Fantasy football Week 3 stat projections

The more we learn about this NFL season, the more we realize how much we still don't know. Injuries to Robert Griffin III, A.J. Green, Jamaal Charles, DeSean

The more we learn about this NFL season, the more we realize how much we still don't know. Injuries to Robert Griffin III, A.J. Green, Jamaal Charles, DeSean Jackson, Vernon Davis, Knowshon Moreno and many other key contributors have forced teams and fantasy owners into contingency plans for Week 3 and beyond, while veterans Antonio Gates and Darren Sproles produced huge games to silence those who speculated they may be shifting into diminished roles.

• MORE FANTASY: Week 3 Waiver Wire | Trade these RBs | Fact or Fiction

Can the Cowboys offense find continuity after last week's bounce-back win? Where will the Vikings turn with Adrian Peterson sidelined indefinitely? Will Drew Brees lift the Saints to their first win of the year with a huge day? Find out in SI.com's fantasy football projections for Week 3.

Buccaneers at Falcons

QB: Josh McCown – 259 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RB: Bobby Rainey – 103 rush yards, 1 TD, three receptions, 18 receiving yards
RB: Doug Martin – 33 rush yards, one reception, 10 receiving yards
WR: Vincent Jackson – six receptions, 84 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Mike Evans – four receptions, 57 receiving yards
TE: Brandon Myers – four receptions, 42 receiving yards
K: Patrick Murray – 2 PAT
DST: Buccaneers D – 31 points allowed, two sacks, one INT

QB: Matt Ryan – 332 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RB: Steven Jackson – 58 rush yards, 1 TD, two receptions, 17 receiving yards
RB: Jacquizz Rodgers – 26 rush yards, three receptions, 21 receiving yards
RB: Devonta Freeman – 7 rush yards
WR: Julio Jones – seven receptions, 118 receiving yards, 2 TD
WR: Roddy White – four receptions, 55 receiving yards
WR: Harry Douglas – five receptions, 72 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Devin Hester – three receptions, 31 receiving yards
TE: Levine Toilolo – one reception, 11 receiving yards
K: Matt Bryant – 4 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Falcons D – 14 points allowed, one sack, two INT

Even if Martin is back this week, you want Bobby Rainey in your lineups. Meanwhile, keep an eye on Roddy White’s practice participation on Wednesday. He could miss Thursday’s game because of a hamstring injury.

Chargers at Bills

QB: Philip Rivers – 276 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: Donald Brown – 89 rush yards, 1 TD, two receptions, 15 receiving yards
RB: Danny Woodhead – 47 rush yards, six receptions, 58 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Keenan Allen – six receptions, 95 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Eddie Royal – three receptions, 26 receiving yards
TE: Antonio Gates – five receptions, 62 receiving yards
TE: Ladarius Green – two receptions, 18 receiving yards
K: Nick Novak – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Chargers D – 23 points allowed, two sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR

QB: EJ Manuel – 233 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 21 rush yards
RB: C.J. Spiller – 61 rush yards, three receptions, 14 receiving yards
RB: Fred Jackson – 43 rush yards, 1 TD, two receptions, 15 receiving yards
WR: Sammy Watkins – six receptions, 103 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Robert Woods – two receptions, 31 receiving yards
WR: Mike Williams – two receptions, 17 receiving yards
TE: Scott Chandler – two receptions, 21 receiving yards
K: Dan Carpenter – 2 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Bills D – 27 points allowed, three sacks, 1 INT

Brown immediately steps into the starting lineup for both the Chargers and fantasy owners this week. He’s a strong play against a Buffalo defense that has allowed big per-carry numbers to Matt Forte and Lamar Miller.

•NFL Power Rankings Week 3 | The NFL still does have a heart

Cowboys at Rams

QB: Tony Romo – 289 pass yards, 2 TD
RB: DeMarco Murray – 87 rush yards, 2 TD, four receptions, 23 receiving yards
RB: Lance Dunbar – 26 rush yards
WR: Dez Bryant – seven receptions, 116 receiving yards, 2 TD
WR: Terrance Williams – five receptions, 73 receiving yards
WR: Cole Beasley – three receptions, 42 receiving yards
TE: Jason Witten – four receptions, 37 receiving yards
K: Dan Bailey – 4 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Cowboys D – 20 points allowed, two sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR

QB: Austin Davis – 249 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Zac Stacy – 52 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Benny Cunningham – 19 rush yards, two receptions, eight receiving yards
WR: Brian Quick – seven receptions, 78 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Kenny Britt – two receptions, 24 receiving yards
WR: Austin Pettis – one reception, 13 receiving yards
WR: Tavon Austin – two receptions, 12 receiving yards
TE: Jared Cook – five receptions, 65 receiving yards
K: Greg Zuerlein – 2 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Rams D – 34 points allowed, two sacks, 1 FR

Time for Romo to get on track in the 2014 season. The Cowboys look set to ride Murray this year, but Romo will also shine in what proves to be a blowout in St. Louis.

