Lions Insider

LIONS 6
Brandon Pettigrew, TE – Start: He’s the start of the week for the Lions. The Titans defense has allowed an absurd five touchdowns to tight ends in two games and opposing tight ends are averaging 22.5 fantasy points against them per week this season.

Titus Young, WR – Sit: I figure I’ve had Young as a start option the last two weeks and that hasn’t gone so well (2 catches 25 yards). Young had a slow start to last season, too, so he’s on the bench until he breaks out – which I still think he will and if it’s this week, don’t hate me.

Mikel Leshoure, RB – Start: He’s certainly not the No. 1 option for owners this week, but he’s a very good flex option. He’s fresh and motivated and should get goal line carries.

Matthew Stafford, QB – Start: Opposing quarterbacks (Tom Brady and Philip Rivers) are averaging 24 fantasy points over the first two weeks against the Titans defense this year.

Kevin Smith, RB – Sit: Smith is going to lose a few carries with Leshoure back and could lose some red zone carries, too. I’d put Smith on the bench this week to see how the carries are split between he and Leshoure.

Calvin Johnson, WR – Start: You have to go back to the last three games of the 2010 season for the last time Johnson went three games without catching a touchdown pass. Johnson is due, and so is Stafford, that’s a good mix for fantasy owners.

START
Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys: Fantasy owners love touchdowns and Austin has one in each of his first two games this year. The Buccaneers defense allowed Giants receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz to have the two best receiving days in the NFL this year in the SAME game last week.

Danny Amendola, WR, Rams: Amendola already has 20 catches for 230 yards and a touchdown this season. He’s been targeted an amazing 42 percent of the time Rams quarterback Sam Bradford goes back to pass.

Michael Bush, RB, Bears: Matt Forte (ankle) did not practice Wednesday and his status for Sunday is still in doubt. This is the reason the Bears signed Bush this offseason and he gets a Rams defense who’s allowed three rushing touchdowns and an average of 130.5 yards per game on the ground.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins: He’s been the No. 1 fantasy quarterback through the first two games with 28 points in each contest. The Bengals have allowed the third-most passing yards in the league and the fourth-most points.

Michael Vick, QB, Eagles: Vick was the first quarterback in 20 games to throw for multiple touchdown passes against the Ravens in a victory last week. He’s thrown six interceptions in two games, sure, but he’s also averaging 22 fantasy points despite the picks.

SIT
Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: Turner has disappointed owners on the field this season with 74 rushing yards and one touchdown in two contests. There could be some motivation to produce after Monday’s DUI arrest, but he’s a risky option for owners. Flex at best this week.

Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers: Jackson was great last week (5 catches for 128 yards and 1 TD) but he’s facing a Cowboys team that has yet to give up a passing touchdown this season and are only allowing 160 yards per game through the air. The additions of Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne have been solid for the Cowboys.

Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings: The 49ers were the No. 1 team against the run last season and are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs this year. The Packers and Lions don’t run it as effectively as the Vikings do, but owners beware. If you have another option it might pay off to sit Peterson this week.

Wes Welker, WR, Patriots: Welker has just eight catches on the season and does not have a good history against the Ravens. In fact, in five career games against the Raven defense, Welker is averaging four catches for 34 yards with zero touchdowns.

Matt Schaub, QB, Texans: The Texans have become a run-first offense and Schaub ranks 30th among fantasy quarterbacks through the first two weeks of the season. The Texans are likely to lean on the run game in Sunday’s matchup with Denver, too.

SLEEPERS
Dennis Pitta, TE, Ravens: Who? Pitta has 13 catches in two games for the Ravens, including a touchdown. He’s also the most targeted tight end in the NFL through the first two weeks.

Alex Smith, QB, 49ers: Smith doesn’t lose many points each week and most owners would be surprised to know that he ranks in the 10 top among all fantasy quarterbacks averaging 21 points per week.

Andre Brown, RB, Giants: The Giants will be without Ahmad Bradshaw and Hakeem Nicks tonight against the Panthers. Possibly more touches for Brown? He had 71 yards (5.5 average) and one touchdown filling in for Bradshaw after he was injured last week. The Panthers defense is allowing an average of 146.5 rushing yards per game (28th).

Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers: Crabtree could be a good flex option this week against a Vikings defense that has given up the ninth-most fantasy points to receivers this season. Crabtree has 13 receptions in two games and has been targeted 16 times.

Donald Brown, RB, Colts: The Jaguars have surrendered five rushing touchdowns the first to weeks of the season. That could make Brown a nice flex option this week.