Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By David Ferris

Following are complete fantasy football rankings based on this week's matchups for all the major positions (QB, RB, WR, TE, K, team defense). They are based on a combined yardage/scoring system (4 points for a passing touchdown, 6 points for a rushing/receiving touchdown, one point for every 25 passing yards, one point for every 10 rushing/receiving yards).

Updated 9/22/07

* = check status

>> Continue reading: Week 3 complete player rankings

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By David Ferris

Quarterbacks

Rams QB Marc Bulger had sore ribs after last week's loss to Tampa Bay, but it won't keep him out of the lineup. Pass protection has been a problem for this team through two weeks, however.

Ravens QB Steve McNair (groin) had another full practice Friday and has already been confirmed as the Week 3 starter against Arizona. This might not be a good thing for Baltimore's offense, as McNair no longer can make all the throws that Kyle Boller can.

Lions QB Jon Kitna (post-concussion) had no problems this week and will go at Philadelphia.

Jets QB Chad Pennington (ankle) has been solid in practice this week and looks set for Sunday's game with Miami, an opponent he's done well against throughout his career.

Giants QB Eli Manning (shoulder) had a full workout Friday and should be fine for Sunday's game at Washington.

Dolphins QB Trent Green was added to the injury report Friday (ankle, probable), but he also had a full practice and should be fine for Sunday's game at the Meadowlands.

Raiders QB Josh McCown (finger/foot) is dinged up a bit, but barring a late setback he'll start against Cleveland. He's on a short leash, however, as head coach Lane Kiffin says he won't hesitate to use Daunte Culpepper on game day.

Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson (groin) isn't expected to play this week. It's not certain who will go in his place at Kansas City, though context clues point to Kelly Holcomb over Brooks Bollinger.

Running Backs

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (knee) did all the work Friday and is expected to play Sunday against the Lions, though he's still tagged as questionable on the injury report. Philadelphia plays an early game, so fantasy owners should be able to confirm Westbrook's status about noon on Sunday.

Raiders RB LaMont Jordan (back) had a good day Friday and is listed as probable.

Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander (wrist) will play with a cast on his left hand again this week, but there's no reason why he can't take a full load against the Bengals, so use him if you normally would.

Texans RB Ahman Green (knee) had a full day of practice Friday and is listed as probable for Sunday's showdown with the Colts. He'll be needed, as Ron Dayne (chest) is considered a game-time decision.

Broncos RB Travis Henry has a dinged ankle but it's not expected to limit his workload Sunday against Jacksonville.

Vikings RB Chester Taylor (hip) feels he can go at Kansas City Sunday, though he's listed as questionable.

Lions RB Kevin Jones (foot) is expected to be available on a limited basis Sunday. Teammate T.J. Duckett (ankle) won't be on the field.

Buccaneers RB Carnell Williams will play through sore ribs, again, Sunday against St. Louis.

Packers RB Vernand Morency (knee) is doubtful for Week 3 and it would be a surprise if the team dresses him against San Diego.

Wide Receivers

Texans WR Andre Johnson (knee) won't play this week and could miss up to five games, though his timetable is very hazy for the moment. Rookie WR Jacoby Jones will pick up extra snaps with Johnson out, though the Texans might treat it as a platoon situation and use several different wideouts in expanded roles. TE Owen Daniels also gains extra importance with Johnson out.

Giants WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) was limited Friday and is considered a game-time decision for Sunday's game at Washington. WR Sinorice Moss would probably get the call if Burress can't go.

Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (knee) had a full practice Friday and should be fine for Sunday's game at Seattle.

Redskins WR Santana Moss (undisclosed) missed some practice time Friday but he's not listed on the injury report, so give him a play Sunday against the shaky Giants secondary.

Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder) missed part of practice the last three days and remains listed as questionable, though no one seems particularly concerned that he'll miss the critical game Sunday with Miami.

49ers WR Darrell Jackson (back) had a full day Friday and is probable for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh. WR Arnaz Battle (groin) is also probable and did well Friday.

Patriots WR Donte Stallworth (knee) is considered questionable for Sunday's game with Buffalo. Given what he's done over the first two weeks, you don't want to risk anything on him yet.

Packers RB James Jones (hamstring) worked Friday and is considered probable for the Chargers on Sunday. The Packers also could get WR Greg Jennings back; his hamstring has improved and he's listed as probable.

Ravens WR Mark Clayton (toe) had a good day of practice Friday, though it's impossible to use him for fantasy purposes off two no-show weeks.

