WEEK 3 START ‘EM, SIT ‘EM

WEEK 3

 

Week 2 came and went but at least we have a small sample to build off of instead of blindly firing into the dark.  Lamar Jackson blows our minds yet again, 5 or more QB’s are either hurt or being replaced, and rookie WR’s continue to produce at an elite level.  Are we overreacting? Maybe. Do we care? No. I love rookie fever, it’s thrilling because there’s nothing better than being able to tell your friends/opponents “I told you so” when it comes to rookie drafts for those who play dynasty. 

 

Week 3 gives us plenty of great matchups and it looks like there are more start candidates than there are sitting.  Based on a two week sample size, fantasy gamers feeling discouraged with an 0-2 start may already throw in the towel but if they’re 2-0 they’ll be looking so far down the road they’re basically cradling the trophy.  Look at this as a solid trading window before we start seeing more quality numbers and weeks to build narratives around players. Don’t be afraid to make moves early, it’s easier to nip it in the bud now than it is to wait later.  Supply and demand has been a hot topic in the trading part of fantasy with QB’s dropping like flies. Try your best to acquire players without overpaying. In my experience, trading during desperate times ruins my depth and trading before bye weeks can end up being more costly than you think.

 

Criteria for the Start/Sit categories

 Auto start players would be guys you don’t have to think twice about, guys that will be starters no matter the matchup. Starters are players that are most likely in your lineups unless you have auto start players that can be played in their spot instead. Sit players are players I’m not playing in lineups based on the matchup and other possible reasons.  I would not play these players in the sit category unless your options are limited. Don’t Sweat It players are players that are irrelevant at the moment, they should be nowhere near your starting lineups.

TITANS @ JAGUARS

Auto Start: 

• Derrick Henry

Start:

• Leonard Fournette
• DJ Chark

Sit: 

• Marcus Mariota
• Corey Davis
• AJ Brown
• Delanie Walker
• Gardner Minshew
• Dede Westbrook
• Chris Conley

Don’t Sweat It:

• Dion Lewis
• Adam Humphries
• Tajae Sharpe

Conclusion:

The Titans as a whole are gross but Derrick Henry looks to be the only player on this team with the ability to provide fantasy owners with consistent points making him a must play.  RIP to Corey Davis owners despite it only being Week 2, it just doesn’t feel like it’s not going to happen and I like the upside of A.J. Brown more. Agree or disagree they both deserve to sit in this matchup.

So the Jaguars haven’t played particularly well but one thing we know for sure with this offense is the Leonard Fournette is the GUY.  Do we love Uncle Rico at QB? Sure, we love WHO Gardner Minshew is but are we sure he’s going to provide points week-to-week? I’m not sold yet, as for his WR’s, DJ Chark led all Jags with 9 targets last week which is why he deserves the start over Conley.

BENGALS @ BILLS

 

Auto Start:

• Tyler Boyd

Start:

• Joe Mixon
• John Ross
• Josh Allen
• Frank Gore
• John Brown

Sit: 

• Andy Dalton
• Giovani Bernard
• Cole Beasley
• Isaiah McKenzie

Don’t Sweat It:

• Tyler Eifert
• Devin Singletary (POSSIBLY OUT)
• Zay Jones
• Robert Foster
• Dawson Knox

Conclusion:

Do you want to know what really grinds my gears? Seeing Joe Mixon finish with 11 carries for 17 yards.  What bothers me, even more, is that I’m not even sure what’s wrong.  Could it be the high-ankle sprain? The O-line injuries? Zac Taylor? I’m going with “All of the above”.  It’s only two weeks but if he fails again I’ll be looking to the bench for Week 4 against the Steelers. On the other hand, the WR’s of this offense look phenomenal and I would try and find a way to start Tyler Boyd and John Ross this week regardless of how solid the Bills defense looks.  As for the Bills offense, John Brown should be a start every week, Frank Gore stepped in for Singletary and somehow keeps proving that he’s the Benjamin Button of this league.  If you are desperate, I would play Gore Week 3, he could end up being a valuable pickup as long as Singletary is out.

DOLPHINS @ COWBOYS

Auto Start:

• Dak Prescott
• Ezekiel Elliot
• Amari Cooper

Start:

• Randall Cobb

Sit:

• ALL DOLPHINS
• Jason Witten

Don’t Sweat It:

• Tony Pollard
• Blake Jarwin

Conclusion:

Any matchup conclusion involving the Dolphins will be short and not so sweet.  With that said, Preston Williams is the most valuable player for fantasy on this offense. Until we see the Dolphins throw for more than 200 yards a game (hasn’t happened yet) sit him and the rest of the offense every week.  For the Cowboys, Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP caliber level but I think Ezekiel Elliot will be your fantasy darling for Week 3 in this matchup.  Amari Cooper is the only WR I want to play this week but following the Meniscus surgery for Michael Gallup, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Randall Cobb to be fantasy viable as well.

