Contents
START ‘EM
QUARTERBACKS
Jay Cutler (at NYJ) – Cutler has been pumping out Fantasy Points and is currently ranked 3rd amongst Fantasy Scoring for QBs. Cutler will line up against a Jets Defense who yielded 346 Passing Yards and 3 TDs to Aaron Rodgers in Week 2. Look for the trend to continue this week and he should be cemented in as your Fantasy Quarterback. PS – Check out Jay Cutler’s Playoff Schedule – At Home vs. DAL, NOLA and DET.
Tom Brady (vs. OAK) – Brady has been nothing short of awful to start the season, but we expect a bounce-back effort as they host the Oakland Raiders in their home opener. On the outside looking in, the Raiders Pass Defense looks fine statistically, however they have defended Derek Carr and Geno Smith in Weeks 1 and 2. The emergence of Steven Ridley and Shane Vereen will open the passing game up and Aaron Dobson returning to action will also create more space for a better aerial attack. Unless you have another electric option at the position, we would stand firm here with Brady and place him into your starting lineups for Week 3. See below for some behind-the-scenes footage of “You Mad Bro?!?”
Andrew Luck (at JAX) – Luck is currently tied with Peyton Manning in Fantasy Scoring for QBs on the season. So far this season, the Jaguars have given up 75 Points – 34 Points to PHI and 41 Points to WAS (Who lost both DeSean Jackson and RGIII in the game). With the two-headed running attack of Ahmad Bradshaw and Trent Richardson, look for the Luck to have his way with the Jacksonville Defense and spread the ball around to his WR Corps. Expect that Jacksonville Point Allowed Total to continue to rise. Andrew Luck is a preferred start in Week 3.
RUNNING BACKS
Giovani Bernard (vs. TEN) – Through 2 Games, Giovani Bernard has been everything that Hue Jackson touted him to be this pre-season. Last week, Bernard piled up 169 Total Yards (90 Rushing Yards & 79 Receiving Yards on 5 Receptions) and a TD vs. ATL. His Week 1 number replicate fairly closely and it’s evident that he will continue to pour on the stats in both the rushing and receiving game. Last week, Tennessee was gashed by Demarco Murray and the Cowboys for 220 Rushing Yards. Jeremy Hill is becoming prominent in the Cincy Attack, however expect more ground and pound this week – especially with AJ Green missing.
Knile Davis (at MIA) – The running dependent scheme will continue to dominate the play calling for Kansas City in Week 3. Davis racked up 79 Rushing Yards, 26 Receiving Yards, 6 Receptions on 9 Targets and 2 Rushing TDs. Read that stat-line again and you will realize both the all purpose ability and trust that the Chiefs Coaching Staff has in Davis. The injuries in Miami are racking up with the most noteworthy defensive asset being Randy Starks. Davis is primed for another stellar performance and in other words … Knile Davis is a “Straight-Shooter with Upper-Management written all over him!” As Charles practiced today, be sure to keep tabs on @LegionReport for breaking news leading up to this situation on Sunday.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Brian Quick (vs. DAL) – Quick has rapidly emerged as the go-to option in STL. Through two weeks, he has 14 Receptions, 173 Yards and 18 Targets. The TDs will be far and few between, but we consider Quick a solid option for PPR Leagues this week and feel that his consistency will continue against a JV Dallas Cowboys Defense.
Andre Johnson (at NYG) – Johnson hasn’t done anything stellar to this point, however the level of consistency shown in receptions, targets and receiving yards makes him a solid start in Week 3 against a suspect Giants team. The Giants have had issues guarding upper tier wideouts and we expect a +70 Yard and 1 TD performance to come from Andre Johnson in Week 3.
Keenan Allen (at BUF) – Allen has survived the two toughest opponents of the season (ARIZ & SEA). He has another tough matchup in Week 3 vs. CB – Stephon Gilmore, however through the first two weeks, WR1s have exposed BUF for TDs in each game (Marshall & Wallace). Expect a solid game here, not spectacular, but solid.
Cordarrelle Patterson (at NOLA) – Guess What … Legion Report has a FEVER … And the only prescription is more CORDARRELLE! Simply put, New Orleans was absolutely lit up by Atlanta in Week 1 for 568 Yards and Cleveland put it to them again in Week 2. We expect a bounce-back performance by the Saints in Week 3 at Home, however Cordarrelle Patterson should shine as the lone bright spot for the Minnesota Offense. We expect this to be a offensive onslaught by Brees and Co. and the might Vikings will be playing catch-up all game.
