2014-2015 Start 'Em Sit 'Em (Week 3)

Start 'Em:

Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears - Cutler has looked extremely impressive so far this year, so you'd expect him to have an absolute field day against the porous Jets' pass defense. Moreover, Cutler's main receiving targets, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, will be further removed from the injuries that they suffered two weeks ago. Simply put, all the stars are aligning for Cutler to have a monstrous game.

Trent Richardson, RB, Indianapolis Colts - For the first time since his rookie season, Richardson looked dominant when carrying the ball, as he was given the ball 21 times and piled up 79 yards. Granted that was against a poor Eagles' rush defense, but this week he gets to go up against an equally bad Jaguars' defense. Some will say that his value is decreased because of the emergence of Ahmad Bradshaw, but, at least for this week, I expect them to be able to coexist.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals - Though he has been extraordinarily disappointing for fantasy owners so far this season, Fitzgerald's number of targets last week should have fantasy owners feeling encouraged. Though I don't expect him to put up a huge amount of yards, the Cardinals have looked to him enough in the red zone this year that a touchdown is clearly coming soon. Keep faith in Fitz this week.

Sit 'Em:

Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers - Kaepernick has been an enigma thus far through the season. He had an extremely impressive opening game against the Cowboys, which he followed up with a 4-turnover game against the Bears. He may have enough fantasy potential to keep him in your starting lineup most weeks, but this week he goes up against a Cardinals defense that is a lot better than the Bears defense (and a whole lot better than the Cowboys defense). If you've got another option at quarterback, I'd recommend letting Kaepernick sit this week out.

Terrance West, RB, Cleveland Browns - After grabbing the Browns starting job and playing well in week one, West was a very popular waiver pickup going into week two. Fantasy owners who started him in week two were awarded for their clever pickup with 68 rushing yards and a touchdown. However, in week three, West will have to go up against a stout Ravens' rush defense that is yet to allow a rushing touchdown this year. I actually have faith that West will be a solid fantasy running back this year, but I don't think he will perform well this week.

Anquan Boldin, WR, San Francisco 49ers - Boldin is a solid wide receiver, there's no doubting that, and he should be a decent WR2 in most league. However, this week everything seems to point to him having a rough game. He will be going up against the Cardinals defense, more specifically, Patrick Peterson, he has had a fairly mellow start to the season, and the 49ers aren't an team that will go out and throw the ball 40 times. Honestly, I'd wait until Boldin finally regains his mojo or has a great matchup until putting him back into your team.

Week 8 Predictions

     Its about time Chris Johnson! Tennessee's speedy running back, the same one who rushed for 2,000 yards several years ago, started off his 2012 campaign very poorly. Though he had his flashes of brilliance, Johnson was unable to score a rushing touchdown, no matter how many yards he gained. Then, in Week 7, Johnson exploded against the Bills defense, rushing for 195 yards and two touchdowns. However, Johnson's extraordinary play was not the only headline we gained from Week 7. Football fans finally got a taste of Houston's dominance in the AFC. The Texans overpowered a very good Ravens team, with a final score of 43-13. Last but not least, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has returned to MVP stature. His six touchdowns against Houston two weeks prior was the beginning of it all, and St. Louis had a difficult time of stopping him as well. Week 8's schedule is not the best we've seen so far, but like always, Sunday's action will be worth tuning in to.

Trent Richardson (USP)

Game to Watch: Falcons @ Eagles: After a bye week kept them from play last Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons are undefeated entering Week 8. Unfortunately for Atlanta fans, their return will not be an easy one. Tomorrow, this high powered offense will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles, a team whose start to the 2012 season has not been exceptional, but they are still a decent enough team to take down Atlanta at home. Apart from his last game, Matt Ryan has increased the quality of his play from last season, so far passing for 1,756 yards, 14 touchdowns, and a passer rating just below 99. His wide receiver corp, consisting of Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Tony Gonzalez, has provided him with many opportunities to gain big yardage. On the contrary, Philadelphia's quarterback Michael Vick has been struggling since his MVP nomination two years ago. Vick has had extreme difficulty maintaing possession, with a whopping fourteen turnovers (8 interceptions, 6 fumbles) through Week 8.  His number two wide receiver in Jeremy Maclin appears to be fully recovered from a hip injury, and along side DeSean Jackson, this corp has the potential to be lethal. Atlanta's defense has the edge over Philly's, but the fact that Atlanta is playing on the road hurts their chances at an undefeated season.
Falcons over Eagles 31-17


Stand Out Performance: QB Peyton Manning: Since his return to the NFL this past season, Peyton Manning has proven he has enough left in the tank. Denver stands atop the AFC West, and their quarterback is the main reason why. Within the past three games, Manning has thrown for 3 touchdowns and over 300 passing yards in each contest. Manning's two favorite targets are Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, neither one appearing to have the athletic edge over the other. His Week 8 opponent will be the struggling Saints defense, where the secondary found in Louisiana has been unable to stop the pass. The Saints defense averages exactly two passing touchdowns a game, along with 319 yards allowed per game. The hot streak seen by Peyton Manning is bound to continue when Denver takes on the Saints at home, and fantasy owners should be more than willing to start this star.
Peyton Manning: 400 passing yards, 4 TDs


Player to Watch: RB Chris Johnson: Fans knew there was trouble after Chris Johnson's first game of the 2012 season, where this once shining star rushed for just 4 yards against New England. The following week he added just 17 yards, and the week after that was 24. Then, Johnson surprised everyone by rushing for 100 hundred yards against the Houston Texans. This performance excited fantasy owners everywhere, but once again he del short with 0 fantasy points the following week. Finally, Johnson was able to put together two very good games back to back, one against Pittsburgh, the other against Buffalo. Last week on the road against Buffalo was by far his best outing of the year. His statistics consisted of 195 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, where one of his scores was an 83 yard run. This roller coaster ride of a season appears to be at its apex, the question is, how long will it last?


Week 8 Predictions:

Buccaneers over Vikings

Bears over Panthers

Chargers over Browns

Seahawks over Lions

Packers over Jaguars

Jets over Dolphins

Falcons over Eagles

Steelers over Redskins

Patriots over Rams

Colts over Titans

Raiders over Chiefs

Giants over Cowboys

Broncos over Saints

49ers over Cardinals (OT)

Last Week: 11-1

2012 Season: 61-40 (60%)