Daniel Jones (QB - IND) vs the Tennessee Titans
Through two weeks, Jones has thrown for 588 yards while producing five touchdowns. In addition, the Indianapolis Colts have yet to punt the ball, including scoring on all seven drives in Week 1. Jones threw for 300 yards against a stout Broncos’ defense last week in a shootout victory. Jones may not have to throw the ball as often against the Titans, but if the offense keeps playing at this efficient level, the 28-year-old quarterback could supply fantasy managers with an incredibly high-floor performance.
Baker Mayfield (QB - TB) vs the New York Jets
The New York Jets have been a strong defense in recent memory, but that has not been the case in the first two weeks this season. New York is allowing 32 points per game, including 34 to Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mayfield has thrown for multiple touchdowns in his last eight starts dating back to last season. The 30-year-old quarterback could finish inside the top 10 at the position in Week 3.
Caleb Williams (QB - CHI) vs the Dallas Cowboys
I know Williams has looked quite disappointing, but from a fantasy perspective, he is QB9 on the season. Albeit it’s an extremely small sample size, the Chicago Bears have no run game and will lean on the passing attack to drive the offense. On tap for Week 3 is the Cowboys’ defense, which has given up the third-most passing yards to opposing quarterbacks this season. That includes allowing 450 yards and three passing touchdowns to Russell Wilson in Week 2. Williams may be tough to trust, but the Bears possess the weapons to exploit a defense with a weak secondary and no pass rush.
Justin Herbert (QB - LAC) vs the Denver Broncos
Another divisional opponent on the slate for the Chargers, who have had no trouble against the previous two AFC West rivals to open the season. Herbert has been flawless in each outing, throwing 560 yards and five touchdowns across his two outings. This week is a tougher test against a Broncos defense with an elite secondary. However, as mentioned earlier, Denver just allowed 300 passing yards to Daniel Jones and the Colts' offense. Herbert has the Chargers' offense rolling, averaging 30.5 pass attempts per game. In what could be a barnburner with the over/under set at 46, expect the 27-year-old quarterback to continue to exert a high-pass volume.
Michael Penix Jr. (QB - ATL) vs the Carolina Panthers
Penix Jr. struggled against the Minnesota Vikings in a defensive slugfest on Sunday night, but this week, he faces a much less intimidating Panthers defense. Atlanta’s passing game has yet to hit on all cylinders, but this is a get-right game for Penix Jr. and the offense. Bryce Young is also prone to giving his opponents extra offensive possessions. If that occurs on Sunday, Penix Jr. could produce a strong stat line. The second-year quarterback could be a high-end QB2 in Week 3.
Sit 'Em
Kyler Murray (QB - ARI) vs the San Francisco 49ers
Fantasy managers who have to rely on Murray each week have to be running out of patience already after two weeks. The 28-year-old quarterback has yet to throw for 220 yards in a game this season, and that could be a tall task against a well-coached 49ers’ defense. Murray goes through too many ebbs and flows to rely on every week, and you should consider pivoting to your other option if that player is in a more favorable matchup.
Matthew Stafford (QB - LAR) vs the Philadelphia Eagles
Stafford has looked unbothered by his back injury that derailed his offseason. However, the 37-year-old quarterback has a tough matchup against the Eagles' defense. Stafford threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns last week. However, this week’s game could play out similarly to the Rams’ Week 1 game against the Houston Texans when Los Angeles’ offense struggled to score 14 points. Because Stafford offers nothing on the ground, he will have to throw touchdowns to produce a safe floor. Don’t be surprised if the Rams’ offense struggles to reach 20 points.
Trevor Lawrence (QB - JAX) vs the Houston Texans
Lawrence capitalized in an advantageous spot against a weak Bengals’ defense, throwing for 271 yards and three touchdowns. However, he countered that production with two poor interceptions and was lucky he didn’t cough up the ball more by how often he put the ball in harm’s way. Cincinnati’s defense is nowhere near the level of the Texans’ elite defensive unit. Houston has totaled seven sacks across two weeks, and if Lawrence continues his reckless play into Sunday, the Texans will punish the 25-year-old quarterback’s poor decision-making.
Russell Wilson (QB - NYG) vs the Kansas City Chiefs
Do not fall for Wilson’s outlier performance last week against the Cowboys' lackluster defense. Kansas City’s defense depends on exotic blitz packages that could break down the Giants’ offense. Wilson was pressured on 10 of his 46 dropbacks last week against the Cowboys. That number could go up against the Chiefs. New York will not see the same success it had last week. Do not fall for the trap by streaming Wilson in primetime.
