MIA @ JAX
1. James Robinson was the only good thing in the Jaguars offense and he was very good indeed, putting up a 30+ PPR point game in a blowout loss, the mark of a true fantasy stud. He wasn’t known as a pass catcher at Illinois State and outproduced his entire senior season in receiving yards in one game. If you are stacked at running back and don’t need Robinson, see if you can deal him for a big upgrade at your weakest position.
2. The Dolphins were impressed enough with Myles Gaskin in the first two games to make him the starter and clear lead back. He wasn’t able to find a lot of creases against the underrated Jags run defense and Jordan Howard will still get goal line looks over him, but his passcatching ability will keep him in RB2 mix until this situation changes.
3. Gardner Minshew’s life got a lot harder against a mediocre defense when he had to play without DJ Chark. Keelan Cole and Laviska Shenault underwhelmed despite the promise of a narrowed target tree. If Chark can’t return for Week 4 at Cincinnati, we’ll avoid this passing game.
4. Ryan Fitzpatrick was in top form for the second straight week and is back in our streaming candidates with Seattle up this week. Fitzpatrick’s willingness to run the ball and Jordan Howard’s middling goal line prowess only ups his ceiling.
5. Mike Gesicki and Preston Williams bailed out anyone who played them with short scores. Don’t hold their low output against them when setting lineups as they head into what should be the highest scoring game of the week against Seattle.
SF @ NYG
1. The Giants target tree was narrowed with the loss of Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard and there were still no viable plays in this offense. The 49ers defense was down their top corner and two of their top three defensive ends and they lost their other starting corner in the game and it just didn’t matter. We can’t trust any Giants until they go off on our bench, including Evan Engram, at least not until they are facing some fellow NFC Least defenses. You shouldn’t be carrying any Giants running back unless you are in an ultra deep league.
2. Jerick McKinnon has still got it even though he was outproduced for fantasy by Jeff Wilson. He’s the one worth keeping if Raheem Mostert is back this week and he’s the one who can remain relevant in fantasy leagues even with Mostert back on the field. Wilson is still worth stashing if you have the bench room because of the quality of this offense and his proven ability to produce when given the chance.
3. The size/speed/athleticism combination that made Brandon Aiyuk the 49ers first round pick was on full display against the Giants. He’ll be a WR3/Flex consideration against the Eagles with Deebo Samuel likely back in Week 5 - check your waiver wire to make sure Samuel isn’t out there.
4. Give the Giants generous defense an assist in the 49ers excellent offensive performance and make sure to give a bump to anyone playing against them - this week it’s the Rams.
5. George Kittle should be back this week, but Ross Dwelley is now the injury hedge and not Jordan Reed who went down with an ankle and then a knee injury that will cost him about half of the season.
6. Jimmy Garoppolo could be back this week, but the 49ers won’t rush him back with Nick Mullens making the Shanahan offense hum. Mullens is a viable QB2/Superflex against Philadelphia if Garoppolo sits for another week.
CIN @ PHI
1. AJ Green’s 13 targets and 3 catches in Week 2 didn’t create a buy low opportunity, they gave the Bengals reason to go away from him in Week 3. Tyler Boyd is going to be the most targeted receiver going forward and a very strong WR2 in PPR, if not a volume based WR1. Tee Higgins stepped up in the red zone and should be a WR3/Flex consideration with room to grow. The team also made John Ross a healthy scratch in a bad sign for his future with the Bengals.
2. Dallas Goedert went down with a broken ankle and Desean Jackson left with a hamstring injury. Zach Ertz should be a safe, strong TE1 until Goedert returns and Greg Ward will be a viable desperation play until Alshon Jeffery returns, which could be in a week or two. Preemptively add Jeffery in deep leagues.
3. Joe Mixon was thwarted at most every turn once again. We are counting on rational coaching (more targets for Mixon), improved offensive line play (shrug), improved offensive play overall (more scoring opportunities) or Mixon’s talent (has won out by December every year) if we make a buy low move for him. The Jaguars run defense is no pushover, but the game script could still slam the buy low window shut.
4. Carson Wentz had a solid fantasy performance thanks in part to an extra 10 minutes of overtime, but he lost two more targets and now the coach is having to defend leaving him in heading into a stretch of San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore. You can drop him in typical leagues.
