AFC East – Week 3 Fantasy Projections – Third and Long

Why is it preseason seems to take forever, but the regular season jets by? Here we are heading towards week 3 already. If it's possible week 2 handed us even more upsets and surprises than week 1. As I predicted, the New York Jets kept Tom Brady in check, and succeeded where the Buffalo Bills failed. If not for some bad luck for the Bills, the Patriots could be 0-2 to start the season. One might argue it was not quite a fair test given that sure-hands receiver Wes Welker was not there to give Brady a safety valve. However, WR Jason Edelman stepped in quite nicely in Welker's stead. Taking nothing away from Brady, the Jets defense was simply rock solid. Jets DB Darrelle Revis, for the second week in a row shut down one of the league's top receivers. First Andre Johnson of the Texans, and this week, Randy Moss. You might as well bench Titan's WR Justin Gage right now for week 3. He has no chance. The Buffalo Bills got off to a quick start on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, scoring early on a 32 yard pass to WR Lee Evans, before safety Donte Whitner added a defensive touchdown off a Byron Leftwich interception, and finally a field goal to end the first up, 17-0. RB Fred Jackson kept them ahead for the remaining three quarters with 188 all purpose yards. Big mouth, Terrell Owens is still no doubt unhappy after catching only three passes, but one was a 43 yard touchdown. Lee Evans' TD reception on the Bill's first drive of the game, was his only catch of the day.

Is Ginn ready to make an impact?

Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots

There's simply no way Brady doesn't get on track this week, right? They're back at home Foxboro, he's had a week to feel his shame, and pump himself up. The Atlanta defense isn't nearly what the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets threw at him. While I argued the other day that Brady has gone back to being an average Joe QB, he's still a pretty crafty average Joe. He will find a way this week to clip the Falcons' wings and put a legitimate W in the win column for the Pats. Wes Welker may not be back in action this week, as he has not participated in practice, but Jason Edelman has shown he can play the part. Brady had no problem throwing the ball last week, he just couldn't finish. Randy Moss will score this week. Look for the Pats to establish the run game against a hurting Atlanta rush defense. I predict Falcons' DL John Abraham and Kroy Biermann will sack Brady in this game. The Patriots have not lost a regular season game to an NFC team in their last 15 contests. The Falcons have allowed 300 total yards to running backs in their first 2 games, including 11 receptions for 75 yards. Kevin Faulk could have a nice day.

• Start 'em-- Pats: Tom Brady, Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk and Randy Moss <> Falcons: Matt Ryan, and Tony Gonzalez.
• Sit 'em-- Falcons: Roddy White (He's bound to break out soon, but the Pats have been very stingy to WRs so far).
• Sleeper-- The Falcons have allowed 300 total yards to running backs in their first 2 games, including 11 receptions for 75 yards. Kevin Faulk could have a nice day.
• Key Injuries: WR Wes Welker may be out, LB Jerod Mayo is definitely out.

The New York Jets played The Houston Texans and shut them down, then followed up by shutting the Patriots down. The Tennessee Titans played a tight one with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then got into a shoot out with the Texans. Rookie QB Mark Sanchez and the Jets defense have led the team to a 2-0 start against two very good offenses. The 0-2 Titans, well who knows what we'll see this week from them. Both teams are ranked one and two against the rush through 2 games. The 34 points against the Titans last week all came through the air, and Jets DB Darrelle Revis has taken that away against Randy Moss and Andre Johnson. In fact, the Jets have yet to surrender an offensive touchdown this season. Look for another low scoring afternoon for the Titans, and a moderate day for the Jets. Look for the Titan's to try and get RB Chris Johnson going early, and to sneak a deep bomb to rookie WR Kenny Britt.

• Start 'em-- Jets: Mark Sanchez, Dustin Keller, Team Defense <> Titans: Chris Johnson
• Sit 'em-- Jets: Thomas Jones <> Titans: Everyone not named Chris Johnson
• Sleeper-- WR Kenny Britt could be the first WR to break through against the Jets defense.
• Key Injuries-- Titans TE Bo Scaife has not practiced all week.

The Bills should be 2-0 to start this season, and their defense and back-up running back Fred Jackson are the prime reasons why they almost won against the Pats, and did beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is fantasy Fred's last week to make his place on the field more permanent when Marshawn Lynch returns from suspension in week 4. The Bills have allowed 5 receiving TDs through two games, ironically none to wide receivers. Four have gone to TEs (two in each game), against whom the Bills are ranked dead last so far. Saints TE Jeremy Shockey and his owners have to be delirious. Saints QB Drew Brees already has 9 touchdown passes, and he has hit 10 different targets through two weeks. Buffalo hunting season opens this Sunday. The Saints are 25th against the pass, so Bills WRs Terrell Owens and Lee Evans should see more receptions this week, but I expect the Bills to try and slow New Orlean's air assault by using RB Fred Jackson to control the clock.

• Start 'em-- Bills: Trent Edwards, Fred Jackson <> Saints: Drew Brees, Drew Brees (yes, I listed him twice, he's that damn good so far), Marques Colston, Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey
• Sit 'em-- No one, this should be an offensive explosion on both sides
• Sleeper-- WR Devery Henderson could put up another big day as he did against Detroit in week one. For the Saints, RB Pierre Thomas returns this week with something to prove, and Mike Bell likely sidelined.
• Key Injuries-- RB Mike Bell and WR Lance Moore have not practiced this week for the Saints.

The Miami Dolphins were fairly impressive against the Indianapolis Colts. This week they face a very similar offense in the San Diego Chargers. I don't expect them to have ball possession for 3/4ths of the game this time. The Chargers looked bad against the Oakland Raiders and pretty week defensively against the Baltimore Ravens. However, they did score well in both games, and I expect them to push the Dolphins hard this Sunday. Don't expect the Dolphins defense to lay down though. Despite being 0-2 they have played both opponents tough.

• Start 'em-- Miami: Ronnie Brown & Chargers: Philip Rivers, Darren Sproles, Antonio Gates
• Sit 'em-- Miami: Expect Ted Ginn, Jr. to go back to sleep
• Sleeper-- Fins RB Ricky Williams could surprise us this week.
• Key Injuries-- Chargers RB LaDanian Tomlinson and LB Shawne Merriman have not practiced this week. Can’t watch every game? Use our fantasy football injury notification service and be notified if your players go down.