Week 3

• Tweet

• Tweet

I hope everyone started Derek Anderson last week! No? Well, that’s fantasy football for you… you can never really know. I don’t even think Derek’s mom would have predicted the Browns putting up 51 points on their division rivals. To his credit, Bengals’ QB Carson Palmer threw six touchdowns of his own in the game. I’m betting a lot more people had him starting (I was one of the lucky ones). Week 2 was unpredictable all around, as the Texans handled Carolina and Tampa Bay thumped the Saints. Fantasy owners of players like Drew Brees, Donovan McNabb, Steven Jackson, and yes, even the great LT, are left wondering when their stars are going to pick it up. Here is our weekly Start and Sit, to help you get a handle on the third week of the NFL season.

Our system is based on two separate rankings: Risk and Reward. Each player or defense was given a statistical ranking for each of the two categories.

Risk is determined by anything that could negatively affect the player in question’s performance. This includes such things as matchup, situation, and injuries.

Reward is determined by anything that could positively affect the player in question’s performance. This includes such things as talent, matchup, and situation.

The Ranking for the two categories is as follows:

Risk: Score of 0 being the lowest risk, 10 being the highest risk.
Reward: Score of 0 being lowest reward, 10 being the highest reward.

 

Quarterbacks	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Peyton Manning – IND	at HOU	18.3	1.33	9.58
Tom Brady – NE	vs BUF	17.8	1.42	9.25
Carson Palmer – CIN	at SEA	16.4	2.50	8.92
Marc Bulger – STL	at TB	15.2	3.08	8.25
Matt Hasselbeck – SEA	vs CIN	14.3	3.17	7.50
Ben Roethlisberger – PIT	vs SF	13.9	3.42	7.33
Jake Delhomme – CAR	at ATL	13.8	3.42	7.25
Jon Kitna – DET	at PHI	13.8	4.00	7.75
Drew Brees – NO	vs TEN	13.8	4.08	7.83
Donovan McNabb – PHI	vs DET	12.8	4.25	7.08
Vince Young – TEN	at NO	12.7	4.17	6.83
Tony Romo – DAL	at CHI	12.6	4.67	7.25
Jay Cutler – DEN	vs JAC	12.2	4.08	6.25
Jason Campbell – WAS	vs NYG	11.7	4.42	6.08
Eli Manning – NYG	at WAS	11.7	4.92	6.58
Jeff Garcia – TB	vs STL	11.5	4.42	5.92
Philip Rivers – SD	at GB	11.2	4.83	6.00
Matt Schaub – HOU	vs IND	10.8	5.00	5.75
Brett Favre – GB	vs SD	10.6	5.33	5.92
Rex Grossman – CHI	vs DAL	10.4	5.42	5.83
Derek Anderson – CLE	at OAK	10.3	5.58	5.83
David Garrard – JAC	at DEN	9.6	5.50	5.08
Josh McCown – OAK	vs CLE	9.5	5.58	5.08
Matt Leinart – ARI	at BAL	9.3	6.42	5.67
Trent Green – MIA	at NYJ	9.1	5.67	4.75
Steve McNair – BAL	vs ARI	9.1	6.25	5.33
Alex Smith – SF	at PIT	8.7	6.25	4.92
Chad Pennington – NYJ	vs MIA	8.5	6.00	4.50
JP Losman – BUF	at NE	7.8	7.08	4.92
Damon Huard – KC	vs MIN	7.7	6.50	4.17
Kelly Holcomb – MIN	at KC	7.1	6.75	3.83
Joey Harrington – ATL	vs CAR	6.4	7.50	3.92

 
Start:
Jake Delhomme, CAR (13.8 rating): There were rumblings that Delhomme would not even be the starting quarterback in Carolina for long – that the poster-boy of the Texans’ struggles since expansion, David Carr, had been brought in to take his job. I think Jake should be feeling secure in his job at the moment. Through two games he is ninth in the league in passing yards, and tied for second with six touchdown passes. He has only thrown one interception, giving him a QB rating of 112.2. He’s getting plenty of help from his dynamic wide receiver Steve Smith, who made a couple of a amazing plays to record touchdowns against the Texans.

