Two weeks of the NFL season have come and gone, giving fantasy owners an awful lot to think about. Has Robert Griffin III emerged as a must start option most weeks? Has Aaron Rodgers disappointed enough to send him spiraling down the rankings? What about how we should be rankings guys like Peyton Manning or Jay Cutler?
Let’s answer those questions and all the rest as we look towards Week 3 of the NFL season:
- Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – vs. New York Giants
- Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – at Seattle
- Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – vs. Kansas City
- Tom Brady – New England Patriots – at Baltimore
- Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Tampa Bay
- Eli Manning – New York Giants – at Carolina
- Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – at Tennessee
- Robert Griffin III – Washington Redskins – vs. Cincinnati
- Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – at San Diego
- Michael Vick – Philadelphia Eagles – at Arizona
- Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – at Washington
- Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – vs. Atlanta
- Peyton Manning – Denver Broncos – vs. Houston
- Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Oakland
- Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens – vs. New England
- Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears – vs. St. Louis
- Matt Schaub – Houston Texans – at Denver
- Carson Palmer – Oakland Raiders – vs. Pittsburgh
- Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Jacksonville
- Matt Cassel – Kansas City Chiefs – at New Orleans
- Alex Smith – San Francisco 49ers – at Minnesota
- Sam Bradford – St. Louis Rams – at Chicago
- Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at Dallas
- Christian Ponder – Minnesota Vikings – vs. San Francisco
- Ryan Fitzpatrick – Buffalo Bills – at Cleveland
Thoughts:
- You have to think that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to make a few adjustments after Eli Manning absolutely torched them for 501 yards, 3 TD and 3 INT in Week 2. That said, how can we not like Tony Romo this week? He’s right there among the Top 5 or 6 options in the league (I could see him and Manning having very similar performances).
- How will the loss of Aaron Hernandez impact the Patriots’ passing attack? It obviously played a role in Week 2, but with a full week to get things in order you have to think Tom Brady and company are going to get things on track. With the Ravens’ passing defense not quite what we expected (Michael Vick threw for 371 yards against them), it’s hard not to like Brady this week. Then again, is there any week we don’t like him? When a “poor” week is throwing for 316 yards, but only 1 TD, we all know how good he is.
- The New York Giants defense allowed Josh Freeman to throw for 243 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT, watching him make numerous big plays. With Cam Newton continuing to show his talent, while also ability with his legs (he rushed for 71 yards in Week 2), it’s hard to imagine them stopping him.
- Robert Griffin took a small step backwards in his second game, at least throwing the ball, showing us why we don’t induct people into the Hall of Fame off of one game. While he completed 20 of 29 passes, he had just 206 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. However, he did rush for 82 yards and 2 TD. With 124 rushing yards in two weeks, he’s proven that even if he struggles through the air (which he didn’t really struggle) he is going to be a QB1. If Pierre Garcon returns to the field, you would also expect his passing numbers to improve. Yes, I think people need to be a little bit more cautious on him, but he remains a must use option.
- In two games the Washington Redskins have allowed 313.5 passing yards per game, as well as 6 TD. Andy Dalton, meanwhile, has been taking a step in the right direction himself (539 passing yards for 3 TD and 2 INT). He is continuing to form a rapport with Andrew Hawkins and we all know the potential of A.J. Green (12 receptions for 128 yards). Throw in Jermaine Gresham, Brandon Tate and a few others and this should be another big week for the Bengals passing attack. I would consider Dalton a QB1 for the coming week without question.
- I know there is a lot of excitement surrounding Peyton Manning, but the Houston Texans are going to be an extremely tough test. Temper expectations this week and consider him more of a high-end QB2.
- Does anyone expect Jay Cutler not to bounce back strong against the St. Louis Rams? I know there are frustrated owners at this point, but as a QB2 I definitely would not shy away.
- What hurts Matt Schaub is the Texans’ potential to depend on the running game instead of their passing attack. While I would expect better results in Week 3 (he only threw for 195 yards in Week 2 and has just 1 TD pass all year), it’s still hard to consider him anything but a mid-level QB2.
- I wouldn’t get too excited over Matt Cassel’s big week (301 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT), as the Chiefs were trying to play catchup. Then again, don’t you think they could be in the same situation against the Saints this week? I would consider Cassel a solid, low-end QB2, but don’t get distracted by his one big week and push him up more than that.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 3 rankings:
In one league (10 team) I have Brady at QB with Luck at backup, and in the other (12 team) I have Ryan at QB with Locker as backup. I need to open up a roster spot in both leagues, how much would you value holding onto these backups? Thanks!
