Fantasy Football: Start ’em, Sit ’em Week 3

Start ‘Em

 

Dak Prescott

If the Cowboys are going to beat Seattle, they will have to put up at least 30 points. I like Dak Prescott to help them do that, and while I’m not sure it will be enough to win, he should be started in all leagues.

Ryan Tannehill

This season, Tannehill is averaging close to 250 yards and three touchdowns a game through the air. Now, he gets a matchup with the Vikings, who have been terrible defensively, allowing almost 300 yards passing a game. Mike Zimmer’s defense lost a lot this past offseason, and it’s clear the lack of practice time has not helped his new players learn his complicated scheme. Expect another top-ten fantasy performance from Tannehill.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

He’s never the sexiest pick, but if your quarterback has a brutal matchup this week, Fitzpatrick is a fantastic flier against the Jaguars, who can’t stop anybody. He’s also a cheap sleeper in DFS leagues that I’ll be rolling with. 

Cam Newton

It’s another juicy matchup for Newton this week against a terrible Las Vegas defense that is coming off a short week after playing Monday Night Football against the Saints. Newton, who is currently the 3rd ranked QB in fantasy, should have a field day running and passing against a tired defense. 

Jerick McKinnon

With Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert likely out against the Giants, McKinnon should reap the benefits of a poor Giants rush defense. He should be started in pretty much every fantasy league and is an excellent low-price option in DFS formats. 

Jonathan Taylor

Typically one of the better rush defenses in the NFL, the Jets have been egregious against the run this year, and I don’t see that changing. Also, if you check out this list every week, you know how much I love Jonathan Taylor. 

James Robinson

After back-to-back weeks of 16 carries, it’s clear James Robinson is the lead back in a Jacksonville offense that has been impressive so far this season. They’ve benefitted from some easier matchups, but they get another one this week as they take on the Dolphins, who are giving up 164 yards per game on the ground. Robinson should be starting in all leagues and is a quality option in DFS formats. 

Miles Sanders

Over the years, Philadelphia’s been a revolving door at the running back position, but it appears they finally have their lead guy in Miles Sanders. Cincinnati has one of the worst rush defenses I’ve seen, and that was on full display against the Browns last Thursday night. Sanders is an RB1 this week, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he finished as the top fantasy running back. 

Allen Robinson

Robinson has had a slow start to his season despite Mitch Trubisky looking much better. However, the Falcons have been dreadful defensively, and while I don’t expect them to give up 40 points again, Robinson should have his best fantasy performance of the year thus far.

Terry McLaurin

Scary Terry is the man in Washington, and that’s only going to become more evident as the season goes by. Also, Dwayne Haskins is improving as a quarterback, and his connection with McLaurin continues to grow. Against Cleveland, who has been disappointing on defense, expect a WR1 performance out of McLaurin. 

Julian Edelman

I’m buying the Edelman hype. Cam Newton looks as good as he ever has throwing the football, and he and Edelman have clearly developed early chemistry. Now, they face a lowly Raiders defense. Edelman has WR1 potential this week. 

The Cowboys wide receivers

Just like last week, the Cowboys wide receivers land on the start ’em list. They made me look good last week against Atlanta, and this week they get the only pass defense that has been worse than the Falcons — the Seattle Seahawks. Expect this game to be a shootout, and all of Dallas’ receivers should feast.

Corey Davis

A.J. Brown could be out again this week, which is excellent news for Corey Davis owners, especially since the Titans are up against the Vikings this week, who have the 28th ranked pass defense through two weeks. He should be starting in all leagues, and I like him as a low-cost option in DFS formats. 

Mike Gesicki

Gesicki is one of the most athletic tight ends in the business, and I expected him to take a huge step forward this year in production. After a quiet Week 1, he exploded last week, and now he gets a juicy matchup with the Jaguars, who are giving up nearly 300 yards through the air a game. He could be the top-scoring tight end this week. 

Jonnu Smith

I don’t think Jonnu Smith’s early-season performance is a fluke. He is clearly one of Ryan Tannehill’s favorite targets and currently has the third-most fantasy points at the position. As I’ve said twice already, the Vikings defense is terrible. Expect another big day for Smith. 

Sit ‘Em

 

Matt Ryan

I’m probably starting him, but this is a tough matchup versus the Bears. If I could snag a guy like Ryan Fitzpatrick off the waiver wire for the week, I would. Ryan’s been fantastic so far this season, but he’s benefited from playing two porous defenses. 

Derek Carr

Derek Carr had a wonderful performance on Monday Night Football against the Saints. However, I don’t see that continuing against a very good Patriots defense that was just embarrassed by Russell Wilson on national television. You can probably find better options on the waiver wire, even in deeper leagues. 

Deshaun Watson

The Texans were dealt a gauntlet to begin the season, facing the Chiefs, Ravens, and Steelers. Their offense just hasn’t had it, and Pittsburgh will be the best defense they’ve played thus far. I don’t think Watson is a top-15 QB this week and would not be starting him. 

Tom Brady

Brady has been a terrible option thus far fantasy-wise and couldn’t even make the most out of a buttery matchup against Carolina this week. While not a great football team, the Broncos do have a very good secondary, and it’s obvious Brady still isn’t very comfortable in his new system. 

Todd Gurley

Gurley’s received a fair amount of work over the first two weeks, and I’m starting to like his long-term outlook a bit more than I did at the beginning of the season. However, this is a terrible matchup when considering Atlanta’s offensive line versus the Bears defensive line.

Malcolm Brown

The Rams expect Malcolm Brown back this week, and it looks like he’s going to be the lead option for the team moving forward. However, I don’t like this matchup with the Bills, who are only giving up about 75 yards per game on the ground. He’s a flex option this week. 

David Johnson

I don’t expect this game to be very close, David Johnson already isn’t racking up the touches, and Pittsburgh is giving up an NFL low 66.5 yards per game on the ground through two weeks. That all spells disaster for David Johnson fantasy owners. 

Robby Anderson

The Chargers have one of the best defenses in the NFL and were even able to slow down Kansas City last week. I don’t see the Panthers having much success at all offensively, especially without Christian McCaffery. Robby Anderson is a low-end flex play at best in Week 3. 

Russell Gage

Gage is off to a marvelous start and is a legit flex option from week to week, but as I’ve said multiple times, this is a tough matchup for Atlanta’s offense, and I don’t see their third wide receiver eating as he has in the first two weeks. 

Sammy Watkins

This Baltimore defense is legit, and we saw the Kansas City offense struggle a bit last week. I still think the Chiefs put up some points, but Watkins is in WR4 territory this week. 

Noah Fant

Noah Fant’s off to a hot start, and you probably don’t have a choice but to start him, but I don’t love him this week against a Tampa Bay defense that has really athletic linebackers and an underrated defense overall. Not to mention, Drew Lock won’t be playing. 

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