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RandBall's Week 3 Fantasy Football Challenge

September 24, 2015 at 1:00AM
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Week 3 of the Page 2 Fantasy Football Challenge is upon us. Each week, a guest picker chooses a QB, RB and WR. The only players off-limits are those selected by the previous week's guest picker. This week's guest — Jeff Fischer, different guy (and different spelling) than the Rams head coach and self-proclaimed great regular-season fantasy player — will go head-to-head against Star Tribune writer Michael Rand, who is not allowed to pick anyone projected to score in the top 10 by NFL.com at their respective positions:

Jeff Fischer's WEEK 3 FANTASY PICKS

QB: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com QB projection: No. 13

Matchup: Rams

I think, even with Le'Veon Bell back, Big Ben stays hot. He loves to throw the ball downfield more than anyone.

RB: Adrian Peterson, Vikings

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs against the Detroit Lions in the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com RB projection: No. 4

Matchup: Chargers

Maybe this is the week Peterson stops fumbling in the red zone and crosses the goal line a couple times?

WR: Julian Edelman, Patriots

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) dives past Buffalo Bills free safety Aaron Williams (23) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com WR projection: No. 25

Matchup: Jaguars

I think Brady continues to throw it 50 times per game, and Edelman continues catching 10-plus balls a week.

MICHAEL RAND's WEEK 3 FANTASY PICKS

QB: Carson Palmer, Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals quarterback (3) Carson Palmer back to pass during a game against the New Orleans Saints played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/John Cordes)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com QB projection: No. 12

Matchup: 49ers

Which 49ers team is for real — the one that shut down the Vikings or the one that was gouged by the Steelers? I'm banking on the latter in picking Palmer this week.

RB: Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch rushes against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game Sunday Sept. 20, 2015, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com RB projection: No. 15

Matchup: Bears

Seattle is 0-2, frustrated and is at home against a bad Bears team. I see this as "no mercy" game, with Lynch serving as one of the prime beneficiaries.

WR: Brandon Marshall, Jets

New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a touchdown pass as Indianapolis Colts defensive back Jalil Brown (25) tries to defend during an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com WR projection: No. 21

Matchup: Eagles

Marshall has looked very good for an energized Jets offense that is playing well with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. He should get plenty of opportunities against the Eagles.

SCOREBOARD WEEK 2 FANTASY RECAP (USING NFL.COM DEFAULT SCORING METHOD)

Winner: Stuart Lieberman — Drew Brees (12.1), Matt Forte (10.5), Antonio Brown (27.5). Total: 50.1.

Loser: Michael Rand — Sam Bradford (7.9), Chris Ivory (6.0), Calvin Johnson (14.3). Total: 28.2.

Overall standings: Guest pickers 2-0.


Arizona Cardinals quarterback (3) Carson Palmer back to pass during a game against the New Orleans Saints played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/John Cordes)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback (3) Carson Palmer back to pass during a game against the New Orleans Saints played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/John Cordes) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
From: Jeff Fischer <jtfish2440@gmail.com> Date: September 23, 2015 at 12:25:14 PM CDT To: <mrand@startribune.com> Subject: Fantasy Hey Mike - Here's my picks for the fantasy contest. QB - Roethlisberger. I think, even with Leveon Bell back, Big Ben stays hot. He loves to throw the ball down field more than anyone. RB - AP. Maybe this is the week he stops fumbling in the red zone and crosses the goal line a couple times. WR - Edelman. I think Brady continues to throw it 50 times per game and Edel
From: Jeff Fischer Date: September 23, 2015 at 12:25:14 PM CDT To: Subject: Fantasy Hey Mike - Here's my picks for the fantasy contest. QB - Roethlisberger. I think, even with Leveon Bell back, Big Ben stays hot. He loves to throw the ball down field more than anyone. RB - AP. Maybe this is the week he stops fumbling in the red zone and crosses the goal line a couple times. WR - Edelman. I think Brady continues to throw it 50 times per game and Edelman continues catching 10+ balls a week. You finally chose one of Fantasy Football's unlickiest players to compete against. In my league of 22 years I have the most regular season wins. . . . . And the most playoff losses (by far). Good luck Mike. And thanks for inviting me to do this. Let me know if you need anything else. Jeff (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs against the Detroit Lions in the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs against the Detroit Lions in the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch rushes against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game Sunday Sept. 20, 2015, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch rushes against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game Sunday Sept. 20, 2015, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) dives past Buffalo Bills free safety Aaron Williams (23) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) dives past Buffalo Bills free safety Aaron Williams (23) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a touchdown pass as Indianapolis Colts defensive back Jalil Brown (25) tries to defend during an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a touchdown pass as Indianapolis Colts defensive back Jalil Brown (25) tries to defend during an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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