 

BRONCOS @ PACKERS

Auto Start:

• Emmanuel Sanders
• Aaron Rodgers
• Davante Adams

Start:

• Courtland Sutton
• Royce Freeman
• Aaron Jones

Sit:

• Joe Flacco
• Phillip Lindsay
• Jamaal Williams
• Geronimo Allison & Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Don’t Sweat It:

• DaeSean Hamilton
• Noah Fant
• Jake Kumerow
• Jimmy Graham

Conclusion:

I don’t even want to address my Broncos after that heartbreaking loss to the Bears last week but here we go.  Emmanuel Sanders is a freak of nature and if I owned more shares I would be starting him everywhere.  Sutton could be a boom-or-bust type of guy down the road but at the moment he’s been consistent.  If you plan on starting any Denver RB, start Royce Freeman, it appears he’s found a solid pocket of production that’s usable for fantasy.  For the Packers, I hate the offense, it’s not exciting, and for whatever reason, there are only three players you should be starting.  Last week I told you to sit Aaron Jones but after proving me wrong, he deserves the start Week 3.  Rodgers and Adams once again will always start on your teams. Wow, that was easy, moving on.

FALCONS @ COLTS

Auto Start:

• Matt Ryan
• Julio Jones
• Calvin Ridley

Start:

• Austin Hooper
• Marlon Mack
• TY Hilton

Sit:

• Devonta Freeman
• Ito Smith
• Mohammad Sanu
• Jacoby Brissett
• Parris Campbell
• Eric Ebron

Don’t Sweat It:

• Jordan Wilkins
• Nyheim Hines
• Chester Rogers
• Deon Cain

Conclusion:

Julio Jones will always have a spot in my heart and in my lineups, following a 5 reception, 106 yards, 2 TD performance he continues to hold true to my 2019 #1 ranked WR. Across from him, Calvin Ridley will continue to show that he also belongs in fantasy gamers lineups as well. On the ground, Devonta Freeman is getting outrun by Ito Smith which makes both of them sit candidates this week.  As for the Colts, there are only a few players to start, T.Y. Hilton and Marlon Mack (as long as he’s healthy).  Play them this week due to what looks like a game the Colts play from behind.

RAVENS @ CHIEFS

Auto Start:

• Lamar Jackson
• Mark Andrews
• Patrick Mahomes
• Travis Kelce

Start:

• Mark Ingram
• Marquise Brown
• Sammy Watkins
• Mecole Hardman
• LeSean McCoy (If playing)

Sit:

• Myles Boykin
• Gus Edwards
• Damien Williams
• Demarcus Robinson

Don’t Sweat It:

• Justice Hill
• Willie Snead
• Darwin Thompson

Conclusion:

Week 3 matchup of the week.  PLAY EVERY PLAYER IN THIS MATCHUP BESIDES Damien Williams unless LeSean McCoy plays.  Nothing else that is all.

RAIDERS @ VIKINGS

Auto Start:

 

• Tyrell Williams
• Dalvin Cook
• Adam Thielen

Start:

• Josh Jacobs (If Playing)
• Darren Waller
• Stefon Diggs

Sit:

• Derek Carr
• Jalen Richard
• Kirk Cousins
• Alexander Mattison

Don’t Sweat It:

• Hunter Renfroe
• Chad Beebe
• Kyle Rudolph

Conclusion:

I like this matchup a lot, to be honest. However, Kirk Cousins has never looked worse in his career and I can imagine most of us have a QB we can play over him, there could be a chance Diggs & Thielen bounce back to normal but I wouldn’t bet on it, and Dalvin Cook is a top 5 back in the league.  For the Raiders, avoid Derek Carr like the plague against a solid Minnesota defense, Tyrell Williams and Josh Jacobs are both banged up but assuming they play you can count on a big week from both of them.   

