Inside the NFL

Fantasy football

Dalton faces weakened Skins defense

 

Special to The Miami Herald

Wondering whether to start Arian Foster and Calvin Johnson, or to bench Tim Tebow and Steve Breaston? Anyone can tell you that. If you’re looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 3.

Watch ’em roll

Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals at Redskins. Washington’s pass rush took a major hit last week with the loss of Brian Orakpo and Adam Carriker. Dalton should have plenty of time to pick apart the same secondary that Sam Bradford torched in Week 2.

Michael Bush, RB, Bears vs. Rams. Assuming Matt Forte takes another week off, Bush is a triple play against a struggling Rams run defense that has surrendered four rushing scores already.

Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers at Falcons. Sometimes it pays to bench a player in his first game back from injury; but this is not one of those times. Mathews is a reliable red-zone threat, and Atlanta is doing a terrible job of keeping opposing backs out of their end zone.

Stevie Johnson, WR, Bills at Browns. Despite scoring in each of the first two games, Johnson is flying a bit under the fantasy radar so far. That won’t be the case after he torches the Cleveland secondary, which will line up for the second consecutive week without Joe Haden, their best cover corner.

Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys vs. Buccaneers. He’s been a big disappointment thus far, but Bryant and the Dallas aerial attack should rediscover their mojo against a Tampa Bay secondary that just coughed up 510 net passing yards to the Giants.

Roll ’em back

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers vs. Falcons. With the expected return of Mathews and the ball-hawking Atlanta secondary, the Chargers will be better served slowing down the tempo and feeding the running back.

Michael Turner, RB, Falcons at Chargers. Aside from a 1-yard touchdown run in Week 2, Turner has been horrible. Mix in his early morning DUI arrest after the Monday night game, the presence of Jacquizz Rogers and the Chargers’ league-best run defense, and he should stay on your bench.

Shonn Greene, RB, Jets at Dolphins. Miami clamped down hard on Darren McFadden last week, and Greene split carries with Bilal Powell in Week 2 after missing some time with a head injury.

Brandon Lloyd, WR, Patriots at Ravens. Tom Brady has been struggling behind his porous offensive line, and he hasn’t yet developed a strong rapport with his new wideout. Even with Aaron Hernandez sidelined, Lloyd is unlikely to find more success this week.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals vs. Eagles. Like what Fitz did last week? Get ready for another disappointing day, thanks to the Kevin Kolb effect and the Eagles’ stout secondary.

Taking a flier

Mikel Leshoure, RB, Lions at Titans. Having completed his two-game suspension, Leshoure heads into a tasty matchup in Tennessee with high expectations. He is clearly the most talented member of the Detroit backfield, when healthy, and the coaches have already said he will be involved heavily in Sunday’s game plan. If you’re hurting at RB or the flex position, give Leshoure a shot.

Don’t be the bonehead who … trades Chris Johnson now. That doesn’t mean you should start him, either (you shouldn’t). But you’ll be much better served waiting for him to post a solid outing rather than selling at a rock-bottom price.

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