Every week, staff writer Luke O'Roark will give points on who to start and sit for owner's fantasy lineups.
My record: (5-1 — I play in three different leagues… yes it’s obnoxious.)
After two weeks of play, it’s hard to determine exactly who the pretenders and contenders are in the NFL.
For week three, pay close attention to injuries that have been looming over players like AJ Green, Jamaal Charles and Wes Welker. It’s tough to draft players in the first round and then they don’t give you any points.
Here’s who to start and sit for week three:
Quarterbacks
Start: Jay Cutler, quarterback for the Chicago Bears (19-28 points): Cutler had a decent outing versus a stout San Francisco 49ers and expect similar success against a feeble Jets’ pass defense. Expect Cutler, Marshall and Jeffrey to have a good game.
Sit: Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Denver Broncos (9-16 points): Remember when the Broncos played the Seahawks? 43-8. Don’t play Manning.
Running Back
Start: DeMarco Murray running back for the Dallas Cowboys (12-16 points): Murray will be a work horse for the Cowboys, which has been evident in the first two weeks of the year. Murray should have tons of touches against a weak Rams team.
Sit: Matt Forte running back for the Chicago Bears (6-8 points): Forte, even though expected to be a cog in most owner’s lineups, did not have a strong outing versus San Francisco. The Jets currently give up the least amount of points against running backs, but of course, they’ve played against Oakland and Green Bay. Still smart to not give them the nod.
Wide Receiver
Start: Julian Edelman wide receiver for New England Patriots (10-16 points): Tom Brady’s new weapon on offense has posted 15 and 21 points in back-to-back games. Expect Edelman to have another solid day against Oakland.
Sit: Victor Cruz wide receiver for New York Giants (4-6 points): Cruz has been awful in the past 12 contests. His number of 100-yard games: one. You should tuck Cruz away on your bench until Eli Manning can actually get him the ball.
Tight End
Start: Jimmy Graham tight end for New Orleans Saints (11-16 points): The Saints are 0-2 and you can bet Sean Payton and the Saints are mad. Graham will get the ball against the Vikings.
Sit: Julius Thomas tight end for the Denver Broncos (4-7 points): *See Peyton Manning*
Kicker
Start: Dan Carpenter kicker for the Buffalo Bills (6-9 points): Carpenter has been quietly the best kicker in the NFL thus far in the NFL. Should be a solid start against Minnesota.
Sit: Greg Zuerlein kicker for the St. Louis Rams (2-4 points): The Rams’ offense has been abysmal. How bad you may ask? JJ Watt has more touchdown receptions than the Rams. Watt plays defense. Don’t have Zuerlein on your team.
Defense
Start: New England Defense (10 points): Oakland may be the worst team in the NFL, New England should have no trouble garnering points for owners.
Sit: Green Bay Defense (0-2 points): It seems like forever since 2010. This Green Bay defense just isn’t the strong anymore.
Fantasy Player of the Week: Clayton Kershaw, pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers — Don’t think I have forgotten about fantasy baseball. I’ve been a mediocre 9-12, but Kershaw has been a stud. 20+ points in every game since Aug. 5.
