Start ‘Ems/Sit ‘Ems (Week 3)

As we head into week 3, things for your squad are going to start taking shape.  You’ll either realize your team is just plain awful or that you’ve got a shot to go all the way.  You’re going to start your studs no matter the matchup on a weekly basis.  Here are some guys you’ll want to consider playing this week for your fantasy tilts in week 3:

Running Back Start ‘Ems

1. Ray Rice/Willis McGahee, RB (BAL): Yeah, against the Browns you’ll want to start everybody and anybody.  McGahee should be a lock for at least one TD with the way the Ravens are moving the ball and Rice should be good for at least 120 total yards and be a nice RB2 in most league formats.  The way the Browns play the run, I wouldn’t be surprised if Rice breaks one for a TD.

2. Correll Buckhalter, RB (DEN): He makes a nice flex option in PPR leagues as he should be good for anywhere between 12-15 touches and makes the most out of them.  He faces an Oakland D that can be run on and with his pass catching abilities, should be able to run around on the Raiders.

3. Tim Hightower, RB (ARI): He’s put together a solid 2 weeks of performances and with a matchup against the Colts, he should be in lineups this week as a decent RB2/Flex option.  The Colts are giving up nearly 177 YPG and have allowed 3 rushing TDs on the season.  Feel free to use him against this defense.

4. Felix Jones, RB (DAL): Barber could play but he’s going to be limited, IMO.  Carolina’s D is very susceptible to the run as they are allowing close over 160 YPG.  I like Felix this week as a flex option as he should get the majority of the carries on Monday night.

5. Ryan Grant, RB (GB): He’s probably your RB2 and he has RB1 upside as they face the hapless St. Louis Rams this week.  He should be able to run all over them and put up 110 yards and a score.  If you’re choosing between Grant and someone like Cedric Benson, I’d definitely start Grant this week.

Running Back Sit ‘Ems

1. New Orleans Running Backs: I would be staying away from any Saints back this weekend.  There could be a rotation among 3 to 4 backs this week and it’s not worth the headache.  In a PPR league, I would start Bush but sit Thomas and Bell.

2. Cedric Benson, RB (CIN): Find another option this week.  Steelers have ILB Lawrence Timmons back this week and have allowed on average 65 YPG and no rushing scores.  Benson has been a nice surprise but he’s not going to get much room against the Steelers and doesn’t offer much in the pass game.

3. Pittsburgh Steeler Running Backs: I would sit any Steeler back this week.  Cincy has an improved defense against the pass and the rush and with rotation that has formed in Pittsburgh, there’s no clear cut RB that’s worthy of starting.  Stay away from this situation this weekend.

4. Darren Sproles, RB (SD): If it weren’t for that 81 yard reception, Sproles was essentially stopped by the Ravens D.  Ask him if he’s woken up from hit from Ray Lewis last week.  Take away that reception and he only had 43 yards receiving to go along with his 26 yards rushing.  Dolphins are much improved against the run, especially with Bell playing up near the line.  I’d be bench Sproles this week.

5. LenDale White, RB (TEN): This is not the week White breaks and does anything of substance this season.  You’re still going to start Chris Johnson but White owners, keep him parked.  The Jets defense has been the surprise of the league allowing only 60.5 YPG and no rushing TDs.

Wide Receiver Start ‘Ems

1. Jerricho Cotcher, WR (NYJ): I think Cotch has WR1 upside as the Jets take on the worse pass D in the NFL.  Giving up an outrageous 339 YPG, they’ve already allowed 5 pass TDs on the season.  Cortland Finnegan has not been his Pro-Bowl self this season and has been torched.  I like the Jets passing game and Sanchez has looked like a grizzled vet thus far.  I like Cotch to have 100 and a score in this one.

2. Lee Evans, WR (BUF): This might be one of those 200 yard/2 TD games that Evans is known for.  The Bills will be playing from behind and the Bills will need to pass.  Good news is, the Saints are awful at defending the pass (giving up 291 YPG) so Edwards should be able to put forth a nice game with both TO and Evans.  I’d start Evans as my WR2 with confidence.

3. Steve Smith/Mario Manningham, WR (NYG): Start both of these guys against the Bucs this week.  Bucs have lost Jermaine Phillips for the season and the pass rush has not been very good as they have allowed 5 passing TDs on the season thus far.  Smith and Manningham had 13 targets between them last week and I look for that to continue this week as the Giants should be able to sink the Bucs by both air and ground.

4. Santana Moss, WR (WAS): Detroit should be able to win this one but the pass D will give up yards and scores.  The Detroit pass D has already given up 8 scores (granted 6 were against the Saints).  I like for Campbell to have a decent performance and throw a long score to Moss.

5. Derrick Mason, WR (BAL): Don’t let Cleveland’s pass D ranking fool you.  They have faced subpar passing offenses in Minnesota and Denver in weeks 1 and 2.  Baltimore is a much, much improved team in the pass and Flacco is throwing accurate passes.  I like Mason as a WR3 with WR2 upside in PPR leagues and should be good for at least 9-10 receptions this week.

Wide Receiver Sit ‘Ems

1. Steve Breaston, WR (ARI): Indy has a much improved pass defense and I don’t look for Breaston to do much this week as Fitz/Boldin, hopefully, should dominate.  If you have another option as your WR3 (say someone like Donnie Avery), I would go with him this week and Breaston on the bench.

2. TJ Houshmanzadeh, WR (SEA): With Hasselbeck out, who knows what kind of relationship Housh is going to have with Seneca Wallace.  There could be a lot of dink and dunk passes against the Bears D and I don’t think Housh is going to get anything going this week.  If you have other options, I might look to those options this week.

3. Justin Gage, WR (TEN): Darrelle Revis will probably the one covering Gage and Gage is no Moss or Andre Johnson.  I look for Revis to shut him down and the Jets D on a whole, should be able shut everyone down minus Chris Johnson.

4. Dwayne Bowe, WR (KC): He’s suffering from a hamstring injury and a poor offense.  Not only that, if he does play he’ll have Asante Samuel blanketing him and Quintin Mikell in his sights.  I think this is a week you’re going to want to bench him.

5. Johnny Knox, WR (CHI): This past week’s waiver darling.  I’d sit him this week against the Seahawks as Cutler will get back on track and look to Olsen and Bennett (only 2 targets) once again.  I also look for Matt Forte to ring in the 2009 season with a bust out performance.  There may not be enough to go around for Knox this week.

If you’re looking for last minute advice this weekend, check out the Live Advice schedule….