Redskins at Eagles

QB: Kirk Cousins – 284 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RB: Alfred Morris – 113 rush yards, 2 TD
RB: Roy Helu – 38 rush yards, two receptions, 13 receiving yards
WR: Pierre Garcon – seven receptions, 98 receiving yards
WR: DeSean Jackson – five receptions, 96 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Andre Roberts – two receptions, 17 receiving yards
TE: Niles Paul – five receptions, 55 receiving yards
K: Kai Forbath – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Redskins D – 30 points allowed, four sacks, 1 INT

QB: Nick Foles – 325 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 14 rush yards
RB: LeSean McCoy – 122 rush yards, 1 TD, four receptions, 36 receiving yards, 1 TD
RB: Darren Sproles – 25 rush yards, four receptions, 37 receiving yards
WR: Jeremy Maclin – five receptions, 94 receiving yards
WR: Riley Cooper – three receptions, 46 receiving yards
WR: Jordan Matthews – four receptions, 52 receiving yards
TE: Zach Ertz – five receptions, 58 receiving yards, 1 TD
K: Cody Parkey – 3 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Eagles D – 24 points allowed, two sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR

Now is probably the best time to sell your Sproles stock. Chances are he just had the best game he’ll have all season. While Cousins should be on your bench, expect another monster game from Morris with a great matchup against the Eagles defense.

• Challenge your friends and win big in our weekly fantasy football game

Texans at Giants

QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick – 223 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Arian Foster – 96 rush yards, 2 TD, two receptions, 18 receiving yards
RB: Alfred Blue – 27 rush yards
WR: Andre Johnson – seven receptions, 105 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: DeAndre Hopkins – four receptions, 73 receiving yards
TE: Garrett Graham – three receptions, 23 receiving yards
K: Randy Bullock – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Texans D – four sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 13 points allowed

QB: Eli Manning – 274 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RB: Rashad Jennings – 67 rush yards, four receptions, 37 receiving yards, 1 TD
RB: Andre Williams – 25 rush yards
WR: Victor Cruz – four receptions, 58 receiving yards
WR: Rueben Randle – five receptions, 63 receiving yards
WR: Jerrel Jernigan – three receptions, 34 receiving yards
TE: Larry Donnell – five receptions, 64 receiving yards
K: Josh Brown – 1 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Giants D – 24 points allowed, two sacks, 1 INT

A couple of uninspiring offenses meet in this matchup. Stay clear of everyone on the Giants not named Jennings. Through two weeks, Arian Foster has been haunting owners who were concerned about the health of his back during draft season.

Vikings at Saints

QB: Matt Cassel – 178 pass yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
RB: Matt Asiata – 58 rush yards, four receptions, 21 receiving yards
RB: Jerick McKinnon - 17 rush yards
WR: Cordarrelle Patterson – four receptions, 52 receiving yards, 45 rush yards
WR: Greg Jennings – six receptions, 68 receiving yards
TE: Kyle Rudolph – three receptions, 35 receiving yards, 1 TD
K: Blair Walsh – 1 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Vikings D – 41 points allowed, one sack

QB: Drew Brees – 348 pass yards, 4 TD
RB: Pierre Thomas – 43 rush yards, six receptions, 57 receiving yards
RB: Khiry Robinson – 55 rush yards, 1 TD
WR: Marques Colston – six receptions, 87 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Brandin Cooks – five receptions, 61 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Robert Meachem – one reception, 11 receiving yards
WR: Kenny Stills – two receptions, 23 receiving yards
TE: Jimmy Graham – seven receptions, 109 receiving yards, 2 TD
K: Shayne Graham – 5 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Saints D – 10 points allowed, two sacks, 3 INT

Get all your Saints in this week -- even Khiry Robinson, whose value gets a real shot in the arm after Mark Ingram’s hand injury. Without Adrian Peterson on the field, it could be a long day for the Vikings offense.

