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Week 3 Rankings: Standard | PPR

The Lineup Cheat Sheet combines Fantasy analysis and game flow predictions with a confidence scale to give you a definitive answer on who to start in your leagues.

The higher the number next to a player's name, the more confident you should be to start him.

If a player isn't listed, don't start him.

Numbers are based on non-PPR scoring but are typically applicable to PPR formats.

To find a specific player, use your search function -- CTRL-F on PCs and Command-F on Macs. If neither of those are options, or if you're on a mobile device, you can search by game.

If you're still unsure, just send a note on Twitter (@daverichard) using #CBSFLCS and I'll give it a look, time permitting.

Cardinals at Bills

Wasn't the strength of the Bills defense supposed to be its secondary? They've allowed nearly 300 pass yards per game with just five sacks. Stephon Gilmore hasn't played shut-down ball, making him a big, fat target for Carson Palmer. So even if the Bills offense finds a way to keep up with the Cardinals (Sammy Watkins or not), the Cardinals can come back with their strong pass game. Not that they'll need it. The Bills gave up 100 rush yards and three touchdowns to Matt Forte last week, an example of how weak they've become on the ground.

Start him

Michael Floyd BAL • WR • 13 2016 stats TAR 13 REC 5 YDS 69 TD 1 View Profile

It's not like the Cardinals haven't tried to get Floyd the football -- his 13 targets trail only Larry Fitzgerald. But five receptions on 13 targets is awful, even for him. He has no drops, though, and last week's lack of production can be partially blamed on the Cardinals building a huge lead. Also, Floyd scored a touchdown. It still feels like Carson Palmer trusts Floyd, so if he finds him in single coverage, he should be given a shot to make a play. There's nothing wrong with starting him as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver considering his potential to finish as a No. 2.

Vikings at Panthers

Which running game has the better shot at success? That's a tough one because both defenses sport really good front sevens. Even though Minnesota has allowed fewer rush yards per game and rushing touchdowns, expect Carolina to run the ball a bit more efficiently. The difference is in the O-line and the quarterback -- Cam Newton can fake out that defense while Sam Bradford can't. In fact, Bradford played at Carolina with the Eagles last year and went scoreless with an interception.

Sit him

Kyle Rudolph MIN • TE • 82 2016 stats TAR 16 REC 7 YDS 96 TD 1 View Profile

Carolina gave up a huge play late to tight end Vance McDonald in its Week 2 win over the 49ers. Is that a sign of things to come for Rudolph? If anything, coach Ron Rivera might stress covering the tight end in practice this week as a reaction for the long play. It's clear Rudolph is a big-time target for Bradford, so it would make sense for the Panthers defense to try to take him away. Last season the Panthers allowed just seven scores to tight ends in 19 games, more data that suggests the odds are against Rudolph.

Broncos at Bengals

This is the seventh meeting in six seasons between Gary Kubiak's offense and Marvin Lewis' defense. Last year these teams met in Cincy and the Broncos won by three. But Andy Dalton missed that game and the Bengals still kept it close. Stunningly, the Bengals enter the game ranked dead last in rushing defense through two weeks, giving up an average of 138.0 rush yards per game. You know Kubiak will lean heavily on his ground game. But the Broncos are allowing 120.0 rush yards per game and have given up two touchdowns to running backs, including one through the air to Frank Gore in Week 2. If Jeremy Hill remains in his part-time role, the door is open for Giovani Bernard to pick up where he left off last week and make plays as a receiver.

Risky starts

Demaryius Thomas NYJ • WR • 18 2016 stats TAR 13 REC 9 YDS 138 TD 0 View Profile

Emmanuel Sanders NO • WR • 17 2016 stats TAR 16 REC 8 YDS 88 TD 0 View Profile

Virgil Green LAC • TE • 88 2016 stats TAR 8 REC 7 YDS 74 TD 0 View Profile

In the past eight games between Kubiak's offense and Lewis' defense, Kubiak's No. 1 receiver either scored or had over 100 yards in five meetings while his tight end scored or had at least 70 yards in five meetings. That's great, but through two weeks the Bengals have done a great job containing Brandon Marshall and Antonio Brown, making the matchup look tough for Thomas. But the Bengals have broken down against non-No. 1s, giving up scores to Eric Decker and Quincy Enunwa in Week 1 and two scores to Steelers tight ends in Week 2. Sanders should work as a No. 3 option and Green is in play as a sleeper, provided he's healthy. Ultimately, Trevor Siemian keeps all of their values down.

