Week 3: It’s an RG3 World - 12 comments

Cam Newton showed us last year that rookie quarterbacks can have an instant fantasy impact. When 2012 fantasy drafts came around, people were ready for Robert Griffin III, a.k.a. “The Next Big Thing.” Routinely drafted as a borderline QB1 despite his rookie status, Griffin has certainly cashed in for his owners in the first two weeks, leading all QBs in fantasy points thanks to rushing for 124 yards and two TDs. His 526 passing yards and three TDs through the air certainly aren’t world-beating numbers, but it hardly matters when you run the ball as well as Griffin. He’s locked in as an every-week QB1 at this point, and if you’re a team struggling at the position, check in with the Griffin owner to see if that team has another solid QB1 (i.e., Philip Rivers, Michael Vick, etc.) that you could acquire.

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opp	Average
1	Drew Brees	NO	vs. KC	2.0
2	Aaron Rodgers	GB	at SEA	2.2
3	Robert Griffin III	WAS	vs. CIN	4.4
4	Cam Newton	CAR	vs. NYG	4.8
5	Matt Ryan	ATL	at SD	5.8
6	Tom Brady	NE	at BAL	6.6
7	Matthew Stafford	DET	at TEN	6.6
8	Tony Romo	DAL	vs. TB	7.6
9	Eli Manning	NYG	at CAR	8.4
10	Michael Vick	PHI	at ARI	10.2
11	Philip Rivers	SD	vs. ATL	11.2
12	Peyton Manning	DEN	vs. HOU	15.2
13	Joe Flacco	BAL	vs. NE	15.6
14	Ben Roethlisberger	PIT	at OAK	15.8
15	Jay Cutler	CHI	vs. STL	16.4
16	Matt Cassel	KC	at NO	16.6
17	Andrew Luck	IND	vs. JAC	17.4
18	Andy Dalton	CIN	at WAS	17.8
19	Ryan Fitzpatrick	BUF	at CLE	18.2
20	Alex Smith	SF	at MIN	20.2
21	Matt Schaub	HOU	at DEN	20.4
22	Josh Freeman	TB	at DAL	20.4
23	Sam Bradford	STL	at CHI	21.4
24	Carson Palmer	OAK	vs. PIT	23.8
25	Christian Ponder	MIN	vs. SF	26.2
26	Mark Sanchez	NYJ	at MIA	26.2
27	Jake Locker	TEN	vs. DET	26.4
28	Russell Wilson	SEA	vs. GB	26.6
29	Brandon Weeden	CLE	vs. BUF	28.4
30	Kevin Kolb	ARI	vs. PHI	29.8
31	Blaine Gabbert	JAC	at IND	30.4
32	Ryan Tannehill	MIA	vs. NYJ	30.8
33	Tim Tebow	NYJ	at MIA	33.0

Start: Michael Vick, Eagles. Despite throwing six interceptions in two games, Vick still has posted top-five fantasy numbers in most formats. That should make him an automatic start, right? Hang on. He hits the road to face a Cardinal defense that has put together back-to-back outstanding performances, the latest of which came in Gillette Stadium in a shocking upset of the Patriots. We still list him as a starter, but temper your expectations.

Sit: Jay Cutler, Bears. Cutler had a Thursday I’m sure he’d like to forget in Week 2, throwing four interceptions while getting sacked seven times thanks to a terribly weak offensive line. Even in a favorable matchup against the Rams, we can’t recommend starting him until we see some improvement on the offensive line.