• Are Saints' title hopes already gone? | Best and worst of Week 2

Titans at Bengals

QB: Jake Locker – 235 pass yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
RB: Shonn Greene – 46 rush yards, two receptions, 11 receiving yards
RB: Bishop Sankey – 10 rush yards
RB: Dexter McCluster – 17 rush yards, three receptions, 20 receiving yards
WR: Kendall Wright – seven receptions, 81 receiving yards
WR: Justin Hunter – four receptions, 75 receiving yards, 1 TD
TE: Delanie Walker – four receptions, 39 receiving yards, 1 TD
K: Ryan Succop – 2 PAT
DST: Titans D – 31 points allowed, 1 FR

QB: Andy Dalton – 317 pass yards, 3 TD
RB: Giovani Bernard – 61 rush yards, five receptions, 67 receiving yards, 1 TD
RB: Jeremy Hill – 48 rush yards, 1 TD, two receptions, 12 receiving yards
WR: A.J. Green – five receptions, 82 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Mohamed Sanu – five receptions, 79 receiving yards
WR: Brandon Tate – three receptions, 34 receiving yards
TE: Jermaine Gresham – three receptions, 37 receiving yards, 1 TD
K: Mike Nugent – 4 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Bengals D – 14 points allowed, three sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR

The Bengals’ projections would change completely if Green is unable to go because of his foot sprain. Be sure to check back with us later in the week.

Ravens at Browns

QB: Joe Flacco – 288 pass yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
RB: Bernard Pierce – 68 rush yards, two receptions, 10 receiving yards
RB: Justin Forsett – 34 rush yards, four receptions, 21 receiving yards
WR: Torrey Smith – four receptions, 80 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Steve Smith – six receptions, 76 receiving yards
TE: Dennis Pitta – seven receptions, 82 receiving yards
K: Justin Tucker – 2 PAT, 4 FG
DST: Ravens D – 19 points allowed, 3 sacks, 2 INT

QB: Brian Hoyer – 215 pass yards, 2 INT
RB: Terrance West – 71 rush yards, 1 TD, two receptions, 17 receiving yards
RB: Isaiah Crowell – 38 rush yards, one reception, 6 receiving yards
WR: Andrew Hawkins – five receptions, 65 receiving yards
WR: Miles Austin – five receptions, 40 receiving yards
TE: Jordan Cameron – five receptions, 70 receiving yards
K: Billy Cundiff – 1 PAT, 4 FG
DST: Browns D – 26 points allowed, four sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR

West has at least one more week as the starter, and you’ll want him in your lineup, even in this tough matchup. Steve Smith sure looks like the No. 1 receiver in Baltimore, racking up 25 targets in the first two weeks of the season.

Packers at Lions

QB: Aaron Rodgers – 338 pass yards, 3 TD, 15 rush yards
RB: Eddie Lacy – 60 rush yards, 1 TD, three receptions, 13 receiving yards
WR: Jordy Nelson – seven receptions, 115 receiving yards, 2 TD
WR: Randall Cobb – six receptions, 92 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Davante Adams – five receptions, 74 receiving yards
WR: Jarrett Boykin – two receptions, 18 receiving yards
TE: Andrew Quarless – one reception, 10 receiving yards
K: Mason Crosby – 4 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Packers D – 30 points allowed, two sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR

QB: Matthew Stafford – 325 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RB: Reggie Bush – 45 rush yards, five receptions, 52 receiving yards, 1 TD
RB: Joique Bell – 61 rush yards, three receptions, 26 receiving yards
WR: Calvin Johnson – eight receptions, 120 receiving yards, 2 TD
WR: Golden Tate – six receptions, 84 receiving yards
TE: Eric Ebron – two receptions, 18 receiving yards
TE: Joseph Fauria – two receptions, 14 receiving yards
K: Nate Freese – 3 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Lions D – 34 points allowed, four sacks, 1 FR

This should be one of the more exciting games of the weekend as two division rivals with high-powered offenses meet in Detroit. If you own someone in this game, you almost certainly want him in your lineup.