Lions at Packers

The last touchdown Aaron Rodgers threw on the Lions was that Hail Mary caught by Richard Rodgers. Detroit will do what it can to keep that from happening again, but nothing can change the fact Rodgers has thrown for at least 225 yards and at least two scores in each of his last three against the Lions. Helping the Packers' case is a Lions run defense missing linebacker DeAndre Levy and a Lions pass rush expected to miss Ziggy Ansah. Those are huge losses for a division rival walking into Lambeau Field as the Packers' first home opponent of the season.

Start him

Eric Ebron PIT • TE • 85 2016 stats TAR 12 REC 9 YDS 99 TD 1 View Profile

Why is Ebron ranked so high this week? A lot of trends are in his favor: A Lions tight end has scored on the Packers in each of their last two meetings, the Packers have allowed a touchdown to a tight end in each of their last two games, and Ebron scored in Week 1 and had a touchdown called back on a penalty in Week 2. Ebron trails only Marvin Jones in receptions (nine) and receiving yards (99) through two weeks. Start him over Jordan Reed, Antonio Gates and Julius Thomas.

Ravens at Jaguars

Expect last year's meeting to be indicative of what to expect this season (except for the Ravens giving the Jaguars a free shot at a win after a 15-yard face mask penalty). In 2015, Flacco threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns while Bortles fell short of 200 yards passing but did throw two touchdowns. Neither team ran the ball well then, and neither team should run the ball well now. The Ravens rank 16th in rushing but would be closer to third if not for the improbable 85-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Crowell last week.

Start them

Mike Wallace PHI • WR • 14 2016 stats TAR 12 REC 7 YDS 132 TD 3 View Profile

Dennis Pitta BAL • TE • 88 2016 stats TAR 16 REC 12 YDS 141 TD 0 View Profile

The Jaguars rank eighth in passing yards allowed but are tied for third in passing touchdowns allowed with six. Of the six, five have gone to receivers and one to a tight end. The Jaguars and Ravens played the past two seasons, and the Jags allowed three touchdowns to tight ends in those games. That should work well for Dennis Pitta. As for the receivers, look for cornerback Davon House to get matched up with Mike Wallace. House has allowed three touchdowns in the last two weeks, according to Pro Football Focus.

Browns at Dolphins

The book on Cody Kessler is that he's got good short- and mid-range accuracy but isn't so hot on the deep ball and doesn't move well in the pocket. That's not such a good makeup of a quarterback going up against the likes of Ndamukong Suh, Cameron Wake and Mario Williams. It especially stings playing behind a shuffled offensive line that was already in rough shape to begin the year. It should make for a tremendous home opener for a Dolphins team desperate for a win.

Why Drake over Ajayi? After watching last week's game, the Dolphins might start with Ajayi but Drake should still get plenty of playing time. The hunch is neither one of them score, which should lead to Drake getting more total yards. Drake has some sleeper appeal.

Sit him

Isaiah Crowell LV • RB • 20 2016 stats ATT 30 YDS 195 TD 2 TAR 3 REC 3 REC YDS 31 REC TD 0 View Profile

You might have to start Crowell given the lack of quality running backs we're dealing with. But don't count on a great game. In Week 1, he picked up a goal-line score but averaged 2.4 yards per carry until he posted 40 yards on literally the final three plays of the game. Give him credit for his 85-yard touchdown run last week, the longest of his career, but without it he averaged 2.8 yards per rush. The Dolphins were gashed by the run in Week 2 but held their own at Seattle. With Kessler starting for the Browns, it's tough to figure Crowell will have another big play, much less several big plays.

