Fantasy Focus: Week 3

[Hache Man]

Projected fantasy studs
Ronnie Brown: The Titans are surrendering 166 rushing yards per game, despite facing the Jets' meager ground attack in Week 1. Look for Brown to bust loose and take the heat off Daunte Culpepper in a critical game for Miami.
Carson Palmer: Palmer gets his first crack at the Steelers since his horrific knee injury in last season's playoffs. All he did in his last visit to Pittsburgh was throw for 227 yards and three touchdowns in a Cincinnati win.
Carolina defense: The Panthers need a big effort to claw out of their 0-2 hole. A date with Chris Simms (six interceptions) and a Bucs offense that has produced three points this season should get the highly regarded Carolina defense on track.
Antonio Bryant: Byrant is second in the NFC with 245 receiving yards. Now he faces an Eagles secondary that's likely to be without CBs Lito Sheppard and Roderick Hood.
Matt Hasselbeck: The best place to attack the Giants is through the air. With Deion Branch slated to be in a Seattle uniform for the first time on Sunday, the surgical Hasselbeck will have multiple targets to choose from. Expect him to capitalize.
Projected fantasy duds
Reuben Droughns: He really needs Charlie Frye to establish the pass (maybe Kellen Winslow's complaints have some merit here). Droughns did almost nothing vs. the Saints and Bengals, meaning he's likely to do less than nothing vs. the Ravens.
Laveranues Coles: The surprise NFL leader for receiving yards with 253, don't expect Coles to add significantly to that total with Buffalo CBs Nate Clements and Terrence McGee locking on to him. A calf injury Coles is fighting doesn't help matters.
Tom Brady: It wasn't pretty when Brady ran into the Denver 'D' in the playoffs and that's when he had Deion Branch as an option. It's possible Champ Bailey can cover two New England receivers by himself these days.
Atlanta defense: This unit has permitted a mere nine points in two weeks. But look for Reggie Bush and the resurgent Saints to — at a minimum — post respectable numbers in their Superdome return.
Dominic Rhodes/Joseph Addai: Indy's RB platoon bounced back vs. the Texans last Sunday but will have no such luck running against the Jags, a crew that held Pittsburgh to 26 yards rushing on Monday.
Projected fantasy sleepers
Heath Miller: Look for the Steelers TE to vastly improve upon Monday's 11-yard performance in Jacksonville. The Cincinnati defense has been hit hard by injuries and Odell Thurman's suspension and Miller should be able to take advantage.
Mark Brunell: The Redskins need to turn it around quickly and Houston's porous pass defense could be just the remedy for Brunell and his heretofore stagnant offense.
Kevin Jones: This Lion has been in hibernation to this point, rushing for a grand total of 79 yards. Look for him to wake up vs. the Packers.
Arizona defense: This gang has its share of playmakers and the Rams are clearly not yet comfortable in Scott Linehan's new offense. Marc Bulger and Torry Holt should not anticipate an easy day.
DeShaun Foster: Hasn't done much to date, but the Panthers will need his production in Tampa, especially if Steve Smith still can't go. DeAngelo Williams' performance in Week 2 should serve as a wake-up call to Foster.
Waiver wire wonders
Michael Turner: "The Burner" could be this season's version of Larry Johnson. He has 192 total yards and a TD after two weeks, excelling in a role similar to the one Johnson had last year before Priest Holmes was hurt. LaDainian Tomlinson owners should pray for his health — and ensure they get Turner onto their rosters quickly.
Chris Henry: Even when T.J. Houshmandzadeh returns, Henry will have value, perhaps on a par with what Brandon Stokley did for the Colts in 2004. Henry's got character issues, but he's also got talent to burn in an explosive Cincinnati offense.
Buffalo defense: Buffalo has racked up 10 sacks and three turnovers through two weeks, allowing a mere 23 total points. Future dates with AFC East and NFC North offenses portend more good things.
Bernard Berrian: Proving to be a decent option in Chicago and could have value in fantasy flex spots. Berrian probably won't get as many balls as Muhsin Muhammad, but his speed makes him a consistent scoring threat. Should produce at a level similar to Ashley Lelie when he was in Denver.
Patrick Crayton: The beneficiary of Terrell Owens' hand injury if T.O. can't go in Week 4, Crayton would also provide insurance to owners of the injury-prone Terry Glenn. The fact that Crayton returns punts is a bonus.

[Gamehendge]

ronnie should have a big week