In the NFL's third Sunday, a lot of surprising players posted quality fantasy numbers (Christian Ponder, anyone?). But in the end, it was a group of pretty familiar names that made a run at Fantasy Player of the Week honors.
Points based on standard scoring in NFL.com fantasy football leagues
5. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (25.30 fantasy points)
Jones-Drew looked like the Pocket Hercules we all remember in Jacksonville's 22-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. MJD ran for 177 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown, and caught a pair of passes for 16 yards. With Rashad Jennings injured, Jones-Drew has improved every week and scored in each of the last two games. There's no doubt that he's taken his starting job back and is looking like the top-tier fantasy back he was expected to be. Next week, he lines up against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have been torched by running backs this year.
4. Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins (25.34 fantasy points)
For the third straight week, RG3 makes our list -- although it didn't look like it would happen early in the game. Although the Redskins' comeback came up short against the Bengals, the rookie led the charge and finished the day with 221 passing yards and a touchdown while rushing 12 times for 85 yards and another score. Next week, Griffin takes on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs have been a fantasy enigma, shutting down QBs one week then giving up big points the next. Tampa put the clamps on Tony Romo in Week 3.
3. A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (25.40 fantasy points)
Green got his day started quickly, scoring on a 73-yard pass from Mohamed Sanu on the game's first play from scrimmage. The second-year receiver kept on rolling and finished the day with nine catches for 183 yards in the Bengals' 38-31 win over the Washington Redskins. Green has been steadily improving each week so far this season, though he'll have a tough matchup in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags entered Sunday having allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers.
2. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (32.16 fantasy points)
With the Steelers unable to find a running game, Roethlisberger took control of the offense. Big Ben completed 36-of-49 passes for 384 yards and four touchdown tosses -- including two to TE Heath Miller -- in a 34-31 loss to the Oakland Raiders. The Steelers have a bye in Week 4 before returning to action against the Philadelphia Eagles in a Keystone State matchup.
1. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (34.80 fantasy points)
During the week, someone asked my thoughts on Charles and I said that Week 3 would be his last stand. If he didn't produce in what was supposed to be a shootout against the New Orleans Saints, it might never happen. The shootout never quite materialized, but Charles went #KABOOM, posting 288 yards of total offense -- including 233 rushing yards and a 91-yard TD run in a 27-24 overtime win against the New Orleans Saints. Before you get too excited, the Chiefs meet the San Diego Chargers next week and the Bolts haven't been kind to fantasy running backs this season.
Follow Marcas Grant on Twitter @MarcasG