Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 3
As we enter Week 3, we'll start to see fantasy teams separate from each other. This is the pivotal turning point as we get close to a quarter of the fantasy season being locked in. If you were brave enough to start Dolphins RB De'Von Achane despite earlier reports of his ankle injury heading into Thursday Night Football, it paid off. Achane went nuts for nearly 29 fantasy points. Conversely, I hope you didn't get caught in the Alvin Kamara buzzsaw that saw him take the RB1 crown as he rushed all over my Cowboys for four total touchdowns.
We also got good performances from quarterbacks like Kyler Murray, Derek Carr, and even Sam Darnold. All of those guys performed at the top of their game and finished as top options for fantasy managers. Now it's time to run it back for Week 3. Let's get after it.
STARTS
Derek Carr vs. PHI
The Eagles have been bleeding passing yards over the start of the season and the matchup doesn't get any better with the Saints rolling into Week 3. The Eagles have allowed the fourth-most passing yards over the first two games, giving up 242 yards per game. Falcons QB Kirk Cousins was able to muster a game-winning drive on the Eagles for 70 yards and a Drake London score, for example. The Saints have big-play ability, and Carr has been efficient with his passes, averaging just 19.5 pass attempts in his first two games, but has thrown for 200+ yards and two touchdowns or more.
Brock Purdy vs. LAR
Purdy needs a "get right" game after not being able to crack 15 fantasy points in his last two games. With Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel missing time, it could be a bit tougher to do but he still has Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle to throw to. The Rams also present a chance to bounce back as well. The Rams are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks at nearly 20 points a game. That, compounded with the number of injuries the Rams have suffered on both sides of the ball, might be enough to help get Brock Purdy back in the fantasy managers' good graces.
Zamir White vs. CAR
No one would have thought that Alexander Mattison would be able to carve out the role that he has to start the season. Many believed it would be White's role to lose, if anything. But White hasn't lived up to his perceived role for fantasy football, averaging under four yards per attempt and barely six fantasy points per game. But with the Panthers on deck and allowing nearly 200 yards per game on the ground and almost two rushing touchdowns a game, this could be White's bounce-back game.
Travis Etienne vs. BUF
The Jaguars offense hasn't seemed right to start the season but Etienne has been pretty solid in his own right. Etienne has two double-digit fantasy point outings and could go for a third against the Buffalo Bills defense in Week 3. The Bills gave up nearly 29 fantasy points to De'Von Achane on Thursday Night Football and are allowing the second-most FPPG to opposing running backs heading into Week 3.
Tee Higgins vs. WAS
Higgins is still working his way back from a hamstring injury but should he be available in Week 3 he could be a solid play albeit, a little risky. The Commanders defense is by far one of the worst units in fantasy. The Commanders are bleeding the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers at 53 FPPG. They're also allowing 128 passer rate to opposing quarterbacks over the last two games, a nod to Joe Burrow having a chance at a much better game this week. The Commanders are also allowing the fifth-most yards after catch at 143 yards per game. If Higgins goes, he should go right into your lineup.
Jameson Williams vs. ARI
Amon Ra St. Brown is a little banged up after playing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brown is dealing with a contusion and Dan Campbell has stated that he doesn't believe it's something that will be long term. But Williams has stepped up to start the season. Williams is averaging 19.4 FPPG and gets a Cardinals defense that's allowing 35 FPPG, 10th-most among fantasy defenses. With Williams averaging 10 targets per game, Williams should be in store for another solid performance in Week 3.
Travis Kelce vs. ATL
Normally, I wouldn't bother to throw a guy like Kelce on the list. But his start to the season has not been great. Kelce is averaging just four fantasy points per game over his first two games and his involvement in the offense has not been great. But against the Atlanta Falcons should be able to open up the doors for better production. The Falcons are allowing the 11th-most points to opposing tight ends at 10.4 FPPG. With the running game in flux with Isiah Pacheco on IR, the Chiefs could be more prone to pass the ball so Kelce getting involved is hopefully a must for their offense to get rolling.
Sits
Sam Darnold vs. HOU
Sam Darnold is off to a hot start with the Minnesota Vikings. Darnold is averaging 17.3 FPPG over the first two games and looked great against his former team, the San Francisco 49ers when he dropped a 97-yard touchdown to Justin Jefferson. But Jetta picked up a quad injury in the game and wide receiver Jordan Addison is already dealing with an ankle injury. With both receivers status up in the air for Week and facing a Texans defense that beat the stuffing out of Bears QB Caleb Williams in their last game, holding him to just 7.4 fantasy points, Darnold might need to ride the bench this week.
Keon Coleman vs. JAX
The Buffalo Bills passing attack has been all but non-existent in terms of volume, which is directly affecting wide receiver Keon Coleman. After seeing five targets against the Cardinals, Coleman barely saw any against the Miami Dolphins as the Bills have been more focused on running the ball. That's not great for fantasy wide receivers. The Jaguars are allowing 41 FPPG to receivers but with the Bills hyper-focused on the run game, it might be too risky to play Coleman without guaranteed targets.
Kyren Williams vs. SF
The Vikings flat-out embarrassed the 49ers in their matchup. Backup running back Ty Chandler gashed the Niners vaunted run defense for an 8.2 y/a average in their meeting. I expect the Niners to focus on stopping the run against a depleted Rams offense with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp expected to miss Week 3 and beyond due to injuries. With no real threats on the outside, Kyren Williams could be a sitting duck out there as the one viable offensive piece left for the Rams.
Cade Otton vs. DEN
I've personally given this guy two weeks to show me something. Alas, Cade Otton has not been able to provide fantasy points for managers over the first two games. With Chris Godwin back in the slot and becoming one of Baker Mayfield's better targets, Otton has been left hanging in the Bucs offense. Denver has given up just 27 yards per game and half a touchdown per game to opposing tight ends and that's certainly not enough to take the gamble on Cade Otton in your fantasy lineups.
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