Jaguars WR Matt Jones (heel) had a good workout Friday, though he's still buried on the team's depth chart.

Vikings WR Troy Williamson (hamstring) was limited during the practice week and shouldn't be in anyone's fantasy lineup Sunday.

Chiefs WR Eddie Kennison (hamstring) is out for another week.

Cowboys WR Terry Glenn (knee) hopes to come back in 4-6 weeks.

Seahawks WR D.J. Hackett (ankle) isn't expected to be available this week.

Other Positions

Colts TE Dallas Clark (neck) was back at practice Friday in full, though he's considered questionable for Sunday's game with Houston. Unless you have another strong option for Week 3, I'd roll with him.

Eagles TE L.J. Smith had groin surgery Friday and is out indefinitely.

Bears TE Greg Olsen (knee) has improved this week and should make his NFL debut Sunday night against Dallas.

Redskins OT Randy Thomas (triceps) is out indefinitely, the second major hit to the Washington offensive line this year.

Falcons DT Rod Coleman (knee) won't go this week, a plus for the Panthers running game.

Raiders DL Derrick Burgess (calf) is questionable for Week 3.

Dolphins LB Zach Thomas (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's trip to New Jersey.

49ers LB Manny Lawson (knee) is out for the year.

Cowboys CB Terence Newman (foot) looks like a game-time decision for Sunday's game at Chicago.

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By Michael Salfino

Bill Parcells once famously said that until you win your first game, you seriously wonder if you ever will. If you're 0-2 right now in this very young fantasy season, you know exactly what he meant. But, with apologies to Douglas Adams: Don't Panic!

Upgrade

Donte Stallworth, WR, Patriots: He got more snaps last week than Wes Welker. Yes, everything he can do, someone else on the Patriots deep receiving corps can do better. When he inevitably has a big week, everyone will want him. Buy him cheap now and sell him after the outburst for a true, solid fantasy WR3.

Willie Parker, RB, Steelers: Strange but true (at least to me): he's almost a year older than Clinton Portis, yet Portis was thought of as washed up a month ago. (More on that later.) Parker is on pace for 400 carries and Mike Tomlin says, "We're riding Willie until the wheels fall off." (Actual quote.) You want to kiss the coach on the lips when he says that about your No. 1 fantasy back. Parker also has the most red-zone carries in the NFL. The planets are aligned for another 15-to-20 TD year.

Thomas Jones, RB, Jets: No touches last week for Leon Washington results in this upgrade for Jones, who has done little against two top defenses. The Dolphins, this week's opponent, have yielded 170-plus rushing yards per game in the early going.

DeShawn Wynn, RB, Packers: Why Wynn? Why not? He was highly recruited before opting to attend Florida, where he disappointed. Assume the talent is there. Brandon Jackson has done nothing to impress and never had more than 91 carries in college. Vernand Morency returns this week, but he's a journeyman. The Packers will run a lot more than in 2006 given their solid defense; Wynn's downside right now is goal-line back.

Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: Sometimes it pays to catch a falling knife. This isn't really the stock market. Our guesses at a player's value are far more circumstantial. I didn't like him in the summer, when he was drafted late first, early second everywhere. By September, I was able to grab him 49th overall in one league. Lesson: every player has a price.

Joey Galloway, WR, Bucs: He had a great game last week, but only had five passes thrown his way. It's Garcia vs. Gruden for more passes. If you like Garcia over Chucky, you can justify paying current market price for Galloway. But Gruden will be out for blood the first time Garcia checks off and throws a pick.

Nick Folk, K, Cowboys: He's kicking fine and the Cowboys right now are the best, most balanced offense in football. Get a cheap but important piece of this action.

Jacoby Jones, WR, Texans: Coach Gary Kubiak said Andre Johnson could be out a week or four weeks. Then he added that Johnson might even play this week. I'm tired of injury double-speak. I'm coming around on Matt Schaub. Jones should get most of Johnson's looks for as long as he's out.

Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns: Derek Anderson will have to keep throwing TDs in bunches to stave off a switch to rookie Brady Quinn. When Quinn comes in, the wheels are likely to come off the Browns passing game. (Apologies to Mike Tomlin.)

No Change

Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals: T.J. Houshmandzadeh is still getting more targets everywhere and, especially, in the red zone. Johnson needs to be discounted for that versus someone like Terrell Owens.

