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Vladimir De Wet breaks down the second half of the Week 3 matchups for the 2015 season. Below, you will find part two of our Week 3 NFL matchups & fantasy football start/sit analysis, which should help you prepare your lineups to win this week.
Be sure to also check out part one of this week's matchups analysis, diving into the early slate of games. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL matchups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.
Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down each of the NFL matchups and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and some high-risk/high-reward players, as well.
Chargers @ Vikings - Sunday 9/27 @ 1:00 EST
Players we love:
Danny Woodhead, RB, Chargers - The tiny running back has played in 75 snaps to Melvin Gordon's 64 snaps through two games. While Gordon is the bellcow back carrying the ball 30 times to Woodhead's 19, there is no doubt that Woodhead is the main goal line option and a true touchdown vulture. Woodhead's value in PPR is even greater with 13 targets and 10 receptions which ranks him second on the team only behind Keenan Allen.
Players we hate:
Mike Wallace, WR, Vikings - The move from Miami to Minnesota hasn't done much to improve Mike Wallace's production. After two weeks he has barely put up double digit fantasy points. The main problem with Wallace is that he is doing exactly what the Vikings what him to do and he just isn't the biggest part of the offense. Wallace has been targeted 10 times and caught 9 of those balls. As of now, Wallace is the ultimate boom or bust prospect and until his role changes he projects to just mainly be a bust.
Key Players:
Ladarius Green, TE, Chargers - Green suffered a concussion and has been limited in practice. During the first two weeks he has been a solid option but his status is up in the air with his third concussion in the last year.
Steelers @ Rams - Sunday 9/27 @ 1:00 EST
Players we love:
Heath Miller, TE, Steelers - After two games Miller is second on the team in targets behind Antonio Brown. With Ben Roethlisberger looking like he might have an MVP caliber type season Miller is slowly becoming a TE1. The veteran tight end is nothing but consistent and constant.
Players we hate:
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Steelers - Williams has been spectacular the first two weeks of the season and looks like the handcuff of the year. All of this won't matter when LeVeon Bell comes back this week. Expect Williams to barely see the field and go from being a RB2 to a strictly handcuff/bench option.
Key Players:
Todd Gurley, RB, Rams - Gurley makes his NFL debut after missing much of the preseason and the first two games. The Rams offensive line has not done well with run blocking through the first two games but expect them to feature Gurley early and often.
LeVeon Bell, RB, Steelers - Do not try and be cute here. Start Bell and get those points.
49ers @ Cardinals - Sunday 9/27 @ 4:05 EST
Players we love:
Torrey Smith, WR, 49ers - Smith caught a 75 yard touchdown from Colin Kaepernick during fourth quarter garbage time in week two. The former Baltimore receiver has seen the third most targets on the team behind 49er staples Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis. All signs point to him getting consistent WR2 targets throughout the season.
Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals - Palmer is absolutely lighting up the league through the first two weeks. He has seven touchdowns to only one interception. Arizona looked like the best team in the league last year until Palmer went down with an ACL injury. If he can stay healthy for an entire season Palmer should end up being a top 5 fantasy QB.
Players we hate:
Michael Floyd, WR, Cardinals - Floyd has all of the height, speed, skills, and ability to look like he should be a top tantasy receiver. Yet, after a disappointing season last year he seems destined to continue to let down fantasy owners. Floyd has only seen two targets this season despite Arizona's pass happy offense.
Key players:
Reggie Bush, RB, 49ers - Bush sat out last week's game and missed practice again this week. The reliably injured Bush is doing exactly what you expected him to do--be an injury report all star.
Bills @ Dolphins - Sunday 9/27 @ 4:25 EST
Players we love:
Rishard Matthews, WR, Dolphins - Matthews wanted out of Miami after they drafted DeVante Parker and signed Kenny Stills. Yet, after training camp, the preseason, and the first two games he has emerged as the second receiver behind Jarvis Landry. With 10 receptions on 13 targets he has looked explosive and integral to the Miami offensive plan.
Players we hate:
Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins - Miller so far is averaging less than 3 yards an attempt and just hasn't looked like he's taken any positive steps forward in the Dolphins offense. On top of that, MIller has a bad ankle and barely practiced this week. He will be facing a stout Bills front seven that has given up less than 90 yards rushing through two games and will be angry after getting whipped by Tom Brady last week. Most running back options should be better than Miller for the upcoming week
Key players:
Jordan Cameron, TE, Dolphins - Cameron missed practice on Wednesday but did practice on Thursday after suffering a groin injury last week.
LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills - McCoy took a day off practice to heal up and should be fine against the Dolphins on Sunday.
Bears @ Seahawks - Sunday 9/27 @ 4:25 EST
Players we love:
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks -After the Seahawks opened the season 0-2 and Lynch looked more like an aging back than beast mode the team gets the Chicago Bears defense as a remedy. The Bears run D has given up over 250 yards rushing through two games. Lynch has started off slow but expect him to pick up against a woeful Bears defense.
Matt Forte, RB, Bears - The Seahawks are getting back Kam Chancellor this week but their defensive unit as a whole hasn't looked good so far. Forte will be featured constantly against the reunited legion of boom and others.
Players we hate:
No one. The Bears are starting Jimmy Clausen and have so far looked really bad. While their offensive players all take a dip, Martellus Bennett and Matt Forte are must plays if you have them.
Key Players:
Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears - Jeffery missed practice Wednesday and Thursday after missing the game last week. Latest reports have him ruled out. Adjust accordingly.
Broncos @ Lions - Sunday 9/27 @ 8:30 EST
Players we love:
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos - Through two weeks Sanders has emerged as one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets and looks like he's ready to have a big year. Sanders has been targeted 26 times out of Manning's 85 attempts (roughly 30%). Sanders leads the Broncos on third down targets and has also emerged as a red zone threat. Sanders is a stud WR2 going forward.
Players we hate:
C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos - Anderson has been unable to get anything going on the ground for the Broncos. After two games he only has 56 yards rushing for an average of 2.6 a carry. Ronnie Hillman is always ready to take snaps and will be sharing the running back job more with Anderson. Running backs are a dime a dozen in most Peyton Manning lead offenses and Anderson doesn't seem like he's going to buck that trend.
Joique Bell, RB, Lions - Ameer Abdullah has taken over the lead running back duties for Detroit. Also, Bell has been dealing with a lingering injury since the start of training camp which has allowed Abdullah time to shine. Injury and an exciting back up may see Bell slowly be fazed out of the lions offense.
Key Players:
Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions - Stafford missed practice after an injury scare but should be fine to play on Sunday.
Chiefs @ Packers - Monday 9/28 @ 8:30 EST
Players we love:
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Chiefs - The Chiefs offense simply doesn't take a lot of shots down field and tends to be on the more conservative side. Maclin is one of those Chiefs wide receivers that hasn't caught a touchdown pass for over a year now. Yet, he has lead the team in targets and looks to be active all over the field. Maclin is the most talented receiver the Chiefs have had during the Alex Smith era and his talent should win out over a conversative offensive game plan in the long run.
Players we hate:
Both teams should put up points in a closely contested game. Everyone that you would regularly play should be played.
Key Players:
Randall Cobb, WR, Packers - Cobb has been dealing with a shoulder injury since training camp and still hasn't fully recovered. He practiced on Thursday and should be good to play in the game on Monday.
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