Start/Bench List Week 3

Coaches say they’ll know what their teams are all about at the beginning of October. Here at Fantasysharks.com, we’ll know the “true” Studs after week three. Look for adjustments to the Studs list starting next week.

When using this list, try and remember a couple basic rules:

1) Studs – Always play your studs. Each position will include a list of players that are considered studs and should not be benched. If you have the luxury of needing to decide between studs, check out the matchups or feel free to let the shark tank assist you in your decisions. The first two weeks the studs list remains the same (except for injury). After week two, players are added/removed as needed.

2) Depth – Every fantasy team is different and some have more depth than others. Only follow the recommended moves if your team depth allows you to make such a move.

Enough of the chit-chat, onto the list!!

Quarterbacks

Studs

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis vs. Houston

Tom Brady, New England vs. Buffalo

Carson

Palmer, Cincinnati vs. Seattle

Marc Bulger, St. Louis vs. Tampa Bay

Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia vs. Detroit

Vince Young, Tennessee vs. New Orleans

Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. Tennessee

Start

Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle (vs. Cincinnati): Hasselbeck has been average thus far in weeks one and two throwing for 503 yards and two TDs in the first two weeks of the season. Look for Hass and the Seahawks to post big numbers against a Bengals defense that was shredded last week by Derek Anderson and the Browns for 328 yards and five TDs.

Jason Campbell, Washington (vs. N.Y. Giants): Campbell led the Skins to a big win in Philly last week with mediocre stats: 16/29, 209 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Look for impressive numbers against the Giants this week who have been unable to stop the pass.

Bench

Alex Smith, San Francisco (vs. Pittsburgh): Smith has struggled this season throwing for only 126 yards passing in each of the first two games. With a trip to Pittsburgh on the horizon, a head coach and a star TE questioning Smith’s ability, the cards are stacked against Smith having success this week.

Steve McNair, Baltimore (vs. Arizona): McNair looks to return to the starting lineup after missing last week with a groin injury. McNair will face a Cardinals defense that has played well against the pass. Look for Baltimore to emphasize the running game as McNair still won’t be 100% and won’t be worthy of a start this week.

Running Backs

Studs

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego vs. Green Bay

Steven Jackson, St. Louis vs. Tampa Bay

Larry Johnson, Kansas City vs. Minnesota

Frank Gore, San Francisco vs. Pittsburgh

Shaun Alexander, Seattle vs. Cincinnati

Willie Parker, Pittsburgh vs. San Francisco

Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia vs. Detroit

Joseph Addai, Indianapolis vs. Houston

Willis McGahee, Baltimore vs. Arizona

Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati vs. Seattle

Reggie Bush, New Orleans vs. Tennessee

Start

Travis Henry, Denver (vs. Jacksonville): Enjoy your last week off of the Studs list Mr. Henry. Combine the back-to-back 100-yard games for Henry along with the fact that he’s facing the Jaguars who gave up 282 yards rushing in week one. Giddy-up!

LaMont Jordan, Oakland (vs. Cleveland): Jordan has rewarded those owners who were willing to take a chance on him with two solid weeks in a row. Well, make it three for Jordan as he should perform well against the Browns this week who had allowed the second most rushing yards in the league after two weeks.

Jamal Lewis, Cleveland (vs. Oakland): 27 carries for 216 yards and a score and most of you had him on your bench. Don’t feel bad, I don’t think anyone saw that coming (present company included). We do see a solid day on the horizon for Lewis against the Raiders this week who struggled to stop Travis Henry and the Broncos running attack last week.

Bench

Kevin Jones, Detroit (vs. Philadelphia): Jones should return to action this week, but that doesn’t mean you should rush him into your starting lineup. The Eagles held the Portis/Betts duo to only 81 yards and should have similar success defending the Lions running attack in Philly.

Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo (vs. New England): I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I like Marshawn Lynch this season. However, until Losman can figure out how to move the ball downfield, Lynch is not someone you can depend your fantasy week on especially against the Patriots who are playing lights out.

Deuce McAllister, New Orleans (vs. Tennessee): Neither McAllister or Bush have done much for the Saints in the first two weeks of the season. However, I like Reggie Bush this week to become much more involved in the passing attack as Drew Brees finally starts to earn his Stud status. The passing game may be there, but the Titans have performed extremely well against the run. Deuces won’t be wild this weekend.