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opp	Average
1	Arian Foster	HOU	at DEN	1.0
2	C.J. Spiller	BUF	at CLE	2.6
3	LeSean McCoy	PHI	at ARI	3.0
4	Ray Rice	BAL	vs. NE	4.0
5	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	at IND	5.2
6	Darren McFadden	OAK	vs. PIT	8.0
7	DeMarco Murray	DAL	vs. TB	8.8
8	Michael Bush	CHI	vs. STL	10.0
9	Darren Sproles	NO	vs. KC	10.2
10	Reggie Bush	MIA	vs. NYJ	10.8
11	Doug Martin	TB	at DAL	11.2
12	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	vs. GB	11.8
13	Trent Richardson	CLE	vs. BUF	12.4
14	Alfred Morris	WAS	vs. CIN	14.6
15	Stevan Ridley	NE	at BAL	16.0
16	Adrian Peterson	MIN	vs. SF	16.0
17	Frank Gore	SF	at MIN	16.2
18	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	CIN	at WAS	17.2
19	Ryan Mathews	SD	vs. ATL	18.8
20	Jamaal Charles	KC	at NO	21.6
21	Donald Brown	IND	vs. JAC	22.0
22	Steven Jackson	STL	at CHI	22.0
23	Willis McGahee	DEN	vs. HOU	22.4
24	Chris Johnson	TEN	vs. DET	25.8
25	Shonn Greene	NYJ	at MIA	27.4
26	Dexter McCluster	KC	at NO	27.8
27	Peyton Hillis	KC	at NO	28.2
28	Ben Tate	HOU	at DEN	28.2
29	Cedric Benson	GB	at SEA	28.6
30	Andre Brown	NYG	at CAR	29.2
31	Michael Turner	ATL	at SD	30.6
32	Kevin Smith	DET	at TEN	31.8
33	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	vs. NYG	32.0
34	Jonathan Dwyer	PIT	at OAK	34.0
35	DeAngelo Williams	CAR	vs. NYG	34.8
36	Beanie Wells	ARI	vs. PHI	35.4
37	Mark Ingram	NO	vs. KC	36.6
38	Pierre Thomas	NO	vs. KC	37.2
39	Jacquizz Rodgers	ATL	at SD	37.6
40	Mikel Leshore	DET	at TEN	38.0
41	Isaac Redman	PIT	at OAK	40.8
42	Kendall Hunter	SF	at MIN	41.6
43	Ryan Williams	ARI	vs. PHI	42.4
44	David Wilson	NYG	at CAR	44.0
45	Bilal Powell	NYJ	at MIA	44.8
46	Roy Helu	WAS	vs. CIN	46.6
47	Tashard Choice	BUF	at CLE	47.6
48	Daryl Richardson	STL	at CHI	48.4
49	Lamar Miller	MIA	vs. NYJ	50.0
50	Rashad Jennings	JAC	at IND	51.6

Start: Michael Bush, Bears. It seems likely that Matt Forte will miss Week 3 even though he reportedly doesn’t have a high ankle sprain. If that’s the case, Bush becomes locked in as a RB1 against the Rams. Either way, you can expect a TD or two out of Bush, and if Forte is confirmed to be out on Sunday, start Bush in all leagues.

Sit: Kevin Smith, Lions. Mikel LeShoure is back for the Lions, reading to make his regular-season debut after missing all of last year due to injury and the first two weeks of this season due to suspension. The sense in Detroit is that the team is optimistic with what it has in LeShoure, and that could lead to a reduced role for Smith as soon as this week.

