The third season of the NFL season is here folks. For Fantasy football players, that means it is time to run through the weekly lineup decisions once more. If you have Travis Benjamin, wide receiver of the San Diego Chargers, on your fantasy team, we are here today to decide whether you should play him this week, or sit him down on the bench. No time to mess around, so here we go.
Week three will see the San Diego Chargers hit the road, and travel to Indiana to take on the 0-2 Indianapolis Colts. Right off that bat that should be music to the ears of Benjamin owners everywhere. The Colts have one of the worst defenses in the entire NFL. Week one saw them at home give up 39 points to the Detroit Lions, while the Denver Broncos put up a 34 spot on them last week.
In the game against the Lions, Matthew Stafford put up 340 yards to go along with three touchdowns. For the Broncos, a team that relies on the run and defense still saw quarterback Trevor Siemian throw for 266 yards against the Colts secondary. The one surprising fact is the Colts have yet to allow a 100-yard game to an opposing receiver. But that can be explained by the fact that the Lions had five guys with over 40 receiving yards, while the Broncos defense dominated that game, including the scoring.
Now let’s talk more about Benjamin himself. In week one against the Chiefs, in Kansas City, Benjamin hauled in 7 passes, but for only 32 yards (10.2 points in PPR leagues). Week two at home saw the emergence of Benjamin, as he caught six for 115 yards and two scores. That is a fantastic 31.5 points in a PPR league. Week two saw Benjamin become the focal point of the offense, as the team was without star wide receiver Keenan Allen and also lost running back Danny Woodhead in the game.
For two straight weeks he has led the club in receptions, and week two he also led them in yards (rushing or receiving). This is helped out by the fact that he leads the team in targets with 14. ranking tied for 47th in the NFL. So without Allen and Woodhead moving forward, Benjamin is set to be the main man in San Diego’s passing game. He is a solid receiver and is getting the looks from Rivers.
When you combine that with the porous Colts defense and secondary, then you have yourself a start in week three. If you do not have room at wide receiver, he is certainly a tremendous guy for your flex position this week. I expect another 1100-yardgame out of him this week. I will venture to say seven catches for 120 yards, and a touchdown. Travis Benjamin is certainly worth the start this week.