options to consider.Jacob Tamme, TE, Atlanta Falcons (10

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The defense that Mike Zimmer has deliberately built since he became Minnesotas head coach has been gradually ascending into one of the leagues best.The Vikings have sure begun this season with a bang. For the second straight game, they turned an NFL MVP into a flustered, ineffective quarterback.The defense racked up eight sacks and three interceptions of Carolinas Cam Newton in the 22-10 victory over the defending NFC champion Panthers on Sunday. It was a resounding response by the Vikings (3-0) after having to put running back Adrian Peterson and left tackle Matt Kalil on injured reserve earlier in the week.We feel like we can be one of the best ever to wear purple. Thats not taking away from the guys who wore purple before us, but we hold ourselves to that standard, defensive end Brian Robison said.The eight sacks were the most by the Vikings in a road game since Dec. 28, 2003, at Arizona. Newton, the most valuable player in 2015, fared even worse than Green Bays Aaron Rodgers, the award winner in 2014, did the week before when the Vikings beat the Packers 17-14.The Vikings lead the league with a plus-8 turnover margin. They have a league-high 15 sacks for a whopping 116 yards. Philadelphia is the next closest team with a total of 72 sack yards.The engine of the group is in a front four thats one of the deepest in the league, led by Everson Griffen, who had three sacks at Carolina. The heart rests with young linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks, the hand-picked high draft picks who run Zimmers patented Double-A-gap blitz scheme.There are so many athletic, versatile players throughout the defensive lineup that the Vikings are able to apply a pass rush from all corners of the field, making up for it with sound coverage beneath it. Rodgers, who has one of the keenest senses of pocket awareness in the NFL, said he didnt see the pressure on any of the three times he fumbled last week. Newton sounded even more baffled.These guys are all pretty good players, Zimmer said. Its hard to really confuse guys anymore. We try to do our best and, really, I know people are saying that its me against the guy or that guy. Weve got good players. These guys execute the things we try to get them to do. Its a players game, and these guys have been executing and doing a nice job. I cant go out there and cover a guy or rush a guy or anything like that. It really has nothing to do with me.Here are three highlights from the game that displayed the defenses prowess and proved pivotal in the outcome:SAFETY FIRSTTrailing 10-0 late in the first quarter, on a second-and-9 play for Carolina at the 5-yard line, the Vikings rushed only four players and dropped seven into coverage. The Panthers protected Newton with seven blockers. Danielle Hunter still worked his way into the end zone to take down Newton for a safety.Hunter knocked over Michael Oher at the line of scrimmage, hurdled over the fallen left tackle and slid past a push by left guard Andrew Norwell to reach the quarterback. This was a prime example not only of the strength and depth of Minnesotas front four, since Hunter isnt a starter in the base defense, but of the quality of coverage in the secondary, too. Without anybody to throw to, Newton held the ball too long.NEWMAN!Late in the third quarter, with the Vikings leading 16-10, the Panthers ran a third-and-11 play from their 33. Barr and Kendricks hinted at a blitz with the Double-A-gap look, but both of them dropped into coverage. Even Robison, who often lines up at defensive tackle in the nickel package in passing situations, hung back in the middle of the field as a spy on Newton, and with only three rushers the Vikings still applied pressure with Griffen and Hunter.Newton threw toward the sideline, where Terence Newman jumped in front of Ted Ginn for the interception that set up a field goal by Blair Walsh.SNEAKY SACKWith less than four minutes left in the game, after Walshs second field goal had given the Vikings a 12-point lead, the Panthers had a first-and-10 play at the Minnesota 35. Zimmer sent six rushers, with Barr and Kendricks charging through the middle on a Double-A-gap blitz. Robison dropped in coverage, and safety Harrison Smith raced around the edge untouched for the sack.The drive later ended with Tom Johnsons interception of an under-pressure pass heaved by Newton and tipped at the line.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Mark Bavaro Giants Jersey . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. Phil Simms Womens Jersey . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.authenticnygiantspro.com/Michael-strahan-giants-jersey/ . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. 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Well dive into shuffling backfields and more in this weeks waiver-wire column.As usual, only players owned in less than 50 percent of leagues on ESPN.com are eligible for this column.Running back fill-insCameron Artis-Payne, RB, Carolina Panthers (1.9 percent). Yes, Artis-Payne was inactive in Week 2 and Fozzy Whittaker dashed for 100 yards on 16 carries. Artis-Payne was inactive because he offers a close skill set to Jonathan Stewart but doesnt add as much special-teams and change-of-pace value as Whittaker. He had 33 carries in three games to close out 2015, and Id expect Artis-Payne to get first dibs on carries until Stewart returns from a hamstring injury (the early indication from head coach Ron Rivera is Stewart will miss a week or two).Fozzy Whittaker, RB, Carolina Panthers (.8 percent). But Im not entirely ignoring Whittaker. Hes going to have value in this offense, and hes a worthy consideration in deeper leagues with PPR scoring. Its rarely crystal clear how a team will plan to make up for an injury to a key player, so if I had to choose one Panthers back it would be Artis-Payne, but Whittaker is certainly a name to note, too.Matt Asiata, RB, Minnesota Vikings (.2 percent). While we await more information on the timetable of Adrian Petersons return from what head coach Mike Zimmer announced as a torn right meniscus, the attention also turns to the next man up in Minnesota. In 2014, when Peterson was suspended for 15 games, Asiata compiled a respectable line of 882 combined rushing and receiving yards to go along with 10 total touchdowns. Hes not as talented or explosive as Jerick McKinnon, but he seems like a better bet for goal-line duties and should see double-digit touches on a