Following an exciting first round, we break down the favorite picks, most pleasant and biggest surprises, most under-appreciated pick, worst move and more.
Peyton Manning, Mario Williams, Mike Wallace and Carl Nicks headline an intriguing free agent class that can shift the balance of power this offseason.
The Eagles seemingly came out of nowhere to sign Nnamdi Asomugha as they eye a trip to the Super Bowl.
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When it comes to fantasy football, there are about a dozen or so elite NFL players that should be included in your starting line-up each and every week. While these Peyton Mannings, Shaun Alexanders, and Torry Holts may help earn you bragging rights as you work your way through the regular season, it is the rest of your squad ? the roster slots that tend to vary from week to week ? that usually make the difference between a strong and weak fantasy performance. In short, knowing which starters to sit and which sitters to start in specific situations can absolutely make or break your fantasy season, and help is on the way.
The first of the following lists comprises a number of players that normally would be started but due to various reasons may be in line for a sub-par performance, while the second list includes several sleepers that you might not normally look to for big fantasy production, but might want to consider in week three.
Starters to Sit
Kerry Collins ? After falling behind early at Philadelphia, the Raiders will have to lean heavily on their aerial arsenal, which will be without wideout Ronald Curry. Collins may hook up for six with Randy Moss once, but he?ll also throw a couple picks. I don?t see him putting up more than a pair of touchdowns and 160 yards.
Ben Rothlisberger ?After running rampant over the clearly inferior Titans and Texans, the Steelers now play host to the defending Super Bowl champs. The prospect of Rodney Harrison, Tyrone Poole, Randall Gay, Chad Scott, and Eugene Wilson facing a second-year signal caller should be enough to look elsewhere for your week three quarterback, so don?t test your luck.
Willis McGahee ? McGahee has not yet lived up to his billing in his first two games, don?t expect the sophomore tailback to break out against the Falcons. While Atlanta allowed Shaun Alexander 144 rushing yards, don?t expect Patrick Kerney and company to make the same mistakes for two weeks straight. McGahee should be pleased with one score and 70 yards.
Curtis Martin ? The Jets have struggled of late, while the Jaguars are coming off an impressive defensive display in Indianapolis this past Sunday. Chad Pennington?s inability to stretch the field downfield will allow Jacksonville to load up the box and should hold Martin out of the end zone and under 60 yards.
Ahman Green ? Green and the rest of the Pack have looked abysmal in their first two match-ups against Detroit and Cleveland. With a legitimate defense coming to town, Green likely won?t score, and may not even crack 70 yards.
Willie Parker ? The fairy tale is over for Parker and the Steelers. Facing a stingy Pats defense, expect the Steeler faithful to finally start missing Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley. Parker will not score and will not rush for more than 60 yards.
Deion Branch ? Last year?s Super Bowl MVP has been an important element in the New England offense but the Pittsburgh secondary will throw a blanket over Tom Brady?s go to receiver and should hold him under 70 yards.
Muhsin Muhammed ? I hope you?re not expecting Muhammed to replicate last Sunday?s performance on a regular basis because if so, you?re going to be more disappointed than the folks who drafted Daunte Culpepper with a top five selection. Expect a handful of catches and 60 yards against a steadfast Bengal defensive unit.
Anquan Boldin ? Seattle?s star cornerback Marcus Trufant should be able to handle Boldin, so expect Kurt Warner to look for Larry Fitzgerald as his top option. Boldin will snag a few balls, but will only manage 70 yards at best.
Randy McMichael ? The Dolphins? talented tight end has certainly shown that 2004 was no fluke, but with Carolina riding high after Sunday?s surprise win over New England, the Panthers should have no problem dispatching Gus Frerotte and company. McMichael is probably Miami?s best bet to score, but expecting more than 60 yards would be a mistake.
Bubba Franks ? Green Bay is reeling from two bitter losses and the season-ending injury to star wideout Javon Walker. A nasty Buccaneer defense is probable the last thing that the Packers need, but Tampa Bay comes to town on Sunday and should hold Franks under 50 yards.
David Akers ? Akers? status is unclear after missing part of Sunday?s game against San Francisco. With more than enough decent kickers to go around, it might be wise to sit Akers this week and play kicker roulette with the waiver wire.
New England Defense ? The Steelers probably won?t hang another 30-plus point performance on Sunday at home against the Patriots, buggnbt they won?t make any big mistakes and they?ll reach the end zone at least once or twice. If you have another viable option, this is definitely a week to use it.
