Fantasy Pulse: Week 3
New York Giants 36, Carolina Panthers 7
Giants- With RB Ahmad Bradshaw out with injury, Andre Brown had a monster game (113 yards, two scores). As long as Bradshaw is out, start Brown as your RB2 with confidence. Even when Bradshaw gets healthy, I'm guessing Brown will be getting some carries and possibly the goal line carries (both scores were from 1 yard out). On the receiving side, Ramses Barden stepped up in the absence of Hakeem Nicks. Barden is worth being picked up in deep leagues (or if you have Nicks), but this seems more like a flash in the pan. However, if Nicks misses extended time, Barden could certainly provide value. If for some strange reason TE Martellus Bennett is available in your league, pick him up immediately.
Panthers- QB Cam Newton is struggling. Two out of three weeks now, Newton has had sub par weeks. It's probably not time to sell just yet, but you may want to start playing matchups with him. The Panthers rushing attack had another bad week and I recommend benching DeAngelo Williams, Mike Tolbert and Jonathan Stewart until they start getting it going again. WR Brandon LaFell (1 reception, 17 yards) had his worst game of the season, but don't give up on him yet.
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Chicago Bears 23, St.Louis Rams 6
Rams- A week after having an offensive explosion, the Rams came back to reality. It was encouraging seeing RB Steven Jackson play, but his production was disappointing. Jackson has struggled greatly this season, but he still remains a solid RB2 option. In fact, now might be the time to make a deal for him. Jackson has had seven consecutive 1000 yard seasons, which means the odds say he'll get there again this season (as long as he's healthy). Jackson has always struggled in the TD department (he's averaged 6 a season throughout his career), but he's always a highly productive yardage back (he's never had less than 38 receptions in a season, a nice boost in PPR leagues) and is an excellent buy low candidate.
Bears- QB Jay Cutler always has the potential of throwing for 300 yards and 3 TDs. Unfortunately, it's becoming next to impossible to predict. If you don't have any other QB options, it's time to make a trade. Consistency is key and Cutler just isn't cutting it right now (excuse the pun). Keep an eye on RB Matt Forte's status, as long as he's out, Michael Bush (55 yards and a score) is a must start.
Buffalo Bills 24, Cleveland Browns 14
Bills- And just like that, RB C.J. Spiller is injured again. With Spiller likely missing some time and Fred Jackson expected to miss a few more weeks, the starting running back duty falls to Tashard Choice. Don't expect the same level of production that Spiller and Jackson would give you, but Choice instantly becomes the week's best pickup. Feel free to use Choice as a RB2/flex play.
Browns- The only Brown worthy of being owned and started is RB Trent Richardson. It's going to be a long season for QB Brandon Weeden, which means his mediocre receiving core is going to be less than mediocre. In other words, steer clear of the Browns.
Dallas Cowboys 16, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10
Buccaneers- The Bucs certainly have some decent fantasy options, but looking at the Week 3 box score, you wouldn't know it. RB Doug Martin continues to be a serviceable option. WR Mike Williams didn't have a very productive game, but he's getting enough looks to warrant fantasy consideration. He's only a WR4 and shouldn't be in your starting line up, but the potential and opportunities are there.
Cowboys- That's three consecutive productive games for WR Miles Austin. This season Austin has 14 receptions for 243 yards and two scores. A lot of owners let him slide in their drafts, but as long as he's healthy, Austin is a Top 15 WR. QB Tony Romo is giving up a lot of turnovers and is getting sacked and hit quite often. Put that with the Cowboys' struggling rushing attack and you'll see that the Boys' O-line is not doing a very good job. RB DeMarco Murray is the unquestioned back in Dallas, but with the Cowboys' protection issues, you may want to look at some other options at RB.
Tennessee Titans 44, Detroit Lions 41
Lions- The big news from this game was QB Matthew Stafford not being able to finish the game. Stafford pulled a muscle and was replaced late in the game. Shaun Hill came in and led a game tying rally, only to see his team lose in OT. Keep an eye on Stafford's status because if he misses time, Hill should be picked up. RB Mikel Leshoure had an impressive debut (100 yards rushing and a score) and is a must pick up this week. Leshoure is a decent RB2 option. Fellow RB Kevin Smith didn't record a carry or a catch. Give him another week, but if he repeats this performance in Week 4, drop him.
