In Week 3 of the 2012 fantasy football season, some players have tougher matchups than others. When considering who to start and bench this week, here are some star players at each position who have unfavorable statistical matchups in Week 3*.
QB Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos (98% owned)
Matchup: vs. Houston Texans, least fantasy points to quarterbacks
Manning has one good start and one bad start to begin his career with the Broncos. Up against a top-notch Texans defense in Week 3, he may have another start with weaker numbers if he is unable to find the success he head against the league's most-recent expansion team as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. In the first two weeks, Ryan Tannehill of the Miami Dolphins scored 5.66 points and Blaine Gabbert of the Jacksonville Jaguars scored 6.62 points.
RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (99% owned)
Matchup: vs. San Francisco 49ers, least fantasy points to running backs
Peterson has looked impressive in his first two starts back from injury. Even though his limit on the number of carries he can have this week may be gone, he'll still be facing a 49ers run defense that was best in the NFL last season and looks to be a tough matchup again in 2012. While still a worthy starting option, this formidable challenge makes Peterson project as a low-end RB2 or flex option. In the first two weeks, Cedric Benson of the Green Bay Packers scored 1.8 points and Kevin Smith of the Detroit Lions scored seven points.
WR Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (95% owned)
Matchup: at Dallas Cowboys, 4th least fantasy points to wide receivers
Jackson has put up good numbers thanks to 20 targets by quarterback Josh Freeman in the first two games. While he'll still likely see a lot of passes thrown his way in Week 3, he'll face a tough Cowboys secondary featuring Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne that has shut down receivers so far this season. In the first two weeks, Victor Cruz of the New York Giants scored 5.8 points and Golden Tate of the Seattle Seahawks scored 3.8 points.
TE Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers (97% owned)
Matchup: at Seattle Seahawks, 7th least fantasy points to tight ends
In the well-balanced Packers offense run by Aaron Rodgers, Finley has yet to have a big game. With problems dropping passes and taking care of the ball, he could be looked at less in Week 3 with Greg Jennings possibly returning on Monday night. In the first two weeks, Todd Heap of the Arizona Cardinals scored 3.2 points and Jason Witten of the Cowboys scored 5.8 points.
K Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders (94% owned)
Matchup: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 2nd least fantasy points to kickers
While Janikowski's powerful leg has always made him a strong fantasy kicker, a matchup against the tough Steelers defense could spell trouble for all of Oakland's fantasy options. Factor in a left groin issue that has limited him this week and this could be a low-scoring Week 3. In the first two weeks, Matt Prater of the Broncos scored five points and Nick Folk of the New York Jets scored four points.
New England Patriots team defense (77% owned)
Matchup: at Baltimore Ravens, 3rd least fantasy points to team defenses
New England versus Baltimore has brought some big battles over the years. With both teams not having the elite defenses of years past, this could be a high-scoring game which could not work out in the Patriots team defense's favor. In the first two weeks, Cincinnati Bengals team defense scored -1 point and the Philadelphia Eagles team defense scored six points.
*Point totals determined through standard Yahoo! scoring structure; player percentage owned data accurate as of September 22, 2012.
Sources:
Fantasy Points Against, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football
Fantasy Points Against Houston Texans Quarterback, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football
Fantasy Points Against San Francisco 49ers Running Back, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football
Fantasy Points Against Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football
Fantasy Points Against Seattle Seahawks Tight End, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football
Fantasy Points Against Pittsburgh Steelers Kicker, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football
Fantasy Points Against Baltimore Ravens Defense, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football
Vincent Jackson News & Notes, Yahoo! Sports
Sebastian Janikowski News & Notes, Yahoo! Sports
More from this contributor:
Austin Chang is a lifelong football fan, San Francisco 49ers supporter, and fantasy football player since 2005. Follow him on Twitter @_austinchang.
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