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Rotoballer.com's Week 3 NFL matchups and fantasy football analysis by Lou Cappetta. We bring you comprehensive Monday night fantasy football advice so you can set your lineup with confidence .
Welcome to RotoBaller.com's second installment of our Sunday matchups and sit/start advice. Starting this week, we will be bringing you our match-up advice every day from Thursday through Sunday. The Thursday and Monday night games will be posted Thursday and Sunday morning , respectively, while the Sunday games will be posted in two parts on Friday and Saturday.
Now on to the rest of the Sunday match-ups.
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Green Bay Packers @ Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday 9/22, 1PM
Matchup We Love: Andy Dalton, QB
The Packers' offense has been clicking, and Aaron Rodgers has been playing at an MVP level these first two weeks of the season, but lost in the beatdown they put on the Washington Redskins last week was the fact that they gave up another terrific day to an opposing QB, when RG3 threw for 320 yards and three scores a week after Colin Kaepernick wen off for 412 yards and three TDs of his own. The Packers' defense currently ranks 30th in the league, and while Andy Dalton is no RG3 or Colin Kaepernick, he's a quality NFL QB who has AJ Green to throw to.
Analysis: If you have a guy like Eli Manning or Ben Roethlisberger as your QB and Dalton is available, grab him for this week. If you own him as a back-up, and have a less-than-favorable matchup, go ahead and start him.
Matchup We Hate: Bengals' DEF
The Bengals' defense is a very solid, quality defense. With that said, you'd probably be better off not using them this week and picking up a defense who doesn't have to face Aaron Rodgers. Only Michael Vick and Peyton Manning have totaled more fantasy points at the QB position so far this year, and no matter how good of a defense he faces, Rodgers still gets his number... just ask the Niners.
Analysis: Sit the Bengals DEF this week and look for a better match-up on waivers.
Key Injuries: Jermichael Finley TE, GB (probable), GIovani Bernard RB, CIN (probable)
Start 'Em: AJ Green, Andy Dalton, Giovanni Bernard, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Aaron Rodgers, James Starks, Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, Jermichael Finley, James Jones
San Francisco 49ers @ Indianapolis Colts, Sunday 9/22 1PM
Matchup We Love: Anquan Boldin, WR
The Colts' defense is average at best, and they've given up a score to their opponent's No. 1 wideout in each of the first two weeks so far. Boldin is not going to come near what he did in week one, but he, and QB Colin Kaepernick will definitely be making up for the stinkers they threw out against Seattle in week two. Expect a solid day from Boldin.
Analysis: Anquan Boldin makes for a nice WR2 or flex option this week. Start him.
Matchup We Hate: Trent Richardson, RB
Going forward, I really like the situation that Trent Richardson is now in after he was traded to the Colts, but football is such an intricate game of schemes and patterns that I just can't see Richardson having a huge impact until he gets a little more familiar with his new surroundings, especially against a stout defense like San Fran.
Analysis: If you're deep at RB, you may want to look elsewhere. It's understandable if you don't want to bench your first-round pick, just be sure to temper your expectations this week.
Key Injuries: TY Hilton WR, IND (questionable), Reggie Wayne WR, IND (probable), LaRon LAndry S, IND (out), Darius Heyward-Bey WR, IND (probable), Aldon Smith LB, SF (probable)
Start 'Em: Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Anquan Boldin, Vernon Davis, Andrew Luck, Reggie Wayne, Trent Richardson, TY Hilton, Coby Fleener
St. Louis Rams @ Dallas Cowboys, Sunday 9/22, 1PM
Matchup We Love: Sam Bradford, QB
One of the reasons many experts say to wait to draft a QB in fantasy football is because the position tends to be very deep, and most leagues require only one starting quarterback. If the first two weeks of the 2013 NFL season has shown us anything, it's that waiting on a QB can pay huge dividends. Of the ten highest-scoring QBs so far this year, seven of them had ADPs of over 100, putting them in the ninth round or later. One of those QBs is Sam Bradford, who very quietly has put up the fifth-most fantasy points to date at the position. The Cowboys' defense ranks in the lower half of the league defending against the pass this year, meaning that Bradford will probably keep his hot streak going.
Analysis: Much like with Dalton and Rivers, Bradford makes for a great spot start for anyone with QB issues. Start him.
Matchup We Hate: Tony Romo, QB
As a Giants fan, I've watched Tony Romo look like an All-Pro QB one game, and an average turnover-passer in the next, and it all revolves around how much pressure you can put on him. When the Giants' pass rush works, I've watched my team pressure the Cowboys' QB into poor throws and turnovers, and when it doesn't-- like in Week One of this season, Romo is able to put up huge numbers. So far, the Rams have looked a lot like the Giants have over the past few years. Their pass rushers are young and dominant, as they proved when they knocked around Carson Palmer in Week One, but when they don't get to the quarterback, it leaves their suspect secondary vulnerable to a beatdown, like it did when Matt Ryan picked them apart last week. The Cowboys offensive line is improved, but I'm still not sold that they'll be able to keep the St. Louis front line off of Romo consistently. If they get to him, and I think they will, Romo could have a long day.
