The two players taking fantasy football by storm two weeks into the season are Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and Bills running back C.J. Spiller.
They face the Bengals and Browns respectively, so expect their collective legends to grown entering into Week 4.
Something else to follow is if Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford breaks out of his slump against the Titans. It’s a good match-up considering what the Chargers did to them last weekend. If he struggles again, we — I own him in one of my leagues — can officially start to worry.
ATLANTA AT SAN DIEGO
Obvious starters: QB Matt Ryan (Falcons), WR Roddy White (Falcons), WR Julio Jones (Falcons), QB Philip Rivers (Chargers).
Who to start: This game will feature two of the best tight ends to ever play. Antonio Gates (Chargers) should be in your lineup. Make sure you pay attention to updates on game day though. Tony Gonzalez (Falcons) has been his usual self, catching at least five balls and a score in the first two weeks. Malcom Floyd (Chargers) is a WR2 this week. If Gates sits, he gets upgraded to WR1.
Who to sit: I wouldn’t own Michael Turner (Falcons), let alone start him this week. I’m also sitting Ryan Mathews (Chargers). I need to see him react to contact, plus we’re not sure how the Chargers will use him in his return from injury. If he makes it through the weekend, he returns to an obvious start next week.
Sleeper: Jacquizz Rodgers (Falcons) has yet to make his impact felt. The Falcons have certainly struggled running the ball, so don’t be surprised if he gets more touches than usual, especially in light of Turner’s DUI after Monday night’s game against the Broncos. All he needs is the opportunity to be special.
ST. LOUIS AT CHICAGO
Obvious starters: WR Brandon Marshall (Bears).
Who to start: Michael Bush (Bears) knows what it’s like to step in at running back when the dynamic starter goes down. He learned that lesson in Oakland. Matt Forte (Bears) is likely out due to a sprained ankle. Considering the Rams ranked 31st in run defense in 2011 and allowed 176 rushing yards (6.1 yards per carry) to Washington last week, Bush is a borderline obvious start. It depends who you have on your roster. I see you Danny Amendola (Rams). If you’re in a PPR league, you already had Amendola on your radar as a sleeper. Well, it’s time to wake up to the 99-percenter’s Wes Welker. He’s really the Rams only option in the passing game.
Who to sit: Let Steven Jackson (Rams) sit this one out. Running backs with groin injuries are usually not good fantasy plays. Especially when they line up against the Bears.
Sleeper: The Bears D/ST. I know the Rams haven’t embarrassed themselves yet. However, this match-up in Chicago is not favorable for them.
BUFFALO AT CLEVELAND
Obvious starters: RB C.J. Spiller (Bills).
Who to start: Steve Johnson’s (Bills) value has obviously taken a hit in the interim with the emergence of Spiller. In the long haul it will benefit him greatly. He’s scored a touchdown in five of his past eight games, including three in a row. Buffalo gave up 150 rushing yards to the Chiefs last week so expect Trent Richardson (Browns) to receive plenty of touches.
Who to sit: All Browns not named Trent Richardson.
Sleeper: Tight end Scott Chandler (Bills) has six touchdowns in five September games, including one in each of this season’s first two weeks.
TAMPA BAY AT DALLAS
Obvious starters: QB Tony Romo (Cowboys), RB DeMarco Murray (Cowboys).
Who to start: Romo owns the Buccaneers: 3-0 record, 61-for-86 (71 percent), 908 yards, 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. This means Miles Austin (Cowboys), Dez Bryant (Cowboys) and Jason Witten (Cowboys) all are a serious threat to score and deliver big games. Vincent Jackson’s (Buccaneers) one trip to Dallas in his career resulted in seven receptions for 120 yards. Running back Doug Martin (Buccaneers) should be useful this week as well. The Cowboys allowed 182 rushing yards to Seattle.
Who to sit: Hopefully, everyone learned their lesson with Kevin Ogletree (Cowboys).
