Week 3: Start Em, Sit Em

Week 3 Start Em, Sit Em

By: Armando Marsal

Quarterbacks

Start Em

Matt Ryan, ATL at NO -€” He has been surprisingly good early in the season. He is averaging 364 passing yards and has thrown five touchdowns. The matchup does not get any better than this for Ryan. The Saints defense is arguably one of the worst in the league. Opposing quarterbacks have eclipsed 300 passing yards in each of the first two games against the Saints. Ryan has tossed for over 300 passing yards and multiple touchdowns in three of his last four games against this defense. In 15 career games against them, he has thrown 24 touchdowns and is averaging 301.5 passing yards per game. This game has shootout written all over it and Ryan is on top of his game right now. Everything is lining up for a nice performance on Monday night for Ryan.

Other Starts

Derek Carr, OAK at TEN

Philip Rivers, SD at IND

Matthew Stafford, DET at GB

Ryan Tannehill, MIA vs. CLE

Sleeper Alert: Marcus Mariota, TEN vs. OAK

Sit Em

Andy Dalton, CIN vs. DEN -€” Dalton has thrown 366 yards and one touchdown in back to back games. This is the team's first home game of the season, so you probably are expecting them to come out with a ton of energy. That being said, Dalton has a tough matchup against one of the better defenses in the game. No quarterback has thrown for more than 200 yards against the Broncos (they have faced Cam Newton and Andrew Luck) and they have allowed just two touchdowns this season. The Broncos defense is one I tend to avoid if I can and this week is not different.

Other Sits

Tyrod Taylor, BUF vs. ARI

Sam Bradford, MIN at CAR

Kirk Cousins, WAS at NYG

Bust Alert: Russell Wilson, SEA vs. SF

Running Backs

Start Em

Melvin Gordon, SD at IND -€” I am on board the Gordon train this week. He has scored a touchdown in each game this season and already had a multiple touchdown game in Week 1. With Danny Woodhead headed to the IR, Gordon could be in for a heavy workload this week and potentially the remainder of the season. He faces the Colts who are awful against the running back position. Through the first two games of this season, the Colts have allowed 391 total yards and five touchdowns. Gordon received over 20 touches last week and could very well do so again this week.

Other Starts

Frank Gore, IND vs. SD

DeMarco Murray, TEN vs. OAK

Theo Riddick, DET at GB

LeGarrette Blount, NE vs. HOU

Sleeper alert: Charles Sims, TB vs. LAR

Sit Em

Carlos Hyde, SF at SEA -€” When we talk about stingy run defenses, the Seahawks are always atop of that discussion. Through the first two weeks, they have held opposing running backs to 100 rushing yards. That is an average of 50 yards per game. Running backs are averaging 2.86 yards per carry against this defense and have yet scored a touchdown. After a strong start to the season, Hyde quickly came back down to earth last week at Carolina. He rushed for 34 yards on 14 carries. This week the matchup does not get any easier and another subpar game can be expected. If you have other options in good situations, do not hesitate to plug them in ahead of Hyde.

Other Sits

Jeremy Hill, CIN vs. DEN

Ryan Mathews, PHI vs. PIT

Matt Jones, WAS at NYG

Panthers Running Backs vs. MIN

Bust Alert: Jeremy Langford, CHI at DAL

Wide Receivers

Start Em

Jeremy Maclin, KC vs. NYJ -€” Maclin heads to Revis Island which has been like an all-inclusive beach resort this season. Maclin was peppered with 15 targets last week and caught six passes for 68 yards. He has been targeted 22 times this season, which is the third most by a receiver and has caught at least five passes in each game. The Jets have allowed 28 receptions, 533 yards, and three touchdowns to receivers this season. This is a good matchup for Maclin and he should be able to exploit it.

Other Starts

Michael Crabtree, OAK at TEN

Stefon Diggs, MIN at CAR

Marvin Jones, DET at GB

Willie Snead, NO vs. ATL

Sleeper Alert: DeVante Parker, MIA vs. CLE

Sit Em

Sammy Watkins, BUF vs. ARI -€” Watkins has been playing through a foot injury and it is clearly affecting his performance on the field. He has six catches for 63 yards and no touchdowns this season. He has been targeted 11 times. He also has a tough matchup as he is expected to line up across Patrick Peterson. Until Watkins shows me that he can have a big game at less than 100 percent or becomes fully healthy, it will be tough to trust him. Especially in tough matchups like this one.

Other Sits

Emmanuel Sanders, DEN at CIN

Julian Edelman, NE vs. HOU

DeSean Jackson, WAS at NYG

Bust Alert: Golden Tate, DET

Tight Ends

Start Em

Eric Ebron, DET at GB

Dwayne Allen, IND vs. SD

Delanie Walker, TEN vs. OAK

Sit Em

Vance McDonald, SF at SEA

Gary Barnidge, CLE at MIA

Travis Kelce, KC vs. NYJ

Defense

Start Em

Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns

Houston Texans at New England Patriots

Sit Em

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Kansas City Chiefs vs. New York Jets