Reviewing Week 3 

Star Of Stars

QB: Ben Roethlisberger – Granted he was facing the Raiders, but Roethlisberger certainly held up his end of the bargain to the tune of 384 passing yards and four TDs. Roethlisberger falls into the category of better “real-life” QB than “fantasy” QB, but he’s no slouch as a fantasy QB. Think low end QB1. 

RB: Jamaal Charles – Answer: Just fine. Question: How’s Jamaal Charles’ knee? Hopefully you were patient if you are a Charles owner, as he rewarded you this week with 233 yards and one TD. Remain patient with Charles, and he will deliver a strong, RB1 season.

WR: A.J. Green – Touted as a top-three WR talent on this website, AJ Green had a monster game – nine catches, 183 yards and one TD. Those concerned that Green would be the heavy focus of opponents’ defenses, you may still be right, but not that it will change things. Look for Green to continue putting up WR1 numbers.

TE: Kyle Rudolph – We’re cheating a bit here by referring to Kyle Rudolph as an established star, but it should surprise no one if this becomes fact. A sleeper pick for the tight end position this season, Rudolph has not failed to reward his owners. While his five catches for 36 yards don’t jump out, his two TDs absolutely do. Rudolph has established himself as Christian Ponder’s safety blanket near the end zone, and look for this to continue. Would be no surprise if he finishes the season in the 8 – 10 TD range (already has three now). Start him with confidence.

Unforeseen Explosions

QB: Jake Locker – If only the former Washington Husky could face the Detroit Lions every week! 378 yards passing and two TDs, and with no picks – that’s what we’d like to see. Locker is not short on talent, just on NFL experience. Locker will produce inconsistent from week to week (this season), and slots in as a QB2. He should continue to improve as the season rolls along.

RB: Michael Leshoure – Is Leshoure the answer to the Lions running game? I’m hesitant to say yes. He found the endzone once and had a solid 100 yard rushing day, although it took 26 carries to get there.  If Leshoure can stay healthy, I view him as a matchups/flex play type, depending on the quality of the opponents’ rush defense.

WR: Torrey Smith – What courage it took for Torrey Smith to play in the game against the Pats. It’s very hard not to cheer for him after the personal tragedy he endured. His amazing game, six catches for 127 yards and two TDs could be the start of a very strong season. Smith has the talent to be a WR2, and expect more good things to come.

TE: Heath Miller – Miller is off to a fantastic start so far, and Week 3 was his best game yet – eightcatches, 60 yards and two TDs. Miller’s past few seasons have been relatively quiet, but he’s got solid hands and is capable of putting together an impact season. Look at Miller as a high end TE2, but if he starts some games for your team, you’ll be just fine too.

Week 4 Projections

Quarterbacks

1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (Saints)

2. Matt Ryan, Falcons (Panthers)

3. Tom Brady, Patriots (at Bills)

4. Joe Flacco, Ravens (Browns)

5. Drew Brees, Saints (at Packers)

6. Robert Griffin III, Redskins (at Buccaneers)

7. Philip Rivers, Chargers (at Chiefs)

8. Carson Palmer, Raiders (at Broncos)

9. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills (at Patriots)

10. Cam Newton, Panthers (at Falcons)

11. Michael Vick, Eagles (Giants)

12. Eli Manning, Giants (at Eagles)

13. Christian Ponder, Vikings (at Lions)

14. Matthew Stafford/Shaun Hill, Lions (Vikings)

15. Josh Freeman, Buccaneers (Redskins)

16. Kevin Kolb, Cardinals (Dolphins)

17. Andy Dalton, Bengals (at Jaguars)

18. Matt Schaub, Texans (Titans)

19. Jay Cutler, Bears (at Cowboys)

20. Peyton Manning, Broncos (Raiders)

Running Backs

1. Arian Foster, Texans (Titans)

2. Ray Rice, Ravens (Browns)

3. LeSean McCoy, Eagles (Giants)

4. Ryan Mathews, Chargers (at Chiefs)

5. Darren McFadden, Raiders (at Broncos)

6. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars (Bengals)

7. Adrian Peterson, Vikings (at Lions)

8. Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks (at Rams)

9. DeMarco Murray, Cowboys (Bears)

10. Frank Gore, 49ers (at Jets)

11. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bengals (at Jaguars)

12. Doug Martin, Buccaneers (Redskins)

13. Mikel Leshoure, Lions (Vikings)

14. Alfred Morris, Redskins (at Buccaneers)

15. Stevan Ridley, Patriots (at Bills)

16. Michael Turner, Falcons (Panthers)

17. Andre Brown, Giants (at Eagles)

18. Darren Sproles, Saints (at Packers)

19. Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants (at Eagles)

20. Cedric Benson, Packers (Saints)

21. Michael Bush, Bears (at Cowboys)

22. Fred Jackson, Bills (Patriots)

23. Steven Jackson, Rams (Seahawks)

24. Trent Richardson, Browns (at Ravens)

25. Ben Tate, Texans (Titans)

26. Ryan Williams, Cardinals (Dolphins)

27. Tashard Choice, Bills (Patriots)

28. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers (Falcons)

29. Pierre Thomas, Saints (at Packers)

30. Chris Johnson, Titans (at Texans)

 

Wide Receiver

1. Calvin Johnson, Lions (Vikings)

2. Julio Jones, Falcons (Panthers)

3. A.J. Green, Bengals (at Jaguars)

4. Andre Johnson, Texans (Titans)

5. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals (Dolphins)

6. Percy Harvin, Vikings (at Lions)

7. Roddy White, Falcons (Panthers)

8. Jordy Nelson, Packers (Saints)

9. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (Raiders)

10. Victor Cruz, Giants (at Eagles)

11. Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers (Redskins)

12. Steve Smith, Panthers (at Falcons)

13. Torrey Smith, Ravens (Browns)

14. Wes Welker, Patriots (at Bills)

15. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs (Chargers)

16. Brandon Lloyd, Patriots (at Bills)

17. Eric Decker, Broncos (Raiders)

18. Miles Austin, Cowboys (Bears)

19. Steve Johnson, Bills (Patriots)

20. Greg Jennings, Packers (Saints)

21. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles (Giants)

22. Denarius Moore, Raiders (Broncos)

23. Kenny Britt, Titans (at Texans)

24. Brandon Marshall, Bears (at Cowboys)

25. Dez Bryant, Cowboys (Bears)

26. Malcom Floyd, Chargers (at Chiefs)

27. Nate Washington, Titans (at Texans)

28. Andrew Hawkins, Bengals (at Jaguars)

29. Michael Crabtree, 49ers (at Jets)

30. Marques Colston, Saints (at Packers)

Tight End

1. Jimmy Graham, Saints (at Packers)

2. Vernon Davis, 49ers (at Jets)

3. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots (at Bills)

4. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons (Panthers)

5. Brandon Pettigrew, Lions (Vikings)

6. Martellus Bennett, Giants (at Eagles)

7. Antonio Gates, Chargers (at Chiefs)

8. Dennis Pitta, Ravens (Browns)

9. Jacob Tamme, Broncos (Raiders)

10. Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (at Lions)

11. Brent Celek, Eagles (Giants)

12. Jermichael Finley, Packers (Saints)

13. Jermaine Gresham, Bengals (at Jaguars)

14. Scott Chandler, Bills (Patriots)

15. Brandon Myers, Raiders (at Broncos)

16. Jason Witten, Cowboys (Bears)

17. Fred Davis, Redskins (at Buccaneers)

18. Greg Olsen, Panthers (at Falcons)

19. Kellen Davis, Bears (at Cowboys)

20. Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars (Bengals)