The first week of byes are here on the NFL schedule. Players from the New England Patriots, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts are all off this week, meaning you will be relying on your depth in most cases this week to fill out a roster. Bye weeks also require looking for good matchups and players who are playing well heading into the week. Fantasy experts all over the internet make suggestions as to who you should start/sit or pick up off waivers. These are my suggestions, many of which I'll either be starting or snagging off waivers before this afternoon's contests.
Chris Perry, RB, CIN. Anyone who follows football knows that the Cincinnati Bengals have been terrible so far this season. Carson Palmer and company struggled the first two games, and while almost upsetting the New York Giants last week, many people are staying away from the Bengals on their rosters. However, Perry has been the starting running back from day one this season, and has posted good numbers each week despite the offensive molasses around him. In week two, against a stingy Tennessee defense, Perry finished with 61 yards rushing, a touchdown (the only one scored by Cincinnati that week) and two receptions. Last week, against another solid defense, Perry ran for 74 yards, with another touchdown and a pair of receptions (for 19 yards receiving). Those numbers may not seem like much, but again, remember that he had tough matchups and an inept passing game around him. This week, the Bengals play division rival Cleveland at home. The Browns defense gave up 131 yards and three rushing touchdowns to the Ravens running backs in week three, 117 yards rushing to Pittsburgh in week two and 167 yards and three rushing touchdowns in week one to Dallas. You should start Chris Perry with confidence in most fantasy football formats this week -- I'm starting him over Ryan Grant this week in one high-stakes league.
Trent Edwards, QB, BUF. Who would have guessed that Edwards would be in the top 10 in passing yards after the first three weeks of the season? The Buffalo Bills have been surprisingly potent on both sides of the ball and play against arguably the easiest defense in the league this week in the St. Louis Rams. Edwards is a must-start in any format, especially with many of the game's elite quarterbacks either on bye, injured or both (see Tom Brady).
Brandon Lloyd, WR, CHI. Quick quiz ... who was the third-ranked receiver in fantasy points in week three? The answer, of course, is Lloyd, who had six receptions for 124 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion for the Bears against Tampa Bay. The Bears have been lacking a true play-making receiver for years and Lloyd always had the talent. While I'm not convinced that Kyle Orton will consistenly get Lloyd the ball, he should fare well tonight on prime time television as the Bears air it out to keep up with the Eagles.
Justin Gage, WR, TEN. Heading into week three, Justin Gage was becoming a bigger and bigger blip on the fantasy radar. He caught five balls for 59 yards and a touchdown in week two. It was obvious at that point that he had become Kerry Collins' favorite receiver. A groin injury, however, tempered expectations and he missed the week three contest against Houston. He returned to practice Wednesday and should play this week. While his matchup (Minnesota) isn't favorable, he should be owned in all formats as a viable sleeper for the rest of the season.
James Hardy, WR, BUF. Many experts touted Hardy heading into the season as a possible impact rookie with the size to be a dependable red zone target. He struggled to catch on, but is now on the verge of exploding onto the scene after teammate Roscoe Parrish underwent right thumb surgery. Those who need a receiver boost on their respective teams shouldn't wait to act, however, since the Bills (see Trent Edwards above) play the Rams this afternoon.
Daily Item League update
Big producers during week three in the league included Jeff Sock's Kulpmont Kings (fueled by Philip Rivers, Maurice Jones-Drew, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Larry Johnson) and Joe Santer's (it's Joe, not Jeff like I erroneously reported last week) G-Men Special (Reggie Bush, Minnesota defense, Marion Barber, Larry Fitzgerald). Predicted winners for week four include the Kings, Jacob Lenker's Young Guns, Barry Kegg's Mail Man, Rick Hoffman's Slicks and the G-Men Special.
n For more fantasy insight throughout the week, go to www.chinstrapninjas.com