TIGHT ENDS
Larry Donnell (vs. HOU) – Luckily this whole Derek Jeter retiring thing has possibly hit a soft spot for Giants Fans and they haven’t initiated a “Ku de Tah” and raided the castle in Giants Land. The offensive line is terrible, the new offensive scheme is garbage and the Wide Receiver play is over-rated. So far … Victor Cruz has 16 Targets on the season with 7 Receptions and 5 Drops. Larry Donnell has emerged to become the most trusted receiving option for Eli Manning as he has grabbed 12 Receptions on 17 Targets for 137 Yards and a TD. Donnell will continue to fill the offensive void in New York and will gain more trust with Fantasy Owners as the weeks progress.
Greg Olsen (vs. PIT) – Olsen is off to a “White-Hot” start in 2014 and has already racked up 155 Yards, 14 Receptions on 19 Targets with a TD. Consider Olsen a top starting option going forward and a plus-plus matchup for Week 3 vs. PIT. Pittsburg has allowed 13.40 Fantasy Points to opposing TEs. If you have Greg Olsen as your Tight End, you should “Feel 10 Feet Tall right now and Strong as an Ox!”
DEFENSE
New England (vs. OAK) – The Pats absolutely feasted on Minnesota last week and it should be expected around the Fantasy Football Universe that the same will happen in Week 3 vs. Oakland. New England kicks off their season opener and are coming off a game where they absolutely destroyed their opponent. The anemic offense of Oakland and Rookie QB is a recipe for disaster and if you are a Pats Defense Owner, you should be licking your chops!
Houston Texans (at NYG) – This is a simple formula. Look at the matchup and look at the teams deficiencies. Not much explaining here, but it’s going to be exciting to watch how the offensive line will attempt to handle JJ Watt … Nuff Said!
SIT ‘EM
QUARTERBACKS
Andy Dalton (vs. TEN) – Dalton only has 2 TDs on the season and things shouldn’t get any easier with AJ Green out until Week 5. Bernard has been explosive and with Jeremy Hill becoming more involved, look for Hue Jackson to continue pounding the football. This one should be pretty self-explanatory as CINCY will lean on the ground game this week with AJ Green out.
Ben Roethlisberger (at CAR) – Leave your “Terrible Towel” in the Basement this week as Big Ben and the Steelers square off against one of the top Defenses in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers limited the offensive juggernaut of Detroit to 7 Points in last weeks romp. Both the receiving and rushing game of Detroit turned in dismal performances and the same should be expected for Pitt as they travel to the Bible Belt this weekend.
RUNNING BACKS
Toby Gerhart (vs. INDI) – Gerhart is off to a slow start this season and is slightly banged up. The matchup is favorable, however there is more in the details as most of INDIs exposure is to RBs of receiving stature. Gerhart is a grinder and we expect JAX to be down from the get-go in this one. He’s a risky play and hopefully fantasy owners have other options on their bench.
Steven Jackson (vs. TB) – Jackson is part of a crowded backfield in ATL and is seeing less and less action in a pass heavy option. In Week 1, Jackson ran for 52 Yards on 12 Attempts. In Week 2, he rushed for 46 Yards on 11 Attempts. Jackson may sprinkle in a TD every so often, however we don’t recommend his low ceiling performance for Week 3.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Victor Cruz (vs. HOU) – Cruz is now up to 5 Drops on the season and has been dropped in the pecking order behind Larry Donnell. The offense is a mess and the new offensive scheme is not complimentary to Cruz or Randle’s style of play. Not sure what’s going on in New York, but I don’t want any part of it. As Gordon Gekko would say, “It’s a Dog with Fleas!”
Torrey Smith (at CLE) – Torrey Smith … Insert Jimmy Fallon “Eww” Here! Smith has been atrocious this season and is as cold as it gets for a Number 1 option. Last week, Smith crushed fantasy owners for only 1 Reception and 10 Yards. Things don’t get easier this week for Smith with Joe Haden on the opposite side. He will see another tough week ahead in Week 4, however things should lighten up before that.
James Jones (at NE) – Jones has emerged as the Number 1 option in Oakland and has scored TDs in consecutive performances. His Targets will consistently be there as the team will trail in all/most games. We expect the Rookie QB to steer away from Revis this Sunday, making Jones a less than favorable option. Look elsewhere this week.
TIGHT ENDS
Heath Miller (at CAR) – There a two TEs in the NFL that the Fantasy Community is anxiously awaiting their debut – Kyle Rudolph and Heath Miller. Last season, Carolina was susceptible to the TE, however until both produce, we would keep both on the pine.
DEFENSE
Pittsburgh Steelers (at CAR) – Pittsburgh has given up 53 Points so far this season (27 – CLE & 26 – BAL). Both of which are less than high octane offenses and they should get a tougher test in Week 3, both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. There are better options out there in Week 3 and we recommend you take them this time around and going forward. That said, seriously look at the San Diego Chargers Defense and their light upcoming schedule.
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