Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 3
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 3
Last week was unfortunately filled with injuries to star players such as Saquon Barkley, Anthony Richardson, David Montgomery, and Nick Chubb. When injuries occur, strategically maneuvering your fantasy football team to win your weekly matchups is often difficult, but part of the game.
Here are my recommendations for Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 3.
Falcons @ Lions | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 0.3%
Ridder led the Falcons to a close win over the Green Bay Packers in week 2. He completed 19/32 passes for 237 yards, throwing 1 touchdown and 1 interception, scoring 21.38 fantasy points. The Lions defense allowed the Seahawks offense to put up 37 points against them in week 2. Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith completed 32-41 passes for 328 yards and threw 2 touchdowns, scoring 23.12 fantasy points. So far this season, the Lions defense have allowed a total of 23.0 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. The Falcons offense looks to be gaining momentum, especially with a strong running game to complement the upcoming passing game. Keep an eye out for the Drake London, Desmond Ridder connection once again in week 3. Ridder is to be considered a low to mid QB2 in fantasy leagues this matchup.
Cowboys @ Cardinals | 4:25 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 30.6%
Prescott led the Cowboys to a dominating win over the New York Jets on Sunday completing 31/38 passes for 255 yards and throwing 2 touchdowns, scoring 19.6 fantasy points. He also added 14 yards on the ground on 6 carries. The Cardinals defense on the other hand allowed the New York Giants offense to overcome a 14-point deficit to ultimately beat the Cardinals 31-28. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones completed 26-37 passes for 321 yards, throwing 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also added 59 yards on the ground on 9 carries and scored 1 rushing touchdown. Jones scored a total of 30.74 fantasy points in week 2 against the Cardinals. Prescott has a great matchup against the Cardinals defense, and I expect him to become a mid to high end QB1 in week 3.
Falcons @ Lions | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 84.4%
The Lions offense started utilizing Gibbs more in the passing game than in the running game in week 2. Gibbs only rushed for 17 yards on 7 carries and recorded 7 receptions for 39 yards, scoring 12.6 fantasy points in PPR leagues during Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks. Also, during Sunday’s matchup, fellow running back David Montgomery had to be carted off the field with a thigh bruise and is listed as day-to-day. This leaves Gibbs as the lone running back in the backfield. The Packers running backs could not gain significant yardage against the Falcons defense in week 2, but their starting running back Aaron Jones did not play. The Lions running game should have a much easier time against the Falcons defense in week 3. Gibbs is considered a mid to high end RB2 in this matchup.
Rams @ Bengals | 8:15 pm EST Monday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 16.1%
Williams finally showed the Rams coaching staff that he should be the starting running back for the team rushing for 52 yards on 14 carries, averaging 3.7 yards per carry and scoring 1 touchdown. He also recorded 6 receptions for 48 yards, averaging 8.0 yards per reception and scored 1 receiving touchdown, scoring 28 points in PPR leagues. Former starting running back for the Rams Cam Akers was labeled a healthy scratch after a bad week of practice and is now on the trade block. The Bengals defense on the other hand cannot catch a break allowing over 20 points in both 2023 season games. Ravens starting running back Gus Edwards rushed for 62 yards on 10 carries and scored 1 touchdown against the Bengals defense in week 2. In total the defense allowed 178 rushing yards to the Baltimore Ravens offense. Now since Williams is the lead back for the Rams, I expect him to be able to put on a good rushing performance in week 3, becoming a mid to high end RB1.
Broncos @ Dolphins | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 31.1%
Mostert solidified himself as the RB1 for Miami this past weekend rushing for 121 yards on 18 carries, averaging 6.7 yards per carry, and scoring 2 touchdowns. This version of Mostert looked like the 2020 NFC Championship game. He finished the day scoring 25.7 fantasy points in PPR leagues. The Broncos are a great matchup for the veteran running back as Brian Robinson Jr. also put on a monster performance against the Broncos defense in week 2. He rushed for 87 yards on 18 carries, scoring 2 touchdowns and adding 42 yards through the air, resulting in putting up 28.9 fantasy points in PPR leagues. Mostert is a must-start running back and is considered a high-end RB1 in week 3 against Denver.
