Wednesday 23 September 2015

2015 Season - Week 3

Here are my picks for week 3 of NFL UK’s Fantasy Football...


Quarterback's

Tom Brady
, New England Patriots, $4m.
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars

After all the shenanigans in the off-season following Deflategate, Brady is a motivated man. With a favourable match up against the Jaguars, I fully expect another big score from Brady in week 3.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: New Orleans Saints

I’m not particularly sold on the strength of the Panther offense this year, however, the Saints have been dreadful. This is a pure matchup play where I expect Newton to score point through the air and on the ground.

Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: San Francisco 49ers

Palmer is an elite talent at a bargain price. He’s up there with some of the best in the league, and this week he faces a 49ers side blown away by Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. He may not quite match Big Ben’s 30 point haul but I see 20+ points from this one.

Outside Bet

Brandon Weeden, Dallas Cowboys, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons

Now, I’m not a big Brandon Weeden fan but with Tony Romo out injured for a number of weeks, Weeden should be the man to fill in. This is a decent match up, and despite missing Dez Bryant he will be behind one of the best offensive lines in professional football and still has adequate weapons at his disposal. Could score some decent points this week.

Avoid

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Carolina Panthers

Brees is starting to look like a bit of a spent force in a Saints team that isn’t offering him a lot of help. Struggled to score point against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team torn apart by rookie Marcus Mariota, and now playing against one of the better defences in the league. Could be another tough day for Brees.


Running Back's

Le’Veon Bell
, Pittsburgh Steelers, $4m
Week 3 Opponent: @ St. Louis Rams

One of last year’s top fantasy points scorers, Bell returns following his 2 game suspension. DeAndre Williams has scored plenty of points whilst deputising and Bell is a far superior player. Should score big points regardless of the opposition, my only concern is lack of game time.

Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs, $4m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Green Bay Packers

The Packers kept Marshawn Lynch to a low score last week but generally they struggle to defend the run. Charles is one of the league’s best runners and should score points. A good top end option if you don’t fancy jumping straight back on Le’Veon Bell.

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Seattle Seahawks

I was going to avoid Forte this week, but with Jay Cutler out the Bears may lean on the run even more than normal. The Seahawks can give up points to the run despite their strong defence and Forte can score points whoever the opponent.

Chris Ivory, New York Jets, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles

My Ivory pick last week didn’t come to much but he still represents good value at $2m. This weeks match-up with the Eagles should be favourable, so if you went with him last week don’t lose faith just yet.

Dion Lewis, New England Patriots, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars

Dion Lewis looks the real deal. Even with LaGarrette Blount returning last week he saw the majority of the ball and ended the 3rd highest scoring RB of the week against one of the toughest defences in the league. Good form should continue this week even if Blount gets more touches.

Outside Bet

Arian Foster, Houston Texans, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Foster could return from injury this week and, if he does, it’s a favourable match up against the Buccaneers. One of the best Running Back’s in the league, he’s only in this section because of the questions over if he will return and, if so, in what condition. Keep an eye on his status right up to just before the game. Could be worth a spot.

Avoid

DeAngelo Williams, Pittsburgh Steelers, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ St. Louis Rams

Don’t be seduced by his big numbers last week and the fact he appears at the top of the list when you’re selecting your Running Back’s. With Le’Veon Bell back from suspension, expect to see Williams’ touches severely reduced. Avoid for this week so you can judge how much value he retains going forward.


Wide Receiver's

Antonio Brown
, Pittsburgh Steelers, $4m
Week 3 Opponent: @ St. Louis Rams

Brown is right up there with Julio Jones as one of the best receivers in the business, and this shows in the amount of fantasy points he accrues. Last week I thought Jones was the slightly better option (I was wrong!), this week I’m going for Brown who has a slightly easier match up.

Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs

Randall Cobb looked like he was getting back somewhere close to full fitness against the Seahawks and amassed 116 yards off 8 receptions. If he can match that and maybe add a touchdown against the Chiefs he could have a big week. At full fitness he will be Aaron Rodgers go to guy this season with Jordy Nelson missing.

Julian Edelman, New England Patriots, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars

An important cog in the Patriots machine, Edelman has been in impressive form so far this year. He has 97 yards in each of his games so far plus 2 touchdowns, so he should be reliable. As with Brady earlier, a good match up makes Edelman a strong contender for a spot on your team particularly for $2m.

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: San Francisco 49ers

Last week I went with John Brown, this week I’m going with Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald looked on the decline last year but with Palmer back at the helm he seems to have a new lease of life. He will share the limelight with Brown some weeks and either are worth a selection. Fitzgerald is maybe the slightly safer bet at the current time.

Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ New England Patriots

I’ve a feeling the Jaguars could be chasing the game for large parts against the Patriots so Blake Bortles should turn to his favourite target plenty. Robinson has the skill to make plays against any opponent, and whilst the Patriots are stacked on the offensive side of the ball they are not always the most solid defensively.

James Jones, Green Bay Packers, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs

I’ve gone with Jones again for the pure value he represents as a red zone target for Aaron Rodgers. With the Packers at home again, there should be plenty of scores to share round.

