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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