Redskins at Giants

The G-Men have dominated the series, winning five of the past six, and come into this matchup with the better offense, better defense and better special teams. The Odell Beckham-Josh Norman battle will be fun, but it's the other Giants receivers who have made defenses pay this season. Expect the Giants passing game to get back on track after letting everyone down in Week 2 -- Washington has allowed 284.0 pass yards per game and will play on the road for the first time this season.

Start him

Rashad Jennings NYG • RB • 23 2016 stats ATT 31 YDS 102 TD 0 TAR 4 REC 3 REC YDS 16 REC TD 0 View Profile

Everyone drafted Jennings with the belief he'd lead the Giants run game and pick up where he left off. He was OK in Week 1 (18-75-0) but fell off a cliff against the Saints in Week 2. Seriously, how does someone get just 27 yards on 13 carries against this New Orleans defense?! He'll aim for redemption versus the Redskins, who have allowed the second-most Fantasy points to running backs through two weeks -- at least 12 per game in non-PPR. This is a make-or-break week for Jennings, but with the Giants expected to have the lead for most of this one and Jennings' hand not an issue (at least he says it's not), he should have a shot at scoring.

Raiders at Titans

Do you believe what you've seen from the Titans over the first two weeks of the season? Offensively they've scored 16 points in each of their first two matchups but take on a Raiders defense that has yielded 113.5 rush yards and 404.0 pass yards per game. There's a chance for Tennessee to have success taking to the air. Defensively, the Titans have given up just one touchdown in eight quarters ... but last week their opponent had three called back because of penalties. The feeling is that the Titans defense isn't quite as good as its numbers suggest, but the offense could benefit from a favorable matchup. We could see a high-scoring game in Music City.

Sleeper

Tajae Sharpe MIN • WR • 11 2016 stats TAR 18 REC 11 YDS 109 TD 0 View Profile

No one has been more vocal about Sharpe as a Fantasy sleeper than me, and this should be the first week he truly delivers. The Raiders are the league-worst in passing yards, touchdowns and pass plays of 20- and 40-plus yards allowed. Cornerback Sean Smith and both starting safeties have been brutal in pass coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. Sharpe is the Titans leader among receivers and tight ends in targets (18) and receptions (11), trailing only Delanie Walker in yards (109). If he can't get it done this week, it'll be tough to expect him to perform well moving forward, though there will be some good matchups. He's worth starting as a flex.

49ers at Seahawks

The Seahawks have won five straight in the series, holding the 49ers to 17, 3, 7, 3 and 13 points. But the Seahawks have trouble along their offensive line and the Niners have some big defensive linemen who can cause some trouble for Russell Wilson and the floundering Seattle run game. San Francisco has also found ways to put up some points -- they've averaged 27.5 points per game against two very tough defenses. No doubt they'll be in for a challenge against a Seattle defense that has allowed one touchdown (a Ryan Tannehill run). As for the Seahawks offense, it has averaged 7.5 points per game. If Wilson is as hobbled as he was last week, you can expect the 49ers to take advantage.

Start him

Christine Michael IND • RB • 38 2016 stats ATT 25 YDS 126 TD 0 TAR 8 REC 5 REC YDS 31 REC TD 0 View Profile

It doesn't make sense for the Seahawks to roll Rawls out if he's not close to 100 percent. Between that and the status of the Seattle O-line, why make a bad situation worse? It should mean a big workload for Michael against a Niners run defense that is fresh off giving Fozzy Whittaker his first 100-yard game since high school. Still, Michael will have that rough offensive line to mesh with. It hasn't been an issue for him so far -- he's averaged at least 4.4 yards per rush in each game. He's start-worthy in a week where many running backs are risky. Naturally, if Rawls ends up playing, Michael's upside is shattered.

