Fantasy Football Start/Sit, Week 3: Joe Flacco Makes The Cut

Last week's Start/Sit hit correctly on 6 of 7 selections - though the "sit" call for the weekend's biggest stud, Jahvid Best, made it feel more like batting .500. Still, an 85% rating was pretty good. Week 3's picks include a "waiter" looking to serve up some fantasy points, a running Cedric "The Entertainer", and a "Joe" that will be far from average this Sunday. Lets get to it.

QB Joe Flacco (vs. CLE) - Through two weeks Flacco has completed just 48% of his passes with only 1 TD and 5 INT's, in no small part to the presence of CB's Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Leon Hall, and Jonathan Joseph. This week, the Ravens aerial assault will get an elixir for what ails them when the Cleveland Browns - a team that surrendered over 4,100 passing yards in 2009. While skeptics will say that an early lead by the Ravens will lead to a second half double dose of Rice and McGahee, it's more likely that the home opener will serve as a means to get the passing game on track.

RB Cedric Benson (@CAR) - Benson has failed to top 80 yards in either contest this season as the Patriots took away the run in Week 1 and the Ravens stout front seven limited him in Week 2. In Week 3, the Bengals will host a Panther defense that has given up a league high 4 TD's to opposing receivers. Expect Carolina to try and limit big plays from Ocho Cinco and TO as they look to keep the contest close on the road for rookie Jimmy Claussen who will be making his first NFL start. If you own Benson, you're probably starting him anyway, but expect solid RB1 totals from him as he eclipses 120 yards and a score.

**UPDATE: Pierre Garcon has missed consecutive practices with a hamstring injury. As game time decision with a 4o'clock kickoff, Garcon is best left on your bench.

WR Pierre Garcon (@DEN) - Sky-high expectations have given way to disappointment for the man they call "Peter Waiter". Through two weeks Garcon has handled just 5 of his 13 targets, including just 2 looks from Peyton Manning in Week 2. But Garcon will continue to be targeted in the red zone as the Colt's starting split end. Denver might be without the services of starting CB's Champ Bailey and Andre' Goodman - good news for the entire Colt pass attack. If one or both are able to play, Garcon would have an easier matchup than Reggie Wayne. And LB DJ Williams has enough speed and quickness to limit Dallas Clark in coverage. The Denver defense hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer at home since Week 3 of 2008, but expect Garcon to get going on his way to solid WR2 totals.

Sit

QB Jay Cutler (@ GB) - Cutler has been superb in his first two starts, throwing 5TD's against just 1 INT as the Bears have jumped out to 2-0. And it's funny, because in Chicago's 7 wins last season, Cutler threw 16 TD's to just 3 INT's. It was in the 9 losing efforts that Cutler threw 23 of his 26 picks. This week, the Bears will travel to Lambeau field, where the Packers normal 3-4 defense will convert to a base 4-2 that will feature pro-bowl talent Charles Woodson working out of the nickel. Last season, Cutler's TD-to-INT ratio was 1:5 when Green Bay worked from CB-heavy nickel and dime packages. While Cutler could struggle mightily against such defensive looks, he will return in the following weeks on his way to a top-10 fantasy season. But don't be afraid to bench him for one week if you have a better option available.

RB Deangelo Williams (vs. CIN) - Owners were aware when they drafted Williams that he would share backfield duties with Jonathan Stewart. Now healthy, Stewart should see a few more touches that the 13 he saw in the first two weeks of the season. To make matters worse, HC Jon Fox has begun using Mike Goodson (7 touches) as a third back in the rotation. Regardless of workload, the presence of a three-headed monster means less opportunities for Williams to flash his game changing ability. And this is to say nothing of Cincinnati putting 8 in the box this week as they test Jimmy Claussen in his NFL debut. Williams won't have a week befitting of his talent level, a trend that may continue if the Panthers don't find some stability soon.

WR Hakeem Nicks (vs. TEN) - A garbage time score in Week 2 salvaged what would have been a lost week for the second year standout. In Week 3 the G-men will host a Titans defense currently holding opposing offenses to a 17% third down conversion rate. The Giants meanwhile, are moving the chains just 32% of the time on third down plays. That adds up to the Giants needing to do their damage in the air on first and second downs-downs that they primarily run. Nicks will square off against pugnacious pro-bowl CB Cortland Finnegan, who will look to disrupt Nicks rhythm, forcing Eli Manning to look to his security blanket, Steve Smith, in order to move the chains.

Through two weeks, WR Dwayne Bowe (vs. 49ers) has been a complete dud. It appears HC Todd Haley isn't content toying just with Jamaal Charles owners as Bowe continues to be largely ignored in the passing game, garnering a mere 5 targets last week. Whether by design or necessity, QB Matt Cassel has been busy targeting rookie TE Tony Moeaki (team high 18 targets) underneath as the Chiefs play small ball. Patrick Willis and the aggressive SF 49ers come to Arrowhead this weekend and might try to take away the intermediate and short routes, forcing Cassel to beat them through the air. If the Chiefs aren't able to connect on a few substantial pass plays it might signal that Bowe is a long way from being a viable every-week fantasy WR.