Week Three Scoring Leaders

If you read my post two days ago about week three's starters and who to sit you would have seen the call to start Michael Vick against a bad Jaguars defense, and my prediction that he would lead all players in fantasy scoring. If you started Eli Manning, like you were told twice not to, then I hope you enjoyed two more turnovers and no touchdowns. On to this week's scoring leaders by position...

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles, QB: 17/31 for 293 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 4 rushes for 30 yards and a score. Called it.

Anquan Boldin, Baltimore Ravens, WR: 8 catches, after being targeted 11 times, for 142 yards and 3 touchdowns. Is it too early to be wacco for Flacco again? Definitely not next week against the Steelers.

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, RB: 23 rushes for 160 yards and 2 scores, plus 30 yards on 5 receptions. Do you need a recommendation to start Peterson?

Dustin Keller, New York Jets, TE: as I write this in advance for Monday; Keller has two scores on 5 receptions for 91 yards. Just think Braylong DUI Edwards, these could be your scores.

How about some underachievers?

David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguards, QB: after throwing 3 touchdowns against the Broncos he has thrown 1 td to 5 interceptions. He ended with 105 yards on 13 for 30 attempts. How is this guy owned in nearly 29% of leagues?

Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts, RB: after running for 92 yards last week Addai added to this sporadic year with a 29 yards on 13 carries campaign plus 10 yards on two catches. Neither of the Colts running options look like good options this year.

Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals, WR: perhaps its bad play from his QB, but when you get targeted 12 times against a bad Panthers D and you only bring in 4 catches for 34 yards you are severely under performing. Save for garbage time against the Patriots it has been a dissapointing year thus far for Robin.

Vernon Davis, San Francisco, TE: after catching no less then 70 yards in the previous 2 games Davis went for 22 yards on 3 catches against a Chiefs D giving up an average of 12 points at home this year. Davis has yet to score a touchdown this year, and his chances look no better against an Atlanta team that plays great at home.

Week Three Start em or Sit em

Coming into week three most owners find themselves at an even record of 1-1, however, due to bad lineup management or bad coaches, er Eric Mangini, some find themselves in a 0-2 hole. Properly deciding between who to start and who to bench may help dig one out of the fantasy pits or virtually sink one's season.

Week three starters by position:

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles, QB: over two games Vick is sporting a 105.5 passer rating, 459 yards, and three touchdowns. This week he plays against a 29th ranked defense in Jacksonville giving up an average of 300 yards per game, and 120 on the ground. Expect Vick to throw and run his way to the #1 points ranking Sunday.

Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints, RB: against good defenses in Minnesota and San Francisco Thomas has showed that he can bare the load of being a feature back, and do the job of Reggie Bush catching passes out of the backfield. This week he plays, at home, against an Atlanta D giving up an average of 130 yards to opposing running backs. Pierre looks to be the lead back, and perhaps the only back getting reps since Reggie Bush is out with an injury, Chris Ivory is probable, and Ladell Betts has just been signed. Picking a good fantasy WR option on this Saints team is a crap shoot, but RB is for sure with Thomas.

Santana Moss, Washington Redskins, WR: someone has to catch Donovan McNabb's passes, and it may as well be Santana. Over two games he is averaging 8 catches for 83 yards a game. Week three pairs him against a St. Louis D that has given up 497 yards; this against poor offenses in Arizona and Oakland. Moss has shown to be McNabb's favorite target, and should finally record his first touchdown of the year.

Mercedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars, TE: coming into the season if asked who would have the most fantasy points for the Jaguars, through week two, most would answer MJD. Yet, two weeks into the season Mercedy Lewis leads all of Garrard's options fantasy points wise. He plays this week against a Eagles D giving up 248 yards in the air and 123 on the ground. Last week the Lions drove consistently down the field against Philadelphia earning numerous trips into the red zone. In week one against the Broncos Garrard showed his trust in Lewis by giving him two tosses in the end zone; both resulting in touchdowns. Don't let MSW fool you with his big game last week. Mister inconsistent will show up, and leave Garrard with one reliable option. Play Lewis.

Defense/ Special teams: roam waiver wires and play match ups if you need help. Favorable match ups include Redskins, Tennessee, and Kansas City.

Week three sit em:

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, QB: his play on the road fails in comparison to when he plays in Atlanta. Michael Turner is banged up, and the Saints D will be synced on Ryan's only option White. Less then a stellar performance should be expected from Ryan.

Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions, RB: he ran all over a bad rushing defense last week, and has a grand total of 5 touchdowns for the year. However, this week he plays against a stellar Minnesota D that will force Shaun Hill into throwing it to keep up with Favre reigniting his fantasy career.

The whole NY Giants WR core: as expressed earlier this week in my stock up/ down column I am not hot for Eli, and even more so against an improved Titans D giving up on average 85 yards per game while forcing 8 fumbles and 1 interception. Opposing QB's have been sacked 8 times already, and expect nothing less against an immobile Eli who showed his issues with waiting in the pocket too long and fumbling.

Good luck, and good roto...

Week three pick 'em (spread edition)

(Posted below is Don's pick 'em without the spread)

If betting/ playing against the spread this weekend here are Don's picks for all week three NFL games.

• Kansas City +2.5 against San Francisco
• Baltimore -10.5 against Cleveland
• Dallas +2.5 against Houston
• Detroit +10.5 against Minnesota
• New England -13.5 against Buffalo
• New Orleans -4.5 against Atlanta
• New York Giants -3.5 against Tennessee
• Pittsburgh +2.5 against Tampa Bay
• Cincinnati +3.5 against Carolina
• Philadelphia -2.5 against Jacksonville
• St. Louis +3.5 against Washington
• Denver +6.5 against Indianapolis
• Oakland +4.5 against Arizona
• Seattle +5.5 against San Diego
• New York Jets +1.5 against Miami; his special lock of the week
• Green Bay -3.5 against Chicago

Week three pick 'em

Week three pick 'em analysis is being provided by colleague and soon to be contributor Don Harmon; a multiple league winner throughout his playing tenure. His picks are as follows:

• Kansas City over San Francisco
• Baltimore over Cleveland
• Dallas over Houston; look for a hungry Dallas team
• Minnesota over Detroit
• New England over Buffalo
• New Orleans over Atlanta
• New York Giants over Tennessee
• Pittsburgh over Tampa Bay
• Cincinnati over Carolina
• Philadelphia over Jacksonville
• Washington over St. Louis
• Denver over Indianapolis
• Arizona over Oakland
• Seattle over San Diego
• New York Jets over Miami
• Green Bay over Chicago