Our top three picks this week are:

1. New Orleans vs. TB – We all knew QB Jameis Winston would start slow but none of us thought the defense would be so bad. The Bucs are a bad football team right now. This is a great week to use the Saints (who are a so-so team themselves) to advance to Week 3 of your suicide pool. New Orleans will roll Tampa at home.

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2. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. SF – Both teams will be 1-1 after Sunday. The Steelers have issues on defense but are significantly better at home, especially QB Ben Roethlisberger. We’re banking on the 49ers not looking nearly as good as they did in their Monday Night opener.

3. St. Louis Rams vs. Was – The Rams D will smother Kirk Cousins and Co. just like a year ago. If Washington puts up 10 points offensively that will be an accomplishment.

Top pick

1. New York Giants vs. Jax – The Giants are riding a 6 game losing streak but Tom Coughlin has a way of keeping his team from throwing in the towel. This is also against the team where he first became head coach. Look for the Giants to pull out an easy win.

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2. Houston Texans vs. Ten – They’re going back to QB Ryan Fitzpatrick but have a decided advantage against the Titans. Look for the Texans D to rise up and force Zack Mettinberger into a few turnovers.

3. St. Louis Rams vs. Oak – The Rams D is starting to rev up and may get DE Chris Long back this week. The Raiders ended their losing streak a week ago and will start a new one here.

Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Andrew Luck

Tier 1

Tony Romo vs. NYG – He’ll feast on a Giants D that is depleted and struggling in coverage.

Tom Brady vs. Det – The Lions present a big challenge, but this is in NE and Brady is on fire.

Mark Sanchez vs. Ten – This offense suits him well.

Tier 2

Eli Manning vs. Dal – Look for Manning to top 20 FFL points against the Boys.

Colin Kaepernick vs. Was – He’ll be a threat running as well as passing.

Andy Dalton vs. Hou – Dalton will put up 15-18 FFL points.

Jay Cutler vs. TB – He will probably toss a couple of picks but he’s in line for a big afternoon.

Ryan Tannehill vs. Den – Expect 15-18 FFL points against a tough Broncos D.

Philip Rivers vs. Stl. – Rivers enjoys a solid match up here.

Fantasy Sleeper

Josh McCown vs. Chi – Expect McCown to put on a solid showing against his old compatriots.

Bust

Matt Stafford vs. NE – The Pats secondary is its strength.

Must Start

Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Matt Stafford

Tier 1

Andrew Luck vs. NE – You’re starting him but the Pats are very good against the pass.

Philip Rivers vs. Oak – This is one of the few easy remaining opponents. Rivers will put up 300 yards with a 3 TDs.

Tom Brady vs. Ind – Brady is on fire and will put up 30 FFL points in a high scoring game.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Ten – They overlooked NYJ. Roethlisberger will top 300 yards with 2-3 TDs on MNF.

Cam Newton vs. Atl – Newton will top 25 FFL points against a porous Falcons D.

Tier 2

Matt Ryan vs. Car – The Panthers pathetic D means Ryan is still a borderline No. 1 this week.

Jay Cutler vs. Min – He’ll turn the ball over a few times but also find the end zone twice.

RGIII vs. TB – RGIII will put up 17-20 against a defensively challenged Bucs team.

Bust

Russell Wilson vs. KC – Wilson is struggling tremendously now outside of what he is doing with his legs. He’ll find Kansas City a very tough place to play.

Fantasy Sleeper

Josh McCown vs. Was – He’ll top 18-20 FFL points against a generous Skins D.

Top pick

1. Detroit Lions vs. Arz – When you’re forced to turn to rookie QB Ryan Lindey, it’s bad. Real bad. Even the Lions, in the midst of a long losing streak themselves, will roll easily here.

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2. St. Louis Rams vs. Min – QB Christian Ponder is not to be trusted on the road (or home for that matter). The Rams have a decent shot of winning out.

3. Cleveland Browns vs. Was – If QB RGIII doesn’t play, this prediction looks a whole lot better. If he does, the Browns still have a great shot at winning as they’ve been very hot over the past month.  The Skins are ripe for a letdown.