Eagles @ Buccaneers | 7:15 pm EST Monday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 69.0%
Evans went off in the Buccaneers win over the Chicago Bears in week 2, recording 6 receptions on 8 targets for 171 yards, and caught 1 touchdown, scoring 29.1 fantasy points in PPR leagues. The Eagles defense allowed the Vikings receivers to gain plenty of fantasy points during their Thursday night duel. The Vikings receivers combined recorded 344 receiving yards and scored 4 touchdowns. Star receiver Justin Jefferson recorded 159 receiving yards on 11 receptions, scoring 24.9 fantasy points in PPR leagues. I expect Evans to put up another week of solid fantasy football numbers against the Eagles defense. Evans is considered a mid to high end WR1 in week 3.
Chargers @ Vikings | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 53.2%
Williams is finally gaining momentum this season. He recorded 8 receptions on 13 targets for 83 yards, averaging 10.4 yards per reception, scoring 16.6 fantasy points in PPR leagues during Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Vikings on Thursday night allowed Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith to record 131 receiving yards on 4 receptions, averaging 32.8 yards per reception, and scoring 1 touchdown. Smith put up 23.1 fantasy points in PPR leagues for fantasy owners in week 2. I am in favor of Mike Williams putting up solid numbers against a weak Vikings secondary ultimately becoming a mid to high end WR2 in week 3.
Rams @ Bengals | 8:15 pm EST Monday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 22.2%
The fantasy football world is absolutely going berserk over Nacua’s performance in week 2 against the 49ers defense. Nacua recorded 15 of his 20 targets for 147 yards averaging 9.8 yards per reception, scoring 30.1 fantasy points in PPR leagues. The only thing that was missing from his stat line was a receiving touchdown. I believe this week against the Bengals defense is the week we see a complete performance from the rookie finally scoring a touchdown. Nacua has a good chance he can command over 10 targets in week 3 and score a touchdown becoming a mid to high end WR1 in this matchup.
Patriots @ Jets | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 15.4%
Henry continues to be one of quarterback Mac Jones’ favorite options to throw to. He recorded 6 receptions on 7 targets for 52 yards and scored 1 touchdown, resulting in a 17.2 fantasy point game in PPR leagues. In week 2 against the Cowboys offense, the Jets defense allowed 1 touchdown each to tight ends Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker. I like Henry’s chances of putting on a solid performance once again this week becoming a low to mid end TE1 against the Jets defense.
Colts @ Ravens | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 20.1%
In the Colts victory over the Houston Texans, Richardson suffered a concussion in the first half, resulting in Gardner Minshew taking over the offense. Richardson finished the day completing 6/10 passes for 56 yards and rushed for 35 yards on 3 carries and scored 2 rushing touchdowns. In the just the first half alone, he scored 17.74 fantasy points. Richardson is still in the concussion protocol and is listed as questionable to play in week 3. The Ravens defense has been playing well this year so far and will most likely limit Richardson in the passing and running game if he even plays. I recommend sitting Richardson for this week and monitoring his progress.
Bills @ Commanders | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 69.4%
Cook helped the Bills win big over the Las Vegas Raiders 38-10. Unfortunately, he only touched the ball while outside of the red zone while Damien Harris and Latavius Murray scored touchdowns. Cook finished the day rushing for 123 yards on 17 carries, averaging 7.2 yards per carry and added 36 yards on 4 receptions, scoring 19.9 fantasy points in PPR leagues. The Commanders defense has been excellent against the run so far this season. As a result, expect the Bills to rely more on the passing game in this matchup. I recommend sitting Cook in this tough matchup.
Titans @ Browns | 1:00 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 57.8%
In the Titans win over the Los Angeles Chargers 27-24 on Sunday, Hopkins was limited to 40 yards on 4 catches. I do not expect Hopkins to suddenly emerge once again as a top fantasy wide receiver this week against the Browns defense. The Browns defense has been playing solidly this season so far and sitting Hopkins in this matchup is more than ideal.
Cowboys @ Cardinals | 4:25 pm EST Sunday
ESPN Starting Percentage: 9.6%
Ertz is playing against the top defense in the league, and it is recommended that he is benched this week on fantasy rosters. In week 2, the Cowboys defense demolished the Jets offense forcing five turnovers.
Lawrence is a fan of the Green Bay Packers. He is currently a graduate student at William Paterson University pursuing a master’s degree in Financial Planning. His hobbies include all things fantasy football, weightlifting, collecting Yu-Gi-Oh trading cards, and playing Madden. He specializes in dynasty fantasy football having won two championships in the past five years. He is also a college football fan who loves to watch his Buckeyes play on Saturdays while drinking pumpkin-flavored coffee. He is always looking to evolve his game as a fantasy football player and one of his goals is to help other players do the same.
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