Wide Receivers

Studs

Steve Smith, Carolina vs. Atlanta

Chad

Johnson, Cincinnati vs. Seattle

Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis vs. Houston

Terrell Owens, Dallas vs. Chicago

Lee Evans, Buffalo vs. New England

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis vs. Houston

Roy Williams, Detroit vs. Philadelphia

Torry Holt, St. Louis vs. Tampa Bay

T.J. Houshmanzadeh, Cincinnati vs. Seattle

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona vs. Baltimore

Marques Colston, New Orleans vs. Tennessee

Removed from Studs List

Andre Johnson, Houston: doubful; sprained knee

Start

Randy Moss, New England (vs. Buffalo): Move over Steve Smith, there needs to be room for another WR on the Studs list starting next week. Anyone who has watched even just the highlights of the Patriots first two games have the watch in amazement as Brady and Moss look like they’ve been teammates for years. It’s going to be a good season for Moss owners. Find a permanent spot in your lineup for Randy and enjoy.

Braylon Edwards, Cleveland (vs. Oakland): Edwards played a very big role in the 51-point performance from the Browns last week. You can’t expect 146 yards and two TDs every week, but Edwards will post another solid game this week in Oakland worthy of a start.

Deion Branch, Seattle (vs. Cincinnati): Branch had a nice week against the Cardinals last week and this week he faces a defense that allowed five TDs in the air and over 325 yards passing. With Hasselbeck expected to perform well, look for Branch to be the biggest benefactor of Seattle’s aerial assault.

Santana Moss

, Washington (vs. N.Y. Giants): Moss posted solid numbers last despite an average day out of Jason Campbell. Look for Moss to take advantage of the Giants secondary and find the end zone for the first time this season on Sunday. Don’t miss out on a few big plays from the playmaker.

Bench

Darrell Jackson, San Francisco (vs. Pittsburgh): Jackson has yet to do much thanks to the lackluster Niners passing attack. Don’t expect a major turnaround in Pittsburgh this week. Keep Jackson on your bench for at least one more week.

Derrick Mason, Baltimore (vs. Arizona): Despite Mason’s 15 catches in the first two games, I’m not sold on him contributing at this level all season. The Cardinals have allowed the fourth fewest passing yards in the league after two weeks and McNair won’t be 100% come Sunday. Look for around five catches for 40 yards out of the veteran this week. You could do better elsewhere.

Vincent Jackson, San Diego (vs. Green Bay): Facing the Packers after dealing with the Bears and the Patriots the first two weeks of the season may seem like a nice matchup for San Diego, but the Packers defense is no joke. Green Bay held their own against both Philly and the Giants this season and have played particularly well against the pass. LDT is primed for a big game, but don’t look for big things out of Rivers and the rest of the Chargers passing game including Jackson.

Shaun McDonald, Detroit (vs. Philadelphia): Bah-da-bah-bah-bah, I’m loving it! Sorry, McDonald, but I’m not loving your chances of finding openings against the Eagles this week. Roy Williams, yes. Calvin Johnson, probably. McDonald, no thanks. I’ll stick with Wendys.

Tight Ends

Studs

Antonio Gates, San Diego vs. Green Bay

Chris Cooley, Washington vs. N.Y. Giants

Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City vs. Minnesota

Todd Heap, Baltimore vs. Arizona

Jeremy Shockey, N.Y. Giants vs. Washington

Start

Ben Watson, New England (vs. Buffalo): As teams start to double-team Randy Moss, Brady will just laugh and find the big TE wide open in the red zone. It shouldn’t be this easy for an offense to look this good.

Kellen Winslow, Cleveland (vs. Oakland): Another stud just waiting to see his name in bold above the rest of the pack. Come on K-Wins, give us one more big performance for the road.

Bench

Vernon

Davis, San Francisco (vs. Pittsburgh): I guess we should start calling David 7-11 since according to him, he’s always open. Whether Davis is open or not won’t matter against the Steelers as his QB will spend too much time on his backside and not enough time upright.

Alge Crumpler, Atlanta (vs. Carolina): Crumpler and the Falcons passing attack is still adjusting to the Joey Harrington era. Crumpler may return to his former self later in the season, but right now he’s too risky of a start on a weekly basis.