Sit:
Phillip Rivers, SD (11.2 rating): San Diego’s offense isn’t clicking like Norv Turner hoped it would in his first year as head coach. The Chargers have scored only 14 points in each of their first two games. Rivers has two touchdowns and three interceptions. To be fair, they have played two good defenses in Chicago and New England, but I don’t think it gets too much easier with a trip up to Green Bay to play the Packers. Keep Rivers on your bench for now.
 

Running Backs	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
LaDainian Tomlinson – SD	at GB	16.4	2.6	9.0
Shaun Alexander – SEA	vs CIN	15.9	2.5	8.4
Joseph Addai – IND	at HOU	15.8	2.4	8.3
Willie Parker – PIT	vs SF	15.4	2.7	8.1
LaMont Jordan – OAK	vs CLE	14.9	2.8	7.8
Rudi Johnson – CIN	at SEA	14.8	2.8	7.5
Steven Jackson – STL	at TB	14.5	3.8	8.3
Brian Westbrook – PHI	vs DET	14.4	3.3	7.8
Adrian Peterson – MIN	at KC	14.3	3.5	7.8
Travis Henry – DEN	vs JAC	14.3	3.4	7.7
Clinton Portis – WAS	vs NYG	14.0	3.7	7.7
Frank Gore – SF	at PIT	13.9	3.9	7.8
Willis McGahee – BAL	vs ARI	13.8	3.6	7.3
Larry Johnson – KC	vs MIN	13.7	4.6	8.3
Reggie Bush – NO	vs TEN	13.4	4.1	7.5
Laurence Maroney – NE	vs BUF	12.9	4.3	7.2
Derrick Ward – NYG	at WAS	12.4	4.3	6.8
Deuce McAllister – NO	vs TEN	12.4	4.4	6.8
Thomas Jones – NYJ	vs MIA	12.3	4.3	6.6
Jamal Lewis – CLE	at OAK	12.2	4.3	6.5
Marion Barber – DAL	at CHI	12.1	5.1	7.2
DeAngelo Williams – CAR	at ATL	12.1	4.5	6.6
Cadillac Williams – TB	vs STL	11.9	4.8	6.8
DeShaun Foster – CAR	at ATL	11.9	4.4	6.3
Cedric Benson – CHI	vs DAL	11.8	4.7	6.5
LenDale White – TEN	at NO	11.4	4.8	6.3
Ahman Green – HOU	vs IND	11.3	4.8	6.2
Ronnie Brown – MIA	at NYJ	11.3	4.8	6.2
Edgerrin James – ARI	at BAL	11.2	5.3	6.5
Jerious Norwood – ATL	vs CAR	11.1	5.2	6.3
Fred Taylor – JAC	at DEN	10.9	4.9	5.8
Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC	at DEN	10.8	5.7	6.5
Ladell Betts – WAS	vs NYG	10.8	4.5	5.3
Chris Brown – TEN	at NO	10.7	5.0	5.7
Marshawn Lynch – BUF	at NE	10.3	5.8	6.1
Warrick Dunn – ATL	vs CAR	10.1	5.3	5.4
Tatum Bell – DET	at PHI	10.0	5.8	5.8
Sammy Morris – NE	vs BUF	9.3	5.8	5.2
Julius Jones – DAL	at CHI	9.3	6.3	5.5
Michael Turner – SD	at GB	8.9	5.6	4.5
DeShawn Wynn – GB	vs SD	8.6	6.3	4.9
Ron Dayne – HOU	vs IND	8.6	5.9	4.5
Brandon Jackson – GB	vs SD	8.3	6.6	4.9
Adrian Peterson – CHI	vs DAL	8.2	6.2	4.3
Leon Washington – NYJ	vs MIA	8.1	6.1	4.2
Jesse Chatman – MIA	at NYJ	8.1	6.3	4.3
Najeh Davenport – PIT	vs SF	7.9	6.0	3.9
Maurice Morris – SEA	vs CIN	7.7	6.0	3.7
Selvin Young – DEN	vs JAC	7.5	6.3	3.8
Michael Pittman – TB	vs STL	7.3	6.6	3.9
Musa Smith – BAL	vs ARI	7.0	6.7	3.7
Correll Buckhalter – PHI	vs DET	6.9	6.6	3.5
Kevin Faulk – NE	vs BUF	6.7	6.8	3.4
Chester Taylor – MIN	at KC	6.7	7.0	3.7
Kenton Keith – IND	at HOU	6.6	6.5	3.1
Brian Leonard – STL	at TB	6.6	6.8	3.4
Michael Robinson – SF	at PIT	6.4	6.8	3.2
Anthony Thomas – BUF	at NE	6.3	7.3	3.5
Reuben Droughns – NYG	at WAS	6.1	7.0	3.1
Chris Henry – TEN	at NO	6.0	7.3	3.3
Tony Hunt – PHI	vs DET	5.8	7.0	2.8
Marcel Shipp – ARI	at BAL	5.8	7.3	3.0
Mike Anderson – BAL	vs ARI	5.5	6.9	2.4
Jerome Harrison – CLE	at OAK	5.3	7.3	2.7
Greg Jones – JAC	at DEN	5.3	7.4	2.8
TJ Duckett – DET	at PHI	4.9	7.9	2.8
Vernand Morency – GB	vs SD	4.8	7.6	2.4

