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Fantasy Football: Who to start and sit in Week 3

BTSC looks over which players you should start or sit on your fantasy football team for Week 3.

By Christopher Carter
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

This week, we're getting a better look at which players could be breakout fantasy football performers for 2015 and solid options to promote to your starting lineup instead of cooling their heels on your bench.

Here we give you some lists of players that you might pass up but you should start, as well as some players that you might think to play but are looking for different options.

Quarterbacks to Start:
  1. Carson Palmer vs. San Francisco: Palmer has been a high-producing fantasy quarterback so far in 2015, so ride the wave before he gets hurt or falls back to his normal numbers.
  2. Tyrod Taylor at Miami: Though Taylor threw three interceptions last week at home, he also threw three touchdowns and ran for one. If he keeps producing, he may become a regular starter for fantasy owners and here he gets the chance to light up a struggling Dolphins' defense.
  3. Andy Dalton at Baltimore: The Ravens were torn apart by Derek Carr and the Oakland Raiders last week. If you don't have Ben Roethlisberger or Aaron Rodgers, consider bumping Dalton to your QB1 spot to see if he can keep up the pace he has going.
  4. Cam Newton vs. New Orleans: The Saints gave up decent points to rookie Jameis Winston and the recently slaughtered Buccaneers. It would be more than fair to consider Newton for a start this week.
  5. Marcus Mariota vs. Indianapolis: Mariota didn't repeat his Week 1 performance, but he's not ruled himself out as a potential starter. Considering the Colts' below-average play so far, give him a shot to score two touchdowns this week.
Quarterbacks to Sit:
  1. Matt Stafford vs. Denver: The Broncos' defense is not a good sign for wide receivers and quarterbacks in fantasy. If you have an option besides Stafford, use him.
  2. Sam Bradford at New York Jets: So far, Bradford could arguably be the biggest bust of a quarterback pick this season. Many selected him in the middle rounds expecting him to be productive, but the Eagles' offense has been the bane of fantasy owners everywhere who picked Jordan Matthews, Demarco Murray or Bradford.
  3. Brandon Weeden vs. Atlanta: Don't buy the hype if you're thinking about it and are very desparate this week. The Falcons' pass rush will be a problem and Weeden won't give you much to work with.
  4. Ryan Tannehill vs. Buffalo: The Bills took a hit from Tom Brady last week, but Tannehill is no Brady and, unless he steps his game up this week, he will be having issues in the backfield.
  5. Nick Foles vs. Pittsburgh: The Steelers' pass rush was causing problems last week against the 49ers. Though Kaepernick did score decent points, Foles doesn't have the weapons that the 49ers did to balance it out.
Running Backs to Start:
  1. Giovani Bernard at Baltimore: We told you last week to start Bernard and it worked out. If Hill's fumble issues persist, Bernard may get more looks and you can definitely benefit from it this week. Put him in the FLEX or RB2 slot this week.
  2. Isaiah Crowell vs. Oakland: With McCown or Manziel in, the Browns are looking to be conservative in 2015, which will give Crowell plenty of chances this Sunday as he faces a struggling Raiders defense.
  3. Latavius Murray at Cleveland: Look for Murray to be an option for Oakland to depend on this week to avoid having to tango with Cleveland's secondary.
  4. Dion Lewis vs. Jacksonville: Lewis is looking to be a solid dump-down option for Brady so far this season and should be given consideration at the FLEX position until he cools off.
  5. Le'Veon Bell at St. Louis: Normally I don't go over the dummy picks, but if you're thinking about keeping Bell on your bench for one more week because of the reputation of the Rams' defense, you will be sorry.
Running Backs to Sit:
  1. DeMarco Murray at New York Jets: If any part of you thinks that he will rebound this week, ignore it. Murray has not only been a 1st/2nd round bust for fantasy owners so far this season, but he's also injured and not looking like he's gelling with his new teammates at all. He was seen cursing and giving death stares to Sam Bradford on the sidelines last week and left practice early after an injury this week. Stay away from him. This time last year, Trent Richardson had 88 more yards than Murray has right now.
  2. C.J. Anderson at Detroit: The Broncos continue to cause problems for fantasy owners who draft their running backs high in their drafts. Don't start Anderson this week with Hillman splitting carries and the offense not settling on a back.
  3. Alfred Morris at New York Giants: Matt Jones' performance last week should be alarming for fantasy owners this week, as the rookie second round pick took over against the Rams' defense while Morris struggled. If you have another option, use him over Morris until this gets straightened out.
  4. Lamar Miller vs. Buffalo: Not only is Miller questionable going into this game, but he's been disappointing so far this season and goes up against a defense that will most likely give the Dolphins a hard time. Wait another week before bringing him back to your lineup.
  5. Chris Johnson vs. San Francisco: I know there's probably some tendency to give Johnson a shot after DeAngelo Williams put up three touchdowns on the 49ers last week, but you should disregard it. The 49ers' defense will be forcing Palmer to go to the air and Johnson will be limited in his carries.
Wide Receivers to Start:
  1. Jeremy  Maclin at Green Bay: This is the week, Maclin will end Kansas City's streak of games without a wide receiver touchdown and put up solid numbers against Green Bay ... right?
  2. Travis Benjamin vs. Oakland: Steve Smith had a very solid week against the Oakland Raiders in week 2, and now the hottest waiver wire pickup this week should be able to do the same.
  3. Allen Robinson at New England: Robinson put up two touchdowns last week and looked impressive. With the high powered offense of the Patriots, look for Blake Bortles and the Jaguars to try to keep up and Robinson to get solid targets.
  4. Brandon Marshall vs. Philadelphia: Marshall has been showing just how big of a playmaker he is even as he gets older in the league. With all the trouble that Byron Maxwell is having, look for him to get in the end zone again.
  5. Donte Moncrief at Tennessee: Moncrief has made himself Andrew Luck's favorite target so far in 2015 and could see more opportunities against the Titans. Give him a look this week.
Wide Receivers to Sit:
  1. Jordan Matthews at New York Jets: Do not expect Matthews to turn it around against Darrelle Revis.
  2. Brandin Cooks at Carolina: Cooks is fighting an injury, Brees is hurt and the Saints are in a serious slump. Find a replacement for Cooks until we see more from his offense.
  3. Golden Tate vs. Denver: The only Lions WR you should start this week is Calvin Johnson because he's Calvin Johnson. Tate will still be receiving tight coverage and probably very few opportunities to make plays.
  4. Sammy Watkins at Miami: Brent Grimes creates problems for the second year player and Percy Harvin receives more targets this week.
  5. Amari Cooper at Cleveland: Cooper and Crabtree have been solid options so far, but if Cooper attracts attention from Joe Haden Crabtree will be getting more targets when these teams play.

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