NFL Week 3 Viewers Guide: TV Schedule, Matchups, Announcers & Odds

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Update 9/22: The announcer assignments have been added.

Week 2 featured some key divisional battles (Jets over Patriots), a few surprising upsets (Bears over Cowboys), and some thrilling finishes that could announce the arrival of 2010′s new power teams (Texans over Redskins).

What does Week 3 have in store?

More key divisional battles (Jets-Dolphins), a huge inter-conference and interstate battle (Texans-Cowboys), and a chance to find out if one of 2010′s most surprising teams (the Bucs) are for real (they play the Steelers).

Check out the complete Week 3 TV schedule, along with the announcer lineups and odds for each game.

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Fantasy Football 3-2-1: Analyzing the Defenses and When to Start/Sit Your Stars

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In this week’s edition of Fantasy Football 3-2-1, I provide some useful information regarding the early 2010 performance of some defensive units that will help you in two ways: first, deciding whether to start them or not in your D/ST slot; and second, knowing what to expect from your players when they are facing these defenses.

Here is how this week’s edition of 3-2-1 breaks down:

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Reid names Vick starting QB

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Update: Eagles head coach Andy Reid named Michael Vick the team's starting quarterback going forward Tuesday, one day after announcing that Kevin Kolb would be the starter Sunday when the Birds travel to Jacksonville. Said Reid, "When someone is playing at the level Michael Vick is playing, you have to give him an opportunity. This isn't about Kevin Kolb's play. You're talking about Michael Vick as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL right now…Kevin is fine. It's not an injury-related issue. It's not about judging him. He's going to be a championship-caliber quarterback."

Fantasy Impact: It's this kind of waffling and flip-flopping that is a big reason why Andy Reid has not brought a championship to the City of Brotherly Love. Just like he said he wasn't going to trade Donovan McNabb repeatedly until Easter Sunday came and McNabb was a Redskin, Reid awarded Kolb the starting job when he concluded his press conference that announced the McNabb trade, by stating that, "obviously we have a lot of confidence in Kevin Kolb to make this decision. He will be the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles." I could see if there was an open competition in training camp that Kolb won and Vick proved to be better mid-season and usurped him, but when you draft a guy in the second round, groom him for three years, watch him become the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 300 yards in each of his first two starts, award him the job outright in April, and take it away when he misses a game and a half with his first major injury shows a tremendous lack of decisiveness and foresight. It begs the question that if Vick is this much better than Kolb, why wasn't it discovered by Eagle brass at any point in the offseason? What has Vick really proven besides narrowing the gap against a Packer team that they ended up losing to anyway and going off on a Lion defense that has been one of the league's worst over the past few years? Why did Reid say on Monday that Kolb was still the starter? Coach Reid needs to watch how he handles this situation very closely, because if he doesn't handle it well, the contract extension he was awarded late last season will be his last in Philadelphia.



WR Johnson has sprained ankle

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Update: CBSsports.com is reporting that Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson suffered a mild sprained ankle in Sunday's game against the Washignton Redskins. He missed part of the game but returned to make a game-saving catch in the endzone to force overtime. He is currently listed as day-to-day.

Fantasy Impact: If Johnson had a sprained ankle, he sure didn't play like it. He racked up 158 yards and a touchdown against the Redskins even while hurt. If he could return to the game and perform the way he did then he should be fine for the team's next game against the Dallas Cowboys who gave up 275 yards and three touchdowns through the air to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.



Leftwich may start, Dixon to have surgery

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Update: ESPN.com is reporting that Pittsburgh Steelers QB Byron Leftwich may start next week in place on QB Dennis Dixon. Leftwich is recovering from a sprained knee he suffered in the team's final preseason game. If his knee is still bothering him, QB Charlie Batch will take his place as starting QB.

Fantasy Impact: It turns out that Dixon's knee injury was more serious than originally expected. Dixon tore cartilage in his knee on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans and will miss about three weeks. Currently Batch is the only healthy QB on the Steelers roster and if he goes down as well, WR Antwaan Randle El will play QB.



Reggie Bush breaks fibula

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Update: ESPN is reporting that New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush broke his right fibula while trying to recover a muffed punt return in the game against the San Francisco 49ers Monday night. Sources tell ESPN that he could be out six weeks.

