This might be the week to buy cheap

This is the week to take advantage of impatient owners, especially if they’re 0-2 with slumping stars.

Never panic by selling low. Keep in mind that scoring is off 13.5 percent from last year (37 points scored by both teams in an average game compared to 43 in 2004). And the opening two weeks are no different from any other back-to-back weeks during a season.

It’s not uncommon for great players to struggle in consecutive games.

But where circumstances have changed and performance declines are a continuation of late-season ‘04 trends, consider seizing that first good selling opportunity. Daunte Culpepper owners, I’m talking to you. Hopefully, you followed my preseason advice to pass on drafting Daunte early because of the impact losing Randy Moss was likely to have.

Peyton Manning will be fine after struggling against two of the better NFL defenses. The idea that teams are copying the Patriots’ defense is silly, as Manning tossed six TDs in his last two non-January meetings against Bill Belichick.

Don’t forget the byes this week: Ravens, Lions, Texans and Redskins .

Buy

Anquan Boldin (WR, Cardinals): Larry Fitzgerald exploded in Week 1, but Boldin has 18 targets to Fitzgerald’s 20 and is likely to perform as well as his more highly regarded teammate going forward.

Reggie Wayne (WR, Colts): Wayne has been thrown just four less passes than Marvin Harrison but has yet to find the end zone. Teams are playing a lot of deep Cover 2 against the Colts, but no one defense will ever stop Manning for long.

Ron Dayne (RB, Broncos): Mike “Curveball” Shanahan did the most predictably unpredictable thing Sunday in moving Tatum Bell to third-string and giving backup duties to the former Giants first-round bust.

Hold

Willie Parker (RB, Steelers): We’re upgrading him because of Duce Staley’s remarkable comment last week that Parker should remain the Steelers’ starter. Wonder how Jerome Bettis feels about that? Parker’s too expensive to trade now.

Sell

Stephen Davis (RB, Panthers): We told you in the preseason that Davis was being stolen in drafts because he was the clear Carolina starter. But he’s still on the wrong side of 30. So lock in a hefty profit off last week’s three-TD scoring binge.

Hines Ward (WR, Steelers): You can’t own wide receivers on teams that run two-thirds of the time. Last year, it was over 62 percent runs for Pittsburgh. This year, it’s 70 percent and Ward (two TDs in Week 2) has been thrown 10 passes in two games.

Priest Holmes (RB, Chiefs): Another guy we told you was overvalued. He’s old, injury-prone and has predictably lost a step. Larry Johnson plays every third series at the moment.

Thomas Jones (RB, Bears): Yes, Jones was great Sunday (158 yards, two TDs), but basically split carries with first-round pick Cedric Benson (16 carries to Jones’ 20). The Bears’ drafted Benson fourth to play him.