Week 3: Game Previews
If your players didn't perform in Week One of the NFL season it was no reason to take drastic action. If they didn't perform in Week Two, certainly you could start to question their importance to your team. If they fail again this week, it is time to call in the construction guys and make some major renovations to your team.
A reminder about this column: skill players are divided into these four categories:
Must start: If you have certain players on your team - LaDainian, Peyton, Chad the Mouth - they should be in your starting lineup no matter the matchup.
Favorable situation: These players are not guarantees week after week, or are to be considered as No. 2 or No. 3 options. They will be in your lineup more often once the bye weeks roll around, unless the opponent is just too formidable.
Unfavorable situation: Sometimes even above-average players will be placed in this category if they are going against a strong defense. Injury or weather could also cause a player to slip into this category.
Don't start: This one pretty much is easy enough to figure out, yes?
Miami at N.Y. Jets
Not a lot going on in this one, fantasy-wise, although it seems that every so often this matchup gives us a doozy of a game. Both teams are 0-2 and need a win to stay upright in the wild-card chase. (You don't think any team other than New England is going to win the AFC East, do you?) The Jets' players get a slight edge for our purposes.
Miami
Must start: None
Favorable situation: Chris Chambers hasn't scored, but he is averaging eight receptions and 100 yards.
Unfavorable situation: Ronnie Brown is averaging just three yards per carry.
Don't start: Any other players
N.Y. Jets
Must start: None
Favorable situation: Thomas Jones has been quiet so far this season, but Miami is giving up 178.5 yards per game on the ground; Jerricho Cotchery; Laveranues Coles
Unfavorable situation: Chad Pennington is slated to start but ankle injuries are tricky to heal; Kellen Clemens has done well in relief, but is not spectacular.
Don't start: Any other players
San Diego at Green Bay
This is the week that LaDainian Tomlinson gets off the schneid. Maybe. The Packers defense is holding opponents to under 100 yards rushing per game, but LT is still a must-start. Which Chargers defense will show up - the one that dominated Chicago or the one that played "Ole!" against the Patriots?
San Diego
Must start: Tomlinson; Antonio Gates
Favorable situation: Vincent Jackson could benefit from the fact that Green Bay will be zeroed in on the running game so much.
Unfavorable situation: Philip Rivers has a great completion percentage, but he is averaging just nine yards per completion.
Don't start: Any other players
Green Bay
Must start: Donald Driver
Favorable situation: Brett Favre - San Diego can still stop the run, which will force Favre to attack through the air.
Unfavorable situation: Green Bay's running backs, including this week's waiver wire darling, DeShawn Wynn
Don't start: Any other players
San Francisco at Pittsburgh
The Steelers have allowed 10 points and 444 total yards so far. The 49ers have gained just 380 yards in their two wins.
San Francisco
Must start: Despite a formidable Steelers defense, Frank Gore is the focal point of the San Fran offense and is a must start.
Favorable situation: None
Unfavorable situation: Alex Smith isn't using Vernon Davis enough and you can't rely on either player in this game; same goes for Darrell Jackson.
Don't start: Any other players
Pittsburgh
Must start: Willie Parker; Hines Ward
Favorable situation: Ben Roethlisberger; Santonio Holmes; Heath Miller
Unfavorable situation: None
Don't start: All other players
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