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opp	Average
1	Calvin Johnson	DET	at TEN	1.0
2	A.J. Green	CIN	at WAS	4.0
3	Julio Jones	ATL	at SD	4.8
4	Steve Smith	CAR	vs. NYG	5.5
5	Percy Harvin	MIN	vs. SF	5.5
6	Victor Cruz	NYG	at CAR	6.5
7	Brandon Marshall	CHI	vs. STL	7.3
8	Dwayne Bowe	KC	at NO	7.8
9	Andre Johnson	HOU	at DEN	9.3
10	Roddy White	ATL	at SD	9.5
11	Miles Austin	DAL	vs. TB	9.8
12	Demaryius Thomas	DEN	vs. HOU	11.8
13	Reggie Wayne	IND	vs. JAC	12.3
14	Jordy Nelson	GB	at SEA	14.8
15	Larry Fitzgerald	ARI	vs. PHI	15.5
16	Mike Wallace	PIT	at OAK	18.0
17	Steve Johnson	BUF	at CLE	18.3
18	Dez Bryant	DAL	vs. TB	18.8
19	Vincent Jackson	TB	at DAL	18.8
20	Wes Welker	NE	at BAL	19.0
21	DeSean Jackson	PHI	at ARI	21.5
22	Antonio Brown	PIT	at OAK	21.5
23	Marques Colston	NO	vs. KC	23.0
24	Malcom Floyd	SD	vs. ATL	23.5
25	Danny Amendola	STL	at CHI	25.0
26	Torrey Smith	BAL	vs. NE	25.5
27	Greg Jennings	GB	at SEA	25.8
28	Kenny Britt	TEN	vs. DET	28.3
29	Michael Crabtree	SF	at MIN	30.8
30	Jeremy Maclin	PHI	at ARI	31.5
31	Eric Decker	DEN	vs. HOU	32.0
32	Brandon Lloyd	NE	at BAL	32.5
33	Pierre Garcon	WAS	vs. CIN	32.8
34	Justin Blackmon	JAC	at IND	33.3
35	Brandon LaFell	CAR	vs. NYG	35.3
36	Dexter McCluster	KC	at NO	36.5
37	Randall Cobb	GB	at SEA	38.5
38	Anquan Boldin	BAL	vs. NE	39.3
39	Lance Moore	NO	vs. KC	41.0
40	Darrius Heyward-Bey	OAK	vs. PIT	41.0
41	Greg Little	CLE	vs. BUF	41.8
42	Denarius Moore	OAK	vs. PIT	42.3
43	Mike Williams	TB	at DAL	42.3
44	Santonio Holmes	NYJ	at MIA	43.8
45	Sidney Rice	SEA	vs. GB	45.0
46	Andrew Hawkins	CIN	at WAS	47.3
47	Brian Hartline	MIA	vs. NYJ	48.3
48	Kevin Ogletree	DAL	vs. TB	49.0
49	Stephen Hill	NYJ	at MIA	49.3
50	Robert Meachem	SD	vs. ATL	51.3
51	Brandon Gibson	STL	at CHI	53.8
52	Titus Young	DET	at TEN	54.5
53	Donnie Avery	IND	vs. JAC	55.3
54	Davone Bess	MIA	vs. NYJ	57.0
55	Golden Tate	SEA	vs. GB	57.5
56	Alshon Jeffrey	CHI	vs. STL	57.5
57	Nate Burleson	DET	at TEN	58.5
58	Julian Edelman	NE	at BAL	59.0
59	Santana Moss	WAS	vs. CIN	59.3
60	Kendall Wright	TEN	vs. DET	60.3
61	Nate Washington	TEN	vs. DET	60.5
62	Emmanuel Sanders	PIT	at OAK	61.8
63	Brandon Stokley	DEN	vs. HOU	63.3
64	Doug Baldwin	SEA	vs. GB	63.5
65	Mario Manningham	SF	at MIN	63.8
66	Laurent Robinson	JAC	at IND	64.8
67	Harry Douglas	ATL	at SD	65.8
68	James Jones	GB	at SEA	66.3
69	Jon Baldwin	KC	at NO	66.8
70	Donald Jones	BUF	at CLE	68.0
71	Earl Bennett	CHI	vs. STL	70.0
72	Jeremy Kerley	NYJ	at MIA	71.8
73	Austin Collie	IND	vs. JAC	72.0
74	Jacoby Jones	BAL	vs. NE	75.0
75	Jason Avant	PHI	at ARI	76.5

Start: Michael Crabtree, 49ers. Despite the pomp and circumstance around FA addition Randy Moss, Crabtree has been the clear No. 1 receiver in the San Francisco offense, catching 13 of his 16 targets for 143 yards over the first two weeks. He should find the end zone for the first time this season against the Vikings.

Sit: Robert Meachem, Chargers. Meachem received just two targets in Week 1 but caught both of them, managing a halfway-decent 49 yards. Week 2 was a different story; even with Antonio Gates out, Meachem couldn’t record a catch, missing all four of his targets. A free agent signing, Meachem clearly hasn’t been worked into the offense completely, so avoid him until you see signs of life.

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opp	Average
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	vs. KC	1.0
2	Rob Gronkowski	NE	at BAL	2.0
3	Vernon Davis	SF	at MIN	3.5
4	Jermichael Finley	GB	at SEA	4.5
5	Brandon Pettigrew	DET	at TEN	6.0
6	Tony Gonzalez	ATL	at SD	6.3
7	Antonio Gates	SD	vs. ATL	7.0
8	Jason Witten	DAL	vs. TB	8.8
9	Kyle Rudolph	MIN	vs. SF	9.8
10	Greg Olsen	CAR	vs. NYG	10.8
11	Brent Celek	PHI	at ARI	12.5
12	Dennis Pitta	BAL	vs. NE	12.8
13	Martellus Bennett	NYG	at CAR	13.0
14	Fred Davis	WAS	vs. CIN	13.0
15	Jared Cook	TEN	vs. DET	14.5
16	Owen Daniels	HOU	at DEN	16.5
17	Colby Fleener	IND	vs. JAC	16.8
18	Jacob Tamme	DEN	vs. HOU	16.8
19	Jermaine Gresham	CIN	at WAS	18.8
20	Scott Chandler	BUF	at CLE	19.5
21	Marcedes Lewis	JAC	at IND	19.5
22	Heath Miller	PIT	at OAK	20.8
23	Dustin Keller	NYJ	at MIA	22.8
24	Joel Dreessen	DEN	vs. HOU	25.8
25	Kevin Boss	KC	at NO	28.3
26	Anthony Fasano	MIA	vs. NYJ	28.8
27	Ed Dickson	BAL	vs. NE	29.0
28	Brandon Myers	OAK	vs. PIT	29.3
29	Tony Moeaki	KC	at NO	29.3
30	Lance Kendricks	STL	at CHI	30.3