5. Joe Burrow is going to take a lot of hits, but he showed again that as long as he stays on the field he should get the volume to be a low QB1 play week in, week out and one of the best quarterbacks to have if you don’t have one of the clear top 7-8.
6. Miles Sanders looks good and even behind this line and in this offense, better days will come.
7. Drew Sample’s garbage time production from Week 2 didn’t carry over to Week 3 and meant he went back in the garbage bin if you added him.
8. JJ Arcega-Whiteside got banged up but also didn’t do very much in yet another chance to redeem himself. The clock is running out in dynasty leagues.
LV @ NE
1. The Patriots backfield accounted for 209 rushing yards, 2 rushing scores, 9 receptions, 72 receiving yards, and one receiving score. Yes this came at the expenses of Cam Newton’s fantasy line, but it should remind you that this backfield can still support multiple fantasy relevant running back performances when they control a game. Keep this in mind when filling the last spot on your bench if any of their top four backs are available.
2. Josh Jacobs at least got a “break” of only 19 touches in the blowout loss, but you have to still be worried about Jon Gruden running him into the ground. A lateral move at running back could save you some indigestion later in the season.
3. Hunter Renfrow made a nice contested catch near the goal line and got a garbage time score to fuel a strong fantasy day. If the Raiders are without both of their starting wideouts against Buffalo this week, Renfrow will be a viable WR3/Flex.
4. Bill Belichick will take away what an offense likes to do the most. In this case it was Darren Waller, but that shouldn’t discourage you if you were still floating after his Week performance.
5. Not every week will be a huge hit for Cam Newton. When the Patriots cruise, he and his receivers might be a miss in fantasy lineups, but that’s not a worry with Kansas City up this week.
6. Derek Carr is overmatched against a defense like New England without Henry Ruggs speed to stretch the defense. He got a garbage time score but his impressive Week 2 performance is getting smaller in the rear view mirror.
CHI @ ATL
1. Mitchell Trubisky was benched and Nick Foles led a 16 point comeback even after Anthony Miller dropped a score in the end zone on fourth down and Allen Robinson had a score wrestled away from him in the end zone by Darqueze Dennard. Uncoicidentally, Robinson finally put up a strong WR1 game, Anthony Miller got back on the waiver wire radar after a rough Week 2, and Jimmy Graham put up strong TE1 numbers. The Bears pass offense is back, baby! The Colts loom this week to break up the 3-0 party.
2. Tarik Cohen went down with an ACL tear. At least he got paid before it happened. More targets for David Montgomery and Graham are likely to fill the high percentage void. Montgomery was more effective with Foles than Trubisky, so overall Week 3 was good for him even though it didn’t yield a strong performance.
3. Matt Ryan came up small, in part because his team led for most of the game and they didn’t have to press the issue with the passing game, and in part because he didn’t have Julio Jones and lost Russell Gage during the game to a concussion. He’s not a shoo-in fantasy start against the Packers on Monday night, but hopefully we will know Jones and Gage status before that.
4. Hayden Hurst only caught one pass even though Jones was out and Gage ended up on the sidelines. Brandon Powell and Olamide Zaccheaus got more targets than he did. At least Hurst’s one catch was a score, but if Week 4 is a dud at Green Bay, we will pause before starting him again.
LAR @ BUF
1. Darrell Henderson was a beast and the one bright spot in the Rams offense in the first half. The Rams running game has found its form and Henderson is going to be the most valuable back in this backfield as long as he can stay on the field.
2. Josh Allen was just as good vs. the best defense he played this year as he was against Miami and the Jets. He’s for real and elevating the value of everyone around him.
3. John Brown went down with a calf injury, but rookie Gabriel Davis looked legit in his stead and is worth a waiver pickup in all but short bench leagues. Cole Beasley also gets a bump to an everyweek WR3/Flex in PPR while Brown is out.
4. Jared Goff had a huge game against a good defense, but does that mean we should trust him no matter the matchup? This isn’t a great question this week because the Giants are up and yes, we will trust him in lineups, but he only had a chance to redeem himself against the Bills because they let up when they got up 28-3. Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods also did their major damage in the comeback effort.
5. Bills tight ends combined for three scores, which should make you put Dawson Knox on your waiver wire watch list when he returns from a concussion. Knox is among the NFL’s best athletes at tight end and Allen was off or he would have had a score in Week 1.
