Each week during the NFL season, we will rank enough players at each position to appease everyone from those in 8-team leagues to 16-team leagues, those that can start two QBs, two TEs, three RBs and four WRs. We cut out the rest, because if you're looking at who the 50th-best running back or the 17th-best kicker is for that week, you need more help than any Web site can give you.
It turns out the Giants didn't miss Hakeem Nicks (DNP, foot) after all as Ramses Barden filled in admirably (9 rec., 138 yds.) for his injured teammate in the win over Carolina on Thursday night. Barden, running back Andre Brown (113 yards rushing, 2 TDs) and tight end Martellus Bennett (6 rec., 73 yds., TD) did most of the damage for the G-Men, turning Victor Cruz (6 rec., 42 yds.) into a role player this week. In other injury news, Greg Jennings is still being limited by the groin injury that caused him to miss last week's game. The Packers don't play until Monday night, which give him more time to recover, but also puts his owners in somewhat of a bind because it's the last game on the docket. Philadelphia plays in Arizona on Sunday and the Eagles' already know they will be without Jeremy Maclin, who has been ruled out because of a hip injury. DeSean Jackson has been dealing with a hamstring issue of his own, so the Eagles' passing attack may end up grounded against the Cardinals. Washington's Pierre Garcon is considered Doubtful for the Redskins game against Cincinnati, meaning he may miss a second straight game because of a nagging foot injury. In Dallas, Miles Austin and Dez Bryant are hoping for results similar to those enjoyed by Nicks and Cruz as the Cowboys host Tampa Bay and its pass defense that gave up more than 500 yards last week. There also could be plenty of offense in the Super Dome as New Orleans and Kansas City face off with each team hoping for a much-needed victory. These two teams are tied for most points allowed at 37.5 per game, which could be good news for Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colston, Lance Moore and possibly even Jon Baldwin owners this week. Colston has been limited by a foot injury, but to this point it has not kept him from playing.
2012 NFL Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings â Wide Receivers
| Rk | Player | Team | OPPONENT |
| 1 | Calvin Johnson | DET | at TEN |
| 2 | A.J. Green | CIN | at WAS |
| 3 | Julio Jones | ATL | at SD |
| 4 | Victor Cruz | NYG | at CAR (Thurs.) |
| 5 | Steve Smith | CAR | vs. NYG (Thurs.) |
| 6 | Brandon Marshall | CHI | vs. STL |
| 7 | Percy Harvin | MIN | vs. SF |
| 8 | Roddy White | ATL | at SD |
| 9 | Andre Johnson | HOU | at DEN |
| 10 | Miles Austin | DAL | vs. TB |
| 11 | Jordy Nelson | GB | at SEA (Mon.) |
| 12 | Mike Wallace | PIT | at OAK |
| 13 | Dez Bryant | DAL | vs. TB |
| 14 | Marques Colston | NO | vs. KC |
| 15 | Greg Jennings | GB | at SEA (Mon.) |
| 16 | Dwayne Bowe | KC | at NO |
| 17 | Stevie Johnson | BUF | at CLE |
| 18 | Reggie Wayne | IND | vs. JAC |
| 19 | Larry Fitzgerald | ARI | vs. PHI |
| 20 | Demaryius Thomas | DEN | vs. HOU |
| 21 | Brandon Lloyd | NE | at BAL |
| 22 | Vincent Jackson | TB | at DAL |
| 23 | Antonio Brown | PIT | at OAK |
| 24 | DeSean Jackson | PHI | at ARI |
| 25 | Torrey Smith | BAL | vs. NE |
| 26 | Pierre Garcon | WAS | vs. CIN |
| 27 | Wes Welker | NE | at BAL |
| 28 | Malcom Floyd | SD | vs. ATL |
| 29 | Danny Amendola | STL | at CHI |
| 30 | Lance Moore | NO | vs. KC |
| 31 | Michael Crabtree | SF | at MIN |
| 32 | Brandon LaFell | CAR | vs. NYG (Thurs.) |
| 33 | Eric Decker | DEN | vs. HOU |
| 34 | Santonio Holmes | NYJ | at MIA |
| 35 | Denarius Moore | OAK | vs. PIT |
| 36 | Kenny Britt | TEN | vs. DET |
| 37 | Nate Washington | TEN | vs. DET |
| 38 | Anquan Boldin | BAL | vs. NE |
| 39 | Robert Meachem | SD | vs. ATL |
| 40 | Sidney Rice | SEA | vs. GB (Mon.) |
| 41 | Greg Little | CLE | vs. BUF |
| 42 | Donnie Avery | IND | vs. JAC |
| 43 | Jon Baldwin | KC | at NO |
| 44 | Darrius Heyward-Bey | OAK | vs. PIT |
| 45 | Brian Hartline | MIA | vs. NYJ |
| 46 | Nate Burleson | DET | at TEN |
| 47 | Laurent Robinson | JAC | at IND |
| 48 | Mike Williams | TB | at DAL |
| 49 | Randall Cobb | GB | at SEA (Mon.) |
| 50 | Kevin Ogletree | DAL | vs. TB |
| 51 | Randy Moss | SF | at MIN |
| 52 | Andre Roberts | ARI | vs. PHI |
| 53 | Davone Bess | MIA | vs. NYJ |
| 54 | Ramses Barden | NYG | at CAR (Thurs.) |
| 55 | Kendall Wright | TEN | vs. DET |
| 56 | Donald Jones | BUF | at CLE |
| 57 | Andrew Hawkins | CIN | at WAS |
| 58 | Brandon Gibson | STL | at CHI |
| 59 | Doug Baldwin | SEA | vs. GB (Mon.) |
| 60 | Mario Manningham | SF | at MIN |
| 61 | Justin Blackmon | JAC | at IND |
| 62 | Mohamed Massaquoi | CLE | vs. BUF |
| 63 | James Jones | GB | at SEA (Mon.) |
| 64 | Rueben Randle | NYG | at CAR (Thurs.) |
Injury-Related News:
Marques Colston, NO: Continues to be limited in practice, and to a degree in games, by a nagging foot issue. It has not kept him out of any games, however, and nothing's been said that suggests his status for Sunday's game against Kansas City is in question.
Pierre Garcon, WAS: Listed as Doubtful for Sunday's game against Cincinnati because of a nagging foot injury that prevented him from playing last week.
DeSean Jackson, PHI: Dealing with a hamstring issue, which limited him in practice on Wednesday. He was a full participant in practice on Thursday, so barring any setbacks he should be able to go on Sunday in Arizona.
Greg Jennings, GB: Missed last week's game against Chicago with groin injury, which continues to hamper him at practice. Nothing definitive has been said regarding his status for the Monday night game in Seattle, but it's possible he could be held out for a second straight week if he doesn't show more progress soon.
Jeremy Maclin, PHI: Will not play on Sunday against Arizona because of a hip injury. He practiced on a limited basis this week, but the team made the decision to hold him out of the game on Friday.
Hakeem Nicks, NYG: Did not play Thursday night in Carolina because of a foot injury.
Rankings are based upon Athlon Sports' standard scoring system:
OFFENSIVE SCORING
All touchdowns are 6 points
1 point for 25 yards passing
1 point for 10 yards rushing/receiving
Receptions are .5 points
Interceptions/fumbles are minus-2 points
Additional Week 3 Positional Rankings
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Tight Ends
Kickers
Defense/Special Teams
â Updated on Sept. 21, 2012