Sleeper: Dallas Clark’s (Buccaneers) targets are growing by the week. While Dallas’ defense has only allowed 160 yards passing per game, they’ve been light on tight ends.
N.Y. JETS AT MIAMI
Obvious starters: RB Reggie Bush (Dolphins).
Who to start: I suppose I should write a Tim Tebow (Jets) joke or something, because I wouldn’t start anyone on either team.
Who to sit: Everyone who hasn’t given back a Heisman trophy.
Sleeper: The Dolphins D/ST. If last week’s Jets show up, Miami’s squad could be in for a big day.
SAN FRANCISCO AT MINNESOTA
Obvious starters: TE Vernon Davis (49ers).
Who to start: The weakness of Minnesota’s defense is their secondary, so expect Alex Smith (49ers) to have another solid performance. Smith isn’t an elite start yet, but he’s certainly worth consideration in deeper leagues. If you need a flex option, Randy Moss (49ers) is your man. How bad do you think Moss wants to score this week? The sheer amount of targets Percy Harvin (Vikings) will receive makes him a good start.
Who to sit: Frank Gore (49ers) has averaged just 37.7 yards per game against the Vikings with no touchdowns in three career games. I’m not a fan of Adrian Peterson (Vikings) this week either. These are both backs I would normally recommend under any circ*mstances. The match-ups are very unfavorable.
Sleeper: Michael Crabtree (49ers) is on his way to becoming a PPR star. He has 13 receptions for 143 yards so far. I expect him to score his first touchdown this week.
KANSAS CITY AT NEW ORLEANS
Obvious starters: QB Drew Brees (Saints), TE Jimmy Graham (Saints), RB Darren Sproles (Saints), WR Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs).
Who to start: Any touchdowns New Orleans’ running game produces will likely go to Mark Ingram (Saints).
Who to sit: If you own Jamaal Charles (Chiefs), you’re likely going to start him. He banged up his knee last week, and Kansas City benched him. They’re likely to take it easy with him since they have Peyton Hillis (Chiefs). I’d give Charles another week before I inserted him back in my lineup.
Sleeper: That being said, Hillis could have a big game if the Chiefs take it easy with Charles.
CINCINNATI AT WASHINGTON
Obvious starters: QB Robert Griffin III (Redskins), WR A.J. Green (Bengals).
Who to start: Washington gave up 141 yards on the ground last week, so we should see continued success from BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Bengals). Especially if he continues to see close to 20 carries per game.
Who to sit: Call this a gut call, but I believe Alfred Morris (Redskins) is a bad play this week. Morris’ success appears to be volume based. I expect RG3 to continue to eat into his opportunities. I also expect to hear from Roy Helu (Redskins) at some point. Helu is certainly the more talented back.
DETROIT AT TENNESSEE
Obvious starters: QB Matthew Stafford (Lions), WR Calvin Johnson (Lions).
Who to start: If the Titans gave up three touchdowns to Dante Rosario, how many is Brandon Pettigrew (Lions) going to score? Five or six? If Chris Johnson (Titans) can’t get it going against a team that allowed almost 150 yards last week, then he may be a lost cause. Tennessee’s next three opponents: Houston, Minnesota and Pittsburgh. At least he’s taking responsibility for his awful start.
Who to sit: With the return of Mikel Leshoure (Lions), I’d sit Kevin Smith (Lions). Smith hasn’t been bad, but he hasn’t locked up the starting gig either. Expect Detroit to give Leshoure an opportunity. At very least they are splitting carries.
Sleeper: In his past three matchups against NFC opponents, Kenny Britt (Titans) is averaging 112 receiving yards with five total touchdowns. Britt will not be limited this week.
JACKSONVILLE AT INDIANAPOLIS
Obvious starters: None.
Who to start: Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars) averaged 5.0 yards per carry against Houston — one of the toughest defenses in the league — so I think the holdout had little affect. In a dozen meetings with Indianapolis, MJD has 1,532 total yards and 12 touchdowns. Andrew Luck (Colts) has targeted Reggie Wayne (Colts) 25 times in the first two games. Smart kid. Wayne has averaged over 100 yards per game his last 10 starts against Jacksonville.
