Week 3
Games through Sept. 27

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Two weeks into the season, the fantasy leaderboard is showing some unusual names at the top. The undisputed #1 so far is Donovan McNabb with seven TDs and almost 600 passing yards. Of course, he was expected to be among the league’s best, as were players like Daunte Culpepper, Priest Holmes and Terrell Owens. But who would have thought that Curtis Martin would be leading all running backs in yards, with Chris Brown and Thomas Jones not far away?

Matchups, of course, have played a huge role in determining the early fantasy leaders. But with just two games in the books, it’s only a matter of time before seemingly underperforming stars turn things around. For the players whose fortunes could be on the rise this week, as well as a few you might want to avoid, here is this week’s Start & Sit.

START

QB:

Jake Plummer, Den: Plummer was virtually shut down by the Jaguars last week, but this Sunday, things could be different. The Chargers allowed the Jets to score 34 points in week 2, with Chad Pennington passing for 258 yards and two TDs. Plummer could well be the next QB to take advantage of this matchup.

David Carr, Hou: Houston faces a Chiefs defense that has allowed 385 yards and a league-high 31 points per game overall. Last week, Jake Delhomme found the end zone three times with his top receiver on the shelf. Carr hasn’t been able to find consistency yet, but if you’re shuffling him in and out of your lineup, this looks like a good week to start him.

Others to start:
Brett Favre, GB
Marc Bulger, StL
Trent Green, KC

No-brainers:
Michael Vick, Atl
Donovan McNabb, Phi
Daunte Culpepper, Min
Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
Aaron Brooks, NO
Peyton Manning, Ind

RB:

Aaron Stecker, NO: With Deuce McAllister out, Stecker gets the starting nod this week for the Saints against St. Louis. Normally, you should be cautious about starting unproven replacements, but the matchup against a weak Rams defense might simply be too good to pass up. If you were able to pick up Stecker, it may be worth getting him into the lineup immediately. Keep in mind, though, that Ki-Jana Carter will also see carries.

Thomas Jones, Chi: Minnesota may be one of the top five defenses in rushing yards allowed, but this is not because they are that good against the run. Combine a weak pass defense and their explosive offense which forces other teams to strike back quickly, and other teams will be taking to the air often. However, with Chicago’s passing game not yet clicking, Jones will see lots of action this week and could respond with a big game.

Others to start:
Fred Taylor, Jax
Warrick Dunn, Atl
Quentin Griffin, Den
Edgerrin James, Ind (if healthy)
Brian Westbrook, Phi
Kevan Barlow, SF
Onterrio Smith, Min

No-brainers:
LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
Jamal Lewis, Bal
Priest Holmes, KC (if healthy)
Marshall Faulk, StL
Shaun Alexander, Sea
Clinton Portis, Was
Ahman Green, GB
Domanick Davis, Hou

WR:

Reggie Wayne, Ind: Wayne is still the #2 WR on the Colts team, but is a better fantasy option than quite a few #1 receivers. With Indianapolis facing a suspect a Packers secondary, Wayne has great upside this week.

Donte Stallworth, NO: Stallworth had a big game last week against a weak 49ers defense, and this week his matchuip also looks favorable with the Saints playing in St.Louis. This game could turn into a shootout – if it does, Stallworth should get his share of the action.

Others to start:
Isaac Bruce, StL
Derrick Mason, Ten
Andre Johnson, Hou
Javon Walker, GB
Jimmy Smith, Jax
Hines Ward, Pit
Koren Robinson, Sea
Roy Williams, Det
David Terrell, Chi
Rod Smith, Den

No-brainers:
Torry Holt, StL
Terrell Owens, Phi
Marvin Harrison, Ind
Randy Moss, Min
Joe Horn, NO
Darell Jackson, Sea
Peerless Price, Atl
Chad Johnson, Cin

TE/K/D:

Desmond Clark, Chi: Clark is a nice security blanket for Rex Grossman when the Bears’ WRs can’t get open, and let’s face it, that’s not an uncommon occurrence. With several of the big names out with injuries, Clark becomes one of this week’s better TE options.

Paul Edinger, K, Chi: Why Edinger? Chicago plays a vulnerable Minnesota defense and should be able to score some points. Edinger could therefore be a nice bye-week fill-in or a replacement for kickers with tough matchups.

Oakland Defense: There was a time when the Raiders could be counted on as a reliable source of fantasy players. Unfortunately, that time is in the past, and Oakland is a team often ignored by fantasy owners. But the Raiders defense still makes for a nice play when the matchup is right, and this week they face a Tampa Bay offense that hasn’t found its rhythm yet.

 
BENCH

QB:

Ben Roethlisberger, Pit: Roethlisberger was one of the hottest commodities on the wire this week, but you might not want to start him immediately. He not only faces a tough Miami defense that will give him a rough welcome to the NFL, but he will also need time to adjust to this level of the game.

Rich Gannon, Oak: Gannon may still have some solid games left in him, but probably not this week. The Buccaneers defense held Matt Hasselbeck and the Seattle offense to 147 yards through the air, and won’t make things any easier for the Raiders and Gannon.

RB:

Rudi Johnson, Cin: Johnson has been a bit of a disappointment so far, gaining only 134 yards and a score in his first two games. However, this isn’t the week to expect an upswing, as the Ravens defense poses a formidable challenge.

Eddie George, Dal: For now, Eddie George is the clear starter in Dallas, but will not get more than 18 carries per game, as coach Parcells does not want to overwork him this early in the season. But against a Redskins defense that leads the NFL by allowing only 46 yards on the ground per game, he may not even get that many touches.

WR:

Plaxico Burress, Pit: Burress, who was primed for a big season this year, has done nothing so far to warrant a starting spot in your lineup. To make matters worse, he now has a rookie quarterback throwing to him, and a tough defense (Miami) to contend with. Sit him.

Cedric Wilson, SF: Wilson’s late scratch from last week’s game due to injury may have cost several fantasy owners their matchup, as they did not have the time to react and make a lineup change. Wilson will be back this week, but this should not make you put him back into your lineup. Seattle fields a very solid defense, which makes Wilson a risky start at best.

TE/K/D:

Erron Kinney, TE, Ten: Kinney hasn’t exactly made fantasy owners forget about Frank Wychek yet. Things will not get any better for Kinney this week with Tennessee faces a stingy Jacksonville defense; starting him is a risk you don’t need to take.

Todd Peterson, K, SF: Peterson may not get many chances to score this week, as the 49ers have to play a very tough Seattle defense away from home. If last week’s solid stats left you thinking about starting Peterson. think again.

Green Bay Defense: The Packers may be a nice start against a lot of teams, but starting them on the road against the Colts simply is not worth it. If Green Bay is your only defense, looking for a fill-in might be wise There are a lots of better options this week; even the Bengals, who face a struggling Ravens offense, might be a better start.

 
Fantasy Football Cafe’s Start & Sit lists are suggestions intended to give fantasy football players an edge in their weekly matchups. Savvy owners will see these lists not as an absolute ranking, but as an indication of possible outcomes of a given week, and use them together with their own opinions and hunches to field the lineup that will give their team the greatest odds of winning. The Start & Sit lists are compiled by Dan Spazierer (not Madame Zelda). For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section.