Whether you were out on the town with your amigos snappin' selfies in a limo getting smacked up-side the head by a stripper named “Sweat Pea,” or if you were dropping a slice of pizza and running into highway medians, or perhaps you were getting ripped like Brett Favre at the gym, you must have been wondering all that time…who are the risers and fallers this week? I know I was doing most of these things. After all: sun's out, guns out. That’s how I roll. Don’t fret baby birds, I’ve been foraging for proverbial fantasy worms, and these next three should fulfill your fantasy hunger.
3 UP
Brett Favre…no, not really. Although, he would be an upgrade at the age of 43 to about six teams with obvious QB dilemmas. When will this guy go away? More importantly, why haven’t we seen Jenn Sterger lately?
Le'Veon Bell – PIT, RB
Although Big Ben thinks Bell is giving inconsistent work in practice, he is the best option they have when healthy. Before his preseason injury, Bell was slated to be the feature back in a ground-'n-pound style offense. With little talent blocking his path, the now “healthy” Bell could be in for a decent workload. I had Bell projected as a solid second rounder before his foot injury; he will outproduce the likes of Chris Ivory, Mark Ingram and probably Steven Jackson at this point.
Ronnie Hillman – DEN, RB
The Denver running game is merely a sideshow to the clinical operating procedure that is Peyton Manning’s aerial assault. However, that sideshow may have found a new leading act. Hillman has 14 carries on the season for 84 yds which is a 6.0 yard per carry average, he also added his first rushing score in Week Three. Whether or not he got that carry by winning a ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS tournament or not is up for debate, but Coach Fox has said that Hillman was the go-to guy in that situation. All told, Denver will spend a lot of time in the lead this season if Manning remains healthy and that spells some nice running lanes for Hillman and his 6.0 YPC average. Knowshon Moreno was ineffective this week and Montee Ball coughed up a fumble while the team was eating clock late which doesn't bode well for his case for carries.
Indianapolis Colts - DEF/ST
Let’s face it, the Colts manhandled the defending NFC Champion 49ers last week. They got after Colin Kaepernick and blanketed the Niner’s ineffective receiving corps. With a scrumptious matchup against the impotent Jaguars this week, the Indy defense should flourish once again.
Honorable Mentions for 3 UP: Ahmad Bradshaw, Denarius Moore, Santonio Holmes
3 DOWN
Josh Freeman – QB TB (demoted)
The downward spiral for Freeman descended into complete free-fall this week as the Bucs announced that Mike Glennon would be taking over the starting job. The writing was on the wall, as Freeman was not voted a team Captain for 2013 and had played terribly thus far. With Glennon at the helm, look for even more PPR value out of Doug Martin, who has also underperformed through three weeks.
Michael Vick – QB PHI
“I see your true colors, and that’s why I love you..” That’s right, I threw a Cyndi Lauper reference in there for Mike Vick. The first half of Week One against the Redskins was an aberration, what you're seeing now is the Philly QB's true colors, to say nothing of that woeful offensive line. Chip Kelly is going to wish he was back in Eugene after this season. Vick was sacked six times, fumbled once and was intercepted twice last week by Andy Reid’s Chiefs, and he completed just 13 of 30 passes.I think we see Nick Foles by Week Nine.
Lesean McCoy - RB, PHI
A little controversial? Sure. But McCoy is averaging 6.4 YPC carry now, which is insane, amazing, and quite unsustainable. If there are GMs in your league willing to pay top dollar for McCoy, make an inquiry and see if you can secure a high-end underperforming RB (Rice, Richardson) along with an elite receiver or tight end.
My Pick to Click
Ryan Broyles – WR DET
According to the Detroit press, Ryan Broyles will be slated for a full game of snaps this week. Whether it was forced by Nate Burleson’s arm injury (following his car accident resulting from dropping a pizza off his car seat) or due to his health, Broyles is certainly someone worth monitoring in PPR leagues. With Megatron drawing double-coverage more times than not, Broyles could be in for a nice couple of weeks until Burleson returns or the Lions trade for a WR.
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Don’t forget to check back at RotoBaller.com this for up-to-date waiver wire pickups and fantasy football analysis. Good luck with your decisions in Week Four!