Who to sit: All Jaguars who don’t have a three letter nickname. Blaine Gabbert (Jaguars) took two steps back last week.
Sleeper: Donald Brown (Colts) is averaging 91 yards — on a 6.5 yards per carry — in two home games against Jacksonville.
PHILADELPHIA AT ARIZONA
Obvious starters: QB Michael Vick (Eagles), RB LeSean McCoy (Eagles).
Who to start: If Jeremy Maclin’s (Eagles) hip continues to bother him, expect DeSean Jackson (Eagles) and Brent Celek (Eagles) to pick up the slack like they did last week against Baltimore. You have to start Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals), but it hurts. I can’t think of a better player in a worse situation.
Who to sit: I normally like players going against their former team, but I want no part of Kevin Kolb (Cardinals). If I had an “Obvious sit,” he’d be it.
Sleeper: With all the attention Arizona’s secondary will pay Jackson with Maclin out, Jason Avant (Eagles) could have some impact.
HOUSTON AT DENVER
Obvious starters: RB Arian Foster (Texans).
Who to start: Here’s the rule on Andre Johnson (Texans): If Houston faces a team that can hold its own against the run, Johnson is a must start. If not, you might want to consider a better option if you have them. The same goes for Matt Schaub (Texans). Denver can hold its own against the run. I can’t remember the last time Peyton Manning (Broncos) had back-to-back bad games. Demaryius Thomas (Broncos) is close to becoming an obvious start. He has emerged as the No. 1 option for Manning.
Who to sit: I called Willis McGahee (Broncos) having a big game last week. Now I’m recommending you sit him. This is how it’s going to be all season. A short week against a really good run defense. No dice.
Sleeper: He’s probably the most high profile sleeper of the year so far, but Eric Decker (Broncos) has yet to make his mark on this offense. I’m betting it comes sooner rather than later.
PITTSBURGH AT OAKLAND
Obvious starters: RB Darren McFadden (Raiders).
Who to start: Oakland gave up 249 yards rushing last week, and it lacks a pass rush. All of Pittsburgh’s top offensive talent should be in your lineup, including Jonathan Dwyer (Steelers). Dwyer could have his breakout performance.
Who to sit: Could be a long day for Carson Palmer (Raiders). He’s been serviceable even though they are 0-2. If it goes bad this week, I expect it to go really bad.
Sleeper: Denarius Moore (Raiders) had 67 yards on three catches in his return last week. He’s Palmer’s favorite wide receiver, so a desperation bomb could be on the table.
NEW ENGLAND AT BALTIMORE
Obvious starters: QB Tom Brady (Patriots), TE Rob Gronkowski (Patriots), RB Ray Rice (Ravens).
Who to start: Outside of Gronkowski, Brandon Lloyd (Patriots) has been Brady’s favorite target so far. Tight end Dennis Pitta (Ravens) is a weapon, not only for Joe Flacco (Ravens), but for PPR leagues.
Who to sit: Anquan Boldin (Ravens) has been nonexistent in the first two weeks. I don’t see it getting better for him against a revitalized Patriots secondary.
Sleeper: You normally would think twice about starting a running back against Baltimore, but it’s giving up over 100 yards per game on the ground. Stevan Ridley (Patriots) is getting all the carries for New England.
GREEN BAY AT SEATTLE
Obvious starters: QB Aaron Rodgers (Packers).
Who to start: It sounds like Greg Jennings (Packers) still isn’t 100 percent, so that makes Jordy Nelson (Packers) a WR1. Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks) looked great last week, and he’s really Seattle’s only consistent weapon.
Who to sit: I really like Cedric Benson (Packers) to have a great season, but this is another match-up like the Niners, that doesn’t add up for him. The Seahawks defense is a Top 5 unit, especially in Seattle.
Sleeper: The Packers D/ST. Always start a defense against a rookie quarterback.