Rams at Buccaneers

These teams have met each of the past four seasons, and Jeff Fisher's squad has won all four. That trend helped predict a Rams win last week, albeit it was all because of the Rams defense turning around after an ugly Week 1. So which Rams defense will show up on a cross-country road trip? This is the Bucs' home opener with a depleted run game -- it'll come down to Jameis Winston throwing into the teeth of a Rams pass defense that's allowed just one touchdown so far. Maybe the Bucs win because they outscore the Rams, but it'll be low scoring and close, not a ridiculous lopsided win.

Risky start

Charles Sims TB • RB • 34 2016 stats ATT 13 YDS 33 TD 0 TAR 8 REC 6 REC YDS 36 REC TD 1 View Profile

Sims has been waiting over two years for the opportunity to lead the Buccaneers run game, and he finds himself face-to-face with the Rams defense. It's a tough draw, but Carlos Hyde proved in Week 1 that it's not impossible. What's troubling is the Rams' ability to limit how running backs do against them as pass catchers -- through two weeks running backs have averaged 6.4 yards per catch with no scores against them. That's scary for Sims, who has a career average of 10.4 yards per grab. He's barely on the No. 2 running back radar.

Chargers at Colts

Even though both quarterbacks are missing reliable targets, this should turn into a shootout rather quickly. But only one of these teams can effectively run the ball. That would be the Chargers, who are third-best in the league in rush yards per game and one of seven squads with at least three rushing touchdowns. Melvin Gordon is the main back there, so he sets up nicely to challenge a Colts defense ranked 29th in run defense. Indy is also one of six teams to allow at least three rushing scores on the year. Gordon will make an impact.

Start them

T.Y. Hilton IND • WR • 13 2016 stats TAR 23 REC 10 YDS 120 TD 0 View Profile

Dwayne Allen MIA • TE • 89 2016 stats TAR 10 REC 6 YDS 78 TD 1 View Profile

For a defense expected to be somewhat decent against the pass, the Chargers limp into Indianapolis with the 29th-ranked pass defense, giving up 324.5 pass yards and 2.0 passing touchdowns per game. San Diego's limited pass rush coupled with a good but not perfect secondary should help Andrew Luck shine. Hilton has a chance for a big game thanks to his speed and a bump in targets with Donte Moncrief absent. Allen's matchup against the Chargers linebackers and safeties (undrafted rookie Dexter McCoil should start) could make a big difference in how the Colts roll. Both should be considered starters.

Jets at Chiefs

Could it possibly be that the Chiefs' success revolves around Spencer Ware? They couldn't have come back against the Chargers in Week 1 without him, and he was pretty much a negative for the Chiefs in their loss in Week 2. Ware will take on a Jets defense allowing just under 4.0 yards per carry and 7.7 yards per catch to running backs so far. They also haven't allowed any running back to total 10-plus Fantasy points. If Ware can't get going, be it because of limited touches like last week or because of the Jets' tough defense this week, the Chiefs will be in trouble.

Sit him

Jeremy Maclin BAL • WR • 18 2016 stats TAR 22 REC 11 YDS 131 TD 1 View Profile

If there was ever a receiver Darrelle Revis was glad to see, it's Maclin. He's not a burner like some of those Bills pass catchers, so he can probably keep up with him all over the field. They've only met once, in 2011, and Revis got the better of him then. If you use Maclin as a flex option you'll probably be less disappointed, but give some thought to receivers with higher upside (Willie Snead, Sterling Shepard, Travis Benjamin, Phillip Dorsett).

Steelers at Eagles

This is going to be the first real test for Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense. Pittsburgh is apt to throw a bunch of blitzes at the rookie in an effort to get some turnovers. It's a formula that has worked in their first two games against better, more experienced quarterbacks. Thing is, the Steelers have allowed plenty of passing yards but only one passing touchdown. The Eagles, by comparison, are fifth in the league in passing yards allowed and haven't given up a single passing score. Then again, they've played the Browns and the Bears. It's going to take a lot for Wentz to keep up with Ben Roethlisberger.