Start: Kyle Rudolph, Vikings. The 49ers may have a stingy defense, but it’s one that’s given up a TD to a tight end in each of the first two weeks. Rudolph stays on the field for all offensive snaps, and it wouldn’t shock me to see him approach Jermichael Finley’s Week 1 total of 11 targets against the 49ers.

Sit: Jacob Tamme, Broncos. Fantasy owners made the logical Indy connection between Tamme and Peyton Manning during draft season, but it hasn’t quite translated to fantasy gold. After having a solid five-catch day in Week 1 that included a touchdown, Tamme had just two catches for 14 yards in Week 2. Try and find a more consistent TE option.

Rank	Team Defense	Team	Opp	Average
1	49ers	SF	at MIN	2.3
2	Eagles	PHI	at ARI	2.8
3	Texans	HOU	at DEN	3.0
4	Steelers	PIT	at OAK	4.3
5	Jets	NYJ	at MIA	4.5
6	Ravens	BAL	vs. NE	5.8
7	Bills	BUF	at CLE	6.5
8	Bears	CHI	vs. STL	9.5
9	Lions	DET	at TEN	9.8
10	Packers	GB	at SEA	10.0
11	Patriots	NE	at BAL	11.3
12	Cowboys	DAL	vs. TB	11.8
13	Giants	NYG	at CAR	12.8
14	Seahawks	SEA	vs. GB	16.3
15	Buccaneers	TB	at DAL	17.0
16	Colts	IND	vs. JAC	19.8
17	Cardinals	ARI	vs. PHI	20.3
18	Chargers	SD	vs. ATL	20.8
19	Redskins	WAS	vs. CIN	20.8
20	Dolphins	MIA	vs. NYJ	21.0
21	Bengals	CIN	at WAS	21.0
22	Falcons	ATL	at SD	21.8
23	Browns	CLE	vs. BUF	22.0
24	Rams	STL	at CHI	22.8
25	Broncos	DEN	vs. HOU	23.0
26	Raiders	OAK	vs. PIT	23.8
27	Vikings	MIN	vs. SF	26.0
28	Saints	NO	vs. KC	26.8
29	Panthers	CAR	vs. NYG	27.3
30	Jaguars	JAC	at IND	27.5
31	Chiefs	KC	at NO	27.8
32	Titans	TEN	vs. DET	28.8

Start: Detroit Lions. The Lions haven’t posted huge fantasy numbers yet in the first two weeks, but now they get to tackle an offense that’s having trouble moving the ball when they face the Titans. If the offensive line is truly the biggest problem in Tennessee, the talented front four of the Lions should tear them apart.

Sit: Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks defense showed why they were so highly regarded in the preseason last week by dismantling a Cowboys team that looked pretty good in Week 1. However, you can only do so much when you’re facing the Packers, an offense that generally doesn’t have two bad games in a row. Try and find a one-week replacement for the Seahawks.

