Fantasy Football’s Biggest Busts From Week 3 

We’re back for the Week 3 edition of Fantasy Football’s Biggest Busts. We all hate when our feature players and early draft picks throw up single digit duds on Sundays don’t we? For sure. We’re here to take a look at some Week 3 busts, but also give some fantasy analysis for Week 4.

For some key players, it’s not their first rodeo on the Fantasy Busts Top 10 list. Others might have been stellar through Week 3, but posted a stinker in Week 3. However, I’ll let you know who these ten players are that we all hated this week, and tell you what you should with them in Week 4. Last week, Chris Johnson topped my list at No .1, can you guess who is No.1 this week? Also, can you guess who became the first tight end to show up on the 2012 bust list? Let’s find out.

Let’s take a closer look at the Top 10 players who were the biggest fantasy disappointments from Week 3:

1. Chris Johnson RB, Tennessee Titans

You guessed it. I love Chris Johnson but we can’t help but to acknowledge the fact that he is quickly becoming obsolete in fantasy football. Chris Johnson was a first round pick in almost every draft in America, and whoever drafted him has a huge hole in their RB1 slot right about now. Johnson gained more than 20 yards this week though! Wait, did I just say that? If that’s a big deal, that says a lot of CJ’s production as of late. CJ has run for 45 yards in three games, and hasn’t sniffed the endzone once. Not only is Johnson losing grip of his awesome CJ2K nickname, but he’s also losing hold of a starting fantasy job. He will be No.1 on this list until he gains 100 yards from scrimmage, but it don’t look like good odds in Week 4. He faces a scary Houston Texans defense, but unless you’re completely stacked at RB, it’s so hard to sit him.

2. Steven Jackson RB, St. Louis Rams

Jackson has given us numerous seasons of fantasy production, but his time as a stud running back could be slowly ending. Jackson has put up 8, 5, and 2 points in the first three weeks of the season. Jackson workload was good in Week 1 with 21 carries, but in Weeks 2 and 3 combined he carried the ball 20 times. Jackson ran for only 29 yards this week, and fantasy owners are wondering if would be a decent idea to bench him on Sunday against Seattle. Well, listen to this, Steven Jackson has never rushed for 100 yards against the Seahawks in 15 meetings in his career. Ouch. But, Jackson is still the engine in the St.Louis offense and would not worry about Daryl Richardson stealing his carries just yet.

3. Cam Newton QB, Carolina Panthers

Newton wasn’t awful through two weeks, but in Week 3 he was one of fantasy’s biggest duds. Newton threw three terrible interceptions against the Giants, and completed just over 50 percent of his passes. Some believe Newton may be in the midst of a sophomore slump, while others believe he had a few bad games. His passing yardage is pretty good, but his 5 interceptions to 2 touchdowns ratio is pretty bad thus far. This week he is on the road at the undefeated Atlanta Falcons, another unfavorable matchup. If you watched what the Falcons defense did with Rivers and Co. in San Diego on Sunday, I’d proceed with caution with Newton this week. If I have a lesser QB with a better matchup, I would sit Newton.

4. Philip Rivers QB, San Diego Chargers

I did not expect Rivers on the Week 3 Busts list after a stellar start to his 2012 campaign. Rivers threw for only 173 yards last week, and threw two huge interceptions. He faced a tough defense but we didn’t expect him to dud that bad in Week 3 especially upon the return of running back Ryan Mathews. Rivers is heading to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday to face their division rival Chiefs. Rivers threw four interceptions against the Chiefs in 2011, but we have to see this as a bounce-back opportunity for him considering the Chiefs own one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL through three weeks.

5. Rob Gronkowski TE, New England Patriots

In his first two games of 2012, Gronk went right back to work with Tom Brady for 12 receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns. But in Week 3, without tight end mate Aaron Hernandez, the Ravens had Rob Gronkowski well covered all night. Gronkowski managed only 2 catches for 21 yards on Sunday Night, racking up all of 2 fantasy points. Gronkowski heads to Buffalo this week, and I love this matchup. Gronk has seven touchdowns in four career games against the Buffalo Bills, so I expect big numbers from him. Rob Gronkowski had an off week, but is still the best tight end in the NFL, so Keep Calm and Gronk On.