Colts at Jaguars

QB: Andrew Luck – 289 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 27 rush yards
RB: Trent Richardson – 44 rush yards, one reception, 9 receiving yards
RB: Ahmad Bradshaw – 56 rush yards, 1 TD, four receptions, 23 receiving yards
WR: Reggie Wayne – six receptions, 70 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: T.Y. Hilton – six receptions, 85 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Hakeem Nicks – three receptions, 38 receiving yards
TE: Dwayne Allen – three receptions, 26 receiving yards
TE: Coby Fleener – two receptions, 15 receiving yards
K: Adam Vinatieri – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Colts D – 17 points allowed, three sacks, 3 INT

QB: Chad Henne – 222 pass yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
RB: Toby Gerhart – 64 rush yards, 1 TD, three receptions, 15 receiving yards
WR: Allen Hurns – four receptions, 53 receiving yards
WR: Marqise Lee – six receptions, 71 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Allen Robinson – four receptions, 60 receiving yards
TE: Clay Harbor – two receptions, 12 receiving yards
K: Josh Scobee – 2 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Jaguars D – 27 points allowed, one sack, 1 INT

Bradshaw once again outplayed Richardson last week. The bet here is that this is the week he takes over as the primary back. Meanwhile, it will really be time to worry about Gerhart if he can’t get it going against the Colts.

Raiders at Patriots

QB: Derek Carr – 240 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RB: Darren McFadden – 31 rush yards, two receptions, 17 receiving yards
RB: Latavius Murray – 40 rush yards
WR: James Jones – five receptions, 73 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Andre Holmes – four receptions, 56 receiving yards
WR: Denarius Moore – three receptions, 27 receiving yards
WR: Rod Streater – three receptions, 31 receiving yards
TE: Mychal Rivera – two receptions, 19 receiving yards
K: Sebastian Janikowski – 1 PAT
DST: Raiders D – 37 points allowed

QB: Tom Brady – 309 pass yards, 3 TD
RB: Stevan Ridley – 110 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Shane Vereen – 45 rush yards, six receptions, 68 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Julian Edelman – six receptions, 90 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Aaron Dobson – five receptions, 48 receiving yards
WR: Danny Amendola – two receptions, 11 receiving yards
TE: Rob Gronkowski – five receptions, 85 receiving yards, 1 TD
K: Stephen Gostkowski – 4 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Patriots D – 7 points allowed, three sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR

Time for Brady’s 2014 breakout game. And Vereen owners should understand there is going to be a very healthy dose of Ridley in this game, as is always the case in games where the Patriots have a big lead.

49ers at Cardinals

QB: Colin Kaepernick – 232 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RB: Frank Gore – 70 rush yards, 1 TD, one reception, 8 receiving yards
RB: Carlos Hyde – 23 rush yards, one reception, 5 receiving yards
WR: Michael Crabtree – five receptions, 67 receiving yards
WR: Anquan Boldin – five receptions, 53 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Steve Johnson – three receptions, 35 receiving yards
TE: Vernon Davis – four receptions, 59 receiving yards
K: Phil Dawson – 2 PAT, 2 FG
DST: 49ers D – 27 points allowed, two sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR

QB: Carson Palmer – 294 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: Andre Ellington – 64 rush yards, four receptions, 39 receiving yards, 1 TD
RB: Stepfan Taylor – 28 rush yards
WR: Larry Fitzgerald – five receptions, 76 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Michael Floyd – seven receptions, 93 receiving yards
WR: John Brown – four receptions, 47 receiving yards
TE: John Carlson – three receptions, 30 receiving yards
K: Chandler Catanzaro – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Cardinals D – 20 points allowed, three sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 1 TD

We’ll remember Week 3 as the week when everyone realized that the 49ers might not actually be as good as they have been the last few seasons. That timeline may change, however, if Drew Stanton starts once more for the Cardinals.

Broncos at Seahawks

QB: Peyton Manning – 294 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RB: Montee Ball – 58 rush yards, three receptions, 27 receiving yards, 1 TD
RB: C.J. Anderson – 13 rush yards
WR: Demaryius Thomas – seven receptions, 104 receiving yards, 2 TD
WR: Emmanuel Sanders – six receptions, 70 receiving yards
WR: Cody Latimer – three receptions, 25 receiving yards
TE: Julius Thomas – five receptions, 63 receiving yards
K: Brandon McManus – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Broncos D – 26 points allowed, two sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR

QB: Russell Wilson – 244 pass yards, 1 INT, 35 rush yards, 1 rush TD
RB: Marshawn Lynch – 109 rush yards, 1 TD, two receptions, 13 receiving yards
RB: Robert Turbin – 10 rush yards, one reception, 9 receiving yards
WR: Percy Harvin – six receptions, 81 receiving yards, 39 rush yards
WR: Doug Baldwin – four receptions, 47 receiving yards
WR: Jermaine Kearse – five receptions, 62 receiving yards
TE: Zach Miller – two receptions, 25 receiving yards
K: Steven Hauschka – 2 PAT, 4 FG
DST: Seahawks D – 27 points allowed, three sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR

Manning will exact a very small measure of revenge for last year’s Super Bowl. Don’t overthink this one. You want all your Broncos active.

