As I sat watching Jared Allen destroy the offensive line of the Green Bay Packers, I reflected on the trade that sent Allen away from the Kansas City Chiefs. I think to myself how different the 2009 Chiefs would be with Allen eager to mash the opposing QB on every play.

Allen doesn’t slow down, he doesn’t take a play off, he doesn’t get tired in the fourth quarter and he doesn’t care if you think his mullet is stupid.

Simply put, Jared Allen is the best defensive player in the NFL. He makes his teammates around him better. When Allen isn’t pressuring the QB, he is drawing a double-team, allowing others to apply the pressure.

Since being traded to Minnesota, Allen has compiled 21 sacks, 6 more than the entire Chiefs team (10 in 2008 and 5 in 2009).

A pass rusher of Allen’s caliber does many things for the offense:

• Puts the opposition in long-down situations
• Takes pressure off the corner backs
• Draws double-teams, allowing teammates to apply pressure
• Requires a skill position (RB or TE) to help block, rather than run routes
• Creates good field position for the offense
• And simply too many more to mention

The loss of Allen for the Chiefs has been immensely more impactful than anyone could have imagined. In no way am I saying that Allen, alone, would have made the 2-14 Chiefs of 2008 a playoff contender, but I am saying Allen would have made the Chiefs a greatly more competitive team.

Top Fantasy Running Back

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Johnson faces a Jacksonville Jaguars defense this week that has allowed 76, 118 and 111 yards rushing in their first three games.  These numbers sound like an ok, but not great rushing defense.  Then, you realize The Jaguars have played the Colts, Cardinals and Texans, three predominantly “passing” teams and the Jags still gave up those rushing numbers.  Johnson should have a field day in week 4, and while he won’t go for the 200+ yards and 3 TDs he had two weeks ago, expect him to top 150 yards and score at least once, maybe twice.  Heck, LenDale White may even be a good flex play this week.

Second Running Back

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals

I’m not the biggest Benson fan, in fact I just dealt him in one of my leagues and got Michael Turner in a 2 for 1 deal, however, he is facing the Browns this week and if this fast start is an illusion, it will continue for another week.  
The Browns are pathetic and the Bengals are winning with the run rather than the pass.  This bodes well for a resurgent Benson who should post approximately 120 yards and a score with no troubles.

Running Back Free Agent Watch

Lynell Hamilton, New Orleans Saints

By now, most of you know the usual suspects who were hot choices on the waiver wire.  Glen Coffee, Tashard Choice, and maybe even Jerome Harrison if you’re desperate, but one name to keep an eye on and maybe stash away would be Lynell Hamilton.  Hamilton plays on a high scoring New Orleans Saints offense, which proved last week with Pierre Thomas, can win with either the run or the pass.  Throw in the fact Mike Bell and Thomas have already had moderate knee injuries and knowing Bell will miss another month with injury, Hamilton could prove to be a key cog during the bye weeks as an emergency flex play or starter.  Hamilton is a poor man’s Tashard Choice, and my guess is that most people don’t even know who he is.  If you have the roster space or your league is deep, take a look at this guy.

Running Back Best Buy of the Week

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

This one is from the obvious name of the week department, but if you are in a with an owner who panicked over Matt Forte’s slow start, get him now!  Forte’s schedule goes from the tough start Green Bay, Pittsburgh and Seattle to Detroit, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Arizona, beginning this week versus Detroit.  While the Chicago schedule does toughen again later in the year, the upcoming stretch should be a big enough boost to help him get back into a rhythm and make him a top play again.

All positions :

• Quarterback by tpflanz
• Running Back by vbarkman
• Wide Reciever by nickwbates
• Tight End by rcsnake2004
• Kicker by tpflanz
• Defense & Special Teams by tpflanz

With week 3 in the books we should finally have a sense of which the good and bad teams are—though the jury is still out on a few that could go either way. That goes the same with fantasy. This is the time of the season you should be able to set (some of) your lineup and forget about it. The top producers are going to start putting up consistent point totals to where you at least know what to expect.

There is nothing more maddening than starting the wrong wide receiver. For instance, Patrick Crayton in week 1 explodes for 135 yards and 1 TD. Most likely he was riding the pine in most lineups but was the #2 scoring WR. Everybody starts him in week 2 and he throws up 4 yards! Week 3 he puts up 58 total yards—which is probably closer to the truth on Crayton. He is a guy you can count on 5-10 points a week with the occasional whacky outburst or donut.

Top Fantasy Wide Receiver

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts

Week 4 should provide some good plays for the top receivers in the league but, Reggie Wayne is the best play on the board. Seattle’s pass defense is ranked 7th in the NFL but that is a mirage. Expect the Seahawks to load up against the run early and double team Dallas Clark all day leaving Wayne open to some big plays. The Colts also like to make a splash early in games so you may have 15 points after the first play from scrimmage.

Second Wide Receiver

Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers

This is more feel than anything. Jennings is going up against the hype machine on Monday night and should have a great game. His zero catches in week 2 was a product of a lack-luster effort by the entire Packers team, but his two catch 100+ yard game in week 3 is something to take a closer look at. He is being double teamed on most plays and Donald Driver has had a bit of resurgence with two 90+ yard games in the last two weeks, which should take some of the attention off of Jennings (which left him open for two big gains last week). Though he has never had a 100-yard game and only has one TD in six tries against Minnesota, the Vikings are susceptible to a big passing team. They have faced three of the worst QB’s in the league—Shaun Hill, Matt Stafford and Brady Quinn. Aaron Rodgers is way better than those guys a will find Jennings early and often

Long-shot Wide Receiver to watch

Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans

The rookie out of Rutgers looked good against Pittsburgh in week one grabbing four balls for 85 yards. His next two games have only netted 6 catches for 81 yards, but the Titans will get a little breather against the terrible defense of the Jaguars this week. Watch for Britt to become a solid #2 target in Tennessee in the coming weeks. He is probably available in most leagues on the waiver wire or a throw-away in a trade.

Mario Manningham, New York Giants and Johnny Knox, Chicago Bears are two other solid sleepers this week.

All positions :

• Quarterback by tpflanz
• Running Back by vbarkman
• Wide Reciever by nickwbates
• Tight End by rcsnake2004
• Kicker by tpflanz
• Defense & Special Teams by tpflanz