Week 3: Fantasy Studs and Duds

Studs

Melvin Gordon- Well its official the pre season hype that surrounded Gordon was warranted. In the past two weeks he has exceeded expectations and looks to be a focal point of this Chargers offence. Throw in the fact that the Chargers have now lost Danny Woodhead for the season, and this backfield is predominantly Gordon’s to capitalise on. Gordon has a great matchup this week against a Colts defence that so far this season has giving up the most amount of fantasy points to running backs. The Colts defence is struggling across the field, this is particularly obvious in the run game, if you have Gordon he is a must start this week.

Cardinals Wide Receivers- Whilst it is almost impossible to figure out which receiver on this Cardinals offence will emerge as the number one, you can confidently start Fitzgerald, Brown and Floyd this week. The Bills secondary got gashed in prime time against a talented Jets offence. With the Bills giving up 374 yards through the air, this defence is ripe for a more talented Cardinals receiving corps to do damage. The Cards looked very sharp last week against a good Bucs defence, look to see Carson Palmer go to the air again with impunity, constantly testing the weak coverage of the Bills corners.

Matt Ryan- Ryan has been on fire to start the season, look for this to continue this week. Ryan takes on a Saints defence that can’t stop anyone at the moment. Whilst the Giants didn’t exploit a favourable matchup last week, both ODB and Sheppard could have had touchdowns but let opportunity pass them by. Don’t expect this to occur this week, with Ryan and Julio Jones playing the Saints under the dome in New Orleans, they may post upwards of 30 plus on this porous Saints secondary. (Sanu is also a great play this week, look for him to exploit one on one coverage deep)

Delanie Walker- Walker had a slow start to the season, only posting 42 yards in week one. Yet he was back to fantasy relevance last week, with a big game against Detroit, catching a touch down and going for 83 receiving yards. I expect this, and more this coming week, he is playing the Raiders who can’t cover any tight ends who play them at the moment. With Jacob Tamme gashing them repeatedly last week, Walker is a more talented tight end and should exploit a very favourable matchup. I could see Walker going over 100 receiving yards and a touch down.

Miami Defense- Whilst Miami didn’t replicate the disruption they caused in week one against the Hawks, they still posted a respectable stat line against a very strong Patriots team in Foxboro. This week the Dolphins stout defensive front gets to snack on the Browns third string rookie quarter back, with Josh McCown missing at least two weeks, the Browns are having to start Cody Kessler. Whilst Kessler may end up being a productive quarter back in this league, do not expect it this week against Ndamukong Suh and Mario Williams. A great play if you are streaming defences currently.

Sleeper- Travis Benjamin- Benjamin went off last week, look for this trend to continue. Playing a Colts secondary that at one-point last week was down to its fifth corner back, this defence is struggling with injuries. Look for Rivers and the Chargers offence to exploit a glaring weakness. Benjamin is now the primary option for Rivers and is a must own in all formats.

Duds

Sammy Watkins- For the second week in a row Watkins features in this column. Last week he proved me right, posting a measly 20 yards against a Jets secondary that was there to be capitalised upon. Something doesn’t look right when watching Watkins, either his foot is hurting him more than initially reported, or he is carrying another injury. He doesn’t have the explosive ability that makes him such a great fantasy option. Don’t look for this to change, going up against a stingy Cardinals secondary, he wont find much open space. The Cards looked fantastic last week shutting down a very good Bucs receiving group, Patrick Peterson may hold Watkins to zero catches this week. Bench Watkins for the foreseeable future, until the foot issue is resolved.

AJ Green- Green started off the season dominating Revis and the Jets defence. Yet came back down to earth last week against a very capable Steelers defence, catching only 38 receiving yards. This week he goes up against one of, if not the best secondary in football, in the Denver Broncos. The Broncos last week shut down the Colts and their receivers, making any catch contested and difficult to come down with. Whilst you may have to start Green due to the high price you paid for him in the draft, don’t expect big numbers. If you have the depth I would consider benching him this week.

Gary Barnidge- Whilst Barnidge did get a few more looks in week 2, this was due to this chemistry with Josh McCown being back. As noted previously McCown is now out for a number of weeks, almost making Barnidge an automatic bench. Barnidge has not looked good at all this season, and will continue to struggle in an offence that will look to run the ball more.

Stefon Diggs- Whilst Diggs has been lights out to start the season, temper expectations. Diggs has posted over 100 yards in his first two games, yet this week takes on a Panthers defense that will pressure the quarter back and seek to limit Diggs. The Vikings have also lost Adrian Peterson for a number of weeks, therefore defenses do not have to stack the box to stop Peterson. Look to see the Panthers roll double coverage Digg’s way and limit his involvement. Whilst he still may have a few catches, don’t expect him to go over 100 yards again.

Carlos Hyde- Hyde started the season off with so much hope, yet as we feared when this Niners offence gets behind, they forget about Hyde. Hyde is ultra talented, yet is stuck on a sub par offence. Coming off a hiding against the Panthers, the schedule does not get any easier, with the Niners having to go to Seattle to play the Seahawks. The hawks completely shut down Gurley last week, look for Hyde to have another tough game against a stout run defense.

Matt Jones- This Redskins backfield is a mess, yet Jones did score a touch down last week and run 60 yards. Look for him to find it harder against the Giants and their run defense. The Giants defense is vastly improved from last season. With the addition of Damon Harrison to go with Johnathan Hankins, teams have been struggling to find room to run. Look for this trend to continue, a vastly improved Giants defensive line will create all kinds of pressure against the Skins and their ability to run the ball will be compromised.