Analysis: Starting Romo all revolves around how you feel about the St. Louis pass rush. I'd sit him in favor of a guy like Andy Dalton or Phillip Rivers if they're available in your league.
Key Injuries: Morris Claiborne CB, DAL (probable), DeMarcus Ware DE, DAL (probable), Daryl Richardson RB, STL (probable), Chris Long DE, STL (probable)
Start 'Em: DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Tony Romo, Miles Austin, Sam Bradford, Daryl Richardson, Jared Cook, Chris Givens, Rams DEF
Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints, Sunday 9/22, 1PM
Matchup We Love: Darren Sproles, RB
Despite a huge day by Jimmy Graham, Drew Brees was held to around 13 fantasy points against a very tough Tampa Bay secondary. This week, Brees meets another tough secondary with the Cardinals coming into the Big Easy. Brees will probably score more this week, but you can expect a lot of passes to Jimmy Graham and probably short stuff to running back Darren Sproles. Graham will certainly garner the majority of the Arizona defense's attention, meaning Sproles may be able to fly under the radar a bit and put up very solid RB2 numbers.
Analysis: Darren Sproles has become a must-start player, especially in PPR formats.
Matchup We Hate: Cardinals' DEF
All that nice stuff I said above about the Cardinals secondary is true, but it still doesn't mean I feel comfortable starting the Arizona defense against the Saints in New Orleans. There are most certainly better matchups on your waiver wire.
Analysis: If you have the Arizona D, scour your waiver wire for a better match-up.
Key Injuries: Mark Ingram RB, NO (questionable), Marques Colston WR, NO (probable), Rashard Mendenhall RB, AZ (questionable)
Start 'Em: Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Jimmy Graham, Mark Ingram, Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, Rashard Mendenhall
San Diego Chargers @ Tennessee Titans, Sunday 9/22, 1 PM
Matchup We Love: Chris Johnson, RB
I'm not a huge Chris Johnson guy when it comes to fantasy football. I don't like his supporting cast, he's no longer a huge part of the passing game, and he puts up too many duds for a top running back. Still, CJ2K is more than capable of having a big game, and in a matchup against a Chargers' defense that has allowed almost 170 yards from scrimmage to starting rushers this year, and it's easy to like CJ2K in Tennessee on Sunday.
Analysis: Start Chris Johnson with confidence.
Matchup We Hate: Kenny Britt, WR
I was big on Kenny Britt as a breakout candidate going into this year, but after his benching last week for lack of hustle and poor blocking, I'm officially off the Kenny Britt bandwagon. Despite an enormous amount of talent, it's obvious now that he's not going to be able to make it work in Tennessee. He's not a starter except in deeper leagues until something on that offense changes.
Analysis: Don't drop Britt yet, but don't start him unless you're in a very deep league.
Key Injuries: Malcom Floyd WR, SD (out), Eddie Royal WR, SD (probable), Kendall Wright WR, TEN (probable)
Start 'Em: Chris Johnson, Titans DEF, Phillip Rivers, Ryan Mathews, Antonio Gates, Eddie Royal, Vincent Brown
Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens, Sunday 9/22, 1PM
Matchup We Love: Torrey Smith, WR
With Ray Rice banged up, Bernard Pearce will take his place at halfback. He's a very capable replacement, but he's still no Ray Rice. That means that Joe Flacco will probably have to throw the ball more than usual, which will greatly benefit the Ravens' receivers, especially number one option Torrey Smith. The Texans' defense has been solid, but still has given up 26 points per game, giving us another reason to love Smith this week.
Analysis: Torrey Smith makes for a nice WR2 or flex option this week.
Matchup We Hate: Ravens' DEF
I never thought I'd say this, but you can probably find a better defensive matchup on your waiver wire, especially when you think about what the Ravens have this week. No longer is the defensive unit of the Ravens an automatic start, and after seeing what the Broncos did to them in Week One, I'm not comfortable starting them against a team that has so many offensive weapons.
Analysis: Start the Ravens' DEF if you must, but a defense like that of the Jets or Bills may be a better option and could well still be available on your league's waiver wire.
Key Injuries: Ray Rice RB, BAL (doubtful)
Start 'Em: Joe Flacco, Torrey Smith, Bernard Pearce,
Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, Owen Daniels, Ben Tate, Texans DEF, Matt Schaub
