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Fantasy Roundtable, Week 3: Which Defense Should You Plug And Play This Week?

Every week, Pat Mayo of RotoExperts.com assembles a crack team of some of the web’s best fantasy writers to answer the week’s most pressing pretend football questions. This week: selling high on CJ Spiller, Matthew Stafford’s current value, and your plug-and-play options for defenses and kickers.

Yes, I ask the questions and answer them. No, I’m not crazy. Well… maybe a little bit. But not in a harmful, Patrick Bateman way. More like Twin Peaks crazy. So there’s no reason to panic. Unless you’re Laura Palmer I suppose. I do appreciate your inquisitive e-mails. I’m glad so many of you have taken such a serious interest in my mental health.

I’ve gathered quite the mélange for our weekly Q & A session. NFL scout Jayson Braddock and corporate big-wig Louis Maione join regulars Dr. Roto, Gregg Sussman, Ian Riley, Adam Zdroik to dish out conflicting advice on the most vexing issues heading into Sunday.

This week: Ryan Mathews, sleeper receivers, Clifford Spiller Jr., the pudgy faced Lions quarterback and a bunch of defenses and kickers that can help your team this week.

Would you sell high on C.J. Spiller?

I wouldn’t. There’s no telling how much of the workload Fred Jackson will get on his return, but even if it’s 75 percent, C.J. Spiller is such an explosive playmaker he has the ability to produce gigantic results with limited touches. Plus, the Bills aren’t scared to play both backs at the same time. Now, if someone offered up a Top 15 talent – Jimmy Graham, A.J. Green, Maurice Jones-Drew – I wouldn’t turn it down. Spiller is risky biz. – Pat Mayo

No chance. Fred Jackson could be out for the next month and if Spiller continues like this, he may well take over as the lead back. – Dr. Roto

CJ Spiller is a complete back that can take it the distance as a back or as a receiver and he’s running behind a much-improved line. With that said, sell high. Ryan Fitzpatrick’slack of down field success allows teams to stuff the box with a single high safety, and cheat towards Stevie Johnson’s side. – Jayson Braddock

Depends on what my situation was, but I’d more than likely keep him. Get the points now! Who knows what’s going to happen in 10 weeks. – Adam Zdroik

YES – always buy low and sell high. STOCK MARKET …duh. – Louis Maione

I wouldn’t. Over his last eight games the guy has rushed for 723 yards on 115 carries (6.3 yards-per-attempt) and caught 29 passes for another 259 yards. Oh and he has also scored eight touchdowns. We are talking about 1,000 yards on 144 touches people! Fred Jackson should return from injury to be his caddy. – Ian Riley

No reason to sell high on C.J. Spiller. I don’t care about old man Fred Jackson, because Spiller is that explosive. Similar to the Thomas Jones/Jamaal Charles several years ago. Spiller will be productive with or without F-Jax in the lineup. – Gregg Sussman

Is Mathew Stafford still a Top 5 QB?

Most definitely. Matt Stafford has looked pretty brutal through two weeks, but he still managed to be relatively useful in Fantasy terms. His passes do look off, possibly a problem with grip, but he’ll figure that out – starting this week in Tennessee. – Pat Mayo

One bad week does not a bad QB make. Cut this guy a break – the 49ers are an awesome defense. Stafford should rebound this week against the Titans. – Dr. Roto

Never saw Matt Stafford as a top 5 QB and no reason to change that belief now. Has to stay healthy for more than one year and needs more options to be consistent. – Jayson Braddock

He’s thrown the ball 80 times in two games, he’s still a Top QB in my book. ALTHOUGH, you gotta admit Matt Ryan is now in his class, along with Eli Manning. Very close between those three. – Adam Zdroik

NEVER WAS IMHO….so no. – Louis Maione

Two games are reason to worry, but not panic. He threw nine interceptions over a three game span last season and still ended up posting monster numbers. – Ian Riley

Stafford for me is still right on that borderline. Rodgers/Brady/Brees are in a class of their own and then you still have the same crew you had coming into the season, plus Robert Griffin III. Stafford/Manning/RG3/Newton/Ryan, are all similar to me. Top 5, top 7, whatever. – Gregg Sussman

Do you feel comfortable starting Ryan Mathews against the Falcons?