Tennessee Defense ? Tennessee had no problem shutting down a clueless Anthony Wright, but this is still the team that allowed the Steelers to go wild in week one, and should experience a similar result as they travel to St. Louis to face Marc Bulger and the rest of one the league?s most potent offenses.
Sitters to Start
Aaron Brooks ? An allegedly improved Minnesota defense has allowed 71 points in its first two match-ups. Look for Brooks to follow Carson Palmer?s lead, and feast on an underachieving Viking secondary. Three touchdowns and 300 yards aren?t out of the question.
Drew Brees ? Although Brees has yet to regain his 2004 form, he finally has his favorite target, Antonio Gates, back in the lineup. Look for a fully-functional Charger offense to deal the surging Giants their first regular season loss, with Brees hooking up with Gates for two scores, and netting at least 240 total yards.
Jake Plummer ? Monday Nights at Mile High seem to always produce a multitude of memorable moments. As has been typical in recent match-ups between the Chiefs and Broncos, scoring will be the name of the game, and look for Plummer to lead the way with three touchdown tosses and 260 yards.
Rudi Johnson ? Johnson has been solid in his first two starts, and should continue to excel Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago against a Bear defense that has yet to face a real offensive challenge. Pencil Johnson in for 130 yards and at least one trip to the end zone.
Fred Taylor ? With Byron Leftwich still recovering from last week?s leg injury, the Jaguars will be forced to lean heavily on their starting tailback. Taylor should see between 20 and 30 carries, and will produce 140 total yards from scrimmage ? including one touchdown run and possibly another through the air.
Ran Carthon ? I might raise a few eyebrows when I say this but don?t discount Ran Carthon?s touchdown last week as a fluke. As a result of injuries to James Mungro and Dominic Rhodes, the aptly-named Carthon currently backs up starter Edgerrin James for the high-flying Colts. With the grossly overmatched Browns coming to town on Sunday, the Colts will run away early, rest James, and rely on Carthon to run out the clock and carry the load to the tune of one touchdown and at least 90 second half yards.
Donte Stallworth ? As I mentioned above for Aaron Brooks, the Vikings won?t be able to slow down a fairly potent Saints offense. With Joe Horn facing most of the coverage, Stallworth should be freed up in single coverage. I?m thinking 90 yards and one touchdown.
Reggie Wayne ? Peyton Manning loves spreading the ball around, but in the first two weeks, Reggie Wayne has been somewhat overlooked. Look for Manning to fix this oversight against a clueless Cleveland secondary. Wayne will definitely score once, and should approach 110 receiving yards.
Terry Glenn ? Glenn seems to have developed a bit of chemistry with Cowboy quarterback, Drew Bledsoe. With Jason Witten struggling, look for Glenn to post 120 yards and at least one score against a ineffectual San Francisco secondary.
Ben Troupe ? After scoring against the Steelers in week one, Troupe has begun to establish himself as one the few legitimate red zone threats in the Titan offense. Tennessee should face more than a few goal line opportunities against a Ram defense that allowed the 49ers to run up 28 points, so Troupe should get a few good looks. Should make for a good start in deeper leagues.
L.J. Smith ? Oakland has yet to show that it can effectively cover a pass-catching tight end, and with the Eagles next up on the schedule, a hot L.J. Smith could wreak havoc downfield. While Smith probably won?t replicate his 120-yard effort from a week ago, he should amass 80-90 yards and has a fair chance of grabbing a six-pack.
Mike Nugent ? This highly-touted rookie kicker should finally have an opportunity to prove himself in week three against an impressive Jacksonville defense. Look for the Jets to have a number of drives stall out in Jaguar territory. As such, Nugent should have three or four opportunities to rack up the points.
Dallas Defense ? After shutting out the Skins through three and a half quarters, several crucial late mistakes allowed Washington to go deep and steal the game. Parcells will make sure this doesn?t happen again and his team should be able to take out their frustration on the unfortunate 49ers. I see ten points allowed, five sacks, and at least two turnovers.
Jacksonville Defense ? Chad Pennington and Curtis Martin have yet to find their respective rhythms in their first two outings of 2005. Don?t expect this to change against a stubborn Jaguar defensive unit. The Jets might manage a couple field goals, but beyond that, look for a whole lot of punts and more than a couple turnovers.
Best of luck in your week three action!
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