C.J. Stroud (QB - HOU) vs the Jacksonville Jaguars
We discussed Lawrence as a sit, and Stroud is also someone managers should keep on their bench this week. The 23-year-old quarterback is entering dangerous territory and could be dropped with another underwhelming performance. If the Texans had a competent offensive line, Stroud could be a borderline QB1 some weeks, but that is not the case, and it will be a problem the entire season. If an offensive line cannot protect its quarterback, it’s virtually a lost cause. Keep Stroud on your bench this week, even in a plus matchup.
By Dominic Orrico
Start 'Em
Travis Etienne (RB - JAX) vs. Houston Texans
Etienne has been phenomenal as of late, and the trading away of Bigsby gives me more confidence in him. He’s averaging 15 attempts per game and 5.1 yards per carry. His receiving workload is solid, and it should go up in a matchup against the Texans. In Week 2, Houston allowed Bucky Irving to haul in 50 receiving yards along with 71 yards on the ground.
Javonte Williams (RB - DAL) vs. Chicago Bears
If you're not on the Javonte Williams hype train yet, you should be now. The Bears allowed Jahmyr Gibbs a bounce-back game, rushing for 91 yards on the ground with a TD. Meanwhile, Williams is the Cowboys' true workhorse 3-down back. He has 3 TDs so far and over 15 rushing attempts in both games. He also had seven targets in Week 2.
Jordan Mason (RB - MIN) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
With Aaron Jones sidelined until October, Mason is going to be the 3-down RB and, against a soft Bengals defense, take advantage and plug him into your lineups.
Jacoby Croskey-Merrit (RB - WAS) vs. Las Vegas Raiders
With Ekeler’s Achilles injury, this gives Croskey-Merrit the RB1 job in Washington. He will take on the role of the receiving back, giving him plenty of opportunities in a game that the Commanders will control.
Breece Hall (RB - NYJ) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite the Jets being blown out by the Bills in week 2, Hall continued to get looks. The game script was in no running back's favor, and in a more favorable matchup against Tampa Bay, you can look for him to get more targets and touches on the ground.
Sit 'Em
Kenneth Walker (RB - SEA) vs. New Orleans Saints
I understand it’s the Saints, and you can call me crazy all you want. Still, we really don’t know who the RB1 is yet in this offense. I have a feeling that it’s going to switch matchup to matchup. Until I know who is who, regardless of the matchup, I’m trying my best to fade Walker.
Quinshon Judkins (RB - CLE) vs. Green Bay Packers
I really like Judkins, especially in week 4, but not in week 3 against one of the toughest defenses. Green Bay held all Washington running backs to less than five fantasy points. I would keep him on your bench and wait for that Week 4 matchup.
TreVeyon Henderson (RB - NE) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
I know Walker ran for over 100 yards against the Steelers. Still, Henderson is not getting enough touches and opportunities with Antonio Gibson and Rhamondre Stevenson in the room. Until he gets more touches and field time, fade him in your lineups.
David Montgomery (RB - DET) vs. Baltimore Ravens
Without Ben Johnson, Detroit’s offense is leaning more towards Gibbs for both the passing and running downs, while leaning on Montgomery for 3rd down usage. Without a touchdown, he is an RB3 in fantasy and shouldn’t be started unless necessary.
Isiah Pacheco (RB - KC) vs. New York Giants
I absolutely love this matchup, but I'm not thrilled about the opportunity to share, as Kareem Hunt is slowly creeping ahead of Pacheco in terms of touches and, more importantly, his work on passing downs. Until Pacheco has a more significant role and more than five touches in a game, I would fade him.
By Dominic Orrico
Start 'Em
Rome Odunze (WR - CHI) vs. Dallas Cowboys
Finally, a Bears wide receiver who is fantasy relevant. In a spectacular game where the Bears were getting dominated by the Lions, he garnered 11 targets, 128 yards, and two touchdowns. He’s going up against a Cowboys defense that allowed over 400 yards in the air to the Giants, starting with confidence.
Troy Franklin (WR - DEN) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Bo Nix’s new favorite target has had an immense 2nd-year breakout. He caught 8 of 9 targets last week, passing Courtland Sutton in target share and seeming to be the number one in Denver. His role will continue to increase, and in turn, he should be in your lineups.
Jacobi Meyers (WR - LV) vs. Washington Commanders
Meyers has always been a sneaky start. Still, he is emerging as fantasy relevant and a must start as he had a whopping 12 targets and could have had a way better day as he only caught 6 of those. Geno Smith clearly has a favorite target and looks for his role to be steady and for him to be a target monster regardless of the matchup.