Titans- The Titans score 44 points in a week and RB Chris Johnson didn't get in the endzone once. Another way of putting it, QB Jake Locker had more rushing yards than Johnson (35 to 24). Some owners may feel like Johnson is a great buy low candidate, but I have no confidence in him getting back to elite status. If you need a backup QB, Locker may be your answer.
Jacksonville Jaguars 22, Indianapolis Colts 17
Jaguars- WR Justin Blackmon continues to disappoint. On the season Blackmon has 4 receptions for 31 yards. It's time to drop him (just keep an eye on him, as you may want to pick him up again in a couple of weeks). RB Maurice Jones-Drew continues to roll (177 rush yards and a TD). Jones-Drew remains the Jags only quality fantasy player.
Colts- It's too early to truly determine WR T.Y. Hilton's value, but QB Andrew Luck looked for him eight times (good for 4 receptions, 113 yards and a score) which means he definitely has some potential. If you have an open roster spot, take a flyer on him. WR Donnie Avery didn't have a productive game (2 receptions for 28 yards), but the opportunities are there (9 targets). He's definitely worthy of a roster spot.
New York Jets 23, Miami Dolphins 20
Jets- The only Jet worthy of being started on a weekly basis is WR Santonio Holmes (9 receptions for 147 yards). Many will argue that RB Shonn Greene should be started every week as well, but he's failed to impress since Week 1 and RB Bilal Powell is starting to steal more carries. Greene is a borderline RB2 at this point.
Dolphins- RB Reggie Bush was the Dolphins only decent fantasy option, that was until he limped off the field toward the end of the first half. In Bush's absence, Daniel Thomas stepped up with a productive game (69 yards and a score). Thomas should be added, just make sure to keep an eye on Bush's status.
Minnesota Vikings 24, San Francisco 49ers 13
49ers- When will WR Michael Crabtree emerge as an elite wideout? In PPR leagues, Crabtree puts up consistent numbers, but the yardage and TDs aren't there. The signs point to him emerging as a top option sometime soon, but, for now, he remains a WR3.
Vikings- QB Christian Ponder (198 yards, 3 total TDs) and TE Kyle Rudolph (5 receptions for 36 yards and 2 TDs) continue to emerge as a quality fantasy options. If either are available in your league, pick them up.
Kansas City Chiefs 27, New Orleans Saints 24
Chiefs- RB Jamaal Charles had an enormous game (233 yards rushing, 6 receptions for 55 yards and a score) and has cemented his spot as a RB1. Don't worry about Peyton Hillis or Shaun Draughn stealing too many carries from this point on. As long as Charles is healthy, he'll be getting the vast majority of carries.
Saints- RB Darren Sproles finally got a few carries and made the most of it (7 carries for 62 yards). WR Lance Moore (4 receptions for 70 yards and a TD) continues to be one of QB Drew Brees' favorite targets and is high end WR3. WR Marques Colston continues to struggle, but it's only a matter of time before he starts getting things together. Colston is an excellent buy low option.
Cincinnati Bengals 38, Washington Redskins 31
Bengals- Keep an eye on WR Andrew Hawkins (2 receptions for 66 yards and a score). Hawkins has opened the season with three solid games and deserves to be picked up. He doesn't get a lot of looks on a weekly basis, but he makes excellent use of the ones he's given.
Redskins- If your QB or WRs are scheduled to play the Redskins, make sure to get them in your starting lineup. TE Fred Davis finally had a productive game (7 receptions for 90 yards), but with so many TEs having productive seasons, Davis is best used as a backup. QB Robert Griffin III needs to be in your lineup every week. If you have Griffin paired with another QB (I have him with Tom Brady in one of my leagues), it's time to make a trade.
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Notes on the afternoon games and night games will be up later today.