 
Start:
Lamont Jordan, OAK (14.9 rating): Jordan looks like he’s back to his 2005 form through the first two weeks of the 2007 season. He’s averaging a whopping 5.7 yards per carry so far. He did it through the air in Week 1, with nine catches for 89 yards, which he followed by racking up 159 yards on the ground in Week 2. Jordan should be able to keep it up this week against the Browns, who don’t play much defense, as evidenced by the shoot-out they won against Cincinnati last week. Cleveland ranks 29th in the NFL against the run, giving up 171.5 yards per game on the ground.

Sit:
Brandon Jackson, GB (8.3 rating): Fantasy owners had big plans for the rookie, who was supposedly walking into the starting job in Green Bay. Jackson has certainly gotten the chance to win the job outright, but through two weeks he has only managed a meager 2.3 yards per carry average. Backfield-mate Deshawn Wynn out shined Jackson last week, as he rushed for two touchdowns. Neither is a great play against the perennially strong Chargers run defense.
 

Wide Receivers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Steve Smith – CAR	at ATL	18.3	1.5	9.8
Randy Moss – NE	vs BUF	17.8	1.4	9.2
Chad Johnson – CIN	at SEA	17.6	1.8	9.4
Marvin Harrison – IND	at HOU	17.3	1.6	8.9
Reggie Wayne – IND	at HOU	16.9	1.8	8.8
Torry Holt – STL	at TB	16.3	2.1	8.4
TJ Houshmandzadeh – CIN	at SEA	15.8	2.5	8.3
Terrell Owens – DAL	at CHI	15.8	3.3	9.0
Roy Williams – DET	at PHI	15.4	2.7	8.1
Javon Walker – DEN	vs JAC	14.7	2.9	7.6
Plaxico Burress – NYG	at WAS	14.6	3.2	7.8
Marques Colston – NO	vs TEN	14.5	3.3	7.8
Joey Galloway – TB	vs STL	14.3	3.1	7.4
Laveranues Coles – NYJ	vs MIA	14.3	3.3	7.6
Santana Moss – WAS	vs NYG	14.2	3.3	7.4
Donald Driver – GB	vs SD	14.1	3.3	7.3
Chris Chambers – MIA	at NYJ	13.9	3.3	7.2
Hines Ward – PIT	vs SF	13.6	3.3	6.8
Jerricho Cotchery – NYJ	vs MIA	13.6	3.5	7.1
Santonio Holmes – PIT	vs SF	13.4	3.5	6.9
Ronald Curry – OAK	vs CLE	13.2	3.7	6.8
Deion Branch – SEA	vs CIN	13.1	4.3	7.3
Braylon Edwards – CLE	at OAK	12.8	4.1	6.9
Larry Fitzgerald – ARI	at BAL	12.8	4.5	7.3
Isaac Bruce – STL	at TB	12.5	3.8	6.3
Wes Welker – NE	vs BUF	12.4	4.1	6.5
Anquan Boldin – ARI	at BAL	12.4	4.6	7.0
Calvin Johnson – DET	at PHI	12.3	4.3	6.7
Bernard Berrian – CHI	vs DAL	12.3	4.3	6.6
Darrell Jackson – SF	at PIT	11.7	4.6	6.3
Derrick Mason – BAL	vs ARI	11.5	4.3	5.8
