Week 3 of the NFL season and, ho hum, just another year, right? Nothing to see here, just move along. I mean, isn't it every week when you have to adjust your rankings at 2 a.m. because a star running back has been barred from team activities? Yeesh. What a nutty season. And yes, we're only in Week 3.
Which brings us to this week's version of the TMR Top 200. We seem to have settled on a format, if not necessarily a publication time. So once again, you'll see four lists below: my flex rankings for running back, wide receiver and tight end, along with my quarterback ranks, defense ranks and kicker ranks. When we're looking at a full slate of games, that will add up to 202 players. After the Thursday games and in bye weeks, I won't be able to rank 32 defenses, so it'll be short of that number. But whatever ... it's my column, I can name it what I want. Trust me, if the name is your biggest issue with the rankings after this weekend, we're ahead of the game.
If you want to see how my individual position ranks compare to the other ESPN rankers, those are a click away. Both those rankings and mine here are designed with an ESPN standard 10-team league in mind. That is to say, four points for a touchdown pass, one point per every 10 yards rushing and receiving, no added points for receptions and so on. I go a little deeper because I know some people play with three wideouts, or in 12-team leagues, what have you.
In this week's rankings, you'll note that I am a Kirk Cousins believer, and while I still believe in Jake Locker long term, I do believe the sledding will be tough on the road at Cincy. The Cowboys' running game last week was impressive to me and affects a few rankings. The offensive line was very impressive and I am shocked that I am seeing a Scott Linehan offense work this way, but this is how they need to play to win. Run the ball, control the clock, employ a conservative passing game, don't let their defense off the field. Tony Romo is not throwing deep -- heck, he's not even really throwing, and as long as DeMarco Murray is healthy, they will keep riding him. Murray is my top running back this week in a great matchup, while Romo is nowhere near the top 10.
My rankings also reflect that the performances of Darren Sproles, Brian Quick and Niles Paul are not flukes and they will continue to be viable considerations for your lineup. Finally, a week after putting up a negative score, Seattle's defense comes in at No. 8. Certainly it can have success against Peyton Manning; we've seen it before and the Seahawks are at home, but still. How do you feel about your midround pick of a defense now? Certainly you didn't expect them to be ranked lower than the Colts, who get a Jaguars team that just made Washington look like the '86 Bears. Good luck in Week 3 and we'll see you Sunday mornings at 11 ET for Fantasy Football Now, on ESPN2 and the WatchESPN app.
Last update: Saturday, 2:40 p.m.