Risky start

Ryan Mathews PHI • RB • 24 2016 stats ATT 31 YDS 109 TD 3 TAR 1 REC 1 REC YDS 3 REC TD 0 View Profile

This is a big test for Mathews. The Steelers are allowing 3.2 yards per rush to the position. They've allowed some touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving), which is precisely what Mathews will need to keep his Fantasy stock afloat. Last week he was kept off the field because the Eagles wanted to go with a spread offense and Darren Sproles was a better fit. They might do something similar here rather than run into the face of a stiff Steelers run defense that has given up 50.5 rush yards per contest so far. So if Mathews doesn't score or rack up the receptions, he's going to disappoint. He's risky as a No. 2 Fantasy rusher.

Bears at Cowboys

No team has been as decimated by injuries as the Bears. Not only will Jay Cutler not suit up this week, but at least five defensive starters are expected to miss the game. It should make the matchup a cake walk for Cowboys rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. There's been criticism of Elliott's play, so there will be a focus on getting him right, but the matchup should be perfect for Dez Bryant to score and remind Fantasy owners why he warranted such a high draft pick.

Risky start

Jeremy Langford ATL • RB • 43 2016 stats ATT 28 YDS 85 TD 2 TAR 6 REC 3 REC YDS 12 REC TD 0 View Profile

Maybe you're ready to ditch Langford. Heck, maybe John Fox is ready to ditch Langford. But for now, expect him to lead the Bears run game into Dallas. It's a pretty sweet opportunity for him as the 'Boys let opposing rushers gain 4.5 yards per game so far. Matt Jones scored last week, and Langford is 2 for 2 in end zone visits per game. If you have Langford, you'll start him, but prepare for a possible takeover in the backfield with rookie Jordan Howard starting to get some looks. He could eventually eat into Langford's playing time, though that's not expected so soon.

Falcons at Saints

These teams combined for 44 or more points in three of their last four brouhahas. That should continue to be the case in Week 3 since neither of these defenses are particularly good. The Saints, frankly, were lucky to get out of New York without allowing a touchdown, but Eli Manning still went for over 368 yards. Matt Ryan should pop off for close to the same given the lack of depth at cornerback and lack of pass rush for the Saints. Not to be outdone, the Falcons have allowed nearly 300 yards and at least three passing touchdowns per game, so Drew Brees should be in line for a massive stat line. Maybe it will come down to who has the ball last.

Start them

Devonta Freeman ATL • RB • 24 2016 stats ATT 28 YDS 113 TD 0 TAR 4 REC 4 REC YDS 20 REC TD 0 View Profile

Tevin Coleman SF • RB • 26 2016 stats ATT 20 YDS 68 TD 1 TAR 8 REC 7 REC YDS 120 REC TD 0 View Profile

The split is pretty close to even, the yardage shows a slight edge to Freeman and the touchdowns favor Coleman (he's the only one of the two to actually score). But there's a pretty good shot both finish as No. 2 Fantasy rushers against a Saints run defense. They're both quick, both can catch out of the backfield and should be able to run more effectively than the Giants did last week. Given the likelihood of a shootout, one or both should deliver. I'd take a chance on Coleman over any of the replacement running backs this week including McKinnon and Sims. Freeman should get the nod over anyone who could get replaced like C-Mike, Langford and Gore.

Texans at Patriots

There's a ton of familiarity here as Texans coach Bill O'Brien and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel both used to work with Bill Belichick in New England. These two squads also played last December in Houston -- a lopsided Patriots win. But that win involved Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski beating up on Brian Hoyer and Chris Polk -- the players have changed dramatically since then. After making a statement last week against the Chiefs, expect the Texans to come out aggressive on both sides of the ball to try and rile up Patriots rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett en route to a win.

Start them

Martellus Bennett NE • TE • 88 2016 stats TAR 11 REC 8 YDS 128 TD 0 View Profile

The hunch is the Patriots will run their typical offense without as many deep shots, making it easy for Brissett to handle. If it comes down to who might allow the most yards after catch, the Patriots will likely focus on the Texans linebackers and force them to play in coverage. That worked well for them last year when they played and if they Gronkowski and Bennett, the payoff should be good since Brissett should be efficient with them.