Tetairoa McMillan (WR - CAR) vs. Atlanta Falcons
The top 10 pick in this year's draft is showing out despite the Panthers and more specifically, Bryce Young. He had 10 targets in Week 2 and is this offense’s best target, and his targets will always make him a strong WR2 and a potential WR1 breakout candidate.
Brian Thomas Jr. (WR - JAX) vs. Houston Texans
I know everyone is rolling their eyes with this one, but just hear me out. He had a rough outing last game, but it’s going to get better. They are not feeding him 12 targets out of coincidence or the kindness of their heart. He’s going to catch those, and he’s going to start producing. Trust the process.
Sit 'Em
Calvin Ridley (WR - TEN) vs. Indianapolis Colts
What was thought of as Cam Ward’s premiere target is now getting outscored by rookie Elia Ayomanor and looks like more of a boom or bust option in a bad Tennessee offense and lack of targets in general. Wait for his production to ramp up to start him.
Travis Hunter (WR - JAX) vs. Houston Texans
Unlike Brian Thomas Jr., who I was advocating to start, Hunter should be faded this week. Last week, he was primarily on the defensive side of the ball, and his production and target share showed catching three balls for 22 yards. He was on the field for only 59% of snaps. It’s not enough to make him startable in fantasy.
Hollywood Brown (WR - KC) vs. New York Giants
As a big Hollywood waiver wire guy, I don’t see his value this week, especially with Xavier Worthy coming back this week. In Week 2, he only had five targets, even with Worthy out.
Matthew Golden (WR - GB) vs. Cleveland Browns
Golden has only had four targets in two games in a pass-heavy offense; fade him in all formats.
Devonta Smith (WR - PHI) vs. Los Angeles Rams
With only nine targets in two games, neither he nor AJ Brown is getting enough targets to support them, but at least Brown has TD potential. In an offense that favors the run, try your best to fade Smith and wait until his situation improves.
By Alex Percey
Start 'Em
Juwan Johnson (TE - NO) vs. Seattle Seahawks
I have no idea how this guy is still available in a bunch of leagues. He’s commanded 20 targets in two weeks and has been a bright spot on a struggling Saints squad. If he’s on waivers, get him ASAP, as the Seahawks won’t be able to contain him.
Kyle Pitts (TE - ATL) vs. Carolina Panthers
Pitts has looked really good this year, benefiting from an increased target share. The Panthers have allowed the most yards to tight ends this season so far, so Pitts is on breakout alert in week three.
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE - CLE) vs. Green Bay Packers
Fannin has been very impressive to start his career, hauling in seven and then five receptions in his first two starts. While he is competing with Njoku for targets, the Packers just gave up 18 points to a 34-year-old Zach Ertz, so Fannin should fare just fine.
Hunter Henry (TE - NE) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Henry had eight targets in Week 1, but plummeted to two last week. This week, though, he faces the Steelers, who couldn’t stop A.J. Barner last week. With this likely being a tight game, I expect tight ends to play a significant role in getting crucial conversions.
Jonnu Smith (TE - PIT) vs. New England Patriots
In his two games against the Patriots last season, Jonnu Smith averaged 75 yards. The Patriots’ Robert Spillane allowed the most yards in coverage of any linebacker in the league last week. Mike Tomlin will exploit this mismatch as much as he can.
Sit 'Em
Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE - CAR) vs. Atlanta Falcons
Ja’Tavion Sanders is a favorite tight end stream of many, and had a great performance last week with seven receptions and 18 points. However, the Falcons have allowed ONE catch to tight ends so far this year, and the TEs they’ve faced (Hockenson and Otton) are no scrubs.
Tucker Kraft (TE - GB) vs. Cleveland Browns
Hear me out here. Kraft had a breakout performance last week, but that level of production is not sustainable, especially against the stout Cleveland pass defense. They’ve allowed just 42 yards to Tight Ends this season, and this week’s game script will likely call for more Josh Jacobs than Tucker Kraft.
Dalton Schultz (TE - HOU) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Schultz just hasn’t been fantasy-relevant this year. He now faces the second-best defense against tight ends so far this season. Stay far away.
Zach Ertz (TE - WAS) vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Ertz, though he put up numbers, got most of his points last week in garbage time against the Packers. I can’t imagine this 13-year vet having back-to-back great performances.
Brenton Strange (TE - JAX) vs. Houston Texans
The Texans' defense has been surprisingly good this season. Though many of us want him to, Strange hasn’t looked like a true NFL starter yet. Until he proves himself worthy of a higher target share, he isn’t on the starting radar.
