Cam Newton and Steve Smith proved that their Week 1 explosion was no fluke. Newton’s cannon arm is a great fit for the speedy Smith. Look for numerous connections between them this year. LeGarrette Blount got back on track last week with a strong 2 TD performance. Luke McCown was dragging down the Jacksonville passing game (see last week’s stats), but has been replaced by 1st round pick Blaine Gabbert. I expect the Jacksonville offense to get on track this week. Week 3 Studs & Duds, here we go.
Studs
Quarterback
1. Matt Hasselbeck – Tennessee Titans
Hasselbeck is off to a strong start this season with over 600 passing yards so far. Young and explosive Kenny Britt is taking advantage of finally having an accurate quarterback throwing to him. Britt and Hasselbeck’s fast start won’t slow down any versus the anemic Denver passing defense. This Denver secondary will be even worse if Champ Bailey misses the game. 300 yards and two TDs are expected.
Running Back
1. Frank Gore – San Francisco 49ers
Gore is off to a slow start this season, but should get on track versus an average at best Cincinnati defense. Add a surprisingly decent 2011 season for Alex Smith thus far and Gore should face less stacked boxes this week. Gore should eclipse the century mark in rushing yards and find pay dirt once or twice.
2. Maurice Jones-Drew – Jacksonville Jaguars
MJD gets to face off with a Carolina defense who gave up 5.9 YPC to the Green Bay Packers. The GB backfield does not contain the most intimidating running backs. Expect MJD to run wild and help make Gabbert a winner in his first career start. Like Gore, MJD should eclipse the century mark and chip in one or two TDs.
Wide Receiver
1. Brandon Marshall – Miami Dolphis
The Dolphins may be 0-2, but it is not the fault of Marshall and the Miami offense. Miami has been passing the ball with ease and should continue to do so against an average Cleveland defense. Marshall should get around eight receptions for 120 yards and a TD in leading the Dolphins to their first win of the season.
2. A.J. Green – Cincinnati Bengals
Last week we watched Miles Austin light up SF. This week it will be Green. Green is coming off a monster game last week and should continue his tear against a banged up San Francisco secondary. Anything less than 100 yards and a TD this week would be a major disappointment for the explosive Green in such a favorable matchup.
Tight End
1. Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers
Last week Gates was held without a catch against a New England defense that was keying on him. This week he gets arguably the worst defense in the league. There is nobody on the KC defense who is capable of slowing down Gates. Look for a big bounce back game from him this week in a blowout win for the Chagers. Eight receptions for 140 yards and one or two TDs are expected.
Defense
1. San Diego Chargers
A hungry SD defense looks get on track this week and faces the perfect opponent to help them accomplish this goal. This week they play the struggling Kansas City Chiefs, who will be without their star player Jamaal Charles. SD should have no problem forcing multiple turnovers from the KC offense and there is shutout potential here.
Duds
Quarterback
1. Matt Cassel – Kansas City Chiefs
As stated above the SD defense is looking to step up and play well. Cassel will be the casualty of those efforts. Multiple turnovers from Cassel are expected and there is a distinct possibility that he will fail to throw a single TD. Bench him.
Running Back
1. Joseph Addai – Indianapolis Colts
Addai goes against last year’s top defense against the run. The Steelers are 1-1 and coming off a shut out of the Seattle Seahawks. It’s quite possible that the Steelers will get back to back shutouts. With Collins struggling at QB for the Colts, the Steelers will focus on stopping the run. Addai will fail to reach 60 yards and won’t get near the endzone.
2. Darren McFadden – Oakland Raiders
Run DMC faces off with the stout NY Jets defense this week. They shut down the Jacksonville offense last week and should do the same versus the Raiders this week. Look for plenty of eight men in the box to prevent DMC from beating them. DMC will get his points, but they will be far less than his first two weeks. Expect 80 total yards and no scores.
Wide Receiver
1. Steve Johnson – Buffalo Bills
If there is one coach who knows how to take a star player out of the game it’s Bill Bellicheck. Last week NE held Antonio Gates without a catch. Johnson is the star player for the Bills and a huge reason for their early season success. Look for NE to focus on shutting him down by utilizing lock down corner McCourty and safety help. Should be a long day for Johnson. Look for 60 yards and no scores
2. Greg Jennings – Green Bay Packers
Jennings travels to Chicago to play a tough Bears defense this week. Look for the Bears to key on stopping Jennings. This game should be far lower scoring than the first two for the Packers. Rodgers is too good to stop altogether, which will prevent Jennings from being a complete dud. However, his stats will be underwhelming. 50 yards and no scores will be the end result for Jennings this week.
Tight End
1. Lance Kendricks – St. Louis Rams
Kendricks faces off with one of the best LB corps in the league, Baltimore. Add in the fact that the Ravens are coming off a loss and you have a bleak outlook for the young TE this week. Kendricks’ week will probably be around three receptions for thirty yards and zero TDs. Find a better option this week.
Defense
1. Denver Broncos
Denver plays at Tennessee this week and will have a tough day. They will have no answers for the Hasselbeck to Britt connection. Hasselbeck should exceed 300 passing yards with ease. And, oh yeah, they have a decent running back in Chris Johnson. You would be better off leaving your defensive slot empty than starting the Broncos defense this week.
By Nick Domanico, Co-Founder of fantasy football website, www.fsfans.com.