Part of it depends on who else is available on waivers and if you will be able to get a usable option for the bye week/injury. I would be more apt to drop Locker than Luck, but again, who is available?
Thanks… In the league where I have Brady/Luck, other QBs available would be Dalton, Bradford, Freeman, Cassel, and Alex Smith. But in that league, I could give up my 2nd DEF/ST (though I generally hoped to use two). In the league where I have Ryan/Locker, the same batch of QBs are available, minus Smith.
In that case, I probably wouldn’t really hesitate. I actually think Dalton is a QB1 this week, so there definitely appears like there will be a viable replacement sitting there for you.
Thanks again! In one league, I need a TE to backup Hernandez… Would you go with Gonzales, Pitta, Fleener, or Olsen?
I’d probably go Gonzalez, then Pitta. Basically, the order you have them in…lol
I have Eli and Romo on one team, and have started the wrong guy both weeks. Should I just start flipping a coin, or put one on the trading block?
RP – I have Dalton and Vick. I see they are close on your list this week. Leaning towards Vick. Thoughts?
Why Dalton over Flacco this week?
RT – I would call it a gut choice, though I’d probably go Vick. He probably has more upside thanks to his legs.
Lambda – I love Dalton with that matchup and the way he’s been playing. While Flacco should be good, I think Dalton has a little bit more upside.
QB is my weak spot, as I was one of the Cutler Casualties last week. I’m leaning towards Luck over Cutler this week, trusting the rookie to be more consistent. I’m sure Cutler bounces back to some extent against St Louis, but the Jags are a good matchup for Luck. Is Cutler still the recommendation for my choice here? Thanks
I would still go Cutler, though I could be in the minority there. It’s just hard for me to believe that he has a poor start again, especially given his weapons, the matchup and the injury to Forte.
That said, I don’t think Luck is a poor option so if you are worried and want to be a little more conservative, you can be.
I have Romo and Dalton and like them both this week, should I stick to Romo or give Dalton a shot.
Hey Prof!
I have Eli and Vick and debating which one to start this week. I was going to start Eli but now I’ve heard Nicks isn’t playing. Should I still go with Eli, or start Vick instead?
Thanks!
Here are a couple options
Pick 1 QB: Matt Schaub @ DEN / Andy Dalton @ WAS / Matt Cassle @ NO
JByrd – I love Dalton also, but Romo is too good and has too good of a matchup to bench. I’d stick with Romo.
Luc – I’d still go Eli as it’s not like he doesn’t have other weapons. Victor Cruz and Martellus Bennett just look a little bit better.
Horatio – I’m going Dalton this week.
Stuck between starting Vick or Rivers this week. Could you lend a hand here? Much appreciated
I’d consider both low-end options, but I think Vick has a bit more upside.
Hmm – that’s weird, it looks like my original post never actually posted! For quarterback, I have Aaron Rodgers and Robert Griffin III. For the past 2 weeks, I’ve started Rodgers only to see RG3 score more points. I’m starting to think I should start RG3 this week, but feel like it’s a big no-no to bench Rodgers. Thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks again!
Brady vs Baltimore or Dalton vs Washington?
Liz – I know how tempting it is to go with RG3, but Rodgers is still the premier QB in the league. It’s hard to recommend benching him. Do I think you would do poorly with RG3? Absolutely not, but I would still stick with Rodgers.
Tim – I love Dalton for this week, but I wouldn’t bench Brady for him.
Thanks!
Standard league.
Should I drop Crabtree for colts d this week? Ihave ravens d that I’m thinking of benching against new England and I picked up Amendola this week.
It’s not like the Colts D is a tremendous play themselves. How deep of a league? I may not love Crabtree, but he does have value.
I have demaryius Thomas, bowe and colston as my WR. I know Crabtree has value but wanted to see if it was worth it to get colts d for just this weeks matchup. League is not too deep so I could gamble with dropping him but turning around and picking him back up if the need arises.
If you start 3 WR, then you are obviously leaving yourself without a backup. Who else is available on waivers, if that plan should fail? Plus, it’s not like the Colts defense is a lock to produce, anyways…
cam newton #1 nice try!
I’m new to the fantasy football world -so any advice would be greatly appreciated
I’m always here to help! Let me know your roster and I will offer up any suggestions I can.