Bye weeks prompt deeper digging

Three weeks into the NFL season, there's a small sampling of team data that can help make fantasy owners' decisions for the bye weeks easier. Decisions must be made on whom to start from unused players deep on the roster and even for those regular starters who are underperforming.

Arizona, Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia are off this week.

The first thing to look at is how your player is being featured in the offense. Has he been part of the game plan on a weekly basis, and was it conditional only because of the situation the team was in whether winning or losing? How many touches are your running backs getting, and how many times are your wide receivers getting targeted by their quarterbacks?

While receptions are an obvious tool to see how involved a wide receiver is in a game plan, you can dig deeper in your research.

An example of a player going under the radar, and one who should be considered for starts even beyond bye weeks, is Seattle's Nate Burleson.

The former UNR star remains a free agent in some leagues. He's third in the NFL among all wideouts with 33 passes targeted for him, and overall he has 20 catches for 229 yards and one touchdown.

Those aren't the greatest numbers in the league, but at least you know he'll be given a chance in most of the Seahawks' passing situations with either Matt Hasselbeck or Seneca Wallace starting. As of now, Burleson has put up more fantasy points than the likes of Santana Moss, Hines Ward, Brandon Marshall, Anquan Boldin, Steve Smith and Terrell Owens.

In Smith's case, the Panthers are doing everything they can to get him the ball. He has only 15 receptions, but he has been targeted 36 times, second most in the NFL behind Randy Moss. It's a good sign that Smith's expected numbers eventually will come around.

Another aspect to review this week before making decisions is to look at the defenses every one of your players are going against. There are defenses out there that have struggled badly, and here's a look at a couple of defenses that the third-, fourth- or fifth-ranked position players on your roster could excel against:

• Houston: The Texans allow an NFL-worst 436 yards per game, with 204 coming from opposing running backs, by far the league's worst. Oakland is no bargain with its offense, but this might be the perfect elixir to get the Raiders going. Look for running back Darren McFadden to have his best day of the season, with wideout Louis Murphy getting looks through the air.

• Tampa Bay: The Buccaneers, who rank 31st in total defense, face the anemic Washington offense. Redskins running back Clinton Portis is on the verge of riding the bench for most fantasy owners because of his 61 yards per game with no touchdowns, but this week he should come to life. Wideouts Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El also should benefit against a defense that looks lost.

In what should be a high-scoring game, Dallas is at Denver.

Nevada sports books opened the total at 44. Last week, the Denver total was 38, and the Dallas total was 46. The numbers show Dallas' offense is more respected than Denver's defense, even though the Broncos have the league's top-ranked defense.

However, Denver gained the top rating against Cincinnati, Cleveland and Oakland -- not exactly spectacular offenses.

The Cowboys have been getting beat through the air regularly with their 26th-ranked defense. Look for both teams to score plenty of points.

Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton could be a good fantasy substitute this week, if in a bye week, as Marshall and the entire offense appears more comfortable in coach Josh McDaniels' scheme. Rookie running back Knowshon Moreno finally is in shape and in tune with the game plan and should have a breakout performance.

The Cowboys' Tony Romo will get his yardage through the air, with Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin getting lots of looks down the field. The Dallas running game will be strong, even without Felix Jones and possibly Marion Barber. Tashard Choice, who was picked up the most this week in fantasy leagues everywhere, will be just as effective as a substitute.

Choice might not be an option, but here are two other running backs to consider picking up:

With Frank Gore out the next few weeks for San Francisco, rookie Glen Coffee is a great addition in the small running back pool.

Detroit's Maurice Morris should get more time, and maybe even start, because of Kevin Smith's injured shoulder.

Micah Roberts is a Las Vegas-based writer who will contribute weekly fantasy football outlooks for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He can be reached at MM.Roberts7@gmail.com.