Kevin Curtis – PHI	vs DET	11.3	4.4	5.7
Reggie Brown – PHI	vs DET	11.3	4.6	5.8
Antwaan Randle El – WAS	vs NYG	11.3	4.8	6.1
Brandon Marshall – DEN	vs JAC	11.0	4.6	5.6
Vincent Jackson – SD	at GB	10.9	5.0	5.9
Lee Evans – BUF	at NE	10.8	5.8	6.7
Bobby Engram – SEA	vs CIN	10.7	4.8	5.5
Mike Furrey – DET	at PHI	10.5	4.9	5.4
Jacoby Jones – HOU	vs IND	10.5	5.3	5.8
Marty Booker – MIA	at NYJ	10.1	5.2	5.3
Nate Burleson – SEA	vs CIN	10.0	5.1	5.1
Jerry Porter – OAK	vs CLE	10.0	5.3	5.3
Donte Stallworth – NE	vs BUF	10.0	5.5	5.5
Brandon Jones – TEN	at NO	9.8	5.3	5.0
Joe Jurevicius – CLE	at OAK	9.8	5.4	5.2
Mark Clayton – BAL	vs ARI	9.6	5.7	5.3
Amani Toomer – NYG	at WAS	9.5	5.3	4.8
Anthony Gonzalez – IND	at HOU	9.5	5.6	5.1
Devery Henderson – NO	vs TEN	9.4	6.1	5.5
Shaun McDonald – DET	at PHI	9.4	5.7	5.1
Roydell Williams – TEN	at NO	9.3	5.4	4.7
Drew Carter – CAR	at ATL	9.0	5.3	4.3
Arnaz Battle – SF	at PIT	9.0	5.8	4.8
James Jones – GB	vs SD	8.9	5.9	4.8
Muhsin Muhammad – CHI	vs DAL	8.8	5.9	4.7
Troy Williamson – MIN	at KC	8.8	6.0	4.8
Drew Bennett – STL	at TB	8.7	5.4	4.1
Brandon Stokely – DEN	vs JAC	8.5	5.7	4.2
Patrick Crayton – DAL	at CHI	8.3	6.3	4.6
Eric Moulds – TEN	at NO	8.1	6.2	4.3
Demetrius Williams – BAL	vs ARI	7.9	6.0	3.9
Roddy White – ATL	vs CAR	7.8	6.2	4.0
DJ Hackett – SEA	vs CIN	7.8	6.5	4.3
Nate Washington – PIT	vs SF	7.8	6.3	4.0
Michael Jenkins – ATL	vs CAR	7.8	6.4	4.2
Dwayne Bowe – KC	vs MIN	7.8	6.5	4.3
Bobby Wade – MIN	at KC	7.3	6.8	4.1
Michael Clayton – TB	vs STL	7.3	6.5	3.8
Joe Horn – ATL	vs CAR	7.3	6.6	3.8
Kevin Walter – HOU	vs IND	7.1	6.8	3.8
Sammie Parker – KC	vs MIN	6.8	6.8	3.7
Reggie Williams – JAC	at DEN	6.8	7.1	3.9
Greg Jennings – GB	vs SD	6.8	7.5	4.3
Roscoe Parrish – BUF	at NE	6.8	7.1	3.8
Derek Hagan – MIA	at NYJ	6.6	6.8	3.4
Brandon Lloyd – WAS	vs NYG	6.5	6.7	3.2
Craig Davis – SD	at GB	6.5	6.9	3.4
Matt Jones – JAC	at DEN	6.5	7.3	3.8
Rashied Davis – CHI	vs DAL	6.0	7.0	3.0
Tab Perry – CIN	at SEA	5.9	7.2	3.1
Terrance Copper – NO	vs TEN	5.8	7.4	3.3
Ernest Wilford – JAC	at DEN	5.6	7.6	3.2
Sidney Rice – MIN	at KC	5.6	7.8	3.3
Bryant Johnson – ARI	at BAL	5.5	7.3	2.8
Cedrick Wilson – PIT	vs SF	5.5	7.3	2.8
Jabar Gaffney – NE	vs BUF	5.4	7.4	2.8
Robert Meachum – NO	vs TEN	5.1	7.8	2.8
Maurice Stovall – TB	vs STL	5.1	7.4	2.5
Steve Smith – NYG	at WAS	4.8	7.8	2.6
Dwayne Jarrett – CAR	at ATL	4.8	7.7	2.5
Sam Aiken – BUF	at NE	3.8	8.2	2.0

