We are moving right along this NFL season and we are already in the midst of Week 3! Through two weeks we have gotten a handle on some players and teams to see what we can expect from them in 2016. Some are already dealing with injury concerns, while more are surprising us, and others are disappointing. As you get ready to set your lineups for Week 3 take a look below at guys you should start and others you should be sitting.
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Fighting Chance Fantasy Start/Sit: Week 3
Quarterbacks
Start: Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens vs. Jacksonville Jaguars. Flacco and the Ravens passing game is a long way from impressive, but this will be the second consecutive week where he faces a really subpar defense. Mike Wallace looks like he did early in his Pittsburgh career, Breshad Perriman is progressing, and Steve Smith Sr isn’t quite done yet. The Jaguars have been EMBARRASSING on defense so far, allowing six passing touchdowns in two weeks. Look for Flacco to top 250 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday.
Sit: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos. I’m a huge Dalton fan this season, and the addition of rookie Tyler Boyd gives him another weapon to throw to. When Tyler Eifert is able to return, this offense is going to be really good. However, this week they face the Super Bowl Champions, whose defense is certainly living up to their reputation, allowing under 175 passing yards per game and two total passing touchdowns in two weeks. Hopefully, if Dalton is your starter, you have another viable option for Week 3.
Running Backs
Start: Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns vs. Miami Dolphins. Crowell broke off a long touchdown run to pad his Week 2 stats, and so far he has two touchdowns through two weeks. In Week 3 he will face a Miami defense that has yielded just over 136 rushing yards per game in the first two weeks. Look for Crowell to make it three scores in three weeks as he continues his solid start to 2016.
Hope you started @IsaiahCrowell34 in fantasy.
85 yard. To. The. House. #CLEvsBALhttps://t.co/ZmePi4SGFa
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) September 18, 2016
Start: Rashad Jennings, New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins. The Giants rushing game has been anemic through two contests, but and he has barely broken 100 rushing yards in the first two games combined. However, New York is going to continue to run the ball, and so far the ‘Skins have been very vulnerable there. Through two games they are allowing nearly 125 per game on the ground and have already surrendered five rushing touchdowns in just two weeks. If there is ever a week to play Jennings with confidence, this is the week to do it.
Sit: Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks. Everyone got SO excited about Carlos Hyde after his Week 1, two touchdown game, but as a 49er fan of course I was skeptical. Well, my negative energy certainly paid off as Hyde was held to 34 yards on 14 carries and he lost a fumble. This week should be no easier for the Niners lead back as he faces a Seahawks defense who might not be as good as they once were, but they still are allowing just 64 rushing yards per game on the young season. Seattle has also given up just one rushing touchdown in two weeks, and I would be quite surprised if Hyde was able to add to that total. If you have another viable option I would go that way.
Sit: Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers. People are going to go a little crazy on Riddick I think with Ameer Abdullah nursing a foot injury, but I’m gonna pump the brake for Week 3. Riddick didn’t do much of anything with increased playing time last week, and will face a Packers defense that has allowed 78 rushing yards total in two weeks with just one touchdown. Riddick isn’t really a runner, and even if he does carry more of the load on Sunday, I am not expecting a strong result.
Wide Receivers
Start: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons. It might be risky to start a third wide receiver on a team, but if you are going to do it, the Saints are one of the teams to do it with. They were held in check last week by the Giants, but they are still an explosive offensive team. This week they face the Falcons, who are getting torched through the air to start the season. Through two games the Falcons have already yielded a league worst seven passing touchdowns and nearly 300 yards per game. Look for Drew Brees to light it up for 400 yards, and I could see Thomas approaching the century mark in yards with a touchdown.
Start: Kenny Britt, Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It is nothing personal, but I despise Kenny Britt from a fantasy perspective. Some are enamored with his perceived raw talent, but I have only witnessed small flashes, and it has never been shown consistently. HOWEVER, if though Case Keenum is still going to start this Sunday (don’t get me started on that decision), I still do expect big things from Britt against the dreadful Tampa pass defense. In just two games they have allowed five passing touchdowns and are averaging giving up nearly 320 yards through the air per game. Britt is the Rams best option at wide receiver, and if someone is going to have a big game this week, look for it to be Britt.
Sit: Michael Crabtree, Oakland Raiders vs. Tennessee Titans. Despite the fact that I like the guy, I did not use Crabtree last week, and although he had a touchdown it wasn’t a strong game. The Raiders passing game is certainly for real, but again this week I am not in love with his prospects. The Titans have allowed just one passing touchdown in two weeks, and is only giving up 237 yards through the air per contest. The Raiders might be able to top that by a little bit, but if you have another player who is of Crabtree’s caliber or close, I might look in another direction for Week 3.
Sit: Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Los Angeles Rams. After a marvelous first week, man was it ugly for Jameis Winston and the Bucs passing game last Sunday. And while there was nearly an entire half of garbage time available, Tampa produced very little. Jackson was targeted nine times last week, but only had four catches. The sledding doesn’t get any easier this week against the Rams who came out and showed what their defense was capable of last week against Seattle. I don’t expect Tampa to be held to just one touchdown again, but if they do score I expect it to be Mike Evans, and for Jackson to be held to three or four catches and under 50 yards.
Tight Ends
Start: Jared Cook, Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions. Cook was much more involved in Week 2 than he was the opener, and he showed some of his athleticism after the catch. He has always had the talent and despite the fact that he’s on a team with many mouths to feed, this is the best quarterback he has ever played with. This week they play the Lions who have allowed nearly 300 yards and two passing touchdowns per game through two weeks and I expect Cook to have his best game to date with five catches for 60+ yards and a score.
Sit: Julius Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans. This one is tough for me as you all know that I am in love with the Jaguar passing game, even after the subpar effort last week. They will get another tough one in Week 3 as the Texans are on the other side of the field. The Texans are allowing under 180 yards passing per game, and have yielded one passing touchdown through two weeks. I do still love the Jags passing game, but it would be tough to put your faith in Thomas to score you more than a half dozen points in a PPR league.
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