Week 3 was an absolute bloodbath, with numerous players going down with injuries. So if you are struggling with who to start or sit in their absence, we have got you covered. @FFShaneB has got your weekly starts, while @MattFFDynasty gives you his sits for Week 3.
Quarterback
Starts
Start Of The Week
Gardner Minshew (JAX) Vs MIA
Gardner Minshew is our QB start of the week as he is playing Miami’s defense on Thursday night. He has had two solid games from a fantasy perspective against better defenses than Miami, so I expect him to keep that trend up. 3 TDs against the Colts and the Titans making 3 TDs versus Miami an expectation? I think so. Start Minshew Mania
Ryan Fitzpatrick (MIA) @ JAX
Fitzpatrick is also playing Thursday night against the Jags young defense. He has not looked great, but has had to play New England who is always worth their salt on defense, and Buffalo who is known as one of the best defenses in the league. I expect a bounce-back game from ole FitzMagic this week and we could have a high scoring Thursday night game since both of these defenses are not great.
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) Vs HOU
Big Ben is our third start this week. He has performed admirably coming back from surgery and I think he could continue to have a good season against Houston. They have allowed 33.5 points per game and this Steelers offense is talented when Ben is the QB, so I expect a good game from them this week as well.
Sits
Sit Of The Week
Daniel Jones (NYG) Vs SF
It was a tough week for Jones in Week 2 finishing as the QB31 against the Chicago Bears. Now he faces another tough matchup against the 49ers, and while they are missing one or two key pieces of their defense, so is Daniel Jones following the injuries to RB Saquon Barkley and WR Sterling Shepard. The Giants look to be in a bit of a mess now and I'd be avoiding them in fantasy for the time being.
Baker Mayfield (CLE) Vs WAS
While Mayfield looked better in Week 2 against the Bengals, it was more of an improved real-life performance, rather than fantasy performance. Now he has to face Washington's 1st round rookie pick, Chase Young, who has looked fantastic so far. Mayfield is going to be under pressure a lot this week and will likely lean on his RBs (Nick Chubb & Kareem Hunt) again after their strong week 2 performances.
Phillip Rivers (IND) Vs NYJ
Similarly to Mayfield, Philip Rivers is on an offense that is going to revolve around its RBs rather than their passing weapons, and Jonathan Taylor will look to handle a large workload again in Week 3. I'd avoid starting Rivers most weeks unless you have no other option.
Running Back
Starts
Start Of The Week
Jonathan Taylor (IND) Vs NYJ
I really could just say that it’s the Jets and be done with this one. JONATHAN TAYLOR IS PLAYING THE JETS YOU BETTER START HIM BECAUSE ADAM GASE SUCKS AS A HEAD COACH. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. Jerrick McKinnon and Raheem Mostert combined for 169 yards on 11 carries against this defense last week. The Colts O Line is ridiculous and Taylor is better than both of those backs. He is going to have a field day.
Austin Ekeler (LAC) Vs CAR
Ekeler is playing the Panthers. The Panthers let Josh Jacobs run AND catch all over them. Ekeler should have a very good day and make him worth that draft capital you spent on him. If Herbert plays, expect him to get more check-downs too. Ekeler is a great play this week.
Kenyan Drake (ARI) Vs DET
Detroit gave up 200+ yards and 3 TDs to Aaron Jones last week. Drake and this high flying offense are a must-start this week as he should be poised for a good day against this abysmal defense.
Sits
Sit Of The Week
Melvin Gordon (DEN) Vs TB
While Gordon figures to be the lead back once again this week against the Buccaneers, my big worry is the injuries to QB Drew Lock and WR Courtland Sutton. I feel this offense is going to struggle to adjust and the Buccaneers are going to be looking to keep Gordon quiet. I'd be tempering expectations in Week 3 with Gordon.
Mark Ingram (BAL) Vs KC
Ingram had a bounce-back in Week 2 but I still wouldn't start him this week, especially against the reigning Super Bowl champions. The Ravens are going to have to try and contain this high powered offense otherwise they will be chasing the game for most of the evening on MNF. So with that, plus the fact that fellow RBs J.K Dobbins and Gus Edwards are seeing snaps, I have little confidence starting Ingram.
David Johnson (HOU) @ PIT
After an impressing start to the season, Johnson came back down to earth with just 7 points (PPR) against the Ravens in Week 2. He now has to play against the Steelers, whose defense has been highly impressive so far. I'm expecting another down week from DJ.
