We've got this new Fantasy Index Blackout competition. You can enter it under Your Stuff at the top right of the screen. It's similar to our old SuperLeague competition, except you're prevented from using sure-fire, slam-dunk superstars. There are still some of those types of players, right?
Week 3 picks got scrubbed from the books due to a glitch letting people use players who had already played. I didn't benefit (since I make my picks Wednesday). It would be nice to ditch my picks from Week 1, when I clearly didn't think things through very well. But whatever; it's early. Not too late to get things turned around.
Quarterback: Ryan, Rodgers, Brady and Russell Wilson (one good week!) aren't available. But that's OK. I'm going with DeShaun Watson against the Titans and old man Drew Brees against Miami. The Dolphins just made Josh McCown look good, while Watson (who I just secured for $205 in an RTSports league, saving me I hope from my potential Philip Rivers problem) looks like he's going to have some good fantasy performances the rest of the way.
Running back: Hunt and Girly Man are blacked out, but I still see three excellent, excellent choices. Ty Montgomery against the Bears, Jay Ajayi against the Saints and Dalvin Cook against the Lions. I'm leaving Ajayi out of my lineup, but he'd be great too.
Wide receiver: Can't use Julio, Tyreek, Baldwin or Antonio Brown (so Ian doesn't even have the choice of not using him). A case can be made for using both Dolphin wideouts against the Saints, but I'm instead going with DeVante Parker and then opposing No. 1s in the Giants-Bucs game, Mike Evans and Odell Beckham Jr. Am wondering if the Giants are going to punish Beckham for his childish end-zone theatrics last week, but hopefully not. The team is 0-3, they can't be messing around with suspensions.
Tight end: No Gronk or Kelce. We may as well just call this the No Gronk or Kelce Game rather than the Blackout Game. Maybe I'm getting too cute here but I'm looking at Martellus Bennett versus one of his many former teams, plus Zach Ertz against the Chargers.
Kicker: No Gostkowski, Bryant, or Blair Walsh (who's playing for the week's biggest favorite, not because he's actually any good). I will go with Matt Prater (Vikings have allowed the most field goals so far) and Ryan Succop (because I like saying Succop).
Defense: Jacksonville and Seattle are blacked out, Jaguars have come a long way. I'm all over Cincinnati (who I also picked up in multiple leagues) against the Browns, and ... the Titans, who I realize are facing my starting quarterback, but that does not matter. Watson can have a great day running and throwing it and the Titans can still come up with some sacks and turnovers, OK?
Good luck to the rest of you.