NFL

Glennon’s promotion worth a few Bucs in fantasy

The demotion of Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman likely didn’t cause a lot of waiver wire chaos. He was not on a lot of rosters to begin with — and if he was starting for your team, well, your team was already doomed anyway.

The rush to grab Mike Glennon hasn’t exactly been like an Apple tech debut. Lines weren’t wrapping around the virtual building on the waiver wire.

The impact of this move won’t be felt directly at the quarterback position, but it should have collateral ramifications.

Doug Martin has been solid, though not outstanding. He has scored just once and has just one 100-yard game, coming in different weeks. You haven’t gotten that blockbuster outing you drafted him to produce. Part of the reason may be that teams, unafraid of Freeman under center, were stacking the line of scrimmage to stop the more potent running game.

Now, with a stronger arm taking snaps, the deep-ball threat should become more legitimate, eventually leading to better production from Martin — though probably not this week vs. a tough Cardinals defense.

Glennon’s cannon and risky style also should translate to more targets for wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who has been progressively worse after a big Week 1 and is dealing with a rib problem. WR Mike Williams, battling hamstring woes, should benefit as well, although to a lesser degree.

It may take a week or two for Greg Schiano and the Bucs coaching staff to get comfortable allowing Glennon to take shots, but if they didn’t plan on doing so, it’s hard to believe they would have made the change.

So short term, figure Martin, Jackson & Co. will post familiar numbers, but expect their production to rise by midseason, assuming the WRs get healthy.

So if you can swing a deal for cheap, particularly for Martin, now is a good time.

BIG WEEKS

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers, at Vikings

Big Ben rediscovered WR Antonio Brown last week. And the Vikings just got shredded by Brian Hoyer. Expect makeshift offensive line to get slightly better each week.

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars, vs. Colts

Indy has given up at least one rushing TD in every game so far. Feel Colts letdown coming after shocking rout of Niners last week.

Rod Streater, WR, Raiders, vs. Redskins

Washington defense has been a sieve — giving more fantasy points to WRs than any team in league. Could be week Streater gets big-play TD.

Coby Fleener, TE, Colts, at Jaguars

Stars align for Fleener breakout, with Stanford pal Andrew Luck at QB, fellow TE Dwayne Allen on IR and a Jacksonville defense that gave up 112 yards and two TDs to Seattle TEs last week.

SMALL WEAKS

Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks, at Texans

Was a monster last week vs. Jaguars. But that was at home, and it was against the Jaguars. Career road stats not impressive (4-5 as starter, 10 TDs, eight INTs). And Texans will be smarting after thrashing by Ravens.

Joique Bell, RB, Lions, vs. Bears

Facing league’s second-stingiest defense vs. fantasy RBs. With Reggie Bush back in fold this week, expect fewer carries for Bell.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals, at Buccaneers

Has overcome hamstring problems, but draws league’s fourth-toughest defense vs. fantasy WRs and likely will go one-on-one with shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Brandon Myers, TE, Giants, at Chiefs

Kansas City ranks second defending against fantasy TEs, including no TDs. After encouraging Week 1, Myers has not been as involved in offense as projected before season.

Drew Loftis and Steve Serby debate whom you should start this week: Philip Rivers vs. Tony Romo

Loftis: Rivers — In battle of unreliables, either one capable of a four-TD explosion or a four-turnover nightmare, gonna side with the home guy on a team that easily could be 3-0 against one that, were it not for Giant oopsies in Week 1, likely would be 1-2. Looks like we might have Rivers circa 2010-11, rather than disaster of 2012.

Serby: Romo — The Chargers are talking about rattling Romo, but here’s the problem: They have recorded a measly six sacks, and their lone turnover — an interception by nose tackle Cam Thomas — came on the season’s very first play from scrimmage. Romo, like Rivers, is off to a fast start, and even with Miles Austin likely out, he’ll enjoy targeting Dez Bryant and Jason Witten against a defense that has surrendered a league-worst 1,033 passing yards. It won’t look any better if cornerback Shareece Wright (hamstring) can’t make it. And Romo doesn’t have to worry about DeMarcus Ware. Rivers does.

Last week: Serby 13 (Andy Dalton — 235 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT); Loftis 3 (Eli Manning — 119 passing yards, 1 INT).

Season: Serby leads, 2-1