As a young life advice columnist and a natural optimist, it’s tough to admit that sometimes, no matter how positive we try to be, life can kick our asses.
We all handle our stresses and anxieties differently. All of us have our places we go for both the good times and the bad.
When I was younger, I’d take backroads. Slowly, with each windy bend or scenic straight away, I felt my worries fade.
But, as I aged — whether it was drinking off a long week with my buddies, or just kicking back with my girl — a back porch became my happy place instead.
It doesn’t matter where it is – my hometown, college town or a shore town on the New England coast – a back porch located anywhere is a place I can gain a powerful perspective about the life that I’m living.
I’m not sure if it’s the old wooden boards or the view from beyond it that rejuvenates me, but whatever it is, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
As we begin to get into the thick of the fantasy football season, whether you’re a fellow fantasy football analyst trying to escape the grind, or just a team manager trying to make sense of a Week 2 that saw far too many devastating injuries to star players — I encourage you to find your “back porch,” wherever that is.
And when you get there, don’t forget that new book you’ve been reading, your journal or even some game tape. It is that variance of ventures done upon it that help make your back porch just that: yours.
As I sit here on my back porch on a beautiful Pennsylvania fall evening with a bottle of Bud Light in my right hand, bringing you my Week 3 start/sit decisions, I propose a toast to today, our back porches and this amazing life we get to live.
Cheers, everyone.
Now, let’s get to it.
The following start/sit selections are based on stats, trends and film research, reflecting value in Points Per Reception (PPR) Redraft League.
Quarterback I’d Start this Week:
Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh): Seeing Ben Rothlisberger back healthy this season has been one of the better storylines in what already feels like a whirlwind of a season.
I’m not quite sure if the notion of ”Home Ben” still exists without fans. But, either way, I’m firing up the two-time champion who squares off with the Houston Texans on Sunday. If all goes par for the course, Roethlisberger and his talented group of wideouts should find fantasy success against a defense that has allowed back-to-back opponents to score over 30 points.
Quarterback I’d Sit this Week:
Carson Wentz (Philadelphia): This being my third season writing this column, I don’t think there’s been a player that I’ve recommended to my readers to bench more often than quarterback Carson Wentz.
However, it makes sense, given that he’s only averaged just over 16 fantasy points per game since tearing his ACL in 2017.
This week he has a bit of a softer matchup against the Bengals. But Cincinnati has still yet to allow a quarterback to finish inside the top-19 at the position. And the Eagles are still banged up, especially up front. With Wentz probably running for his life again Sunday, he should be on your bench, or even waivers, for the foreseeable future.
Running Back I’d Start this Week:
Joshua Kelley (Los Angeles Chargers): Fantasy managers may have gotten a player that has the same value as Melvin Gordon had least season when they drafted the rookie Joshua Kelley with a late-round pick this season.
After Kelley took 23 carries last week, the Chargers now lead the league in rushing attempts. And I expect that high volume to continue this week when the Panthers, who have allowed top top-three fantasy finishes at the position already this year, come to town.
Running Back I’d Sit this Week:
Nyheim Hines (Indianapolis): Third-year running back Nyheim Hines went from hero to zero last week after putting up a total of 1.4 fantasy points against a weaker Vikings’ defense.
Jonathan Taylor’s 26 rushing attempts in Week 1 signifies that he is, In fact, the guy and that Hines is nothing more than a risky flex play. He faces the Jets on Sunday. However, given the Jets’ once-again atrocious offense, I don’t predict this being a positive game script for the pass-catching running back. Hines should not be in starting lineups this week or moving forward, unless truly desperate.
Wide Receiver I’d Start this Week:
Russell Gage (Atlanta): Russell Gage, Atlanta’s wide receiver three, surprisingly finds himself as the PPR WR11 through two weeks of the season.
With Julio Jones’ health uncertain and the Falcons desperately needing a victory after an 0-2 start, Gage will need to be involved once again to get the victory in Week 3 over the Chicago Bears.
Although the Bears have yet to allow a 100-yard receiver this season, they haven’t seen top-level talents on the outside as they’ve faced the Lions without Kenny Golladay and the Giants. I get that it’s a limited sample size, but don’t be afraid to ride the hot hand in Atlanta, that is second in the NFL in both yards and attempts per game.
Wide Receiver I’d Sit this Week:
Will Fuller (Houston): We saw polar opposite games for both Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively. After hauling in eight receptions for 112 yards in Week 1, Fuller reminded fantasy owners of just how inconsistent of a receiver he is, posting a doughnut in Week 2.
Traveling to Pittsburgh Sunday will be no easier matchup for this Texans squad that is looking like a ghost of its former self without the presence of DeAndre Hopkins. I’m doing everything I can to avoid playing Fuller this week against a secondary led by elite players, Joe Haden and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
If you have a feel-good story that you would like to share for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming edition of “Start, Sit & Seth,” please reach out.
And for more fantasy football and uplifting content, you can find me on Twitter @Between_SethFF.