 
Start:
Braylon Edwards, CLE (12.8 rating): One thing last week’s shoot out between the Browns and Bengals proved is that the Browns have not forgotten about Braylon Edwards. Obviously, that kind of offensive output is not going to happen every week, but the Browns have another chance to put up some nice numbers through the air this week, as they face a Raiders’ defense that is 29th in the league against the pass. Edwards might be able to ride the hot arm of Derek Anderson to another nice game. I’m not saying to start him over your best receiver, but his 23rd ranking in this week’s Start and Sit would make him a starter in 12 team leagues.

Sit:
Lee Evans, BUF (10.8 rating): I like Lee Evans, I really do, but it’s been a tough start for the Bills’ passing game. I think that is due in large part to playing two very good defenses in Denver and Pittsburgh, but quarterback JP Losman has never looked comfortable, and as a result Evans has only four catches for 22 yards so far. That is definitely not what you want to see from a guy that was drafted as a second or third receiver in most fantasy leagues. I still think Losman and Evans will turn it around, but they get another unfortunate matchup this week in the form of a trip to New England to play the Patriots.
 

Tight Ends	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Antonio Gates – SD	at GB	17.9	1.7	9.6
Todd Heap – BAL	vs ARI	15.3	2.6	7.9
Kellen Winslow – CLE	at OAK	14.8	2.9	7.8
Jeremy Shockey – NYG	at WAS	14.7	2.9	7.6
Chris Cooley – WAS	vs NYG	14.5	3.3	7.8
Tony Gonzalez – KC	vs MIN	14.1	3.3	7.4
Ben Watson – NE	vs BUF	13.7	3.2	6.8
Dallas Clark – IND	at HOU	13.3	3.6	6.8
Jason Witten – DAL	at CHI	13.3	3.7	6.9
Heath Miller – PIT	vs SF	12.4	3.8	6.2
Vernon Davis – SF	at PIT	12.3	5.0	7.3
Alge Crumpler – ATL	vs CAR	11.8	4.2	6.0
Owen Daniels – HOU	vs IND	11.8	4.5	6.3
Eric Johnson – NO	vs TEN	11.3	4.5	5.8
Desmond Clark – CHI	vs DAL	10.9	4.5	5.4
LJ Smith – PHI	vs DET	10.8	4.5	5.3
Randy McMichael – STL	at TB	10.7	4.9	5.6
Bo Scaife – TEN	at NO	9.9	5.0	4.9
Chris Baker – NYJ	vs MIA	9.3	5.1	4.4
Marcus Pollard – SEA	vs CIN	8.9	5.3	4.3
David Martin – MIA	at NYJ	8.3	5.7	4.0
Leonard Pope – ARI	at BAL	8.2	6.3	4.4
Zach Miller – OAK	vs CLE	8.2	5.8	3.9
Jeff King – CAR	at ATL	8.1	5.8	3.8
Ben Troupe – TEN	at NO	8.1	5.9	4.0
Daniel Graham – DEN	vs JAC	8.0	6.1	4.1
Ben Utecht – IND	at HOU	8.0	6.3	4.3
Tony Scheffler – DEN	vs JAC	7.9	6.1	4.0
Bubba Franks – GB	vs SD	7.8	6.3	4.0
Itula Mili – SEA	vs CIN	7.4	6.0	3.4
Visanthe Shiancoe – MIN	at KC	7.4	6.2	3.6
David Lee – GB	vs SD	7.4	6.3	3.7
Marcedes Lewis – JAC	at DEN	7.3	6.1	3.4
Reggie Kelly – CIN	at SEA	7.0	6.3	3.3
Alex Smith – TB	vs STL	7.0	6.3	3.3
Greg Olsen – CHI	vs DAL	6.9	7.1	4.0
Matt Spaeth – PIT	vs SF	6.7	6.3	3.0
Jeb Putzier – HOU	vs IND	6.7	6.4	3.1
George Wrighster – JAC	at DEN	6.4	6.6	3.0
Dan Campbell – DET	at PHI	6.4	6.8	3.2
Anthony Becht – TB	vs STL	6.2	6.7	2.8
Robert Royal – BUF	at NE	6.1	6.7	2.8
Kyle Brady – NE	vs BUF	6.0	6.8	2.8
Matt Schobel – PHI	vs DET	5.8	7.0	2.8

