Fantasy Football Week 3 Starts & Sits

Photo By: Matt Krohn/USA TODAY Sports via dailynorseman.com

We have begun Week 3 of the NFL and Fantasy Football Season. Week 2 was a doozy. We saw Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa duke it out in a game where Tua decided to go nuclear. It basically came down to if you were a share holder of Tua, Lamar, Tyreek, or Waddle you secured a victory.

This week we have some solid match-ups, and of course we always have start/sit decisions to be made. So lets dive into some players you need to look at and decide if they’ll be in your lineup or not.

MUST STARTS

Quarterbacks:

Kirk Cousins (MIN) vs DET – If you watched Monday Night’s game you’re probably shaking your head at me right now. I get it. Cousins imploded, and the Philly defense got in his head. This week though he takes on Division foe Detroit for the lead in the NFC North, and a team Kirk has been known to light up. Cousins averages 282 yards and 2 touchdowns a game against the Lions, and has played them 9 times. The last 3 games, he’s thrown for 275+ and hit 400 once, and has 6 TD’s total in those games. The Vikings will look to correct their poor performance from MNF, and Kirk is a monster at home at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Kyler Murray (ARI) vs LAR – Murray has had his ups and downs against the Rams, and this year he has been decent for fantasy football. But the truth of the matter is he will always be a threat and have upside because of those little Speedy Gonzalez legs of his. The Rams have given up some points to the Quarterback already this season in the first two weeks, totaling 493 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Rams can score easy, and should against this Cardinals whose secondary looks like Swiss cheese. If that hold true, Kyler is going to have to throw the ball, and most likely use his legs to escape the Rams pass rush. He will need to have a big game, and I can see it happening.

P. Mahomes (KC) @ IND – This might seem like a layup, but for some reason Vegas implies that this game will be closer than it should be. Right now in a 50.5 o/u the Chiefs are only favored by 5.5 points. After looking into it I kind of understand. Michael Pittman Jr. should be back for the Colts, which will help them move the ball and ultimately score more. Not only that but the Colts actually have been good against the pass, only allowing 457 yards in two games, and putting them smack dab in the middle. Mahomes is going to have to pass, because the Colts are in the top half of defense against the run. You’ll see the Chiefs most likely throw the ball 40+ times in this game, and Mahomes will work his magic.

Running Backs:

Photo By: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images via dknation.draftkings.com

Leonard Fournette (TB) vs GB – Lenny might be my favorite start this week and I wish that I had more shares of him. I know he’s questionable as of Saturday morning, but if he is indeed a go he might see 20+ targets from dump offs alone. The Bucs are without Godwin and Evans. Meanwhile Russell Gage and Julio are both questionable. Even if those two do play, Lenny should see a ton of work, and he’s been good so far sitting at the RB18. TB12 is gonna be in another tough position most likely, and Fournette might be their best hope in order to seal a victory at home against the Packers.

David Montgomery (CHI) vs HOU – A juicy match-up comes Sunday for David Montgomery of the Bears coming off a 122 yard performance against the Packers. They take on Houston who has been very giving to the running back position. They’re allowing 4.7 ypc and have allowed the 4th most yards on the ground in 2022. Toss in the fact the Bears don’t like to pass the ball apparently, and Montgomery is looking at a solid workload against the Texans. Don’t forget, the Texans have allowed 3 different running backs to score 8+ points in the last 2 games, so you have a baseline to look at the Monty will most definitely meet and far exceed. Smash start him this week and you’ll be a happy camper.

Miles Sanders (PHI) @ WAS – Let’s just say that the Washington defense has been putrid and not at all what people have expected it to be the last 2 seasons. Its been gashed week in and week out by running backs. In 2022 they have allowed an insane 7.5 ypc, while also giving up the 6th most yards total on the ground. Miles Sanders has looked good, and is actually averaging 15 attempts a game. He’s getting more volume than we are used to seeing, and although Gainwell and Scott are present, the majority of the work is hitting Sanders. He found the end zone in week 1 against Detroit who he dominated with 7.38 ypc, and I expect the same treatment this week in Washington.