1. Aaron Rodgers GB – Prolific 2011 season will be followed up by another top 2-3 effort in 2012.

2. Tom Brady NE – The addition of a true deep threat in Brandon Lloyd will make the passing game virtually unstoppable.  Only questions on offense pertain to O-Line.

3. Drew Brees NO – Even without  Sean Payton calling plays, Brees will top 4500 yards and 35 TDs.

4. Matt Stafford Det – He stayed healthy and showed him promise a year ago. Look for a repeat effort this year with over 4500 yards and 35 TDs.

5. Tony Romo Dal - Statistically he had a very good year in 2011. Weapons return making him dangerous right back.

6. Michael Vick Phi – While Philly wants him to be a pocket QB, fantasy owners will need to see him run. That’s the only way he’ll warrant such a high ranking in 2012.

7. Cam Newton Car – Buyer beware. His upside is as high as his downside is low. Needs to replicate his big running numbers plus TDs to be a top 7 fantasy QB.

8. Eli Manning NYG – He’ll be breaking in some new O-Lineman and a new TE and 3rd WR, but he took another step forward in 2011 and has two game breaking receivers on the outside. Look for another 4,000 yard season with 30+ TDs.

9. Payton Manning Den – This is a wild card and ultimately depends on his health. He won’t have the weapons in Denver that he had in Indy, but that shouldn’t stop him from topping 4,000 yards and 25-30 TDs. Denver might be more run oriented than Peyton is used to due to John Fox’s style.

10. Matt Ryan Atl – The expected jump by Julio Jones to complement Roddy White make Ryan a No. 1 fantasy football QB in 2012.

11. Ben Roethlisberger Pit – If/when Wallace reports, he’ll give Ben a dynamic duo on the outside. The Steelers lack of a running game (Mendenhall ACL injury) could have Pittsburgh taking to the air more this year.

12. Philip Rivers SD – The loss of Vincent Jackson hurts, but Gates is healthy and the Chargers have enough in the skill player department for Rivers to enjoy a 3,500-4,000 yard season with 25-28 TDs.

13. Jay Cutler Chi - The Bears upgraded its WR Corps with the Marshall addition, and Forte is one of the best backs in the business out of the backfield. Cutler could end up a top 10 fantasy QB.

14. Josh Freeman TB – The Bucs reloaded at the skill positions and brought in a true No. 1 in Vincent Jackson to give Freeman a deep threat. Expect a big rebound in 2012 and he’s a nice fantasy sleeper.

15. Matt Schaub Hou – With Schaub, the concern is always whether he can remain healthy. If so, he’s a solid No. 2 option with the ability to be a low No. 1.

16. Joe Flacco Bal - You know what you get with Flacco; a solid, but less than spectacular QB – in both fantasy and the NFL.

17. Alex Smith SF – The 49ers have upgraded their receiving corps over a year ago and look for Harbaugh to take the training wheels off of Smith in 2012. Decent No. 2 option.

18. Andy Dalton Cin - Tough to project year two, and AJ Green is a very nice receiving option, but Dalton is no more than a one week fill in for your starter.

19. Sam Bradford Stl - Last season was a wash due to a plethora of injuries. Look for Bradford to take a big step forward in Fisher’s system.

20. Matt Flynn Sea – The job is his to win, and the Seahawks have decent weapons for him to surprise.

21. Jake Locker Ten – He’s a wild card and could end up being a nice fantasy sleeper. Can hurt teams on the ground and through the air.

22. Carson Palmer Oak – A full off season with the Raiders and a lot of young talent at the skill positions makes Palmer a solid No. 2 option and solid spot fill in.

23. Robert Griffin Was - Draft him late and pray he becomes Cam Newton II? The Skins face very tough defenses in the NFC East and Washington’s skill players and upfront blocking aren’t exactly overwhelming.

24. Matt Cassel KC - Make or break year for Cassel, but he has some serious weapons to work with. No. 2 fantasy QB at best.

25. Ryan Fitzpatrick Buf - At least you know he’ll be good from Week’s 1-6. No. 2 option that can fill in nicely for a No. 1 when the opponent is weak.