Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE
Week 3 of the NFL season kicks off tonight when the Carolina Panthers host the New York Giants on the Thursday night stage. There are many fantasy football headlines coming into this game, so let’s get started.
New York Giants:
The Giants are coming off a wild come from behind victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Eli Manning went crazy throwing for over 500 yards and 3 touchdowns. Unless you have someone better, he is in your starting lineup. No question. However, now it gets tricky.
Injury Concern:
A few major injuries will effect your fantasy lineup for your matchup this week.
Hakeem Nicks has been ruled OUT for tonight’s game with a foot injury. Get him out of your starting lineup ASAP! Guys like Victor Cruz and tight end Martellus Bennett are very nice plays tonight. Bennett has more targets this year than Rob Gronkowski and the same amount as Tony Gonzalez and Jermichael Finley. With Nicks out, Eli should look to him even more. Cruz is coming off a monster game on Sunday, where he was targeted 17 times. No way you are sitting him.
Domenik Hixon is not a big name, by any means, for fantasy owners. However, he will also be out tonight with a concussion. So, if you are desperate, Ramses Barden may be the number 2 wideout, opposite of Cruz tonight.
Ahmad Bradshaw has also been ruled out after suffering a neck sprain on Sunday. Again, he should not be in your lineup. The starting role will go to Andre Brown, not rookie back David Wilson. Brown makes for a solid flex play, if needed.
He is coming off a solid game in place of Bradshaw last week, where he put up 71 yards and a score. The Panthers are giving up 146.5 yards per game on the ground. And after the Giants torched the Bucs through the air last week, I highly doubt Carolina will be loading the box much. Look for Brown to have a very solid game, who could also be a potential home run.
Sunday was a very exciting time for Panther fans. The team defeated division rival New Orleans Saints and improved to 1-1. Last year’s fantasy hero Cam Newton is clearly a start against the G-Men. The Giants secondary has been in shambles lately and Newton should easily be in your lineup.
A wide receiver you should keep your eye on is Brandon LaFell. I am very high on him. He is quickly emerging into a comfortable number 2 wideout for Newton, and the Panthers are excited about his emergence.
Tight end Greg Olsen seemed like a good option going into the season, but after two games this season, Olsen has just 7 catches for 69 yards. The Panthers are looking to run the ball, which requires Olsen to block more. If you can find better, I’d sit the former Miami Hurricane.
Injury Concern:
Steve Smith has been dealing with soreness in his right knee. He was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, and is expected to play tonight. He should also be expected to be in your starting lineup. Smith is clearly Newton’s favorite target and has a nice matchup against the Giants secondary, who are allowing 39 fantasy points through two weeks to opposing wide receivers. As long as he plays, start him.
Surprise surprise! Running back Jonathan Stewart is yet again on the injury report. He is having issues with both his ankle and toe. Stewart is questionable for tonight’s game, so keep your eye on that. It’s difficult to trust any back from Carolina, but in deeper leagues, Stewart is a solid flex play at best. You should know his status around an hour or so before kick-off tonight.
As you can see, tons of fantasy headlines and implications surrounding tonight’s game. So good luck with your matchups, and welcome to week 3!
