no-brainer, as I can’t see Leinart throwing for more than 200 yards and one touchdown. Any option on your bench should be better than Leinart this week.

Matt Schaub (HOU) vs IND- It is hard not to be impressed with what Schaub has done so far this season, but I can’t envision him having a very good game with Andre Johnson on the sidelines. He should be good enough to make Owen Daniels a sufficient start, however, Schuab belongs on fantasy benches in week 3.

Eli Manning (NYG) at WAS- From one quarterback without his number one wide receiver to possibly another. Plaxico Burress is in serious danger of missing week 3 with an ankle injury, according to the New York Daily News, which could spell trouble for Manning. If Burress sits this one out, you might want to bench Manning if you have a good alternative.

Edgerrin James (ARI) at BAL- I put James on my week 2 sit list, and he made me look bad. Not to worry though, as he is going to make me look good in week 3. Not that I’m going out on a limb here, but there is no way James is going to have a good game against the Ravens.

Tatum Bell (DET) at PHI- Kevin Jones is expected to play a few snaps in week 3, but I’m not sure I wouldn’t suggest sitting Bell even if he weren’t. The Lions led their week 2 game against the Vikings almost the entire way, and Bell still wound up with only nine carries (14 yards). His days as the Lions starting running back are numbered, and it is time to put Bell on fantasy benches until further notice, maybe for good.

Julius Jones (DAL) at CHI- Jones has been clearly outplayed by Marion Barber III in the first two weeks of the season, and the Bears defense shouldn’t make things any better in week 3. Jones should continue to lose playing time to Barber, and he shouldn’t do much with the touches he does receive this week.

Jerricho Cotchery (NYJ) vs MIA- I know that Cotchery was big in week 2 against Baltimore, but Kellen Clemens (who will likely start) is still a completely unproven quarterback capable of a terrible game. I am just not sold on Cotchery as a consistent WR3 play.

Darrell Jackson (SF) at PIT- This is two weeks in a row on the sit list for Jackson, and it may not be his last. Alex Smith has been horrendous through two weeks of play, and why should we expect him to get any better on the road against the Steelers in week 3.

Isaac Bruce (STL) at TB- Let’s not make Bruce’s big week 2 (145 yards) into a bigger deal than it should be. It was a great output from the aging veteran, but one that will not be repeated. The Rams will be out of the dome and outdoors in Tampa Bay, which should slow Bruce’s older wheels a bit. Keep him reserved if you have other options.

Vernon Davis (SF) at PIT- Because there aren’t a ton of good tight end options in fantasy football, it would be tough for a Davis owner to bench him in any week. However, with Alex Smith regressing at the pace that he is, it is difficult to envision Davis having a solid game against the Steelers in week 3.

Feel free to email me at Jdimaggio5@aol.com with any questions you might have regarding your fantasy team.