Fantasy Impact: This could have a dramatic impact on the Saints in games to come since Bush is a such a play-maker on punt returns. His 43-yard punt return helped set up the Saints for a game-winning field goal. Expect RB Pierre Thomas to get a lot more touches in Bush's absence.



Broncos Promote Andre Brown

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Update: Aaron Wilson of The National Football Post is reporting that the Denver broncos have promoted RB Andre Brown from their practice squad. Brown is finally healthy from his turf toe injury. The New York Giants cut Brown late in training camp.

Fantasy Impact: Brown is only depth for the Broncos. He is behind Knowshown Moreno, Laurence Maroney and Buckhalter on the depth chart.



Broncos Promote Andre Brown

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Update: Aaron Wilson of The National Football Post is reporting that the Denver broncos have promoted RB Andre Brown from their practice squad. Brown is finally healthy from his turf toe injury. The New York Giants cut Brown late in training camp.

Fantasy Impact: Brown is only depth for the Broncos. He is behind Knowshown Moreno, Laurence Maroney and Buckhalter on the depth chart.



Cowboys Are Being Patient With Buehler

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Update: Charean Williams of Star-Telegram.com is reporting that the Dallas Cowboys are being patient with K David Buehler. Buehler is 2 for 4 so this year on field goals.

Fantasy Impact: Buehler is struggling as a kicker. He should not be owned right now. Nick Folk of the Bengals has started off strong and should be available if you are looking for a replacement kicker.



Harrison Could Lose Carries

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Update: Matt Loede of Brownsgab.com is reporting that the Cleveland Browns Coach Eric Mangini said" Jerome Harrison could be in danger of losing touches due to his lost fumble in Week 2. Either you hold onto the ball and get carries or you don’t hold onto the ball and don’t get carries".

Fantasy Impact: Harrison is slowly losing the starting RB job. Peyton Hillis has been the better running back. If Hillis is available in your league he should be picked up immediately. He may be the starting RB very soon.



Bryan Bulaga Could Start

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Update: Brad Biggs of The National Football post is reporting that the Green Bay Packers could be starting OT Brian Bulaga at left tackle this week verse the Bears. Starting LT Chad Clifton has sore knees and may not be able to play on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: The Packers face the Bears this week and this will be a tough match up. If Bulaga plays he will face Julius Peppers, the Bears best pass rusher. Rodgers could be in trouble this game. If you own Rodgers you are starting regardless.



Colts WR Gonzalez Out 4-6 Weeks

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Update: Phil Richards of Indystar.com is reporting that the Indianapolis Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez is out 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain.

Fantasy Impact: Gonzalez has been a disappointment with the Colts. He has fallen out of favor with the team and is at best the number 4 WR when healthy. If he is on your roster it's time cut him.



Eagles sign RB Joique Bell

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Update: Jeff McLane of Philly.com is reporting that the Philadelphia Eagles have signed RB Joique Bell. He was with the Buffalo Bills. The Eagles have not announced a corresponding roster move yet to be under the 53-man roster limit.

Fantasy Impact: Bell is only roster depth.



2 Rams TE’s Suffered MCL Injuries

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Update: Kathleen Nelson of Stltoday.com is reporting that the ST. Louis Rams had injured TE's in Sunday's Game. Billy Bajema's MCL injury could take 2 to 4 weeks to heal. Daniel Fells is day to day with an MCL strain.

Fantasy Impact: Both players are not considered fantasy options. They are the top 2 TE's on the Rams depth chart. If they don't play Ram will be relying on inexperienced players for blocking. This will mean more pressure on QB Sam Bradford and worse run blocking for Steven Jackson.



2 Rams TE’s Suffered MCL Injuries

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Update: Kathleen Nelson of Stltoday.com is reporting that the ST. Louis Rams had injured TE's in Sunday's Game. Billy Bajema's MCL injury could take 2 to 4 weeks to heal. Daniel Fells is day to day with an MCL strain.

Fantasy Impact: Both players are not considered fantasy options. They are the top 2 TE's on the Rams depth chart. If they don't play Ram will be relying on inexperienced players for blocking. This will mean more pressure on QB Sam Bradford and worse run blocking for Steven Jackson.