You know that scene in every action movie where the hero is trying to disarm a bomb? Buckets of sweat are falling down his face as he's forced to make a life or death decision: red or blue wire. It's a high pressure situation with little time to deliberate. A choice must be made.
Setting your fantasy football lineups can feel a lot like that. Player A or player B. One choice could lead to victory, while the other could leave you as a punch line in your commissioner's weekly email report. Knowing who to start and who to sit can be tough. That's why I'm here to give you a few hints for week three. Here are a few players worth starting and some to avoid:
Worth It:
Joique Bell: Has 32 total touches compared to Reggie Bush's 23. Bell is the starter in all but name. He's the better rusher inside the tackles (goal line carries, anyone?), less of an injury risk, averages six targets a game so far and has received more guaranteed money than Bush during the off-season. That means the touches will keep coming. Playing the Green Bay Packers, who have given up 356 total rushing yards through two games, is a nice matchup this week. Play Bell with confidence.
Julian Edelman: Bud Lite, Miller Lite, Wes Welker Lite. Edelman has made the most of his slotted receiver duties since Welker left New England. Coming off of a 100-catch year last season, Edelman has picked up right where he left off. 12 catches for 176 yards and one score through two games is a quality start. Only Rob Gronkowski has more than Edelman's 15 targets, making it abundantly clear that he is one of Tom Brady's favorite pass catchers. The Oakland Raiders' splotchy defense has been fortunate enough to play the aerially-challenged Jets and Texans so far and are still allowing the highest completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks. Edelman is a safe bet this week.
Russell Wilson: 16-1 at home with 35 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He threw for two scores against the Broncos in the Super Bowl. He knows Seattle can't drop two games in a row. Big day coming for Wilson owners.
Avoid:
Michael Floyd: Is there intelligent life in the universe? Does Big Foot exist? Will Carson Palmer play? All unexplainable mysteries. Palmer has no timetable for a return from a shoulder injury. As such, Floyd's fantasy value takes a big hit. Floyd lives off the deep ball (16.0 average yards per reception last season). Palmer is loyal to the deep ball to a fault. Drew Stanton, on the other hand, is not. Only 14 completions last week for a 5.76 yard average. Floyd is a no-go this week.
Wes Welker: against starting Welker this week
A.J. Green: Green is battling a case of turf toe, a notoriously tricky injury, so if he does play this Sunday, he won't be near 100%. Their opponent, the Tennessee Titans, have been stout against the pass so far this season. Three picks against Alex Smith in week 1 and only 176 yards let up against the Dallas Cowboys. Starting Green this week is risky business.
