Start 'Em or Sit 'Em - Week 3 (2022)

We are starting to see some patterns emerging in offenses and defenses, and that is making it a bit easier on start/sit decisions.

As the season progresses, we will get more and more data that will at least allow us to make educated guesses on what players will perform and what players will disappoint.  But as we all know, fantasy football is an evil game that will lead to heartbreak more often than not.

That said, let’s dive into some matchups and what players are worth starting or should be sitting in Week Three.

Starts

1. Kirk Cousins, QB (Minnesota Vikings)

Kirk Cousins definitely disappointed in Week Two, struggling against an Eagle defense that gave up a ton of points to the Lions a week prior.  At this point, I really do believe that the Prime Time Cousins curse is real.  That said, Cousins should be in line for a bounce-back game against the Lions.

The Lions are currently giving up the third-most fantasy points to Quarterbacks, and there is no way they will be able to contain Justin Jefferson as the Eagles did.  The Minnesota defense showed cracks on Monday night which should allow Detroit to score, so hopefully, this is the shootout I thought would happen against the Eagles.

2. Dameon Pierce, RB (Houston Texans)

The rookie Running Back bounced back slightly after a disappointing Week One, rushing for 69 yards on 15 attempts.  He also caught his only target for eight yards.

This is promising to see after Week One, which saw Rex Burkhead getting a majority of the work.  This time, Burkhead got zero carries, so let’s hope that sticks.

Pierce and the Texans take on Chicago in Week Three, a team that is giving up over 100 yards a game on the ground.  The Texans will get a good chance at running the ball a lot against a horrible Chicago offense, making Pierce a solid play this week.

3. Jacobi Meyers, WR (New England Patriots)

The Baltimore pass defense has been hilariously bad to start the season, allowing 300 yards to Joe Flacco in Week One and 469 yards to Tua Tagovailoa last week.

Now they face Mac Jones and the New England offense, and even though it won’t be as much of a test as Miami, I bet they will allow a lot of passing yards once again.

Jacobi Meyers has continued to look like the WR1 in New England after a good start to 2022.  Meyers had only four catches for 55 yards in Week One against Miami but followed that up with a 13 target, nine catches for 95 yard game against Pittsburgh.  Meyers looks like Jones’ favorite target and should have plenty of running room in Week Three.

4. Tyler Higbee, TE (LA Rams)

Tyler Higbee was the second-leading target behind Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp on Sunday, catching seven passes for 71 yards.  Allen Robinson hasn’t been much of a factor so far on offense, leading Stafford to lean on Kupp and Higbee.

This week the Rams face the Cardinals, who have not been good at covering the Tight End (or defending in general).  Granted they did face Travis Kelce and Darren Waller the first two weeks.

Still, being the number two target in a high-passing offense and having the potential to be targeted a lot in a high-scoring game makes Higbee a solid option in Week Three.

5. Will Lutz, K (New Orleans Saints)

Carolina is currently giving up the most points to the kicker position, so that’s why I went with Will Lutz in Week Three.

The Saints have the talent to move the ball against Carolina, but this one should be a relatively low-scoring game that could result in a few field goal tries.

6. New Orleans Saints, DST

The Saints gave Tom Brady fits in Week Two, and have been one of the better defenses so far through two weeks.

Now they get a struggling Carolina offense.  Baker Mayfield has looked pretty bad, averaging 190 yards and one touchdown per game.  The Saints’ stout run defense should hold Christian McCaffery in check, forcing Mayfield to throw the ball more.

The Saints have a good opportunity for a few turnovers in this one.

Sits

1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB (Miami Dolphins)

So yeah Tua Tagovailoa just threw for an absurd 469 yards and six touchdowns in a crazy comeback win, but now he gets the Buffalo Bills, a team that leads the league in stopping opposing Quarterbacks.

The Bills’ defense has been on another level so far through two weeks, only allowing 17 points total against the Rams and Titans.  They intercepted Stafford three times and Tannehill twice, so Tua has his hands full in Week Three.

I know it is insane to think about sitting Tua after last week, but until he proves he can throw against a tough defense (Baltimore does not have a good secondary), I’d pivot elsewhere if you have another option.

2. Devin Singletary, RB (Buffalo Bills)

Even with the game out of reach early, Devin Singletary only carried the ball six times for 19 yards on Monday night.  He caught two passes for two yards as well.

James Cook took almost all of the garbage time carries once the game was out of reach, and I don’t think this week will be any better for Singletary.  The Bills face a tough Miami defense that is currently leading the NFL in defense against the Running Back position (allowing 7 points per game).

A tough defense, passing offense, and limited usage make Singletary a must-sit in this one.

3. DJ Moore, WR (Carolina Panthers)

DJ Moore got lucky in Week Two with a touchdown catch that saved his fantasy day, but those of us who were hyped about the Quarterback change is slowly starting to fear that Moore will be frustrating to roster this season.

And now he gets to face the New Orleans Saints, who just stifled Tom Brady and Mike Evans.  If Moore gets covered by Marshon Lattimore, he may not see a catch.

I still have hope that the offense can turn it around, but I’m not throwing Moore into my lineups this week unless I absolutely have to.

4. 

   Albert Okwuegbunam, TE (Denver Broncos)

The Broncos are a hot mess through two weeks of the season, and I don’t think it’ll get much better for Albert Okwuegbunam in Week Three.

Denver faces the 49ers, who currently are the best team in the NFL in preventing points for the Tight End position.  Albert O. only saw two targets in the win against the Texans on Sunday, and that was with Jerry Jeudy exiting early with a shoulder injury.

I’m not sure what’s going on in that offense or why Russell Wilson looks so bad, but for now, you shouldn’t dare start Albert O, even if Jeudy misses time.

5. Dustin Hopkins, K (LA Chargers)

Dustin Hopkins has only hit one field goal in each of his first two games, and now he gets a Jacksonville defense who probably won’t stop the Chargers’ offense too easily.

The Jaguars are the second-best team in the NFL in preventing points to the Kicker position, mostly because they shut out Indianapolis and Washington had to go for two a few times.  We aren’t quite sure how good the Jacksonville defense really is, but it’s safe to say Hopkins won’t get a ton of work on Sunday besides a few extra points.

6. Indianapolis Colts, DST

The Colt's defense was one of the higher drafted ones this year, but so far it has not paid off.  The Colts are 0-1-1 and were supposed to have a very easy schedule.  Instead, they tied the Texans and lost to the Jaguars, so it’s safe to say that they are a hard pass this week against the Chiefs.

The Colts’ inability to move the ball on offense has not fared well for the defense, and this one probably gets out of hand quickly.  The Colts are a sit for this week, and potentially a full-on drop if Matt Ryan doesn’t start connecting with his Receivers.

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