As long as he can avoid the triage unit during the game, this is actually a fantastic match up for Ryan Mathews. Don’t let their domination fool you, the Falcons are undersized on defense and have had serious problems tackling in the open field. Atlanta has given up an average of 196.5 yards from scrimmage to running backs and three touchdowns. His upside this week makes me comfortable. – Pat Mayo

Meh. He should play, but I can’t guarantee a big day. Maybe 18 carries for 70 yards. He will get better though as the season progresses. – Dr. Roto

As comfortable as a mom reading “50 Shades of Grey” to her kids as a bedtime story. – Jayson Braddock

Not at all. Maybe as a flex, but still he’s going to get about 10 touches at max, right? That’s what he should get at least. – Adam Zdroik

Comfortable is a tough word here when talking about anyone going against the Falcons….no! – Louis Maione

Sure do. This kid is a talent, and the Chargers are going to need him if they plan on taking out Atlanta this week. He should see 20 touches and rack up over 100 total yards and a score. – Ian Riley

The odds are Ryan Matthews will get more than one carry this week. Will he stay on the field after that one carry? Who knows. I’m starting him with confidence if I have him though. – Gregg Sussman

One defense or kicker to pick up and plug in your roster?

Alex Henery. Arizona is playing classic bend but don’t break defense. The defense has two touchdowns against in two weeks and nine field goal taken on them. Philly has no problem moving the ball, so Henery should get a slew of opportunities, a few from long distance too! – Pat Mayo

I love the Chicago Bears this week. They will play angry after last week’s debacle. – Dr. Roto

Miami Dolphins. Miami should have plenty of opportunities to record turnovers, sacks, etc, against the Jets. Sean Smith could become a household name in this game. – Jayson Braddock

COLTS! Check out my latest Waiver Wire rankings for a couple more defenses to look at. It’s Blaine Gabbert on the road and the Colts are actually getting a good amount of pressure on the QB so far without Dwight Freeney. – Adam Zdroik

Cards and Alex Henery! – Louis Maione

Roll the dice with Miami’s defense against the Jets. They picked off Mark Sanchez three times in their two meetings last season and the real Gang Green offense resembles the Week 2 product much more than the Week 1 product. – Ian Riley

Obvious answer for both. Justin Tucker, kicker of the Ravens and the Arizona defense. Tucker has flown on to the fantasy radar and is worth an add if your kicker is underachieving – peace Dan Bailey. Arizona, facing turnover machine Michael Vick, has also performed very admirably. – Gregg Sussman

Best sleeper WR of the week 3?

Donnie Avery. As long as concussion addict Austin Collie’s return from rehab doesn’t take away too many looks, Avery has a chance to be a sneaky PPR play against the Jags, and possibly the rest of the season. – Pat Mayo

Andrew Hawkins. The Redskins defense is a wreck and Andy Dalton will throw it a lot. Hawkins is elusive, explosive, and a nice sleeper this week. – Dr. Roto

Leonard Hankerson is a stock to watch if Pierre Garcon isn’t 100% and Shanahan punishes Josh Morgan. He’ll be RGIII’s new Kendall Wright. – Jayson Braddock

I’m going to pick whoever is going against the Saints at this point. Dexter McCluster and Jonathan Baldwin. One of them has to be available. McCluster will be a PPR monster and Baldwin is starting to pick up his game. – Adam Zdroik

Wes Welker has been sleeping, so why not. – Louis Maione

The guy everyone is down on after crashing down to earth; Kevin Ogletree [Editor note: LOLgletree!]. The Bucs gave up over 500 yards passing last week to the Giants, 179 of it going to Victor Cruz who spends most of his time playing from the slot on passing downs. I expect Tony Romo and Ogletree to absolutely abuse Tampa’s nickel corner Brandon McDonald on Sunday. – Ian Riley

Donald Jones. Everyone expected big things out of him last week after the season ending injury to David Nelson. Unfortunately, thanks to C.J. Spiller, Fitzpatrick only threw it 19 times. Hopefully this week, Buffalo throws more and Jones catches more. Doesn’t seem like too much to ask for. Right? – Gregg Sussman

Our LIVE Gameday Chats for Xclusive Edge members continue this Sunday! It all begins with Scott “The King” Engel from 9:30 to 11:30 AM ET, and continues with Jake “All In Kid”Ciely from 11:30 to 12:30 pm ET!

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