per-game basis.Jerick McKinnon, RB, Minnesota Vikings (24.1 percent). I think McKinnon will be among the most added players this week, as hes a terrific athlete whose role should increase. And while I unquestionably believe his ceiling is higher than Asiatas if he gets the chance to see a consistent and expanded workload, a lack of touchdowns is a bit of a concern. In the aforementioned 2014 season, McKinnon had 140 touches (to Asiatas 208) but failed to find the end zone. Still, hes absolutely worth the add in any league.Jay Ajayi, RB, Miami Dolphins (44.1 percent). Identifying Ajayis value is something of a riddle right now, as he was at one point on track to be the starter in Miami. He was left home from the teams Week 1 game in Seattle and then put the ball on the ground in Week 2. He had an OK stretch in 2015, but its unclear how reliant Miami will be on him until Arian Foster (groin) returns to the field. He should be added in 12-team leagues or larger, but to begin the week Im not confident he should be in my starting lineup.Kenyan Drake, RB, Miami Dolphins (1.5 percent). Drake needs to be mentioned amid questions about Ajayis potential usage. Hes an excellent pass-catcher who probably best fits as a third-down, up-tempo back. But with Fosters injury and Ajayis ball-security issue in Week 2, perhaps Drake gets a shot at steadier work. Hes an add in PPR leagues 12 teams or larger.Dwayne Washington, RB, Detroit Lions (.3 percent). Washington, a rookie out of Washington, had a notable preseason and then plunged into the end zone as a short-yardage back in Week 1. With Ameer Abdullah (foot) banged up, Washington should see a role to help Theo Riddick in the Detroit backfield. In deep leagues, Washington is an intriguing add.Other addsQuincy Enunwa, WR, New York Jets (5.5 percent). He made this list last week and will continue to do so until he pushes past the 50 percent threshold. He has 13 catches through two games (on 14 total targets). The tight end is a virtually invisible part of the Jets passing offense. Theres room for three receivers to make a major impact, and hes great insurance if the knee injury suffered by Brandon Marshall in Week 2 limits his availability at all in Week 3.Tyrell Williams, WR, San Dieego Chargers (43.dddddddddddd4 percent). A popular pickup last week as owners of Keenan Allen worked to replace him in their lineups, Williams showed well in Week 2, hauling in three passes, including a long score. Hes fast and physical and should sustain an integral role in a passing offense that proved it can continue to click in Allens absence.Phillip Dorsett, WR, Indianapolis Colts (40.3 percent). Another guy who is a repeat on this list from last week, Dorsett could have a large role in the near future, as Donte Moncrief deals with a shoulder issue. If Moncrief misses any games, Dorsett would become a borderline top-35 play against the Chargers this Sunday.Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants (42.3 percent). Its great to see Cruz back on the field and making plays for the G-Men, as he had a critical late-game catch to propel New York to a game-winning field goal. In a deeper league, Cruz merits consideration given the Giants heavy reliance on three-receiver sets.Shane Vereen, RB, New York Giants (35.6 percent). When the Giants look to pick up the tempo (or are playing from behind), the back that likely will see plenty of runs is Vereen. Hes an excellent pass-catcher but also led the team in rushes in Week 2 (14 in total). If you play in a points-per-reception league, Vereen could come into play as a flex running back. Moreover, Rashad Jennings has a left-wrist issue to keep an eye on.Anquan Boldin, WR, Detroit Lions (16.1 percent). Among the nine quarterbacks who have thrown the ball 79 times or more through two weeks, Id wager that Matthew Stafford is one of the three safer bets to sustain that pace of usage. That means good things for a lot of Detroit pass-catchers, including the ever-steady Boldin. A PPR add.Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (23.8 percent). Game flow helped Boyd a bit in Week 2, as Andy Dalton set a career high with 54 passing attempts in a catch-up effort vs. Pittsburgh. But Boyd -- who had eight targets and caught six passes -- has enough talent and opportunity ahead of him to stash him on your bench. The upside is there.Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington Redskins (3.2 percent). We saw quite a bit of Crowder as a rookie in 2015, and the early returns in 2016 are also promising: He has six catches in each of Washingtons first two games. Hes not going to be a big-play threat, and hes not going to snag a bunch of touchdowns. But the volume of his workload makes him a PPR asset to add.Kenneth Dixon, RB, Baltimore Ravens (12.1 percent). A hat tip to Matthew Berry for this one: We dont know when Dixon will be healthy enough to make his NFL debut, but hes an intriguing stash on your bench. The Ravens have the fifth-worst rushing offense on a per-carry basis early on this season. Dixon is a compelling talent who could earn a role sooner rather than later.Tight end fill-insNote: If you have Rob Gronkowski, Zach Ertz or Coby Fleener, who has struggled massively for New Orleans so far, here are some tight end options to consider.Jacob Tamme, TE, Atlanta Falcons (10.8 percent). Tamme has either tied or led the Falcons in targets in each of the teams first two games this season. He hauled in a Week 2 touchdown pass and is a nice Week 3 option facing a Saints defense that -- despite a solid showing this past Sunday -- is a favorable matchup.Dennis Pitta, TE, Baltimore Ravens (10.5 percent). Its great to see Pitta back on the field after an extended absence due to hip issues. He led the Ravens with 12 targets in Week 2, reminding us that he can be a terrific middle-of-the-field weapon.Jesse James, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (20.1 percent). James is a tough cover because of his size (hes all of 6-foot-7) and has seen a steady role through two weeks (12 targets already). Playing in one of the best passing offenses in football is a boost for any pass-catcher.Trey Burton, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (.3 percent). The former college quarterback (turned utility player at Florida) has always had terrific athleticism. He hasnt always had a consistent offensive role, however, as he had just three career catches entering Week 2. With Ertz out, Burton managed five catches for 49 yards and a touchdown. Hes a deeper-league fill-in until Ertz returns. ' ' '