Sit Em, Start Em – Week Three
Michael Vick – By now it should go without saying that Vick should be an every week starter but many owners landed Vick as their backup QB in single QB formats perplexing the situation. We have Vick ranked as top five fantasy option this week and I will be trotting him out over QB’s I selected earlier in 12 and 14 team formats. Vick, McCoy and DeSean Jackson are balling in Chip Kelly’s offense and it does not look like they will be slowing down any time soon. Start Vick with confidence tonight.
David Wilson – Until Andre Brown returns sometime after week ten David Wilson is going to hold a head and shoulders talent edge over the other running backs in this backfield. Wilson appeared tentative in week two but will look to get it going this week against an underrated Panthers front seven. We expect the Giants to be up in this one giving Wilson and opportunity to prove he is over his fumblitis on the field.
Bernard Pierce – As of this writing Ray Rice still has not practiced and may be a gametime decision this Sunday. Either way Pierce is a recommended play this week either as an RB2 if Rice misses the game or as an upside flex if Rice plays in which case he is expected to be limited.
Eddie Royal – A week after naysayers said Royal could not and would not repeat his week one performance he actually went out and topped it in week two. Royal now has five touchdowns on the season, a mark many receivers will not see all season. We have Royal ranked as an WR3 this week and another strong game will make his ascension more permanent as we roll into the bye weeks. Start Royal with confidence.
Julius Thomas – We have Julius Thomas as a top five option at tight end and it will probably remain that way all season. Thomas is a must start in any format that allows for a flex tight end and should be started over most options you early drafters likely selected before him.
Sit Em
Josh Freeman – Freeman had some fantasy upside coming into this season as he was fresh off a 4,000 yard, 27 touchdown campaign, numbers that would have made him a shoe in QB1 a few years back, but he has struggled mightily this season despite a stellar receiving duo. Freeman can support two top 36 wideouts but he will remain inconsistent all year mixing in big games with total duds. Those in 16 team or deeper leagues may not have a better option but you will want to play the match-ups with Freeman until he gets it going. He failed to capitalize on a tasty match-up with the Saints so there is no reason to believe he will all of a sudden get it going against the Patriots.
James Starks – So you are the lucky winner of James Starks in your leagues waiver claim or FAAB bid? Should you start him this week? Unfortunately the answer here is no as the Pack go up against a dominant and downright scary Bengals front seven. Starks has been inconsistent thus far in his career and there is no reason to believe he can have success against Geno Atkins, James Harrison, Vontaze Burfict and company. Sit Starks for this week.
Ahmad Bradshaw – With Trent Richardson now a Colt, Ahmad Bradshaw has lost all of his starting appeal and has been relegated to bye week filler status, a far drop from his borderline RB2 status pre-trade. Bradshaw has talent and will still see some work on third downs and may be serviceable in deep 16 team leagues.
Roddy White – Roddy White is still dealing with his high ankle sprain and will be limited in snaps and to acting mostly as a decoy for Julio, Tony and Harry Douglas. White is a tough player and will suit up but will be at less than 75 percent. Most players would be sitting out with this type of daunting injury.
Cecil Shorts – Shorts has struggled thus far this season and going up against the Seahawks there is no reason to believe this week will prove any different. Browner is banged up which may cause Richard Sherman to be tasked with covering Cecil. Shorts ended last year with a bang but has started this year with a whimper against the Chiefs before having a decent game against the hapless Raiders. Shorts is a match-up player in shallower leagues and those in deeper leagues will want to reach into the well to find a better starting option this week. If possible avoid the Seahawks defense when possible.
Brandon Pettigrew – Despite amassing over 100 targets the last couple of seasons Brandon Pettigrew remains nothing more than a mid level TE2. The Lions are now focusing on getting their versatile backs more involved in the passing game limiting Pettigrew’s fantasy value. Hopefully you didn’t land Pettigrew as your TE1 and can afford to stash him on the bench or drop him for a potentially higher upside option.
