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After two weeks in the NFL this season, there is one thing that is certain: If you are an NFL team or a fantasy football manager, then you need depth on your bench! Week 3 in fantasy football brings us some interesting situations in regards to flex plays for your fantasy team. Usually I give updates for wide receiver plays, however, this week there are four running backs who could be very helpful this week in your flex play position.
Knowshon Moreno
The Denver Broncos went into the season with a running back-by-committee mentality. Rookie Montee Ball was figured to be the featured back and not injury-prone Moreno. The Georgia product had some huge games beside Peyton Manning at the end of the 2012 season. Moreno was not figured to be a factor in this team, though, in 2013. After two solid games by Moreno and two very non-productive games by the other two backs in Denver — the other being Ronnie Hillman — Moreno looks to have a huge fantasy week against the barely functioning Oakland Raiders. Look for Denver to take a huge lead in this game and for Moreno to benefit greatly, and for possibly the rest of the season. He is a MUST START this week for anyone who owns him!
Jacquizz Rodgers
If there is one very interesting start this week for a running back flex play option, it is the Atlanta Falcons’ Jacquizz Rodgers. He will get a chance to shine in Week 3 as his team takes on the 2-0 Miami Dolphins. With starter Steven Jackson down with an injury, Rodgers will have a chance to showcase his speed and abilities for fantasy owners. Rodgers is not Jackson and cannot drag potential tacklers through the pile. However, what Rodgers does have is lightning-quick speed that Atlanta could use to their benefit. If the Falcons can get Rodgers out into the open, look for Rodgers to break a few long runs off and to have a great game. The Dolphins will focus on shutting down the Falcons high-flying offense, so there is a very good chance here this week for Rodgers.
Bernard Pierce
Pierce is a man that I have been writing about since the preseason started. I love the upside of this guy! Pierce is in his second year and is ready to take the reins for the Baltimore Ravens. He has his chance this week. Ray Rice went down in a game against the Cleveland Browns with a hip flexor injury. When Pierce stepped in, it looked as if the Ravens got a shot of life in their running game. As it looks, Pierce will start this weekend, and if he does, he should have a very nice statistical game. Look for him to put up above-average flex points for anyone who uses him.
Ben Tate
It is always difficult to put running backs into your lineup when you know it is possible for the carries to be split. It is also tough to put in a player who is not exactly the No. 1 back on his team. Tate comes in this week with a very interesting situation. He is behind a fantasy stud in Arian Foster, who has been a work horse since he became the starting running back for the Houston Texans. If you look at Foster and Tate’s numbers side by side from last week, you will notice a few things. First, Foster had more carries than Tate (19 compared to nine), however, Tate finished with 93 yards and Foster with 79. Yes, I know Tate had a big run of 60 yards that helped his totals, but Foster hardly did anything in the game against the Tennessee Titans. If you are in a bind, Tate would not be a bad play if you need him. You know Tate will get some carries and if you have some injury problems, Tate could definitely come through when you need him.
Dom DeCarlo is a Fantasy blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him @DomDecarlo1, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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