• FARRAR: How San Diego exposed a blueprint for beating Richard Sherman

Chiefs at Dolphins

QB: Alex Smith – 236 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 32 rush yards
RB: Knile Davis – 80 rush yards, 2 TD, three receptions, 23 receiving yards
WR: Dwayne Bowe – five receptions, 77 receiving yards
WR: Donnie Avery – two receptions, 12 receiving yards
WR: A.J. Jenkins – one reception, 7 receiving yards
TE: Travis Kelce – six receptions, 84 receiving yards, 1 TD
K: Cairo Santos – 3 PAT
DST: Chiefs D – 30 points allowed, two sacks, 1 FR

QB: Ryan Tannehill – 287 pass yards, 2 TD, 17 rush yards
RB: Lamar Miller – 75 rush yards, 1 TD, four receptions, 22 receiving yards
RB: Damien Williams – 32 rush yards
WR: Mike Wallace – six receptions, 86 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Brian Hartline – four receptions, 57 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Brandon Gibson – three receptions, 28 receiving yards
TE: Charles Clay – six receptions, 71 receiving yards
K: Caleb Sturgis – 3 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Dolphins D – 21 points allowed, four sacks, 1 INT, 2 FR

Davis is the unquestioned gem of this week’s waiver wire, and he’ll show up for his new owners in his first game starting in place of Jamaal Charles. On the other side, Miller is pressed into a starting role that he, too, will make the most of with a strong game for his owners.

Steelers at Panthers

QB: Ben Roethlisberger – 270 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Le’Veon Bell – 78 rush yards, 1 TD, five receptions, 47 receiving yards
RB: LeGarrette Blount – 12 rush yards
WR: Antonio Brown – seven receptions, 88 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Markus Wheaton – five receptions, 67 receiving yards
TE: Heath Miller – five receptions, 62 receiving yards
K: Shaun Suisham – 2 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Steelers D – 23 points allowed, one sack, 1 FR

QB: Cam Newton – 275 pass yards, 2 TD, 34 rush yards
RB: DeAngelo Williams – 64 rush yards, three receptions, 13 rec yards
RB: Jonathan Stewrat – 27 rush yards, three receptions, 18 rec yards
WR: Kelvin Benjamin – five receptions, 79 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Jerricho Cotchery – four receptions, 50 rec yards
WR: Jason Avant – four receptions, 36 rec yards
TE: Greg Olsen – six receptions, 73 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Graham Gano – 2 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Panthers D – 17 points allowed, four sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR

The Steelers’ offense has looked terrible across the last six quarters, and things don’t get any easier with a visit to Carolina on Sunday night. Newton looked great in his first game of the 2014 season and should be right back in fantasy starting lineups this week.

Bears at Jets

QB: Jay Cutler – 284 pass yards, 3 TD, 12 rush yards
RB: Matt Forte – 60 rush yards, six receptions, 59 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Brandon Marshall – six receptions, 83 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Alshon Jeffery – five receptions, 76 receiving yards, 1 TD
WR: Santonio Holmes – two receptions, 11 receiving yards
TE: Martellus Bennett – five receptions, 65 receiving yards
K: Robbie Gould – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Bears D – 16 points allowed, two sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR

QB Geno Smith – 204 pass yards, 2 INT, 20 rush yards
RB: Chris Johnson – 83 rush yards, 1 TD, three receptions, 16 receiving yards
RB: Chris Ivory – 72 rush yards, 1 TD, two receptions, 8 receiving yards
WR: Eric Decker – four receptions, 55 receiving yards
WR: Jeremy Kerley – four receptions, 42 receiving yards
WR: David Nelson – three receptions, 25 receiving yards
TE: Jeff Cumberland – three receptions, 30 receiving yards
TE: Jace Amaro – two receptions, 14 receiving yards
K: Nick Folk – 1 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Jets D – 27 points allowed, one sack, 1 FR

Cutler led the Bears to a dramatic come-from-behind victory at San Francisco last week. The bet here is that he won’t need the same sort of heroics on Monday night. Be sure to monitor the status of Marshall and Jeffery all week.