Wide Receivers:

Photo By: Cooper Neill/Getty Images via dknation.draftkings.com

Courtland Sutton (DEN) vs SF – This isn’t a bright, vibrant start by any means. But he is going to be absolutely necessary for the Broncos to have a chance in this game on Sunday Night. Russ has looked pretty bad, and I don’t know if its the play calling, or poor coaching, or if Russ himself is “cooked.” I’m hoping that’s not the case. The case here though for Sutton is Russ will need to get him the ball, and with Jerry Jeudy looking more and more like he won’t be playing, Sutton should see volume. Odds are the Broncos will be playing from behind, which results as a positive game script for passing on the Denver side. The Niners have arguably the best defense in football right now, so maybe it’s a hot take. But, if the Broncos want to get back on track, Sutton is going to have to make some plays.

Drake London (ATL) @ SEA – Rookie Drake London has been off to a fast start in 2022 for the Atlanta Falcons. Right now he sits at WR17 on the season in ½ PPR, and should continue to be in the mix as a WR1. Last week London ran the most snaps for their wide receivers by a mile (50), and had 8 more targets than the next wide receiver on the team. Not only that but he is getting more targets and has better stats than college superstar tight end Kyle Pitts. Pitts is either invincible to Mariota, he isn’t being used the way we thought, or he just isn’t as good as we predicted. If this continues, London is going to continue to shine, and he should against a Seattle defense that is allowing 7.8 ypa through the air.

Davante Adams (LV) @ TEN – You might as well expect Adams to be a frequent flier on this list for 2022. This week Derek Carr and the Raiders are going to be without Josh Jacobs and Hunter Renfrow, which means more targets for Adams and Waller to soak up. Last week Adams was more modest than we expected in their loss to Arizona, and yet he still sits as the WR11. This week they take on a Titans defense that is willing to give up the pass. At this moment they’re allowing 7.7 ypa through the air, and if I’m Adams I’m excited to put on an absolute show in Tennessee. Keep starting him no matter what.

Tight Ends:

Photo By: Adam Hunger/AP Photo via pennlive.com

Tyler Conklin (NYJ) vs CIN – I think you kind of know my sentiment on tight ends by now if you’ve been following me since last season. Unless you have one of those top 4 guys (Kelce, Andrews, Waller, Kittle) you’re most likely punting or streaming the position. So my streamer this week is Tyler Conklin. Right now he is the TE12 for 2022, so modest. But the big kicker here is he has the 4th most targets for tight ends. I’ve always said opportunity and targets is important, but it might even be more so true at the tight end position. A lot of tight ends see nowhere near as many targets as he has seen so far (16 in two games). If that keeps up with Flacco under center, he will have pretty good year.

SIT ‘EM DOWN

Quarterbacks:

Photo By: Stephen Brashear/AP Photo via bleacherreport.com

Aaron Rodgers (GB) @ TB – I’m currently looking at the o/u for this game and its a modest 42 points. I’m not entirely sure in the history of their careers there has ever been a game at 42 points for Rodgers vs Brady. The truth of the matter is Rodgers looks out of sorts, and still has some work to do with his young receivers. Lazard will be there, but against a tough as nails Tampa secondary I’m not sold on it. This could end up being a pretty low scoring affair, and I’d honestly hammer the under. Until Rodgers builds that trust he demands with his rookie receivers and starts showing he can put up more than 16 point per game, he’s on my bench.

Tom Brady (TB) vs GB – Two weeks in a row Brady has wound up on my sit list. It’s more or less the same story as last week, and sharing some of the problems Rodgers is facing. This is going to be a low scoring affair most likely, and Brady is going to be without at least Godwin and Evans. Both Gage and Julio are questionable, and I honestly assume at least Julio doesn’t play. That’s a big blow to Brady who will most likely have to rely on dump offs to Lenny (a win for Lenny) and Scotty Miller who is also dealing with a lingering calf issue. It’s wild, but TB12 is on my bench until further notice.

Carson Wentz (WAS) – So there is some odd parts to Wentz and why he is on my list, but even if he is on this list, I’d still start him over the two guys above him here. But, the truth is I think the Philly defense is going to give him fits like they did Cousins on Monday Night. Cousins is the better quarterback, and I know Wentz has turned in back to back QB3 performances, but that honeymoon is going to come to an end. I think he will be an ok start, but he isn’t someone I really want unless I absolutely have to. The way Darius Slay is playing and leading the Eagles defense, I don’t want Wentz as my quarterback who has been known to toss up some interceptions when rattled.

