Rogers’ Report – Week 3
Coming to you LIVE from Hermosa Beach, the Rogers’ Report will feature fantasy football information ranging from ‘starts’ and ‘sits’ to player rankings. Let’s get into our Week 3 content:
Starts:
David Garrard (QB) vs. Houston Texans (#22 in passing yards allowed) – Garrard bounced back from a poor Week 1 performance with 282 yards and 2 TDS vs. the Cardinals last week. This week, he’ll face a struggling Texans pass defense that has allowed 240.5 yards per game in 2009. Expect the Jags to play from behind and for Garrard to throw most of the second half – 225 yards and 2 scores is a safe bet.
Tim Hightower (RB) vs. Indianapolis Colts (#30 in rushing yards allowed) –The Colts defense is still exhausted from being on the field for nearly 45 minutes last week against the Dolphins. They come into this Week 3 match-up with the Cardinals allowing 176.5 yards and 1.5 touchdowns on the ground per game. While Tim Hightower hasn’t exactly been Adrian Peterson-like after two weeks, he’ll get a favorable match-up on Sunday night. Combine that with Kurt Warner checking down to Hightower in the passing game and look for Timmy to finish in the top 10 overall in fantasy points this week (PPR leagues).
Willis McGahee (RB) vs. Cleveland Browns (#31 in rushing yards allowed) –Ray Rice got the preseason hype, but it’s McGahee who’s leading the way in the Ravens backfield. He already has 4 TD’s and 164 combined rushing/receiving yards. Not bad for a guy that wasn’t even drafted in most 10 team leagues. Against Cleveland, McGahee should approach 100 yards rushing and steal another TD away from Rice owners.
Sits:
Thomas Jones (RB) vs. Tennessee Titans (#2 in rushing yards allowed) –Thomas Jones comes into this AFC showdown in a 50/50 timeshare with Leon Washington. Jones has been solid so far this year averaging 4.7 yards behind the strong offensive line play of Nick Mangold and company. The Titans though, even with the loss of Fat Albert, have been lights out against the run. Teams are only averaging of 49.5 yards per game with a ridiculous 1.9 yards per carry allowed. If you have Leon Washington as TJ’s handcuff, he is the much smarter play here because of his receiving skills. Keep Jones on your bench this week.
Joseph Addai (RB) vs. Arizona Cardinals (#5 in rushing yards allowed) –At age 26, it already looks as if Joseph Addai has lost a step. His paltry 3.2 yards per carry after the first two weeks of the season only proves the fact that we could be looking at a 50/50 timeshare in Indy with Addai and rookie Donald Brown. Not a favorable match-up this week for Addai against a Cardinals defense that has only allowed 56.2 yards per game on the ground. If you had thoughts of going with Addai this weekend, proceed with caution.
Roy Williams (WR) vs. Carolina Panthers (#2 in pass yards allowed) –Roy E. is the model of inconsistency. He goes for 86 yards and a TD in Week 1 against the Bucs, but then follows that performance up with one catch against the Giants last week. On Monday night, the Cowboys take on a Carolina Panthers defense that my 1994 JV football team could run on. Dallas would be crazy to do anything outside run the ball with Jones, Choice and Barber (if healthy). Leave Roy on the bench until he proves he can show up in consecutive weeks.
Free Agent Play of the Week:
Mario Manningham (WR) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (#27 in passing yards allowed) –Super Mario exploded onto the scene last week with a monster game vs. the Cowboys. This week he’ll take on a Buccaneers secondary that hasn’t been able to stop anyone through the air, allowing 291 yards and 2.5 TD’s per game. If Manningham is still a free agent in your league, do yourself a big favor – pick him up and start him this week as your #3 WR or flex.
Big Balla’ Bust of the Week:
Chris Johnson (RB) vs. New York Jets (#6 in rushing yards allowed) – What haven’t the Jets done right defensively so far this year? Rex Ryan is the real deal and has the Jets maximizing their defensive talent without one of their top players in Calvin Pace (suspension). So far, NYJ has shut down the high octane Texans and Patriots and have yet to allow an offensive touchdown in 2009. Chris Johnson, coming off a career game last week, will succumb to a similar fate as the Jets will load the box with 8 defenders. Look for no more than 50 yards total for CJ this week.
Top 10 QB’s:
1. Drew Brees vs. Buffalo Bills
2. Philip Rivers vs. Miami Dolphins
3. Tom Brady vs. Atlanta Falcons
4. Aaron Rodgers vs. St. Louis Rams
5. Peyton Manning vs. Arizona Cardinals
6. Matt Schaub vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
7. Tony Romo vs. Carolina Panthers
8. Eli Manning vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Matt Ryan vs. New England Patriots
10. Ben Roethlisberger vs Cincinnati Bengals
Top 10 RB’s (PPR):
1. Maurice Jones Drew vs. Houston Texans
2. Matt Forte vs. Seattle Seahawks
3. DeAngelo Williams vs. Dallas Cowboys
4. Steven Jackson vs. Green Bay Packers
5. Fred Jackson vs. New Orleans Saints
6. Adrian Peterson vs. San Francisco 49ers
7. Ryan Grant vs. St. Louis Rams
8. Kevin Smith vs. Washington Redskins
9. Frank Gore vs. Minnesota Vikings
10. Darren Sproles vs. Miami Dolphins
Top 10 WR’s (PPR):
1. Randy Moss vs. Atlanta Falcons
2. Steve Smith vs. Dallas Cowboys
3. Larry Fitzgerald vs. Indianapolis Colts
4. Andre Johnson vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Marques Colston vs. Buffalo Bills
6. Vincent Jackson vs. Miami Dolphins
7. Calvin Johnson vs. Washington Redskins
8. Greg Jennings vs. St. Louis Rams
9. Jerricho Cotchery vs. Tennessee Titans
10. Chad Ochocinco vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Top 10 TE’s (PPR):
1. Dallas Clark vs. Arizona Cardinals
2. Kellen Winslow vs. NY Giants
3. Tony Gonzalez vs. New England Patriots
4. Antonio Gates vs. Miami Dolphins
5. Jason Wittenvs. Carolina Panthers
6. Chris Cooley vs. Detroit Lions
7. Dustin Keller vs. Tennessee Titans
8. Greg Olsen vs. Seattle Seahawks
9. Owen Daniels vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
10. Zach Miller vs. Denver Broncos