Outside Bet

Travis Benjamin, Cleveland Browns, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Oakland Raiders

Benjamin seems to have struck up a nice relationship with Johnny Manziel the last couple of weeks. He is a little reliant on big plays, so could be boom or bust, but with the Oakland Raiders up next he could score some further big points.

Avoid

Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Carolina Panthers

One of my picks for last week has gone full circle. As mentioned earlier, the Saints do not look good and are up against one of the league’s best defences. I’ll be laying off Cooks despite his talent until the Saints start showing something a little better.

Tight End's

Rob Gronkowski
, New England Patriots, $4m
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars

Yes, he’s here again. What more needs to be said about Gronkowski? Get him in your team so you can enjoy him spiking the ball in the end zone against the Jaguars.

Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers, $3m
Week 2 Opponent: New Orleans Saints

Olsen doesn’t have a touchdown to his name yet in 2015, but I’ve a feeling this could be his week. He doesn’t have a great record against the Saints in the past, with just 2 TD’s in 10 career games against them, but this isn’t the Saints of previous years. One of those touchdowns did come last year along with 72 yards, wouldn’t be surprised to see similar figures.

Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Baltimore Ravens

Eifert and the Bengals still look good, so definitely worth considering again this week. Looks like he could be a consistent pick this year.

Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ New York Giants

Good match up for Reed who should see plenty of targets in DeSean Jackson’s continued absence. For me he is the most dangerous weapon for the Redskins currently and the Giants are a little all over the place defensively.

Outside Bet

Scott Chandler, New England Patriots, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars

Another Patriots player. This one is a bit of a gamble as Gronkowski & Edelman will be the main red zone targets, but Chandler scored in week 1 and could do so again this week. At some point this year I’m sure he’ll get multiple touchdowns in a game – maybe this could be the one?

Avoid

Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints, $4m
Week 3 Opponent: Chicago Bears

Not necessarily a bad match up for Graham but he hasn’t really got it going yet with his new team. Scored 1 point last weekend. Not worth the outlay.

Defence / Special Teams

New York Jets
, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles

The Jets were great against the Colts on Monday night. Yes, they were helped by some poor quarterback play from Andrew Luck but sometimes you create your own luck. Sam Bradford isn’t quite in the groove yet and could give the Jets plenty of opportunities.

Miami Dolphins, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: Buffalo Bills

Tyrod Taylor’s biggest issue so far is throwing interceptions. He needs to learn when not just to launch the ball. The Dolphins could benefit this week.

Carolina Panthers, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: New Orleans Saints

This should be a fairly comfortable afternoon for the Panthers on recent form. Can’t see the Saints troubling them too much. Famous last words.

Outside Bet

Oakland Raiders, $1m
Week 2 Opponent: @ Cleveland Browns

He didn’t do it last week, but I still expect Johnny Manziel to throw interceptions. The Raiders aren’t the greatest defence but could hopefully benefit from the odd stray ball.

Avoid

Kansas City Chiefs, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Green Bay Packers

As with the Seahawks last week, Lambeau Field is a tough place to visit. Stay well away from the Chiefs this week.


Kickers

Brandon McManus
, Denver Broncos, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Detroit Lions

McManus has hit 3 field goals over 50 yards in the first 2 games. The Broncos may not move the ball quite so easily against the Lions so hopefully McManus will get plenty more opportunities.

Robbie Gould, Chicago Bears, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Seattle Seahawks

Joint top scoring kicker with McManus. The Bears travel to Seattle without Jay Cutler so will lean more on the running game. This could lead to opportunities for Gould if the Bears can’t quite get the ball over the line.

Outside Bet

Kyle Brindza, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Houston Texans

Brindza kicked 4 of 5 field goals last week, with a longest of 55 yards for the improving Buccaneers. Texans tough defence could present further opportunities for Brindza.

Avoid

Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts, $3m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Tennessee Titans

Just not going well for Vinatieri at the moment with 1 point from 2 games. Spend your money on other areas of the team.

Watch List

These are the players I have been impressed with recently but I want to see a little more of before I commit them to my team.

Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Indianapolis Colts

Big first week, average second week. Going to be inconsistent but will continue keeping an eye on his progress

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Lions, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Denver Broncos

Once the Lions recognise his is the best Running Back on the team his points tally should improve. Until then, he stays on watch

Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Houston Texans

Decent second week for Martin but needs to have a big game this week for him to stay on this list.

Matt Jones, RB, Washington Redskins, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: @ New York Giants

Very nearly on my picks list this week but thought I’d take a week to see if he is the real deal or just a one game wonder. Everything I see tells me he could be a good player for the Redskins this year.

Nelson Agholor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: Dallas Cowboys

Agholor has talent but doesn’t seem to be trusted yet. Sam Bradford isn’t exactly setting the world alight at the moment but I’m sure that will change as he gets his match sharpness back. Hopefully Agholor will profit from that later in the year.

Phillip Dorsett, WR, Indianapolis Colts, $2m
Week 3 Opponent: @ Tennessee Titans

Not really done much yet but believe Dorsett can become a star. Once Andrew Luck & co decide to start playing this season it will be interesting to see what he can do.

Darren Fells, Arizona Cardinals, $1m
Week 3 Opponent: San Francisco 49ers


Had Fells on my picks list last week put didn’t do anything. Dropped down to my watch list as still think he could become a useful player. Need to figure out how consistent he will be.

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