Game Recaps - Week 3

After another fun-filled roller coaster Sunday in the NFL, we have injuries and huge performances galore.  After 3 weeks, "flukes" are becoming discernible trends. Here are a few observations from a few games. (If you want our take on any game or player that we left out, ask about it in the comments.)


San Francisco (10) vs. Kansas City (31)
I don't know what to say about those 49ers. They were a preseason lock to win the NFC West, but now find themselves in 4th place at 0-3. Frank Gore provided the only serviceable fantasy day and proved that he will get production no matter what. Look for the Niners to make some coaching staff moves this week. There's really nowhere to go but up. I would still buy-low on Crabtree, but only if I could get him for really cheap. He has the most targets of the receivers, but it's more than clear that he is not the breakout WR2 that many thought he would be.

Despite the fact that Jamaal Charles continues to have a higher yards-per-carry than Thomas Jones, Jones continues to get more carries. The Chiefs won't feel pressured to change their gameplan though after an incredible 3-0 start. At this rate, both backs look like they should be started every week. Tight End Tony Moeaki continues to produce. He tied Dwayne Bowe for the most targets today at 5.

Buffalo (30) vs. New England (38)
The Buffalo backfield remains a mystery. Lynch led the RBs in carries with 13. C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson each had 4. If you have to start a Buffalo RB this week, it looks like it has to be Lynch, the surprise darkhorse in this race. I expect C.J. Spiller to have the most value longterm though - he had the highest yards-per-carry (7.3), and showed off his electric style on a kick return TD, and added 3 catches and a receiving TD.

TE Aaron Hernandez led the Patriots in targets (7), receptions (6), and yards (65). He looks to be the real deal and should finish the year as a top 10 TE.

Atlanta (27) vs. New Orleans (24)
Michael Turner-owners should be a little concerned by the fact that Jason Snelling has earned a larger chunk of the carries; they look to be in a 2-to-1 spit. But they can't complain about the numbers at the end of the day as Turner turned in 19 fantasy points.

Marques Colston has seriously disappointed. There are just too many mouths to feed. He can't be considered a top 10 WR. But if his owner in your league thinks he's more of a WR3 than a WR2, you should buy-low. The TDs will come. Pierre Thomas did not explode the way owners wanted him to, following Reggie Bush's injury. But Thomas left the game for a while with his own injury opening the door for Chris Ivory to carry the ball 7 times for just 13 yards. Thomas returned and should be fine. He will be a stud going forward, especially in PPR leagues. Lance Moore picked up some slack like he did in 2008 when Bush was injured. Moore had 7 catches for 149 yards and a TD. He will be inconsistent, but certainly worth owning.


Cincinnati (20) vs. Carolina (7)
Both offenses struggled. Carson Palmer is clearly not the Carson Palmer of old, as he couldn't manage 200 yards against Carolina's burnable secondary. Chad Ochocinco could only catch 4 of his 12 targets.

Jimmy Clausen completed less than half his passes. Steve Smith is so good that he should be fine even with a sub-par QB, but Clausen looks to be worse than sub-par. Steve Smith-owners should hope that Matt Moore is reinstated. I went way out on a limb and recommended sitting Jon Stewart and DeAngelo Williams (for Darren McFadden actually, which worked out quite well.) There just aren't enough carries for either back to live up to their full potential. Both back finished with single digit fantasy points.


Cleveland (17) vs. Baltimore (24)
Finally, the Joe Flacco we've been waiting for has arrived! Flacco posted a beautiful passer rating and 3 TDs, all to Anquan Boldin. Ray Rice owners are probably underwhelmed with his zero TDs. But Rice is getting carries and yards. He just needs a long play and/or some TDs. He has an injury, but all signs are positive so far. He'll get his - hold on tight.

Frickin' Peyton Hillis! We're swallowing our pride and admitting that Jerome Harrison is a bust. He didn't play today due to injury, and Hillis managed 180 yards and a TD against the Ravens. Hillis must be owned in all leagues. If you can manage to hold on to Harrison for one more week to see how he does, do so. But if you need to pick up an RB to start now based on injuries (possibly Tolbert, Torain, Darby, Maurice Morris), you can drop Jerome.


St. Louis (30) vs. Washington (16)
Santana Moss delivered in a big way with 124 yards and a TD. He is in for a great season. Meanwhile, Clinton Portis and Ryan Torain split carries with 7 each. Keiland Williams is only playing on passing downs (and managed 2 catches on 4 targets). Torain is worth consideration, especially in deeper leagues. We'll monitor any coach's announcement and see how the carries are divided next week to determine whether this pattern will continue, or if this is a fluke.

Mark Clayton is the real deal and has delivered WR2 numbers 3 weeks in a row. Steven Jackson left with a groin injury. We'll see the results of his MRI tomorrow. Ken Darby should probably be the top waiver add this week. But don't be too disappointed if you don't get him - he is not that talented, he'll split carries with Keith Toston, and there are rumors that the Rams want to acquire Larry Johnson.

Philadelphia (28) vs. Jacksonville (3)
Michael Vick is insane! This whole offense looked beautiful with all the usual suspects stepping up: Vick, Jackson, Maclin, and Celek. McCoy played well but didn't get a ton of carries; he'll be fine.

On the other side of the ball, Jacksonville looked awful. It sounds crazy, but I think David Garrard might like getting sacked. His O-line didn't protect him but he also held onto the ball too long and was sacked 6 times. This is bad news for Mike Sims-Walker, and MJD because they can't sustain drives or get into the redzone with Garrard playing like this. After watching the game-tape, Garrard should realize that they'll have more success if he dumps it off to MJD more often, so I expect MJD to have a bigger game next week against Indy.


Indianapolis (27) vs. Denver (13)
When Garcon and Collie are both in the line-up it's hard to know which player will step up, but when only one plays, he'll have some serious success. Collie went off for 171 yards and 2 TDs.

With Moreno out, Maroney took over with 12 carries for 24 yards. We'll see how Moreno is progressing, but Maroney should get another start against Tennessee in week 4. You should stay away from that matchup. Kyle Orton is having a big breakout season. But which of his 4 WRs is having a breakout? It looked like Demaryius Thomas would be the guy last week, but he had just 2 catches for 43 yards. Royal also disappointed. But Jabar Gaffney grabbed the ball 12 times for 140 yards, and Brandon Lloyd had 169 yards. Thomas apparently sustained an injury, which we'll monitor. This is a mystery, but I like Thomas and Gaffney to lead the WRs by season's end.