GUENTHNER: Sit or Start -- Week 3

With it being Week 3 and this being the first sit or start article to come out, I hope you’re not 0-2. If you are 0-2 don’t forget, it’s only Week 3. So let’s get right to it with the players you should look to sit or start in Week 3.

Quarterbacks

Start

Matthew Stafford DET vs. ATL – Coming off a mediocre game against the New York Giants, Stafford goes home against the Atlanta Falcons. Last time the Falcons were the away team, they let Mike Glennon of the Bears throw all over them in Week 1. Look for Stafford and his weapons to rebound in Week 3.

Jay Cutler MIA @ NYJ – There isn’t much to be said here but he plays the Jets. Derek Carr just threw four touchdowns against them in Week 2. Cutler should be a guy you’d look to if you have a Jameis Winston, who doesn’t have a good matchup vs. the Vikings. Start your Dolphins.

Carson Palmer vs. DAL – We all love a matchup vs. a team that let Trevor Siemian throw four touchdown passes — the Dallas Cowboys. Palmer hasn’t been the picture of trust this season. But if you are a guy who is waiting for Andrew Luck, Palmer is your guy for at least one more week.

Sit

Jameis Winston @ MIN – Minnesota is a team that, when at home, shuts down any type of offenses. In Week 1, they shut down a first-ballot Hall of Famer in Drew Brees. With Winston still playing catch-up from that Week 1 bye week the Bucs had because of Hurricane Irma, look for him to struggle against a stout Vikings defense.

Tyrod Taylor vs. DEN – Denver’s defense has one of the best, if not THE best, secondary in the NFL. Last year you could run on Denver, which would help Tyrod because he can run very well. This year, Denver has been stout in every asset on the defensive side of the ball which would stop Tyrod from doing anything. Please. Sit. Tyrod.

Running Backs

Start

Todd Gurley LAR @ SFO – The thing you need to know is Gurley is on pace for 80 catches this season. David Johnson had those numbers. If you are looking at Gurley’s usage in a week, he has the floor of a low-end RB1 every week in PPR. Now he gets the 49ers, who allowed 100 yards to rookie Chris Carson from Seattle last week. Start your Gurleys.

Jay Ajayi MIA @ NYJ – First thing, he plays the Jets. If this isn’t enough, people thought it would take Ajayi some time to knock off the Week 1 bye week rust off. It didn’t take him any time to get the hang of things by taking 28 carries for 123 yards on the ground against the LA Chargers. Now he gets the Jets. Look for Ajayi to get lots of work and end as a RB1 this week.

Kareem Hunt KCC @ LAC – As mentioned with Ajayi, Hunt will play the Chargers who allowed Ajayi over 100 yards on the ground. Now they get the wonder kid in Hunt. Hunt has been a week-winning player through two weeks and don’t look for that to stop. Hunt is a lock as your RB1.

Sit

LeSean McCoy BUF vs. DEN – McCoy just came off a game where he couldn’t get anything going vs. the Carolina Panthers, as he could only muster up 13 yards. Now he goes into a matchup vs. the No. 1 defense in the Denver Broncos. The Broncos wouldn’t be a tough matchup in previous seasons, but this year they have been stout against the run. If possible, look to bench McCoy.

All Bengals Running Backs vs. Packers – This isn’t based off matchups because Green Bay doesn’t play the run very well. This is based off the mess the Bengals have at running back. We all know Joe Mixon is the best running back on the team, but that doesn’t mean anything to Marvin Lewis. Give it some time while new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor takes over and see who emerges.

Wide Receivers

Start

JJ Nelson ARI vs. DAL – Dallas’ pass defense has lost a lot of starters in the past two weeks and has also struggled against the pass. Nelson torched the Colts for 120 yards through the air with a touchdown. Look for him to repeat against this weak Dallas defense.

AJ Green CIN vs. GBP – People are worried about the Bengals offense as a whole. Brighter days are ahead for Green and Andy Dalton. They have an extra three days of rest and tape watching to repair what is going on. Green Bay also got man-handled by Julio Jones in Week 2. Look for Dalton to target Green all day on Sunday.

Brandin Cooks NEP vs. HOU – You don’t have to be the prettiest guy in the bar, you just have to be the only guy in the bar. This is true for Cooks. With all the injuries to the Patriots wide receiver corps and to the Houston secondary, look for Cooks to have his best game of the year and finally find the end zone for the first time this year.

Sit

DeAndre Hopkins HOU @ NEP – If there is one thing that the Patriots do well, it’s shutting down one singular player of the opponent. Look for Patriots to shut down Hopkins and let the Texans beat them a different way. Even though Hopkins will get volume, he will also have an inconsistent Week 3.

Any Colts Wide Receivers vs. CLE – You may see Cleveland and this to yourself, “I love this matchup with or without Andrew Luck!”. Well until Luck plays, don’t put your trust in TY Hilton or Donte Moncrief until Luck is in the air.

Tight Ends

Start

Hunter Henry LAC vs. KCC – No Eric Berry. No more chasing the record for Antonio Gates. All systems go for the ultra-talented Henry who had a great comeback game vs. the Dolphins in Week 2.

Austin Hooper ATL vs. DET – We all saw rookie tight end Evan Engram catch four balls and a touchdown on Monday night. The Lions lost rookie linebacker Jarrad Davis to a concussion in Week 2 as well. Things are lining up for Week 1 superstar Mr. Hooper to bounce back and have a good game.

Sit

Charles Clay BUF vs. CAR – With a stout Carolina defense in town they will lock in on Clay in Week 3. The Panthers defense should get to Taylor early and often while Clay is locked down will equal a rough day for the Bills offense in Week 3.

Tyler Eifert CIN @ GBP – This call could be obsolete as the week progresses due to injury and him not playing. In the case if he does play, find another option. The Packers defense did one thing well in Week 2 vs. the Falcons and that was holding Hooper catchless. Don’t be shocked if hobbled Eifert is kept in check for Week 3.


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