DeShaun Foster, RB, Panthers: He's a third fantasy back now. Coaches hate fumbles and his arguably turned the tide against Carolina on Sunday. But he's surprisingly run better than the more respected DeAngelo Williams, who gets the bulk of the work in the fourth quarter and on passing downs.

Downgrade

Ladell Betts, RB, Redskins: The path to playing time is hard when you're a backup. Betts has lost all goal-line looks with FB Mike Sellers filling the short-yardage role when Clinton Portis doesn't. Betts is unplayable as long as Portis remains healthy.

Julius Jones, RB, Cowboys: Wade Phillips says he's still the starter, noting that Marion Barber gets the glory with all the short TDs. Jones owners were hoping for some crumbs there. Barber continues running much better despite Jones' better combine numbers.

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars: He's worth the preseason price only if he's extremely explosive or if the Jaguars have a very productive offense. The first remains unlikely, the latter impossible.

Drew Brees, QB, Saints: Last year, on passes over 20 yards from scrimmage, Brees was 27-for-52 for 1,152 yards and 14 TDs. This year, he's thrown only three passes over 20 yards from scrimmage, missing on all of them. You can't live on the long-ball in the NFL.

Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles: Give him two more weeks against the terrible Lions and Giants secondaries before you bail. His accuracy has always stunk. But the Eagles have thrown it more than anyone in NFL history under Andy Reid and will continue heaving it, as Brian Westbrook (knee) is incapable of carrying a heavy rushing load.

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By Michael Salfino

Be alert early for NFL trends that buck preseason expectations. With the reality of 2007 quickly closing in, let’s examine what’s transpired after two games, already 12.5 percent of the season’s slate.

The Dallas Cowboys have the best offense in football thus far -- 41 points per game, 6.9 yards per play and an astounding 9.6 yard per pass attempt (YPA). The Colts are second in yards per play (6.7), the Patriots second in points per game (38).

Last in yards per play is the 49ers, at 3.6. Alex Smith is a fraud as a No. 1 overall pick – as the Niners average exactly the same per pass as per rush.

The Bears are second in offensive futility: 3.7 yards per play. But essentially tied with them are the Chargers, who banked on Norv Turner easing the transition from Cam Cameron’s offense (Cameron was Turner’s QB coach in the mid-90s with the Redskins).

Third-down efficiency usually is a very important stat. Thus far, six teams convert more than 50 percent: Steelers, Texans, Patriots, Redskins, Titans and … the Falcons? Atlanta is moving the chains reasonably enough, but cannot generate any offensive explosion with Joey Harrington at QB and RB Jerious Norwood (over six yards per carry last year) too often on the bench. Their 4.3 yards per play is tied for 27th overall with the Jets.

Defenses to avoid: the Patriots, Broncos and Steelers, all allowing less than 225 total yards per game. The best defenses at harassing QBs are the Steelers and Vikings (10 sacks each). Passing games have struggled most versus the Broncos: 4.5 YPA, 38.2 QB rating against. But Denver has faced two unsurprisingly poor offenses and gets another one this week: Jacksonville.

Easy marks for offenses thus far are the Raiders, Giants, Bengals, Bills and Browns -- all allowing 400-plus yards per game. The Giants are slapstick in the secondary – 300-plus yards passing per week (10.2 YPA). The Saints have allowed an even worse 11.5 YPA and opposing QB rating of 137.1.

The Jaguars, shockingly, are the easiest team to run on the early going (182 yards per game). But almost 300 of that came in Week 1. The Dolphins, 178.5 rushing yards per game, have been gashed both weeks. The Bills and Browns also allow more than 170 yards each week on the ground, followed closely by Cincy (166.5).

Now let’s use 2007 data to project individual performance.

Buy

Redskins Passing Game: Jason Campbell’s pedestrian QB rating is outweighed by his sparkling 8.6 YPA against two defenses (Philly, Miami) well regarded in August. WR Antwaan Randle El also should significantly exceed expectations going forward.

Chris Chambers: He hasn’t scored a TD yet, but has been the target on 54 percent of Dolphins passes, the highest rate for any receiver in football. Be advised that target percentage falls to 25 percent in the red zone (very small sample size).

Hold

Buccaneers Passing Game: The Bucs' sack-adjusted YPA is 8.4, better than the Redskins' (7.8). But no “Buy” here because QB Jeff Garcia is already clashing with coach Jon Gruden over conservative play calling – 60/40 running split in first down overall and in the first quarter of games.