JETS @ PATRIOTS

Auto Start:

• Le’Veon Bell
• Antonio Brown (If Playing)

Start:

• Tom Brady
• Sony Michel 
• James White
• Julian Edelman

Sit:

• Trevor Siemian & Luke Falk
• Robby Anderson & Jamison Crowder
• Josh Gordon 

Don’t Sweat It:

• Sam Darnold (OUT)
• Ty Montgomery
• Rex Burkhead
• Phillip Dorsett

Conclusion:

Can we just fast-forward to when Sam Darnold comes back?  Even if the Jets had Darnold I still think we would chalk the Pats up for a W this week.  Regardless it’s obvious Le’Veon Bell will be the focal point of the offense with or without Darnold on the ground and in the air.  Bell owners rejoice, he’s the only legitimate receiver with tough cornerback matchups for Robby Anderson and Jamison Crowder.  For the Pats, the only player I’m somewhat concerned about is Josh Gordon as well as James White.  Someone on this offense has to take the back seat, don’t they?

LIONS @ EAGLES

Auto Start:

• Kerryon Johnson
• Kenny Golladay
• Zach Ertz

Start:

• Matt Stafford
• T.J. Hockensen
• Carson Wentz
• Nelson Agholor

Sit:

• Marvin Jones
• Miles Sanders & Jordan Howard
• DeSean Jackson & Alshon Jeffery (POSSIBLY OUT)
• Mack Hollins

Don’t Sweat It:

• Ty Johnson
• CJ Anderson
• Danny Amendola
• Jessie James
• Darren Sproles
• JJ Arcega-Whiteside

Conclusion:

What a week from Kenny Golladay am I right? 8 for 117 and 1 TD last week is nuts but I think these numbers are more realistic than you’d think in comparison to Week 1.  Matt Stafford looks…..better and even though T.J. Hockensen didn’t produce much for owners he will be a viable start in future weeks.  In addition, Kerryon Johnson looked like himself in Week 2 and is trending upwards yet again.  For the Eagles, it’s extremely sad to see Carson Wentz struggle without Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, both of whom I’m avoiding in Week 3.  Consider Nelson Agholor this week and plan for him to get peppered with targets until these receivers hit the field. Miles Sanders has to prove me wrong in a matchup before I even consider starting him.  Even someone like Frank Gore would be a better option than the struggling rookie.

 

PANTHERS @ CARDINALS

Auto Start:

• Christian McCaffery
• DJ Moore
• Kyler Murray
• David Johnson
• Larry Fitzgerald

Start:

• Curtis Samuel
• Greg Olsen
• Christian Kirk

Sit:

• Cam Newton
• KeeSean Johnson

Don’t Sweat It:

• Kyle Allen
• Jarius Wright
• Chris Hogan
• Chase Edmonds
• Damiere Byrd

Conclusion:

Uh oh, what’s going on Cam Newton?  Looks like Kyle Allen will be getting the start on Sunday but there’s no need in playing him. Greg Olsen looked amazing last week but I can’t imagine he follows it up with another 100-yard week but who knows this game looks like it could be a shoot-out.  McCaffery is a given, DJ Moore is still #1, and Curtis Samuel was one catch away from finishing with over a 100 yards.  The Cardinals there are 4 guys I will be starting in my lineups all year long: Kyler Murray, David Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and Christian Kirk. The Cardinals aren’t great and are playing in a division where they will most likely finish last.  That being said, playing from behind never looked so good.

GIANTS @ BUCCANEERS

Auto Start:

• Saquon Barkely
• Evan Engram
• Chris Godwin

Start:

• Daniel Jones
• Jameis Winston
• Peyton Barber
• Mike Evans

Sit:

• Eli Manning
• Benny Fowler & TJ Jones
• Ronald Jones
• Dare Ogunbowale
• OJ Howard

Don’t Sweat It:

• Wayne Gallman
• Cody Latimer
• Breshad Perriman
• Cameron Brate

Conclusion:

Woah Daniel Jones is starting? Is this real life? I’d be willing to bet the Giants were planning to start Jones against the Bucs before the season started. It’s risky but Daniel Jones could be an interesting start right out the gate with the always dangerous Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram against a suspect Bucs defense.  On the other side of the ball for the Bucs, their offense finally started clicking in Week 2, victory lap for Chris Godwin owners.  Saddle up it’s going to be a big year from the 3rd year WR.  Oddly enough I like Peyton Barber against the Giants.  Any RB getting at least 20 touches or close to it every game has a safe floor so if you want to lock up an easy win Barber might be your guy.

