Fantasy Football Week 3 Preview - Early Edition

Even though I'm writing this column much earlier than I typically do, I find myself under no less time induced pressure. Rather than discuss deadlines or the miniature amounts of time I have to write this, let's jump into the weeks games.

In the only battle of 0-2s this week,

Mr. Scott's F**kUps (0-2) vs. LT Get Outta My Way (0-2)

Last week the F**kUps showed promise, thanks to an incredible game by QB Eli Manning. The team also made several new acquisitions, which could have helped lead the team to a win (such as RB Willis McGahee), however, most did not make the week 2 starting roster. This week the holes on defensive have been plugged, but injured WR Domenik Hixon and LB Brian Urlacher are still listed as starters while McGahee sits on the bench. It's a questionable strategy to implore when seeking your first victory, however, given the F**kUps opponents this week, it may still prove to be successful.
Last week LT was pushed out of the way by his older brother, who laid a 57 point beatdown on his best man's best effort. The offense, other than Frank Gore, really let LT down with both WRs Greg Jennings and Antonio Bryant being shut out. At least Bryant has an excuse, he's injured. RB Brian Westbrook wasn't much of a factor in the game against the Saints, that'll happen when you're down and Drew Brees turns the game into an aerial shootout. This week they'll look to rebound and get the elusive first win. Greg Jennings faces the Rams so he should have a touchdown catch by the 2nd quarter and Brian Westbrook should be relevant all game long against the Chiefs.

NY DAs Office (0-2) vs. Vick's Vet Service (2-0)

The DAs Office lost a tough one last week, falling by 5 to the Giant Ten Pins. On the bright side though, they did get to savor one of their biggest wins, as Plaxico Burress began his jail sentence this week. Ironically enough, it was Burress' former teammate, Brandon Jacobs who was one of the key players unable to carry the load for the DAs office, scoring a measly 2 points against arch-rival Dallas. WRs Antwaan Randle El and Michael Clayton have been released and benched respectively and the team has gone in a new direction at some of the defensive positions. They hope not to end up on the short side of the scoreboard this weekend. Big things are expected from their Big 6 (QB, RBs, WRs and TE) with Peyton facing Arizona's secondary. But Chansi Stuckey against Tennessee and Correll Buckhalter against Oakland seem a big far fetched.
Vick's Vet Service (VVS) couldn't have asked for a better start to the season being 2 and 0 and this being the first week that their namesake is eligible to play in an NFL game. Well, some things could be better. RB Derrick Ward is looking like a unwise investment early in the season with Cadillac Williams healthy and getting the majority of carries and WR Devin Hester is still not a reliable receiver, even with a decent quarterback under center. But when you haven't lost a game all season you not exactly sitting around panicking and the VVS is letting things come to them. This week features favorable matchups for just about all of their stars, especially Tony Romo who will be happy to see anyone other than the Giants defense lined up against him. That privilege will go to former Giants RB and current Tampa Bay part-timer Derrick Ward who will try to run into open space against his former team. So far the Browns offense has not impressed anyone and VVS will be getting points everytime the Raven's D stops them. Ya know, for Vick's game back it would have been nice to see him in Cleveland, facing the Dawg Pound.

Beer Burgers & Blue (1-1) vs. Wandering Jews (0-2)

Despite benching QB Matt Schaub on his best Drew Brees impression day, BBB was able to notch their first victory of the season last week thanks to the defensive presence of Charles Woodson. With WR Wes Welker a late gametime no-go, WR and early season sleeper, Josh Morgan stepped in and promptly did nothing. He's no longer with the team. This week Welker is again a question mark and may not play. BBB has gone out and gotten a more capable replacement in the form of St. Louis' Laurent Robinson. With everyone's favorite pre-season bandwagon pick at RB, Pierre Thomas still recovering from a messed up MCL, Rutgers RB Ray Rice is likely to start opposite of secondary bane of my existence, Steven Jackson. Schaub will start and more than likely will repeat his performance from week 1 against the Jets. However, if that is not the case look out, as this team is the tools if they can ever get on the field at the same time.
It's been a long and hard 40 days for the Wandering Jews, who hope that this week will send them to the promised land of winners. Last week they were overrun by the Drew Brees experience, though the team score of 83 did outscore Brees by himself, something to take pride in. WR Brandon Marshall has still yet to do something other than complain and Roy E. Williams was shut down by the Giants secondary. Either that, or because he was wearing a Cowboys jersey Romo decided not to throw to him. The running game features only one back at present, with DeAngelo Williams doing his fair share. Last week's compliment Le'Ron McClain did nothing and is gone, replaced by New Orlean's Heath Evans, another #3+ on the depth chart. However, with the way the Saints score that makes him equivalent to a #2, at least, in theory. Will he be the hidden gem that gets the Jews over that last sand dune? Or will he be just another cheap spare part.

