It's only Week 3. There's no need to worry. It's still a long fantasy football season with plenty of chances to move up in the standings. Here are my likes for Week 3.
Best of Week 2
Jordy Nelson (WR, Green Bay) –Nelson hauled in nine receptions for the second straight game, and he totaled 209 receiving yards with one touchdown. His quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, threw for 346 yards and three scores to be the top scoring QB in Week 2.
Patriots' Defense –Playing in Minnesota, the Patriots' had four interceptions, scored a defensive touchdown and held the Vikings to seven points.
Darren Sproles (RB, Philadelphia) –In a comeback victory by the Eagles, Sproles rushed for 26 yards and one touchdown, but it was his pass receiving skills that earned him seven receptions for 152 yards.
Jimmy Graham (TE, New Orleans) –I was a week late in predicting him to score twice, but he made up for it last Sunday with 10 receptions for 118 yards and two scores.
Antonio Gates (TE, San Diego) –I liked him last week but even I didn't think he would have as big of a game as he did. Gates recorded seven receptions for 96 yards and crossed the goal line three times.
Week 3 Likes:
Quarterbacks
Andrew Luck (at Jacksonville) – Though both teams are 0-2, the Colts are better, period. Luck has lost back-to-back games for the first time in his career. Jacksonville is giving up 266.5 yards per game through the air.
Drew Brees (vs. Minnesota) – Though the Vikings have a top-10 defense, the Saints will be at home for the first time in 2014. Brees has won eight straight at home, throwing for 300 yards in all eight contests, and he has a 27-3 touchdown to interception ratio during that span.
Cam Newton (vs. Pittsburgh) –His pass and run abilities combined with playmakers on offense will give the Steelers problems, and Pittsburgh's defense has struggled to stop the pass and run so far in 2014.
Running Backs
DeMarco Murray (at St. Louis) –St. Louis has the third-worst rush defense in the league. The NFL's leading rusher is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and is averaging 142.5 rushing yards per game.
Arian Foster (at N.Y. Giants) –Foster has two straight 100 yard games to start the 2014 campaign. In five career games versus the NFC East, he is averaging four yards per carry.
Stevan Ridley (vs. Oakland) –Oakland is giving up 200 yards rushing per game. Ridley recorded 100 rushing yards and one score last weekend.
Wide Receivers
Calvin Johnson (vs. Green Bay) –Megatron had an average game last week at Carolina. He's recorded at least 100 receiving yards in eight of his last 16 games played.
Antonio Brown (at Carolina) –Make it 18 straight games with at least five receptions and 50 receiving yards. He could tie the record this Sunday night. He's been Mr. Consistency.
Sammy Watkins (vs. San Diego) –Watkins recorded his first career 100-yard game last week. San Diego is coming off a big win vs. Seattle and is traveling to the East Coast. Sleeper pick this week.
Tight Ends
Jimmy Graham (vs. Minnesota) –I expect his quarterback to have a big game, and that means a big game for Graham. Again, Brees has 27 touchdown passes his last eight home games, with 10 of those going to Graham.
Julius Thomas (at Seattle) –Four touchdowns in two games for Thomas. Though it's on the road in a hostile environment, he will get his looks, especially in the red zone.
Greg Olsen (vs. Pittsburgh) –The Steelers have struggled to cover opponent's tight ends so far in 2014. Olsen has averaged 70 receiving yards in two contests.
Defense/Special Teams
Carolina Panthers (vs. Pittsburgh) –The Steelers haven't scored a touchdown in six quarters. Carolina has forced three turnovers in two straight games and haven't allowed more than 14 points.
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Tennessee) –Cincinnati's defense has had two strong showings to start the 2014 season, forcing multiple turnovers in both games. They've won 10 straight games at home in the regular season.
Buffalo Bills (vs. San Diego) – Buffalo has forced multiple turnovers in two straight games to open the season. They once again are at home playing a team traveling from the West Coast.
Kicker
Dan Carpenter (vs. San Diego) –8-for-9 on the season, and he made 5-of-6 last Sunday. He also leads the league with 28 points.
Cody Parkey (vs. Washington) –The rookie from Auburn is second in the league in points (22).
Shaun Suisham (at Carolina) –He's 5-for-5 this season and has the Steelers' only points in the last six quarters.