Running Backs:

Photo By: Duane Burleson/AP Photo via bleacherreport.com

Devin Singletary (BUF) @ MIA – The over under in this game goes against my typical analysis of running backs being good starts in fantasy football. This game has the highest at 53 implied points total, but I have reasoning why to bench Singletary. This game might just end up being a high flying pass happy game. Buffalo is going to be down some key players on defense, which means the Dolphins and Tua might actually have a chance to put up some points through the air. Then there is the chance Buffalo just goes nuts and Josh Allen throws another 4 touchdown to Diggs. When that happened, Singletary didn’t see the field and it was James Cook’s backfield. Either way, I’m not confident in throwing Singletary in my lineup this week.

Melvin Gordon (DEN) vs SF – I wouldn’t really be happy about starting Javonte Williams in this game either sadly. But you would have to. In Gordon’s case, I would hope you have a good option as your RB1 because the Denver run game could be irrelevant on Sunday Night. The Niners have the best rushing defense in the league, and if the Broncos want a chance Russ will have to cook, which means targets for Sutton and most likely Williams out of the backfield. Gordon will have a few targets, maybe, but they won’t be to the extent of Williams who has 16 targets to Gordon’s 3. He’s a pine rider this week for me.

Breece Hall (NYJ) vs CIN – I’m going to tick a lot of Hall truthers off here, and that’s fine. The Jets take on the Bengals, who lost to a Cooper Rush led Cowboys in week 2 and looked like trash. Well they truthfully aren’t trash, and they should bounce back in week 2 to try to give Flacco and company fits. The Bengals are 5th best in the league right now, only allowing 3.7 ypc, and that doesn’t bode well for running backs. Last week Michael Carter played 22 more snaps than Hall, and even though Hall finished with a better fantasy game than Carter, its only because he caught a 10 yard touchdown. Otherwise, Carter played 42 snaps to Hall’s 20, and ran 24 routes to Hall’s 9. Carter will continue to be used, and will be a thorn in the side of Hall owners. It’s just going to come down to who can be more productive week in and out.

Wide Receivers:

Photo By: Amy Lemus/NurPhoto/Getty Images via on3.com

Allen Lazard (GB) @ TB – This really comes down to the fact that I don’t trust Rodgers this week in Tampa, and I’ve stated very clearly why. Lazard is their clear number 1, and I understand that. But when your number 1 receiver only sees 3 targets the previous week, you need a massive play to be in the mix in order for him to have any fantasy relevancy. I just can’t trust Packers pass catchers until they figure it out and start scoring points. Otherwise, it’s just going to continue to be the Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon show.

Sterling Shepard (NYG) vs DAL – First I just want to start off by saying I can’t believe the Giants are 2-0, which is wild in itself. Secondly, Shepard is by far and away the WR1 on the Giants team, but I’m not entirely sure what that means. Last week he did see a solid 10 targets, but it only accumulated 6 fantasy points for him. The week prior he only saw 4 targets but turned it into 14 points due to a touchdown. I don’t think there will be consistency for Shepard, who takes on a Cowboys secondary that has allowed the 6th least yards through the air. I also think we all know this is Saquon’s team. Barkley should be the focal point of this offense, and will be. So when it comes to offensive production, Giant’s wide receivers will be playing second fiddle.

DJ Moore (CAR) vs NO – The Panthers welcome in a New Orleans defense that is 11th best in the league against the pass, and one that is firing on all cylinders at the moment. I want to ask if we are ever going to get the DJ Moore we all hoped for out of college. Right now it doesn’t seem likely, but he did manage to get a touchdown last week which has been very hard for him to come by. I still stand by my words on Baker Mayfield isn’t the answer, and has been a serious let down in the NFL. Moore will have to go against Lattimore, who lives rent free in wide receivers heads (especially Mike Evans). Moore will have to score to be relevant this week, and his chances aren’t great against the Saints.

Tight Ends:

Photo By: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images via dknation.draftkings.com

Hunter Henry (NE) vs BAL – Tight ends stink. But Hunter Henry has been the ultimate stinker this season so far. I had high hopes for him this season, thinking him and Mac Jones would turn the corner. But that hasn’t happened, and so far he has been a ghost. Last week he only got 1 target which he didn’t catch, and the week prior he only had 3. Baltimore is giving against tight ends at times, but right now they’re being depleted by wide outs and running backs. Until Henry gets involved, leave him on the waiver wire.

Good luck this week!

SKOL

JD