6. Michael Vick QB, Philadelphia Eagles

In Week 3, Vick managed not add to his interception total (6), but also failed to throw a touchdown as well. Despite throwing 6 interceptions in the first two weeks, Vick threw for 300+ yards in each game to pad his stats and produce good fantasy numbers. On Sunday, Vick was held under 300 yards passing and put up only 6 fantasy points. The Cardinals were swarming all day and continued to hit Vick hard, as he had been all season thus far. Michael Vick hosts the Giants in Philadelphia this week, and everyone knows their front four present a huge mismatch for any offensive line. But who knows, maybe Week 4 against the Giants in a nationally televised game will bring out the best in Vick.

7. Tony Romo QB, Dallas Cowboys

Romo owners were disappointed for two weeks in a row with their QB, as he threw for just one touchdown while forfeiting three turnovers. On Sunday, Romo faced a Tampa Bay defense that was torched by Eli Manning the week before. It was the Cowboys home opener and we expected much more than 5 fantasy points out of him. But the past is the past, Romo will play at home again this week against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. I look back to the NFL season opener n Week 1, when Romo threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns against the world champions on national television. In 2010, Romo threw for 374 yards against the Bears, and I expect some of the same on Monday Night Football.

8. Jay Cutler QB, Chicago Bears

Cutler returns to the Fantasy Busts list for the second consecutive week. Fantasy owners are very disappointed in him the last two weeks as he threw five interceptions and just one score, totaling 8 fantasy points in that span. Awful. Cutler hasn’t made great decisions, but let’s take note that his pass protection has been terrible as well. If Cutler couldn’t muster up more than 6 fantasy points at home last week, how do we think he will fare on the road against Dallas on Monday Night Football? Keep in mind that the Cowboys rank second in the NFL in pass defense, allowing just 137 yards per game. I’m not digging this matchup if I’m a Cutler owner.

9. Aaron Rodgers QB, Green Bay Packers

Though many believe the Green Bay Packers should have won on Monday Night, Aaron Rodgers didn’t do much to help their cause. Rodgers threw for 223 yards, and no scores. Rodgers didn’t turn the ball over neither but only manifested 9 fantasy points. Rodgers was a top four pick in many fantasy drafts and was the No.1 rated QB in the NFL coming into this fantasy season, so whenever he puts up single digit points he will appear on this list. Looking ahead, comes home to Lambeau Field to play in front of his home crowd against the ailing New Orleans Saints. I’d hate to play against Rodgers this week, because this will be his breakout game. The Saints have allowed 34 points per game this season, and last season Rodgers scorched this defense for 312 yards and three scores while completing 77 percent of his passes. I love Rodgers this week.

10. Vincent Jackson WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 3 was a strong week for the NFL’s wide receivers which is why Vincent Jackson is the only WR on this week Fantasy Busts list. Tampa Bay went out and grabbed the biggest free agent receiver on the market in V-Jax during the offseason, and he has to produce for them just a little more. Jackson put up 2 fantasy points in Week 3 and was completely shut down the Cowboys defense catching just one pass. Jackson had an awesome Week 2, but in the other two weeks posted just 6 fantasy points combined. V-Jax has always been a pretty up and down receiver, but I am not worried here. I expect a lot more success for Jackson in Week 4 as he lines up against a terrible Washington secondary at home. A solid matchup for the Bucs’ wideout.

Analysis

Week 3’s Fantasy Bust list was quarterback heavy. I see favorable matchups for Rodgers, Rivers, and Romo. On the other hands, I see matchups that I hate for Cutler, Vick and especially Cam Newton. I hate the matchup of the struggling Cam Newton heading down to Atlanta, I would bench him this week.

Week 4 will belong to Aaron Rodgers. Mark my words. Rodgers is at home and the Saints defense could cover the Little Giants receivers. I predict Aaron Rodgers to be the all-around Week 4 fantasy points leader. Chris Johnson and Jay Cutler could really use a decent week to get them off of this list. Other than that, I expect all of the other players mentioned here to be off the list for Week 4. I own Romo and Gronkowski on my team but still managed a fantasy win in Week 3, (Thanks to Jamaal Charles), but I still give Romo and Gronk big weeks in Week 4.

Don’t forget to check out Week 4’s Fantasy Busts list!

All statistics according to ESPN Standard Scoring.