6. Devin Singletary was excellent in space and reminded us that he’s more than up for 15+ touches if the Bills give him the chance. He did look small on goal line opportunities and might have lost his opportunity to get them once Zack Moss comes back from his toe injury.
WAS @ CLE
1. Dwayne Haskins was the difference in this game as the Browns promptly scored after most of his unforced error turnovers. Another performance like this against the Ravens this week and Kyle Allen should get in for his old coach Ron Rivera. Add Allen in 2QB/Superflex leagues.
2. Terry McLaurin was called for a questionable pass interference penalty that was a turning point in the game and Haskins also missed him on a possible touchdown. Allen getting in would only be good for McLaurin, as he helped keep DJ Moore’s value up last year in a losing cause in Carolina.
3. Odell Beckham turned into a defensive back on an underthrown ball that could have been a score, so his fantasy day was middling at best. Unless the Browns fall far behind (maybe this week against Dallas?) and fill the air with footballs, Beckham is just a WR3/Flex in this offense.
4. Jarvis Landry isn’t going to get the volume to be more than injury/bye depth in this offense. Hopefully he’ll have a big game against Dallas this week in a potential shootout, but only that kind of game script will make him startable this year, save for an occasional touchdown.
5. Antonio Gibson is doing enough to remain flexworthy but won’t be more in this underachieving offense. He is slowly refining his running style and should soon have more touches in the NFL than he did in his entire college career.
6. Logan Thomas isn’t going to save your team, but seven PPR points seems to be in the cards most weeks. He could benefit from a switch to Allen, but is better suited to be depth than a starter.
7. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were once again both good starts in a game that went well for Cleveland. If they fall behind against Dallas this week, it could be more of a Hunt game, but we won’t put Chubb on the bench until he lets us down in consecutive weeks, and maybe not even then.
8. You can drop Austin Hooper if you haven’t already.
HOU @ PIT
1. Will Fuller made it through the game healthy and even caught a score, although he wasn’t Deshaun Watson’s clear favorite. If the Texans and Vikings play this weekend, Fuller will be a must start.
2. James Conner enjoyed the return of David DeCastro, made excellent contributions in the passing game, and looked like a fantasy RB1 again. Week 1 is a distant memory. If there’s a back to roster behind him, it’s now Anthony McFarland as Benny Snell looks like a short yardage back at most. He went 2 for 3 on short yardage opportunities, but failed in his one chance at the goal line.
3. Deshaun Watson predictably just did ok for fantasy against the Steelers. If he doesn’t get it going against the Vikings this week (assuming they play), he might be on our benches until we get stung for putting him there.
4. Randall Cobb found soft spots in the Steelers defense and should encourage more targets from Watson going forward. He’s worth an add and is building momentum. Brandin Cooks, on the other hand, could be a drop if he has another small line the next time the Texans play, assuming Fuller stays healthy.
5. There’s no evidence that the Texans will ever make full use of David Johnson in the passing game. He could gain some momentum as the Texans start to face some easier defenses and more winnable game scripts, but for now he’s on the fringe of the RB2 ranks.
6. Eric Ebron had a tough touchdown catch and tied James Washington for the team lead in targets. He’ll be a viable streamer against the Titans if the game is played this weekend.
7. With Diontae Johnson sidelined Washington and Chase Claypool both got target bumps and both should be WR3/Flex considerations and DFS lineup pieces against the Titans if Johnson isn’t out of concussion protocol by Sunday.
8. Jordan Akins star as a surprise tight end play faded in Week 3. Another poor output game will doom him to the waiver wire and he’s not an essential hold.
9. Ben Roethlisberger’s deep accuracy can improve and he didn’t have Diontae Johnson for more than half of this game, so despite the middling output, he’s back in the low QB1 ranks.
TEN @ MIN
1. Justin Jefferson emerged after a poor summer that left him on the outside of the starting lineup. He should stay there now, and the Vikings may increase pass volume enough keep him viable and boost Adam Thielen’s lagging value if the team embraces that they’ll need to do more passing to stay in games with a weak defense.
2. Dalvin Cook is still dominant when he gets the chance to put his stamp on a game. He could continue the trend against the Texans mediocre run defense this week.