Any Given Sunday (2-0) vs. Giant Ten Pins (1-1)

Sunday is 2-0 and again looking like a strong contender. However, if Fantasy Football is anything like Fantasy Baseball, you don't want to face a team on the week that they are getting married. Sunday is hopes that her opponent uses up all his magic moments on Saturday, leaving her to invest heavily on Sunday afternoon. And what better investment has their been this season than RB Adrian Peterson (okay, Drew Brees is a possible answer but it ruins my transition). In 2 games Peterson has already rushed for over 250 yards and 4 TDs (or 100 yards and 2 TDs shy of Drew Brees in week 1 - I get it). The injury to RB Marion Barber is sure to given Sunday some concern, or would, if boyfriend RB Leon Washington wasn't on the roster to step in and take his place. The inconsistent Santana Moss has been benched in favor of emerging Giants WR Mario Manningham who looks to continue an impressive introduction to the NFL. Will all of that be enough to take down the latest competitor to be taken down the aisle?
Giant Ten Pins probably has a lot on his mind this weekend. Like how will Matt Ryan fair against Belicheck and the Patriots defense. Last week rookie Mark Sanchez made them look vulnerable and confused, not something anyone would expect Bellicheck to allow to continue. Has he been inventing new defensive packages to try to confuse the sensational sophomore QB? Is Ryan as real as people are proclaiming him, and about to shred the Pats as if he were Peyton Manning? Is Michael Jenkins worth keeping on the roster if I already have 2 other Falcons who you can make arguements for having? Who is my team's #1 receiver? And of course, will the wife mind if I wake up at 10am to watch pre-game on our first full day as a married couple?

The New Good Ones (1-1) vs. Dogs and Guns (2-0)

The New Good Ones were up-ended last week by VVS when the running game of Thomas Jones and Matt Forte failed to break 4 points each. Reggie Wayne also contributed a futile 2.5 and the result was a 6 point loss. Now if that reads like a fluke to you as well, you have to feel good about the New Good Ones chances at getting back into the win column this week. JA (Jackass) Philip Rivers faces the Dolphins, and while I'd love nothing more than for Joey Porter and Jason Taylor to squish him like a bug, it is a chance for him to put up some quality numbers. Forte will face the Seahawks, who last week gave up two, yes 2, runs to Frank Gore of over 78 yards. You have to believe Forte has been watching film of those runs. Thomas Jones is expected to be a minor contributor as he faces the 0-2 Titans who would probably like to assert themselves against the 2-0 Jets, in what should be a hard hitter. Expect Reggie Wayne to be at least on par with fellow WR Anquan Boldin this week as the two provide aerial cover fire to Forte's ground game. If things line up in their favor, the New Good Ones could be looking at putting up over 130 points on way to a win.
Dogs and Guns has started out 2-0 in their campaign to repeat as league champion. Jay Cutler rebounded and Chris Johnson went off as Dogs and Guns showed that they can put up insane amounts of points too. But forget about all that. According to a video I just watched, for every pass that he catches this season, Larry Fitzgerald is sending an autographed ball to an ESPN owner who has him in their starting lineup. While it won't exactly increase D&Gs chances of winning, it does make Fitzgerald now the most valueable player in a trade. If we get back to fantasy, Fitz is matched up with T.J. Housh who is on pace for another disappointing season now that QB Matt Hasselbeck has gone down. Pittsburgh's Santonio Holmes will likely need to step in and pick up a larger share and it's unclear if he's ready to become that type of reciever, especially with Hines Ward still their #1 possesion guy. RB Ronnie Brown goes as the Wildcat goes. Indy couldn't stop it and he had a big game. This week the Chargers. If they can stop it, it opens up a big whole in D&G. But if they can't, look for the defending champ to head to 3-0 as he anxiously waits by his mailbox for his Fitzgerald football. I'm sure if he knew, Mr. Scott would have used his #1 overall pick on Fitzgerald, gotten a football, sold it on eBay and considered the season a success.

Finally, our game of the week, mostly because this team (the 2nd one listed) shows no signs of being stopped

Wide Right (1-1) vs. The Breakfast Club (2-0)

Wide Right came up just 2 points shy against Any Given Sunday last week. Kicker Adam Vinatieri had gotten the team back and with a late game tying field goal could have tied or won the game for Wide Right. Instead the Colts took the easy route and scored a TD, giving Vinatierie only 1 point for the point after, and Wide Right a 2 point loss. This week they're playing for the upset and hoping that golden boy QB Tom Brady can get right against the Falcons, a team not known for a strong defense. RB Steve Slaton has raised some concerns with his lack of production, but if you put any running back up against the Jets and Titans in back to back weeks, especially at the start of the season, you'll see their numbers drop. However, people are still talking and that can fuel the Slaton Steam Engine express to a big game against Jacksonville this week. Felix Jones is sure to see more carries with the Barber injury and now Wide Right has found itself with a nice little running game going into the week. It's their running game versus the passing game of...
Drew Brees and The Breakfast Club. Brees is looking to take the single season TD record away from the man he faces this week. With his receiver corps of the re-energized Chad Ochocinco was funny at first but now it's just stupid, and "hey, do you know me? I'm one of the top 3 receivers in football" Andre Johnson, and soon to be Hall of Fame TE pass catcher Tony Gonzalez, The Breakfast Club has an air attack that would rival ze Germans. On the ground Ryan Grant has held his own so far but this week gets an incredibly favorable matchup, which should show his true value going forward. Franchise RB Darren Sproles has had a couple of big time plays so far this season. Perhaps none more memorable than last weeks' game on the line, 4th and 2 where Ray Lewis absolutely blew him up. With Tomlinson hurt the Chargers will need to put the ball in the hands of the undersized Sproles. The question remains if he can handle the load the the big boys do, or if he's better suited as a gimmick like Reggie Bush.

And that everyone is what to look for as week 3 rolls in. Congratulations to Dan and Kimberly. And now if everyone is quite finished with this getting married stuff, I'd like to return to the Fantasy Sports Season - already in progress.