 
Start:
Chris Cooley, WAS (14.5 rating): Cooley has gotten off to a bit of a slow start in 2007, but that seems to be common for him. He did catch his first touchdown of the year last week, thanks to a perfect pass from QB Jason Campbell. Campbell loves to target Cooley on third down and in the redzone. The Giants’ struggles against tight ends have been well documented. New York gave up 116 yards and a touchdown to Jason Witten in Week 1, and let Donald Lee and Bubba Franks each score in last week’s game.

Sit:
LJ Smith, PHI (10.8 rating): The usually consistent Smith has struggled with injuries this year, limiting him to four catches for 26 yards in his first two games. He is still battling a groin injury this week, so while he will probably tough it out and play, you shouldn’t expect him to be 100%. His injury problems have been compounded by Donovan McNabb’s slow start, keeping him from being a viable fantasy start at this point.
 

Kickers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Adam Vinatieri – IND	at HOU	16.8	1.6	8.3
Jeff Reed – PIT	vs SF	15.3	2.5	7.8
Stephen Gostkowski – NE	vs BUF	15.0	2.7	7.7
Jeff Wilkins – STL	at TB	14.6	3.1	7.7
Jason Elam – DEN	vs JAC	14.5	2.8	7.3
Josh Brown – SEA	vs CIN	14.5	2.8	7.3
Shayne Graham – CIN	at SEA	14.4	3.3	7.7
Robbie Gould – CHI	vs DAL	13.5	3.3	6.8
David Akers – PHI	vs DET	13.4	3.4	6.8
Nate Kaeding – SD	at GB	13.4	3.5	6.9
Matt Stover – BAL	vs ARI	13.3	3.6	6.8
Jason Hanson – DET	at PHI	12.9	3.6	6.5
John Kasay – CAR	at ATL	12.7	3.7	6.3
Nick Folk – DAL	at CHI	12.4	4.3	6.8
Neil Rackers – ARI	at BAL	12.2	4.6	6.8
Ryan Longwell – MIN	at KC	12.2	4.2	6.3
Olindo Mare – NO	vs TEN	11.9	4.3	6.2
Shaun Suisham – WAS	vs NYG	11.8	4.2	5.9
Sebastian Janikowski – OAK	vs CLE	11.3	4.8	6.2
Rob Bironas – TEN	at NO	11.3	4.3	5.6
Phil Dawson – CLE	at OAK	11.3	4.7	5.9
Lawrence Tynes – NYG	at WAS	11.3	4.8	6.1
Mike Nugent – NYJ	vs MIA	11.1	4.6	5.7
Jay Feely – MIA	at NYJ	11.1	4.4	5.5
Joe Nedney – SF	at PIT	11.0	4.5	5.5
Mason Crosby – GB	vs SD	10.9	4.7	5.6
John Carney – JAC	at DEN	10.8	4.8	5.7
Matt Bryant – TB	vs STL	10.4	4.9	5.3
Kris Brown – HOU	vs IND	10.0	5.3	5.3
Dave Rayner – KC	vs MIN	8.3	5.6	3.9
Rian Lindell – BUF	at NE	7.9	6.2	4.1
Morten Andersen – ATL	vs CAR	6.7	6.8	3.5

 
Start:
Jeff Reed, PIT (15.3 rating): Reed kicked four field goals last week, giving him six on the season. The Steelers’ offense is clicking. They are at home this week against a mediocre team. What’s not to like?

