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Quarterbacks
Start Em
Jay Cutler, CHI at NYJ – Cutler heads to New York to take on the 17th ranked Jets pass defense. The Jets are allowing just 222 passing yards per game. However, they’ve allowed the most passing touchdowns this season, five. Cutler went into San Francisco in Week 2 and threw four touchdowns against their defense. That was with both, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery playing through injuries. Neither of them suffered any setbacks throughout the game, and both are expected to play. Cutler has thrown six touchdown passes in two games, fantasy owners can expect another productive Sunday from him.
Other Starts
Russell Wilson, SEA vs. DEN
Andrew Luck, IND at JAC
Tom Brady, NE vs. OAK
Nick Foles, PHI vs. WAS
Sleeper Alert: Kirk Cousins, WAS at PHI
Sit Em
Ben Roethlisberger, PIT at CAR- The Panthers defense allowed Matthew Stafford to throw for 291 yards last week, but only surrendered one touchdown against their explosive offense. The Panthers front seven is scary good, and they find ways to get to the quarterback. They’ve recorded five sacks in two games. Big Ben struggled last week against the Ravens defense. He was sacked twice and was unable to throw a touchdown. This could be another frustrating week for Big Ben’s owners as he faces a good defense on the road. If you could bench him, don’t hesitate to do so.
Other Sits
Andy Dalton, CIN vs. TEN
Jake Locker, TEN at CIN
Matt Cassel, MIN at NO
Eli Manning, NYG vs. HOU
Bust Alert: Peyton Manning, DEN at SEA (I’m not advising that you bench him, but temper your expectations)
Running Backs
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Ahmad Bradshaw, IND at JAC – Bradshaw is having a surprisingly good season so far. In two games, he’s rushed for 85 yards, caught 10 passes for 96 yards, and scored two touchdowns. This week’s matchup is a great one for Bradshaw as he takes on the Jaguars defense that ranks 28th against the run. They allow 168 rushing yards per game and have allowed four rushing touchdowns (2nd most). If you have him on your team, make sure he’s plugged into your lineups.
Other Starts
Knile Davis, KC at MIA
Chris Johnson, NYJ vs. CHI
Doug Martin, TB at ATL (if active, otherwise go with Bobby Rainey)
Joique Bell, DET vs. GB
Sleeper alert: Lamar Miller, MIA vs. KC
Sit Em
Toby Gerhart, JAC vs. IND – Gerhart is off to a rough start this season. Many experts had him high on their lists this offseason because of the volume he was expected to received. So far this season, he’s carried the ball 25 times for 50 yards, averaging two yards per carry. He’s also caught four passes for 24 yards. Gerhart has yet to find the end zone. This week he takes on the Indianapolis Colts who have given up three rushing touchdowns this season (tied for 3rd most). The problem is that it’s very likely that Jacksonville will fall behind early and abandon the run, much like they did in Week 2 against the Redskins. Gerhart is also not 100% healthy, which could have something to do with the struggles. I suggest avoiding Gerhart this week if you can.
Other Sits
Shonn Greene, TEN at CIN
Frank Gore, SF at ARI
Steven Jackson, ATL vs. TB
Jonathan Stewart, CAR vs. PIT
Bust Alert: Monte Ball, DEN at SEA
Wide Receivers
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Julian Edelman, NE vs. OAK – This is the only Patriots player that can be trusted. We saw Shane Vereen go off in Week 1, and then he was nowhere to be found in Week 2, and visa versa for Stevan Ridley. However, Edelman has been very consistent. He’s been targeted 15 times in two games. He’s caught 12 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown. The Raiders have allowed three receiving touchdowns this season. It’s clear that while Rob Gronkowski works his way back into the lineup, Edelman is Tom Brady’s go-to receiver. The two should continue to connect often this week.
Other Starts
Mike Wallace, MIA vs. KC
Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN at NO
Brandin Cooks, NO vs. MIN
T.Y. Hilton, IND at JAC
Sleeper Alert: Brian Quick, STL vs. DAL
Sit Em
Torrey Smith, BAL at CLE – Smith has just four receptions this season despite being targeted 10 times. New team member Steve Smith has been targeted 25 times in two games. It appears Torrey has taken a step back in the number of times his number is called. This week’s matchup is not the most appealing one, as the Ravens take on their division rivals, the Cleveland Browns. Torrey Smith played well in two games against the Browns last season. He caught 12 passes for 165 yards, and didn’t score. However, this season’s inconsistencies and lack of production don’t bode well with me, and having him in your starting lineups is too risky.
Other Sits
Victor Cruz, NYG vs. HOU
Eric Decker, NYJ vs. CHI
James Jones, OAK at NE
Terrance Williams, DAL at STL
Bust Alert: Michael Floyd, ARI vs. SF
Tight Ends
Start Em
Greg Olsen, CAR vs. PIT
Martellus Bennett, CHI at NYJ
Dwayne Allen, IND at JAC
Sit Em
Heath Miller, PIT at CAR
Dennis Pitta, BAL at CLE
Charles Clay, MIA vs. KC
Defense
Start Em
New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans
Sit Em
New York Jets vs. Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers