Antwan Odom will try to get Big Ben in the sack
--Defensive Backs--
Brian Dawkins, DB, DEN - Dawk has looked solid so far for the Broncos, but I really expect a big against DuhMarcus Russell and the Raiders.
Leodis McKelvin, DB, BUF - The Saints pass the ball a lot so it's no surprise they surrender the 4th most points to DBs. This week McKelvin covers Marques Colston. Give it to me baby, uh huh, uhuh.
Terrence McGee, DB, BUF - Did I mention the Saints throw a lot of passes? Mcgee will be covering Devery Henderson.
--IDP Sit 'em ~ Week 3--
--Defensive Linemen--
Justin Tuck, DL, NYG - He's hurt and may not play. Keep him out this week.
Justin Smith, DL, SFO - He's just not getting enough OLB sots and it's killing his value.
Elvis Dumervil, DL, DEN - He plays LB this year but still qualifies as a DL. Last week he exploded. This week I think he'll fizzle.
--Linebackers--
Lofa Tatupa, LB, SEA - He can't stay healthy. Heep him benched until he shows us something.
Channing Crowder, LB, MIA - Clam Chowder has really hurt teams who were counting on numbers similar to last year's production. There's better tools on the waiver wire. Bench him or dump him, but don't play him.
--Defensive Backs--
Kenny Payne, DB, CHI - Coach Lovie Smith has yanked Payne in favor of Daniael Manning.
Michael Huff, DB, OAK - Huff has re-ingratiated himself with the Raiders coaching staff after starting off with 3 interceptions in 2 games. He was a hot waiver wire commodity this week. Odds of him getting an INT this week against the Broncos? Next to nil.
Cedric Griffin, DB, MIN - The 49ers don't have much of a passing game yet, and Griffin should line up against Josh Morgan who has yet to be utilized in the pass game. It looks like an unproductive fantasy day for C.G.
--Team Defense Start and Sit - Week 3--
Key:
|
Start 'em |
Sit 'em |
Plug and Play |
| Solid defensive option | If they are on your bench, leave 'em there | Reasonable risk/reward option |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens |
24 -17
Would it surprise you to know the Lions are ranked 6th in fantasy points for defense after week 2? The Redskins are 24th. Both teams will play desperate football this week looking for a win. There will be a lot of balls flying around. Insert your own bad joke here. Jason Campbell will have to prove he can make things happen this week or his days in D.C. are numbered. That means ample interception and turnover opportunities. As always expect 3-4 interceptions from Lion's QB Matthew Stafford.
|
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans |
28 - 17
Either of these team's could be a plug and play option this week in what looks to be a air show between Matt Ryan and Tom Brady, but neither QB makes many mistakes, limiting the opportunities for pick offs and turnovers. Neither is a threat for a big special teams play; kick off or punt return for TD, so I'd go with better options this week.
|
Green Bay Packers at St. Louis Rams |
24 -21
The 49ers will have a difficult time running the ball with Frank gore against the Vikings run defense. That means Shaun Hill will have to start throwing the ball. So far he hasn't done much of that, or at least not with any success. There is no magic connection with his receivers yet outside of Isaac Bruce, which means turnover opportunities should exist for one of the leagues better fantasy defenses.
|
Tennessee Titans at New York Jets |
20 - 16
You always have to play the Giants defense, it's just too damn good to sit. They'll give up points this week, and they're without Justin Tuck and Kenny Phillips, but they're the second best fantasy producer on defense so far. Buccaneers QB Byron Leftwich throws the ball often and he makes a lot of mistakes. This bodes well for another productive turnover day for the G-men. This is still my upset pick this week though.
|
Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles |
17 - 7
The Saints and Bills, spot starts on defense? Are you kidding me? I kid you not. Forget all the points likely to be surrendered. The Bills and Saints rank 3rd and 5th respectively in fantasy points scored. Both will be lobbing balls back and forth like watching a Venus and Serena Williams tennis match. I expect to see about 700+ yards of passing offense. Perhaps air traffic control should be notified. Look for turnovers and fantasy gold.
|
Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks |
34 - 10
You could make an argument for benching the Steelers defense. They have been pretty solid, but from a fantasy perspective, lousy; 2 sacks 1 interception. Still, you have to play them. I'll save my brain cells to argue the merits of starting the Bengals D. As mentioned earlier, they lead the league in sacks with 9. The Steelers offensive line is more like tinfoil, and Ben Roethlisberger holds onto the football so long you could grab a beer between snap and pass. The Steelers usually only generate enough offense to win. Combine the two and the Bengals are a decent plug and play defense option in week 3.
|
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders |
17 - 12
I think the reasons to bench both of these defenses are fairly obvious. If all goes as anticipated it will keep interceptions and sacks to keep both teams out of the red with all the points they'll be giving up. The Cards are ranked 7th in fantasy defense points because of their 8 sacks, however, Peyton Manning almost never gets sacked. There could be some costly turnovers that go for defensive scores, but they are too hard to predict. Get your defensive points elsewhere this week.
|
Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers |
24 - 20
The league's worst fantasy defense is the Dallas Cowboys. As I mentioned above they have zero fantasy points in two games. Ouch. The Carolina Panthers are at 3 points a game. The Monday night affair will be fun to watch, but neither team is likely to help you from a fantasy perspective in week 3. I wonder if special teams qualifies for a fantasy bonus if that hit that monster video screen hanging over the Cowboy's field? Hmmm.
Start and Sit for Offense week 3
What I was listening to while writing this week's article- Halestorm:
