Friday, February 3, 2012

There’s a lot to look forward to Week 3 in the National Football League. Still early in the season, fantasy owners have yet to see whether their draft strategy has been a success of failure (unless you drafted Tom Brady).

It’s also easy to fall in love with your waiver wire wonders early on. But you have to remember to be patient with your stars, and don’t make irrational starts that’ll have the Monday Night Countdown crew saying, “C’mon man!”

Start ‘Em

The last time the Bears and Packers met, it was the NFC Championship game and Jay Cutler had a sour puss tattooed on his face. After an offseason of criticism and a mediocre effort against the Saints last week, Cutler is poised for a strong game.

The Bears' Jay Cutler last faced the Packers in the NFC Championship game, when he sat out the second half due to injury. (Credit: beargoggleson.com)

Green Bay has allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for 800 yards, (Drew Brees: 419 yards; Cam Newton: 432 yards). With safety Nick Collins set to miss the remainder of the season, the depleted Packers secondary faces a motivated Cutler, atSoldier Field, in a rivalry game. Bet on Cutler.

Looking back at all of the offseason moves, theKevin Kolb trade, thus far, has proven to be a success. In two starts, Kolb has thrown for 560 yards and four touchdowns — I don’t think anybody is missing Max Hall or John Skelton in the desert now.

It’ll be a tougher test on the road in Seattle, though, facing a Seahawks defense that is holding opposing offenses to just about 100 yards per game. If the Cards can’t establish a running game with Beanie Wells, they’ll rely on Kolb to get on the board. It’s not even fair how Larry Fitzgerald stacks up the Seahawks’ defensive backs. Look smart; start Kolb.

In the mold of a Jerome Bettis or a Stephen Davis, Mike Tolbert is the Chargers’ bowling ball of a running back, and this week he’ll look more like he did Week 1 against the Vikings.

The Kansas City Chiefs, off to a profound 0-2 start, are on the road, facing a Chargers team that just suffered a disappointing loss against New England. The Chiefs are allowing multifaceted backs to run all over them.

Fred Jackson torched ‘em for 112 yards in Week 1, while Darren McFadden rewarded his fantasy owners with 143 total yards and two touchdowns, one on the ground and one via the air. After Philip Rivers leads the Chargers to a two-touchdown lead, expect Tolbert to seal the deal.

So it’s been the Cam Newton show so far, but this week the Panthers are actually favored against the Jags. Newton has tossed a shocking 854 yards, but in an offense in which he’s averaging 40 attempts per game.

Against the Jags, who are starting fellow first-round draft pick Blaine Gabbert, picked 10 picks after Cam, the Panthers should take an early lead as Gabbert struggles to move the chains.

This might be the welcome back party for DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The dynamic duo has a combined 30 rushing attempts in two games. Look for Ron Rivera to remember he’s got $43 million man in his backfield.

The Ravens were embarrassed Week 2 in Nashville, allowing Kenny Britt to have his way with the secondary en route to 135 yards and a score. You would think John Harbaugh would have his defense ready to make amends for that horrid effort against the winless Rams this week…don’t count on it.

Brandon Gibson is one of three Rams receivers who could be poised to beat up on the Ravens' secondary. (Credit: sportschannelnews.com)

The Rams, desperate for their first “W” and playing in front of the home crowd, are going to attack the Baltimore secondary. The Ravens’ defensive front will shut down whoever lines up in the Rams’ backfield — if it’s Steven Jackson there’s a glimpse of hope; otherwise don’t bother starting his back-up (Cadillac Williams or Jerious Norwood).

Whatever offense the Rams muster up, it’ll be through the air. Look for Brandon Gibson to make his first stamp in the fantasy football world. But if you own Danario Alexander, who was the most-targeted Rams wideout last week, or Mike Sims-Walker, the most proven of the bunch, don’t be afraid to make them your WR3 or flex.

Sit ‘Em

This seems peculiar, but I’m advising you to bench Shonn Greene against the Oakland Raiders, the NFL’s sixth-worst run defense.

Greene, always a candidate to break out as an elite running back, is averaging just 13 carries in the first two games. Despite the lackluster workload, he’s barely getting three yards per attempt.

The Jets are relying on Mark Sanchez to pass them to victories. Well, it has been working, but travelling to the West Coast to face a talented defensive front seven — not exactly the right formula for Greene to have a big day.

Expect Santonio Holmes and Dustin Keller to have a greater impact than Greene will on Sunday. In the Raiders’ home opener, they’re not letting Gang Green run all over them.

Jamaal Charles had the chance to be the No. 1 fantasy back in 2011. A torn ACL later, teams that put their faith in Charles to be their star are scurrying for his replacement. My advice: don’t look the other Chiefs.

Head coach Todd Haley is looking to go with a running back-by-committee approach, meaning Thomas Jones, Dexter McCluster and even Le’Ron McClain are candidates for touches.

To be fair to Jones, he looks like he can be still compete in the league. He’s as ripped up as Rambo, but he can’t carry the rock…at all. McCluster, more a slot-receiver and Wildcat quarterback, will only receive a handful of touches in the backfield; he doesn’t have the ability to be a featured back. And there’s no sign that McClain is going to move from the fullback position.

If you’re looking to replace Charles on your roster, check the waiver wire for other solutions. Like Charles’ season, the Chiefs are done. Their offense is going to be putrid; I’d sell all of the Chiefs if I could.

Denarius Moore torched the Bills for 146 yards Week 2, but now he's bound for a trip to Revis Island.

benching Denarius Moore. Sure he torched the Bills for 146 yards last week, and Hue Jackson said he’s going to get the talented wideout more involved in the offense. But this week, he gets the Revis

So he was my pick for breakout rookie, but this week I’m

Island treatment.

Darrelle Revis is going to shadow the Raiders’ most potent wideout like white on rice. Sure, he’s third on the depth chart. But Jacoby Ford has yet to practice this week and he’s questionable to even see the field. Darrius Heyward-Bey is available; tell me the last time he made an impact.

The Raiders’ passing game is going to be stifled by Revis and the Jets secondary. McFadden is the only Raider worth starting Week 3.

Originally posted on;

http://thecovertwo.com/2011/09/start-em-sit-em-week-3/

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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Week 3

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