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opp	Average
1	David Akers	SF	at MIN	1.0
2	Garrett Hartley	NO	vs. KC	3.3
3	Sebastian Janikowski	OAK	vs. PIT	3.5
4	Mason Crosby	GB	at SEA	3.8
5	Nate Kaeding	SD	vs. ATL	5.3
6	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	at BAL	5.8
7	Justin Tucker	BAL	vs. NE	7.5
8	Matt Bryant	ATL	at SD	8.8
9	Jason Hanson	DET	at TEN	9.3
10	Robbie Gould	CHI	vs. STL	9.5
11	Dan Bailey	DAL	vs. TB	10.8
12	Matt Prater	DEN	vs. HOU	11.5
13	Alex Henery	PHI	at ARI	12.8
14	Shayne Graham	HOU	at DEN	15.8
15	Lawrence Tynes	NYG	at CAR	16.3
16	Rob Bironas	TEN	vs. DET	17.8
17	Billy Cundiff	WAS	vs. CIN	18.0
18	Mike Nugent	CIN	at WAS	19.0
19	Blair Walsh	MIN	vs. SF	20.3
20	Shaun Suisham	PIT	at OAK	20.5
21	Steven Hauschka	SEA	vs. GB	20.8
22	Nick Folk	NYJ	at MIA	21.0
23	Dan Carpenter	MIA	vs. NYJ	21.8
24	Greg Zuerlein	STL	at CHI	23.3
25	Rian Lindell	BUF	at CLE	23.5
26	Connor Barth	TB	at DAL	25.8
27	Justin Medlock	CAR	vs. NYG	26.8
28	Adam Vinatieri	IND	vs. JAC	27.0
29	Jay Feely	ARI	vs. PHI	27.0
30	Ryan Succop	KC	at NO	28.8
31	Phil Dawson	CLE	vs. BUF	30.5
32	Josh Scobee	JAC	at IND	32.0

Start: Justin Tucker, Ravens. Tucker has quickly risen up the kicker rankings by hitting five FGs of 40 yards or more in the first two weeks, including two of 50-plus against Philly in Week 2. The Patriots defense is good enough to give the Ravens a little goal line trouble, which means more FGs for Tucker this week.

Sit: Rob Bironas, Titans. A byproduct of the terrible Titans offense has been the lack of opportunities for Bironas. Consider him a wasted talent and find someone better until Tennessee gets their act together.

R.J. White is the head editor at the Cafe and contributes to CBSSports.com's MLB Rumors blog. He has previously written for FanHouse, Razzball and FanDuel. Catch up with him in the forums under the name daullaz. Follow him on Twitter; don't follow him in real life.

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12 Responses to “Week 3: It’s an RG3 World”

TitsMcGahee says:

September 20, 2012 at 9:07 am

Andre Brown @ Carolina
Steven Jackson @ Chicago?

need to know by tonight!
Reply
daws_man says:

September 20, 2012 at 9:34 am

Lance Moore vs KC or Brandon LaFell vs NYG?

I believe NYG gets a corner back from injury. Any insight would be great!
Reply
daullaz says:

September 20, 2012 at 10:05 am

@TitsMcGahee: I give a slight edge to Jackson, but it’s basically flip-a-coin between them. Go with your gut either way.

@daws_man: I like LaFell there.
Reply
oo3 says:

September 20, 2012 at 3:13 pm

What would you guys start this week:

Steelers D or Lions D?
Kevin Smith or Dwyer?
Reply
jahrac7 says:

September 20, 2012 at 4:20 pm

Mike leshoure being his first week back do u think he will get most of the work Sunday or do I still start the awful Stephen Jackson or Chris Johnson because of these guys I am 0-2 any help would be great ty
Reply
daullaz says:

September 20, 2012 at 5:07 pm

I think he gets most of the work Sunday, but I’d still have a hard time starting him over those guys.
Reply
daullaz says:

September 20, 2012 at 5:09 pm

@oo3: Pitt D and K.Smith. Not convinced the Steelers will play the better back.
Reply
ObeYsXeGianT says:

September 20, 2012 at 7:39 pm

BJGE vs. Steven Jackson

and

Rudolph vs. Pitta
Reply
daullaz says:

September 20, 2012 at 10:06 pm

@ObeYsXeGianT: BGE and Rudolph.
Reply
ObeYsXeGianT says:

September 21, 2012 at 10:43 pm

I forgot to mention it was 1 PPR. Still take Rudolph over Pitta in PPR?
Reply
joejlitz says:

September 21, 2012 at 10:48 pm

Was all ready to start Peterson over MAthews until I read this:

“Marshawn Lynch is the only running back to run for 100 yards against them in the past 24 games. San Francisco also allowed only three touchdowns to opposing running backs in the past 19 games, and Peterson should be the focal point of the 49ers defense. It’s hard to sit him in most formats, but if you have a better alternative you could keep Peterson on the bench this week.”

Who would you start in non-ppr?

Also need a flex recommendation in a different ppr league:
BJGE
Amendola
Celek

Thanks!

Also need
Reply
daullaz says:

September 21, 2012 at 11:06 pm

@joejlitz: I’d go Peterson over Mathews anyway. No telling how much work the latter will get. Amendola is probably the way to go in a PPR, but I think BGE’s a pretty good bet to score at least once, so I’d roll with him personally.
Reply