Jon Kitna, QB, Lions: The Lions' passing game is quantity now, not quality (13th in sack-adjusted YPA). They are unlikely to continue throwing 71 percent passes on first and 10 with RB Kevin Jones returning this week. WR Shaun McDonald (13 catches, 161 yards) is this year’s Mike Furrey.

Torry Holt, WR, Rams: Isaac Bruce has more targets (20 to 16). But Holt will continue to trounce Bruce in red zone targets because Holt is viewed by many as the best red-zone receiver in football. Giant Amani Toomer leads the NFL with eight red-zone targets.

Sell

Brett Favre, QB, Packers: Favre’s also closing in on the all-time INT mark. The Packers defense is good; so forget about another 600 attempts (like last year). Torching the Giants right now is expected, so no bonus here for that.

Ahman Green, RB, Texans: Ron Dayne has as many carries, as Green averages just 15 rushes in two blowout wins. What happens to Green’s workload when the Texans inevitably start losing? Ahman does have 75 percent of Houston’s red-zone rushes (12 attempts).

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By David Ferris

The Saints passing game looked absolutely dreadful in the summer of 2006, but no one remembered because when the bell rang, Drew Brees and company were brilliant. In 2007, New Orleans receivers have struggled to get any separation on intermediate and deep routes, Brees has been uncharacteristically inaccurate with some of his throws, and the running game hasn't provided any explosive plays, either. Devery Henderson looks miscast as a starter - he had three drops Sunday - and David Patten doesn't have enough left to be an impact No. 3.

Chris Chambers has fantasy relevance again (15 catches, 201 yards), something you can directly attribute to Trent Green. Miami's quarterback play was dreadful for most of 2005 and 2006, but Green is a significant step up (even if he did throw four picks against the Cowboys).

I'm worried about Buffalo WR Lee Evans because I'm worried about his quarterback. It was clear in the opening two weeks that the Bills were trying to hide QB J.P. Losman, and that's going to limit Evans' opportunities. Apparently the momentum Losman was building at the end of 2006 didn't carry over into this season.

Ravens TE Todd Heap is a heck of a player under any circumstances, but he gets an immediate upgrade if Kyle Boller takes over the starting post long-term. Heap had seven catches for 76 yards and a touchdown Sunday, and the pair have worked well together in the past, especially around the goal line.

I'm not sure if Derek Anderson will ever be anything more than a journeyman quarterback in the NFL, but his explosion Sunday accomplishes one clear thing -- it pushes back the ETA on rookie QB Brady Quinn.

Lamont Jordan's debut raised some eyebrows, and he neatly validated it with a snappy 159 yards Sunday, knifing his way through the heart of a good Denver defense. Jordan got the job done without much help from the rest of the offense; the Oakland passing game was basically nothing other than one lucky touchdown pass to Jerry Porter off a blown coverage.

It was strange to see Thomas Jones get 26 touches at Baltimore (for a modest 87 yards), while Leon Washington didn't have a carry or a catch. It's not like Jones was attacking the record book with an eraser.

Quick Hits:

Rex Grossman plays like he's point shaving -- and wins -- while Carson Palmer throws for 402 yards and six touchdowns -- and loses. Sometimes there's simply no justice ... Olindo Mare was missing kicks all over the place at the end of training camp, and he's missed kicks in both of the Saints' losses this month. A long leg is a tremendous weapon on kickoffs, but you have no idea where the ball is going when Mare lines up a placement kick ... Given that the Giants play for "disciplinarian" Tom Coughlin, they sure take a lot of undisciplined penalties ... Joey Galloway is the Dwight Evans of the NFL, a player who peaked in his 30s after an uneven start to his career. Had Galloway not lost two years to a holdout and a major injury, we'd be talking about a Hall of Fame candidate here ... The 49ers defense was arguably the worst in the league last year, but they've quickly retooled and turned it around. Rookie LB Patrick Willis is a star right out of the box, and CB Nate Clements was a smart signing, albeit the Rams did make some big plays in the passing game Sunday ... Tony Gonzalez has netted just 71 yards on his nine receptions, which is a commentary on his supporting cast more than his skill set ... Isaac Bruce has always been lauded for his speed and ability to get deep, but he might be the most underrated route runner of his generation. He put on a clinic Sunday ... There are a lot of things wrong in Atlanta, but don't blame the defense. The front seven hung in against Jacksonville's power game Sunday, and the defense has allowed just two touchdowns through two weeks. One challenge for the Falcons coaching staff: finding more ways to get Jerious Norwood involved.

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