RADIO
Week Three Booms
QB Russell Wilson, SEA: The Seahawks are much better than their 0-2 record indicates. The Bears are not. Chicago has been gashed for seven passing touchdowns already this season, which is worst in the league. Enter a Seattle passing attack still looking to incorporate it's new, shiny toy in Jimmy Graham. The Seahawks always play much better at home, and with their home opener being against Jimmy Clausen and the Bears, you have to believe there will be a lot of "Willllllsonnnnn" chants at Centurylink Field on Sunday.
RB C.J. Anderson, DEN: We have all heard the complaints from Anderson owners, about how he has been one of the biggest busts of the young season. Heck, even Anderson himself is hearing the complaints. Detroit is amongst the worst in the league at stopping the run so far (29th overall), while also being dead last in rushing touchdowns allowed. So far, Anderson hasn't looked like last year's stud that carried many teams to a fantasy championship at the end of last year. But to be fair, he has had tough sledding against good rushing defenses from the Ravens and Chiefs. Believe in Gary Kubiak's system and the talent Anderson displayed in the past against this toothless Lions front.
WR Sammy Watkins, BUF: The first receiver taken in last year's stacked NFL Draft class has had a rough start to his 2015 campaign. He was shutout against Vontae Davis and the Colts in Week 1 and salvaged Week 2's contest against the Patriots with a late 24-yard touchdown. Luckily for Watkins, he will go from facing teams coached by defensive gurus Rex Ryan and Bill Belichick to a Dolphins team that was torched by Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson and the Jaguars. Bortles has been under fire from opposing defenses since his first game in the NFL, but the Dolphins let him off the hook by failing to sack the QB once. This bodes well for Tyrod Taylor and the Bills passing offense. Even though other receivers on the team have outscored Watkins the first two weeks, look for Buffalo's most talented receiver to put up big numbers against the Phins on Sunday.
WR John Brown, ARI: The preseason hype machine hasn't exactly blown up as people would have liked, but that is no fault of Brown's. The Arizona receiver has been a playmaker for the Cardinals so far, catching Carson Palmer's eye to become second on the team in targets. Some of his big plays have been pass interference calls that led to great field position for the team. Sooner or later those penalties will become receptions, yards and touchdowns. Larry Fitzgerald's big Week 2 against the Bears should be seen as a good thing. The more teams focus on stopping Fitz, the more room Brown will have to operate as a big-play threat. A 49ers defense that was just gashed for 369 yards and 3 TDs by Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers limps into Arizona prime for another feast by a very good passing attack.
DEF Seattle: I will keep this simple. An angry 0-2 Seahawks team + Seattle's home opener + The return of defensive leader Kam Chancellor + Jimmy Clausen as the opposing quarterback = FANTASY POINTS.
Week Three Busts
QB Matt Stafford, DET: Stafford enters a Week 3 matchup against what may be the best defense in football (the Broncos) banged up with a ribs injury. Even at his best, Stafford could be seen as an inconsistent player, usually unable to complete four full quarters of good football. Look elsewhere if he is your QB1.
RB Lamar Miller, MIA: Miller is another player headed into a tough matchup with an injury issue. The Dolphins running game has not been able to get on track yet, and that was before Miller dinged his ankle up against the Jaguars last week. The stout Bills defensive front had trouble with the Patriots passing game, but should be able to handle the Dolphins' running attack. I wouldn't like this matchup for Miller if he was healthy, let alone if he continues to nurse this injury. I would go with a better option off of the bench for this week if you have it.
RB Joique Bell, DET: As you can tell, I am not a fan of starting Lions in this matchup against Wade Phillips' defensive unit. Bell continues to look slow as Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick continue to eat away at his time. This Broncos defense is extremely good and will likely devour Bell all day. He is a hard pass this week.
WR Jeremy Maclin, KC: After an impressive preseason connecting with Alex Smith, people thought that the Chiefs finally found a wide receiver in Maclin that could lead them into the end zone for the first time in more than a year. Well after two weeks, things haven't exactly worked out as planned, as Maclin has averaged only 54.5 yards per contest with no scores. The former Eagle has averaged eight targets per game this season, but as long as those targets come from the right arm of receiver-unfriendly Alex Smith, Maclin's upside will be severely limited. I would pass on him this week against a tough Packers secondary.
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