We’re heading into the third week of the 2011 NFL season but in fantasy leagues it’s more like Week 5. If you’re 0-2 and you’re not even favored to win Week 3 you may be getting a little desperate. Before you start listening to the advice of the guy you’re playing and trade half your team away or something drastic, here’s some players that you should start and some you should sit.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em: Matthew Stafford’s Hot Streak Continues
Having trouble decided who to start and sit on your fantasy football team in Week 3? Maybe this will help.
| Matthew Stafford QB Detroit Lions -- Start |
Seven touchdowns in two games and Matthew Stafford is going up against the Vikings, who have the No. 23 pass defense in the league, this weekend. It's looking like this is Stafford's year and as long as he's healthy he's a quality fantasy football starting quarterback. This weekend is no exception.
| Ben Roethlisberger QB Pittsburgh Steelers -- Sit |
Even though the Steelers blew out the Seahawks last week, Ben Roethlisberger only threw for one touchdown. This weekend he'll be facing the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts' defense doesn't make this matchup bad for Big Ben, but the Colts' offense does. Without Peyton Manning the Colts don't really have a great chance to score points, especially against the Steelers tough defense. If the Steelers get up by a few points I expect them to keep the ball on the ground. Hey speaking of the Steelers and running the ball.....
| Rashard Mendenhall RB Pittsburgh Steelers -- Start |
He hasn’t had a huge game yet this season but this weekend’s game against the Colts could be huge for him. The Colts have the No. 29 ranked run defense in the league and since they likely won’t score many points against the Steelers tough defense without Peyton Manning, I fully expect the Steelers to get up by a couple scores and then grind it out on the ground for the rest of the game. Expect a big game for Mendenhall.
| Cedric Benson RB Cincinnati Bengals -- Sit |
Last week I told you to start him against the Broncos, who gave up over 190 yards on the ground in week one to the Oakland Raiders. They held Benson to 59 yards and no touchdowns. This week the Bengals are hosting the San Francisco 49ers who have the top run defense in the league. You can do the math here.
| Steve Smith WR Carolina Panthers -- Start |
After an awful 2010 season, Steve Smith has had a great start to the 2011 season. Who knew that Cam Newton would be the answer for Smith. In two games he's racked up an amazing 334 yards receiving and has two touchdowns and he's the leading receiver in the NFL. The Panthers are facing the Jaguars and Smith could have a big game against a middle-of-the-road defense. The only thing that could hurt Smith in this game is that the Panthers get up big and start running the ball.
| Hakeem Nicks WR New York Giants -- Sit |
He had 122 yards receiving in week one and a touchdown in week two but this week he faces the Eagles which means that he'll likely go head-to-head against Nnamdi Asomugha, one of the top cornerbacks in the league, especially considering Domenik Hixon is out and Mario Manningham is doubtful. With the Eagles defense, who have sacked the opposing quarterback nine times so far on the season, chasing Eli Manning all over the backfield, you can't count on Nicks to produce against Asomugha.
| Rob Gronkowski TE New England Patriots -- Start |
START ROB GRONKOWSKI! Aaron Hernandez, the team's other tight end is out and Gronkowski will soak up his catches. Gronkowski also has three touchdowns in two games. The Patriots are facing the Bills this weekend and even though the Bills have been impressive so far this season, they're probably not quite good enough to hang with Tom Brady and company. Expect Grondowski to have a big day.
| Dallas Clark TE Indianapolis Colts -- Sit |
Dallas Clark is one of the top tight ends in the league but there are two problems this week: he doesn’t have Peyton Manning throwing him the ball (which has been one of the reasons he’s been so good) and he’s facing a tough Steelers defense. There’s really not much left to say.
| Tennessee Titans Defense -- Start |
If your usual starting defense is facing a top-notch offense, you may want to start the Titans defense instead. They were impressive in the last two weeks and even forced a fumble and intercepted two passes against the Ravens, one of the top defenses in the league. This week they'll face the much less talented Denver Broncos at home and they're poised to have another great game.
| New York Giants Defense -- Sit |
The Giants are playing at home but they're also playing against the Philadelphia Eagles. If Michael Vick is playing, and it looks like he is, the Eagles have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, especially now that Jeremy Maclin seems to be back to 100 percent. I wouldn't feel comfortable starting any defense against the Eagles with Vick at the helm.
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