Sit:
Sebastian Janikowski, OAK (11.3 rating): Seabass is 1-5 on field goal attempts this year. That’s not good. Mike Shanahan successfully “froze” him last week on the potential game-winner in Denver. He’s just not an accurate kicker right now. Even though he plays the Browns this week, I would not want him in my starting lineup.
 

Team Defense	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
New England	vs BUF	16.1	2.3	8.3
Baltimore	vs ARI	15.9	2.5	8.4
Pittsburgh	vs SF	14.4	3.2	7.6
Minnesota	at KC	13.7	3.3	6.9
Chicago	vs DAL	13.4	4.4	7.8
Carolina	at ATL	13.3	3.4	6.7
San Diego	at GB	13.2	3.9	7.1
Denver	vs JAC	12.5	4.1	6.6
Dallas	at CHI	12.3	4.5	6.8
Oakland	vs CLE	11.5	4.5	6.0
Indianapolis	at HOU	11.2	4.7	5.8
Miami	at NYJ	11.1	4.3	5.4
Philadelphia	vs DET	10.5	5.3	5.8
Washington	vs NYG	10.1	4.8	4.9
Jacksonville	at DEN	10.0	5.3	5.3
Kansas City	vs MIN	9.8	4.8	4.6
New York Jets	vs MIA	9.8	5.0	4.8
Tampa Bay	vs STL	9.6	5.3	4.9
St. Louis	at TB	9.6	5.2	4.8
Detroit	at PHI	9.6	5.4	5.0
Tennessee	at NO	9.3	5.8	5.0
San Francisco	at PIT	9.3	5.9	5.2
Green Bay	vs SD	9.3	6.0	5.3
Arizona	at BAL	9.0	5.8	4.8
New York Giants	at WAS	8.9	5.8	4.7
New Orleans	vs TEN	8.5	5.9	4.4
Seattle	vs CIN	8.2	6.4	4.6
Cleveland	at OAK	7.7	6.0	3.7
Cincinnati	at SEA	7.5	6.8	4.3
Atlanta	vs CAR	7.0	6.2	3.2
Houston	vs IND	6.6	7.3	3.9
Buffalo	at NE	5.5	7.8	3.3

 
Start:
Minnesota (13.7 rating): The Viking defense has rewarded its fantasy owners with three defensive touchdowns already this season. Their opponent this week, Kansas City, has thrown three picks, and given up seven sacks on the year. I think Minnesota matches up very well with the Chiefs. The Vikings’ strong run defense should be able to contain the Chiefs’ main weapon, Larry Johnson. If the Vikings can force Kansas City to pass, they should be able to capitalize on some mistakes by Damon Huard.

Sit:
Tennessee (9.3 rating): I know what you’re thinking, “But the Saints have been awful!” That is true, but does anyone really expect that to last all season? I think at home in Week 3 could be the time that the Saints’ offense wakes up. Don’t test your luck by starting the Titans defense.

 
Special thanks to SwiperNoSwiping, joelamosobadiah, bobbing_headz, PMoneyTKE, SJNez46, MadDog36, madaslives911, m16a, knapplc, Jimboozie, MoDee, treat24, and Dan Lambskin for their rankings and involvement with this week's article. For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section or listen to The Coach's Voice on Fantasy Cafe Radio.
 

Rate this article: (35 votes, average: 3.83 out of 5)  Loading ... Questions or comments for Nick? Post them in the Cafe Forums! Want to write for the Cafe? Check out the Cafe's Pencil & Paper section!