Matchups to exploit

Falcons QB Matt Ryan has really picked it up after a bad Week One, throwing five TD passes and no picks the past two games. This Sunday he gets a 49ers pass "D" that's reeling, having given up seven TD tosses through three games and having allowed an awful 7.2 yards per pass play. Ryan should be busy hitting Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez all day long and is well worth plugging into fantasy lineups.

The Bills were notoriously bad against the run in 2009, and they haven't been much better this season, allowing 141 yards per game and five rushing scores on the year. Even though the Jets are still trying to figure out how to distribute carries, they should take full advantage of Buffalo's weakness, running Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson frequently. Both could wind up having productive outings in this one.

Although just a rookie, Rams QB Sam Bradford has been fairly productive in his first three career starts, throwing for 218.3 yards on average with four TD passes. If you're looking for a bye-week replacement, you could do worse than the 2010 No. 1 overall pick, who faces a Seattle defense yielding 315.7 passing yards per game. Bradford seems to have something going with WR Mark Clayton, who's a quality fantasy start in this matchup.

It's been a relatively slow start for Panthers RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, but this could be the week they get going. Carolina faces a Saints team Sunday that's been getting gashed for 145 yards and one rushing TD per contest, so the "Double Trouble" duo should find ample running room. As long as the Panthers don't dig themselves a huge hole, each back should be active this week.

Matchups to avoid

The Steelers have been nearly impenetrable on the ground thus far, yielding just 59.7 yards per contest and one TD in total. That's bad news for Ravens RB Ray Rice, who's at less than full strength following a significant knee contusion in Week Three. It's always tough to bench a player of Rice's caliber, but consider other options if you have them against this otherworldly defensive unit.

The Chargers have been shaky to begin the season, but their run "D" has held opponents to one total TD and 91.3 yards on average. That could present a problem to the Cardinals' backfield of Beanie Wells, who made his season debut last week following knee surgery, and Tim Hightower. If the Bolts jump out to an early lead, which is likely considering Arizona's defensive issues, Wells and Hightower might not see many carries this Sunday.

Steelers QB Charlie Batch had no trouble slinging the ball at Tampa Bay last week, throwing two long TD bombs and three scores in total. But life will get much tougher for the Pittsburgh passing attack against the Ravens, who have surrendered just one TD pass all year and are allowing a paltry 116.7 yards per game through the air. Expecting much from Batch, Hines Ward or Mike Wallace could be a mistake in an affair in which points will be at a premium.

Running on the Bears has been an act in futility thus far, and their D-line has been shockingly good against the run. Through three games, Chicago is giving up a league-low 39.7 yards per contest on the ground. The Giants have been running the ball fairly well, but expecting them to crack the Bears' front could be a mistake. Brandon Jacobs doesn't belong anywhere near lineups, and even Ahmad Bradshaw is a risky play in this one.