TEXANS @ CHARGERS

Auto Start:

• Deshaun Watson
• DeAndre Hopkins
• Austin Ekeler
• Keenan Allen

Start: 

• Carlos Hyde
• Will Fuller
• Phillip Rivers
• Mike Williams

Sit:

• Duke Johnson
• Keke Coutee & Kenny Stills
• Justin Jackson

Don’t Sweat It: 

• Travis Benjamin
• Virgil Green

Conclusion:

Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler are giving everything fantasy owners hoped for through 2 weeks and their opportunity has no chance of diminishing in Week 3 against the Texans.  Even Mike Williams whom we thought wouldn’t be available for Week 2 got a piece of the pie and if playing could be going back for seconds.  As for Houston, Carlos Hyde is the only shocker play of the week and to be honest he looks exactly like what Lamar Miller would have been this year had he not gotten injured. As for Duke Johnson, he looks to be just a guy and until he pushes out Hyde, I’m out. P.S. if you see Will Fuller let him know I miss him.

 

STEELERS @ 49ERS

Auto Start:

• JuJu Smith-Schuster
• James Connor
• George Kittle

Start:

• Mason Rudolph
• Vance McDonald
• Matt Breida & Raheem Mostert
• Deebo Samuel

Sit:

• Donte Moncrief & James Washington
• Jimmy Garoppolo
• Jeff Wilson
• Marquise Goodwin

Don’t Sweat It:

• Ben Roethlisberger (OUT FOR YEAR)
• Jaylen Samuels
• Diontae Johnson
• Dante Pettis

Conclusion:

Mason Rudolph is in at QB and looked electric when coming in for injured Ben Roethlisberger.  The offense might actually improve with Rudolph under center, I mean it couldn’t get any worse right?  I believe most of the Steeler pass-catchers benefit from the 2nd year QB on Sunday, especially Vance McDonald who caught two touchdowns last week against Seattle.  For the 49ers it might be hard for you to decide who to play at RB between Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert, and Jeff Wilson but I’ll make it easy for you.  Play Breida and Mostert, it’s clear that the Niners want to have a committee approach to the backfield regardless of who’s running it.  Jimmy Garoppolo looked better last week but I still think there are plenty of other QB’s you can play over him until we see more consistency.  As for the WR’s, Deebo Samuel is the only tantalizing piece outside of George Kittle in this passing offense.

 

SAINTS @ SEAHAWKS

Auto Start:

• Alvin Kamara
• Russell Wilson
• Chris Carson
• Tyler Lockett

Start:

• Michael Thomas
• DK Metcalf

Sit:

• Teddy Bridgewater
• Latavius Murray
• Tre’Quan Smith
• Jared Cook

Don’t Sweat It:

• Drew Brees (OUT)
• Taysom Hill
• Rashaad Penny
• Will Dissly
• C.J. Prosise
  

Conclusion:

Boy did the Saints look bad once Teddy Bridgewater stepped in.  Regardless, you’re still playing Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas against an underrated Seahawks team.  The tougher decision to make this week has to be D.K. Metcalf.  Metcalf has looked the part through two weeks and is pushing owners to start him at the very least in their flex.  What would have been a shoot-out had Drew Brees played, Metcalf would have been an easier decision.  Assuming Teddy Bridgewater struggles again, the Hawks could be running the ball quite a bit this week once they run up the score.

RAMS @ BROWNS

Auto Start:

• Nick Chubb
• Odell Beckham Jr.

Start:

• Todd Gurley
• Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, & Cooper Kupp
• Jarvis Landry

Sit:

• Jared Goff
• Malcolm Brown
• Baker Mayfield

Don’t Sweat It:

• Gerald Everett
• D’Ernest Johnson
• Rashard Higgins
• David Njoku (OUT)

Conclusion:

I really want to watch this matchup because both offenses aren’t quite meeting expectations through two weeks.  I’ve put some money down on the Browns this year because I truly believe this will be one of the best offenses in the league. This could be the week both Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield bounce back but I want to have no part of them in my lineups.  Play the RB’s on both teams but sit Malcolm Brown.   

BEARS @ REDSKINS

Auto Start:

• Allen Robinson

Start:

• David Montgomery
• Chris Thompson
• Terry McLaurin

Sit:

• Mitchell Trubisky
• Tarik Cohen
• Anthony Miller & Taylor Gabriel
• Case Keenum
• Adrian Peterson

Don’t Sweat It:

• Mike Davis
• Cordarelle Patterson
• Wendell Smallwood
• Trey Quinn & Paul Richardson
• Vernon Davis

 

Conclusion:

So we get Chicago @ Washington for Monday Night Football? Big Yikes.  This matchup requires fewer than 5 sentences. Allen Robinson, David Montgomery, and Terry McLaurin are the only realistic starts in your lineup, don’t @ me.

 

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