3. Ryan Tannehill was still very good in this game, but the Titans had to settle for six field goals and they lost Taylor Lewan to a shoulder injury in a sign of eroding effectiveness even against a poor defense. If they do play vs. Pittsburgh this week, Tannehill won’t be among our top streamers, and Corey Davis, and Adam Humphries won’t be top WR3/Flex considerations.
4. It’s just not happening for Irv Smith yet this year and Jefferson’s breakout game probably closes the door.
CAR @ LAC
1. Mike Davis got fed targets for the second straight week, and in much greater quantity than Christian McCaffrey did in a curious development. He’ll remain a solid RB2 in PPR leagues, but if you don’t need him, sell him to the highest bidder.
2. Justin Herbert looked more like a rookie in this one, and it could encourage Anthony Lynn to go back to Tyrod Taylor. If Herbert stays in, this game was heartening for Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen teams.
3. Joshua Kelley was a hot Week 3 waiver wire pickup, but this game was confirmation that he is game script dependent. If the Chargers can’t put together a favorable game script against the Panthers, then Kelley is looking like more of a what the heck flex than an RB2 heading into a tough matchup with Tampa.
4. Mike Williams was already looking like the one Chargers pass catcher who lost value with the quarterback change and now he’s got a hamstring injury that caused him to leave the game. He’s not an essential hold in short bench leagues.
5. The Panthers leading for most of the game kept down the production of Robby Anderson and DJ Moore. Good thing that is not likely to happen often this year.
NYJ @ IND
1. Mo Alie-Cox only ran eight routes but scored and had a 45-yard catch among them. Will the Colts appeal to his talent and increase his role, keeping him fantasy relevant, or will he be relegated to a small role. Jack Doyle isn’t known for his durability, Philip Rivers loves throwing to tight ends, and the Colts are down to two healthy experienced wide receivers, so I’m not betting against Alie-Cox. Doyle isn’t worth rostering.
2. This was a good spot for TY Hilton and didn’t do anything to help our fantasy teams. The loss of Michael Pittman narrows the target tree further, although this is going to be a low volume pass offense when the team controls the game, so Hilton might be a matchup WR3/Flex. The Bears aren’t an obviously good or bad matchup for him this week.
3. Jonathan Taylor did ok against a stout run defense, but it’s hard to miss that Jordan Wilkins has been as effective, if not more effective than the vaunted rookie. If Taylor goes down, Wilkins will be a hot pickup, so he’s worth adding to the end of your bench in deep leagues.
4. Nyheim Hines at least got some touches, and the loss of another wide receiver could help him be a more reliable upside flex play.
5. Sam Darnold looks miserable out there and we will want to play every defense against them. It will be interesting to watch how the Jets respond if they are indeed playing to save Adam Gase’s job vs. Denver.
6. Michael Pittman went out with compartment syndrome and will miss a month or more, so Zach Pascal becomes a long bench league add.
7. Braxton Berrios is Darnold’s guy on downfield passes and he’ll be a viable desperation play against Denver assuming Jamison Crowder isn’t ready to go on a short week of rest.
DAL @ SEA
1. Chris Carson went out with a knee injury on a dirty play - it was a defender wrenching his leg not anything that would indicate an injury prone nature. He’ll miss one or two weeks with a minor sprain, and should be back after the Week 6 bye. Carlos Hyde will be a decent RB2 option while Carson is out and Travis Homer could see more work.
2. Just enjoy watching Russell Wilson play. If DK Metcalf hadn’t pulled up on a long score and let Trevon Diggs punch the ball out his hand and through the endzone, Wilson would have had an even bigger afternoon.
3. Cedrick Wilson never showed us he can’t play, he just couldn’t stay on the field. He’ll get the best matchup in four wide sets (RIP Blake Jarwin 2020 breakout season) and has injury upside. Make sure he is rostered in all but short bench leagues.
4. Dak Prescott is going to push for QB1 overall in fantasy leagues and he’s productive enough (at least against a defense like Seattle without Jamal Adams) to make four wide receivers relevant.
5. Dalton Schultz wasn’t overly impressive, but the nature of his role in this offense will keep him in streaming consideration against the Browns this week.
6. Greg Olsen made his early pick six vs. the Patriots right with a good performance and is back in streaming consideration against the Dolphins this week.
