This segment is designed to help you decide which of the "lower end" or more "questionable" players to start of sit in fantasy football. I’m not planning on covering every stud player, so do not over think it when it comes to guys like Calvin Johnson or Adrian Peterson. They are always guys to start unless they appear on my list. If you have concerns about specific players, feel free to leave a comment with your player concern or tweet (@Spatters91) me and I will try to help you out. Good luck fantasy players! (Sorry this article is a day late. I had some issues Wednesday I needed to work out that caused a writing delay).
BYES: New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders
Guys to Start:
Adrian Peterson: (MUST START) If he plays, you start him. The Giants are giving up the 10th most fantasy points to running backs this season. Mr. Peterson may increase their "10th most" ranking this week. I know Peterson has not been living through his own personal nightmare, but I do not think that will stop him from running over the Giants. Peterson had trouble with the Panthers front 7, but this will not happen with the Giants. On a personal note, my heart goes out to Mr. Peterson and his family.
Matt Forte: (MUST START) Matt Forte and the Bears are playing another NFC East team. This should be fun for Forte owners. Brace yourselves Redskins fans. I certainly will.
Trent Richardson: Most people were saying it was a bad idea to start MoJo last week, but I did not agree. I am going to keep rolling the dice and follow the same logic with Richardson. Denver has given up the 10th most fantasy points to running backs this season and the only shot the Colts have at winning this game is to keep Manning off the field. The Colts will not abandon the Running game. Richardson also has more upside in PPR formats.
Giovani Bernard: Giovani has been very impressive this season. Detroit has given up the 8th most fantasy points to running backs this season and Bernard is a receiving threat as well. Bernard/Green/Dalton are really looking similar to the Bush/Megatron/Stafford trio, and they are all very productive in fantasy football. I think Bernard is working his way up to being an every week starter due to the ineffectiveness of The Law Firm of Benjarvus Green-Ellis. Bernard is mostly effective in PPR formats, but he has a good shot of finding the end zone this week (Keep in mind that touchdowns are impossible to predict, I am just looking at the match-up).
Jordy Nelson: It is a valid concern to worry about Nelson this week. Cleveland has given up the 6th fewest fantasy points to receivers this season and Joe Haden figures to be on Jordy. However, with the packers receivers banged up, Aaron Rodgers may have no choice but to throw it to Nelson. Jordy is always a big play threat and it only takes one mistake from the Browns to make your fantasy day a good day. The numbers say no on this one, but Jordy is a week to week starter in my opinion. That is not going to change this week.
Justin Blackmon: It sounds unimpressive when you say Blackmon has 19 catches for 326 yards and one touchdown, but that changes a bit when you consider that those numbers are only over 2 games. Wow. Well, that escalated quickly. San Diego has given up the 6th most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Even if he does not do as well as he did in his first two weeks, he will probably still do pretty well in this game.
Antonio Gates: Gates is still going strong and Jacksonville is giving up the 6th most fantasy points to Tight Ends. The Chargers are also thin at the receiver position, making Gates and Danny Woodhead really fun starts.
Guys to Sit:
Robert Griffin III: I do not usually advocating benching a guy like RG3, but this is simply a bad match-up for any QB. The Bears have given the 13th fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and Robert had issues scoring against a very weak Dallas secondary. I think things will turn around for RG3 this season, but I am not optimistic it is going to happen against the Bears (But check his match-up next week. Denver is making everyone look good).
Stevan Ridley: If anyone says they saw last week coming, they are lying. The Jets have given up the 2nd fewest fantasy points to running backs this season and I do not think that is going to change this week. I think it was very encouraging to see Ridley show up in the box score last week, but Ridley having single digit fantasy points would be good production in a match-up like this. Avoid Ridley if you can.
Zac Stacy: While he is the clear starter with the Rams, his recent injury may hamper his effectiveness against a tough panthers front 7. The Panthers are giving up the 15th fewest fantasy points to running backs, which is not that bad statistically, but Stacy has limited upside in this game. If you have tough bye weeks, Stacy could be a decent option but I would just hold onto him for now.
Dwayne Bowe: The Texans (while embarrassingly bad) have given up the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Bowe has trouble showing up in the box score in good match-ups for receivers. This team is Jamal Charles and he is the guy you want to start. The Chiefs are basically the same team as the Donovan McNabb Eagles. Even I liked Brian Westbrook.
The Patriots Receivers: I know the Patriots have to score points and someone will get fantasy points, but it is impossible to guess who will do well at the receiver position. The Jets have given up the 13th most fantasy points to receivers this season, so if you are desperate you can try and guess between Dobson and Thompkins. Gronk and Amendola are likely out. Good luck with that one.
Sean’s Fantasy Watch List: (Waiver Wire Recommendations: In deeper Formats, add watch list guys)
ADD HIM:
Nick Foles (PHI-QB): Vick might be done in Philly
Andre Ellington (ARI-RB): Mendenhall is awful. Shocker.
Charles Clay (MIA-FB/TE): that racks up TD’s.
Garret Grahm (HOU-TE): Schuab loves check downs
Alshon Jeffery (CHI-WR): Not sure if this is legit, but I did think it was possible for him to benefit from Marshall.
Terrance Williams (DAL-WR): RG3’s former receiver looks like a real no. 2 receiver, he’s my sleeper of the week.
TRENDING UP:
Jordan Reed (Was-TE): I really like what I see
Robert Woods (Buf-WR): I really like this kid. Steve is hurt.
Donnie Avery (KC-WR): Not consistent
Stephen Hill (NYJ-WR): He looks like a no. 1 wideout, maybe he can play like one
Week 3. That’s about right.
Marlon Brown (Bal-WR): He has looked pretty good.
Coby Fleener (Ind-TE): Could be a good no 2 guy with upside.
WATCH LIST:
Ted Ginn Jr. (Car-WR): Numbers can lie, but he is worth keeping an eye on
Santonio Holmes (NYJ-WR): When healthy, he is a great match-ups guy.
Leonard Hankerson (WAS-WR): If the Redskins can get it together, this guy could break out.
Tyler Eiffert (CIN-TE)
Eddie Royal (SD-WR)
Ronnie Hillman: Could get junk yards. He is a good player, hand cuff with Moreno
Darrius Heyward-Bey (IND-WR)
Percy Harvin (SEA-WR)