Start and Sit Calls For Week 3 Fantasy Football: Philip Rivers, Bernard Pierce and More
What an incredible start to the NFL season with two weeks already in the books. Our week one start and sit calls were pretty solid and likely benefited our readers. However, week two’s start and sit calls were a little shaky.
I anticipated Dez Bryant having more of a Roddy White effect with the ankle injury, and he in fact did the opposite. In return, Terrance Williams did not put up much in the fantasy football department.
Still, that is exactly why fantasy football owners love this game, because it’s unpredictable, frustrating, and rewarding at the same time.
We will rebound this week’s start and sit column as we give you the best calls for week three action.
Start
Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers
Perhaps this is more of an obvious choice considering he goes into week three as the fourth ranked fantasy quarterback.
Rivers is making things happen despite not having a plethora of weapons like he is used to. He’s turning Eddie Royal into a play maker, he’s utilizing his aging tight end appropriately, and he’s making good choices.
Rivers faces a Tennessee defense this week on the road, one that has impressed through two weeks, but still has plenty of holes to fill on both sides of the ball.
Bernard Pierce, RB, Baltimore Ravens
This is strictly if Ray Rice is ruled out. The Houston Texans defense is not a defense that you really want your running backs starting against, but if Rice (hip) sits out, Pierce could shine.
His bruising ability and surprising wiggle makes him a great goal line candidate and he has proven that he can run with the big boys.
Jason Snelling, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Steven Jackson (thigh) is out for this week’s match-up against Miami, which gives Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling fantasy value for week three.
I’m putting Snelling on this list because of his ability to make plays in the red zone, and catching the ball out of the backfield. If an Atlanta rusher is going to score this week, it will be Snelling rather than Rodgers.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans
This should be a no-brainer this week after the first two performances for the highly touted rookie out of Clemson.
Hopkins caught five passes for 66 yards in week one, and against Tennessee he was targeted 13 times, catching seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Andre Johnson is ailing and won’t be 100%, and could be more of a decoy against Baltimore on the road, and I like Hopkins this week.
Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Despite having some struggles in his first two games, Gonzalez is set to have a coming out party this week against a Dolphins defense that has struggled a bit with tight ends.
Gonzo is one of the best tight ends the NFL has ever seen, and his age may be slowing him down, but that does not mean he cannot produce.
Look for Tony Gonzalez to step up in week three.
New York Jets Defense
This Jets defense has been their saving grace so far. They beat Tampa Bay in week one, and nearly pulled off the upset against New England on Thursday night.
They are shutting down running backs and they have a tough task of facing C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson this week. But if they can manage to contain both rushers, they will force E.J. Manuel to beat them over the top, which won’t be an easy task.
Sit
Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Luck has had a great start to the season, scoring 24 and 17 fantasy points respectively. However, he has played two home games and has to travel out to the San Francisco Bay to face a team coming off an embarrassing loss on Sunday night.
San Francisco will be out for blood, and I don’t have the confidence in Luck to start him in every league this week, even with the addition of Trent Richardson.
Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills
Jackson is a play maker and he and C.J. Spiller form one of the best tandems in the league.
But the Jets rush defense is for real, and it will not be an easy task to put up yardage. The good news for Jackson is that he’s versatile, being able to make plays as a receiver also.
Still, it may not be worth the risk this week.
Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys
St. Louis has a pair of very solid corners that are capable of shutting down even the best receivers.
So far, Austin has been quiet while Dez Bryant makes big plays and I see that trend continuing this week against a secondary that is better than advertised.
Sidney Rice, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Despite the cupcake match-up for the Seahawks facing the Jacksonville Jaguars, I don’t particularly care for Rice this week.
Partly because he has done squat so far in 2013, and partly because the Seahawks may not have to throw the ball very much unless Jacksonville surprises us by becoming an offensive juggernaught in just one week.
Rice can be sat safely this week.
Brandon Myers, TE, New York Giants
The new Giants tight end has performed reasonably well for fantasy owners thus far, scoring 12 and seven fantasy points over the first two weeks respectively.
However, his match-up against a Carolina Panthers linebacker corps is not as favorable as it may seem.
You can bet that the likes of Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis will be looking to key in on Myers while Eli has his way with the weak Carolina cornerbacks, getting the ball to Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz.
Miami Dolphins Defense
This defense is clearly improved and making big plays so far to start the season, but their match-up at home with a Falcons offense that can put up big points is not a favorable one.
Matt Ryan may be without Steven Jackson this week, but he still has two rushers that can make plays while also having Julio Jones and a receiver in Roddy White that is inching closer to 100%.
Pass on the Dolphins defense in week three.
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