Fantasy Fix

Some (somewhat) educated guesses on Week Three ...

The Steelers will rely heavily on RB Rashard Mendenhall with fourth-stringer Charlie Batch at QB. Mendenhall is a great No. 1 RB at Tampa Bay.

The switch to Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB will eventually give WR Lee Evans some usefulness, just not this week against New England.

QB Joe Flacco is ready to become the fantasy star his owners were hoping he would be. Start him today against the Browns.

San Francisco WR Michael Crabtree has been a huge disappointment so far for owners. Sit him today against Kansas City.

Minnesota QB Brett Favre just doesn't look right. But a matchup against the Lions at home is too pretty to pass up. Start him.

I've never been high on Atlanta QB Matt Ryan, but I've become a big believer in WR Roddy White. He's a No. 1 receiver today against New Orleans.

---Jay Skurski

http://twitter.com/jayskurski

Good morning! Each week of the fantasy season going forward, I'll post some feelings I have about select players and games. Some of them will be based on facts, others simply my humble opinion.

Let's take a spin around the league for Week Two:

- DeAngelo Williams has owned the Bucs, rushing for at least 120 yards and two touchdowns in three of his last four against them. He can be viewed as a No. 1 RB this week.

- I like T.O. more than I do Ochocinco for the Bengals this week against the Ravens, but think players on each team will be limited in their offensive production.

- The Falcons actually controlled Rashard Mendenhall last week before the Steelers' RB busted out for a 50-yard touchdown run in overtime. I think Atlanta will shut down Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, who I would keep on the bench.

- Every Packer is good. Every Bill is bad. Nuff said.

- Eagles RB LeSean McCoy is a great start, especially in PPR leagues, after seeing what Bears RB Matt Forte did as a receiver last week against the Lions. Speaking of the Eagles, QB Mike Vick will not rush for more than 100 yards again. He got a break against a GB defense that probably was not expecting him to see extended playing time. I expect Vick to throw for around 200 yards, and rush for about 40-50.

- As obvious as it is to start Titans RB Chris Johnson, expect the Steelers to at least limit his production. That means I don't see the 150-yard, multiple-touchdown game that has become the norm for him.

- Brett Favre won't come close to his 2009 numbers, but the Vikings' offense will be better in its home opener than it was last week against the Saints. The Dolphins' run D was solid against the Bills, but Adrian Peterson is a different breed. I like him for 100+ and a TD.

- Michael Bush will steal just enough of Darren McFadden's touches in Oakland to make him bench-worthy again in fantasy formats. My sleeper pick for the week: Oakland QB Jason Campbell.

- Arian Foster won't rush for more than 200 yards this week. In fact, he might not get 100. The Redskins gave up a lot of yards to the Cowboys in the opener, but should have a good familiarity with what Houston is doing, since former Texans offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is now in D.C.

Good luck in Week Two!

---Jay Skurski

What came as good news to the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday can only be described as horrible news for fantasy football players.

That news would be the announcement that Packers running back Ryan Grant will miss the rest of the season after tearing ligaments in his right ankle Sunday against the Eagles. Grant was a borderline first/second round pick (I should know, I took him with the 14th and final pick of the first round in our News league), and makes Brandon Jackson a no-brainer waiver wire add.

Jackson is a great start at home against the Bills this week.

Some other news from around the league as Week Two approaches:

- Arizona running back Beanie Wells is expected to return to practice Wednesday. He's a good fantasy option going forward.

- RB Laurence Maroney will be reunited with Josh McDaniels in Denver, although his fantasy value doesn't change much with the trade. Maroney will be used in a reserve role along with Correll Buckhalter behind starter Knowshon Moreno. He's worth keeping an eye on, but that's about it.

- Shonn Greene owners can't be pleased with the news that he'll split carries with LaDainian Tomlinson going forward. Greene was drafted to be a No. 1 RB. His value takes a huge hit in a committee.

---Jay Skurski

http://twitter.com/jayskurski

Welcome back to another season of fantasy football.

The 1 p.m. games are just 20 minutes away, so let's get to some injury updates. In New England, RB Laurence Maroney and WR Julian Edelman are out, so that means RB Fred Taylor is a more attractive start against the Bengals. I'd also give a look to WR Wes Welker. He might not be 100 percent healthy, but if he's on the field, QB Tom Brady will find him.

Oakland Raiders RB Michael Bush is out with a thumb injury, which means RB Darren McFadden will start. McFadden, however, is on the road against Tennessee and has been kryptonite for fantasy owners in his short career. Don't expect much.

For the Broncos, RB Knowshon Moreno is active and WR Demaryius Thomas, a first-round pick, is out.

A pair of Carolina Panthers will play against the Giants in WR Steve Smith and RB Jonathan Stewart. Both should be in your starting lineup.

Lions RB Kevin Smith is inactive. He shouldn't be in your lineup anyway, but that's good news for rookie RB Jahvid Best.

Lastly, here in Buffalo, RB Fred Jackson is active. Of course, the big announcement came earlier this week with the news that electrifying rookie RB C.J. Spiller will start. Jackson will get some touches, but it's doubtful he'll see enough time to make a meaningful fantasy contribution.

Good luck in Week One!

---Jay Skurski