DET @ ARI
1. Maybe the Lions wouldn’t have drafted two backs in the second round in the last three years if they knew Adrian Peterson would become available? They gave him the lead back job in the win. Kerryon Johnson is droppable and D’Andre Swift is right on the edge of droppable as long as this continues.
2. Kenyan Drake is going to break out one of these games. Kyler Murray keeps vulturing rushing scores and short passes to Andy Isabella at the goal line finished drives instead of Drake runs in this loss. Buy low.
3. Isabella was known more for his speed than route running coming out of Umass, but he was able to create separation on short routes near the goal line and probably cemented that he will stay part of the offense when Christian Kirk returns, making it easier to drop Kirk. Isabella might be the better hold if you want to roster a secondary Cardinals wide receiver.
4. Matthew Stafford looked more comfortable with Kenny Golladay back and Golladay rewarded anyone who trusted him in his first week back. Stafford is streamable again vs. New Orleans and Golladay is back to being a must start.
5. TJ Hockenson’s targets are trending up and even though his production has been modest, he should stay in lineups against the Saints after they gave up eight catches and a score to Packers tight ends.
6. Kyler Murray had three interceptions and was outplayed as a passer by Stafford in the difference in the game. It doesn’t affect his fantasy outlook but still shows the potential cracks in his game when forecasting game scripts.
TB @ DEN
1. Ronald Jones II, not Leonard Fournette was in at the end of the game to ice the win, which was when Fournette did most of his damage in Week 2. Tampa backs will continue to be frustrating to carry and consider in fantasy lineups.
2. Chris Godwin went down with a hamstring injury that could cause a multi-week absence. Mike Evans will be a better play while Godwin is out and OJ Howard and Rob Gronkowski both creep into streaming tight end consideration against the Chargers. Scotty Miller caught a long ball against Denver and is a viable desperation play as long as Godwin is out.
3. Tom Brady wasn’t shortchanged for fantasy by pass interference calls or drops in this one. The Broncos defense will remain one to target except that their offense is so bad that the second half will be garbage time, and that’s what kept Brady from having an even bigger day.
4. Jeff Driskel was terrible and won’t be starting for the Broncos again. Brett Rypien gets the start in Week 4 against the Jets. Rypien favored Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick when he got on the field at the end of the loss to Tampa.
5. Phillip Lindsay is due back soon and Melvin Gordon has done nothing to encourage the team to make him the clear starter after beginning the season with an RBBC approach.
GB @ NO
1. Alvin Kamara is the Saints offense. Congrats if you got him on a small dip during drafts when his contract status was up in the air.
2. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t need Davante Adams to have a big game and lead his team to a big road win. He used his tight ends and secondary receivers to keep the Saints defense guessing all night.
3. Allen Lazard vastly outplayed Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who at least drew a pass interference in the end zone. Lazard will remain startable against Atlanta even Adams is ready to return.
4. Robert Tonyan Jr has been a Rodgers favorite for a while and he actually produced a fantasy worthy line. We’ll see if the tight end involvement (Jace Sternberger also had three catches) persists after Adams returns.
5. Jared Cook went down with an ankle injury, which could allow rookie Adam Trautman to get more playing time in Week 4 against Detroit.
KC @ BAL
1. Marquise Brown was a dud, but if Lamar Jackson had put a little air under the pass when Brown roasted his man downfield, he would have had a long score and we would have forgiven him.
2. Mecole Hardman was still fourth among Chiefs wideouts in snaps, but he was a good WR3/Flex play with a long score and another that went off of his fingertips. He reminded us why he’s worth rostering and occasionally trusting in our lineup.
3. Gus Edwards looked like a much better runner than Mark Ingram and JK Dobbins looked like a better receiver out of the backfield. Ingram’s clock of fantasy relevance is ticking and Edwards should be added in deep leagues.
4. Lamar Jackson was let down by drops, but he was also pressing a bit in this high profile matchup. It’s a good moment to make a buy low offer.
5. Patrick Mahomes II was nearly flawless and lifted the whole offense in what was supposed to be a tough matchup at Baltimore.
6. Clyde Edwards-Helaire continued to show the ability to grind out tough yards and Week 3 was his best pass catching week yet. A monster week is coming soon.
7. Mark Andrews struggled with drops, but it’s not his fault Nick Boyle got the long score instead of him. Like Jackson and Brown, it’s a good moment to make a buy low offer.