Wide Receiver
Starts
Start Of The Week
Allen Robinson (CHI) @ ATL
Atlanta’s defense is bad. They have given up 38+ points in both games this year and given up 90+ yards to 2 receivers in each game they played, so 180 yards per game given up to WRs. Allen Robinson is Mitch’s go to target and is extremely talented with a good matchup. Take advantage of that this week.
Mike Williams (LAC) Vs CAR
Mike Williams is playing Carolina who has a very young and bad defense. Their rookie #1 corner will most likely be on Keenan Allen (who should also have a good day) meaning that Williams should feast on their corner 2. Williams is a similar build and play style to Mike Evans who just had a very good day against this Carolina defense without Chris Godwin.
Corey Davis (TEN) @ MIN
Minnesota’s defense has not been good so far this year. They gave up a 40 burger to the Packers and gave up 28 to the Colts last week. Davis has proven that this is his year so far with 13 targets and a TD. IF AJ Brown is out this is no question a start for me, but even if Brown plays I am starting Davis this week.
Sits
Sit Of The Week
Mike Evans (TB) @ DEN
Evans had a solid performance against the Panthers last week, but I sadly can't see that carrying on into Week 3. The Panthers are looking like a poor defense this season and Evans took advantage of that, but that isn't the case with the Broncos and with the likely return of WR Chris Godwin, I believe Evans takes a step back again in Week 3.
Adam Thielen (MIN) VS TEN
Thielen disappointed owners last week, but the blame could be put on QB Kirk Cousins's performance after throwing for only 113 yards and 3 INTs against the Colts. However, it's now another tough matchup against the Titans who will look to keep Thielen quiet as the Vikings top passing option.
Cooper Kupp (LAR) Vs BUF
The Rams go up against an impressive Bills defense this week, and I expect them to make this week tough for the Rams pass catchers. TE Tyler Higbee looks to be the new RedZone target this season which was a big part of Kupp's success last season. Better games are to come for Kupp, but I get the feeling it won't be this week.
Tight End
Starts
Start Of The Week
Zach Ertz/Dallas Goedert (PHI) Vs CIN
Start Zach Ertz AND Dallas Goedert. They have both been receiving loads of targets and are facing a not great Cincinnati defense. Expect the Eagles and Wentz to end their losing streak and Ertz and Goedert to continue their production.
Jonnu Smith (TEN) @ MIN
Jonnu Smith is the MAN! He had his breakout game last week against the Jags and I expect him to continue. Minnesota overall has not been great as a defense this year. Mo Alie-Cox TORE them up last week with over 100 yards and a TD. MO ALIE-COX!! Jonnu is a better TE than MAC so fire him up this week.
Mike Gesicki (MIA) @ JAX
Mike Gesicki came on at the end of last week’s game for the Dolphins with 130 yards and a TD. He is playing a Jacksonville defense that is not great and just let Jonnu Smith go off. You should start Gesicki because he is an athletic freak like Smith and should have a very good day.
Sits
Sit Of The Week
T.J Hockenson (DET) Vs CHI
Hockenson has made a strong start to the season, however, I feel that the strong start could be about to slow down in Week 3. WR Kenny Golladay looks to be returning from injury this week and they are also playing the Cardinals this week. Last season they really struggled against the TE position, however, in 2020 the Cardinals have only allowed 11 receptions for 84 yards and 0 TDs.
Eric Ebron (PIT) Vs HOU
In the offseason, we hoped Ebron could be in line for a solid fantasy season after joining the Steelers. However, he's made a slow start, with Big Ben favoring his WRs such as JuJu Smith-Schuster and Dionte Johnson so far. Rookie WR Chase Claypool is also a big body pass-catcher who will be competition to Ebron for RedZone targets. Ebron won't be getting near my lineup for now.
Greg Olsen (SEA) Vs DAL
The TE position isn't one that QB Russell Wilson has been looking to target so far this season, and I cant see that changing against the Cowboys. Also, with Will Dissly back this season I expect him to compete for touches with Olsen after looking good last season before his season-ending injury. Olsen is a low tier TE for me, not just this week, but season long.
Defense
Starts
Start Of The Week
Indianapolis Colts Vs NYJ
The Colts looked NASTY on defense last week picking off Kirk Cousins 3 times and forcing a piss poor completion percentage for him. They are facing a worse team in the Jets this week and should be your starter this week.
Los Angeles Chargers Vs CAR
Tennessee Titans @ MIN
Pittsburgh Steelers Vs HOU
Sits
Sit Of The Week
Seattle Seahawks Vs DAL
The Seahawks have given up 55 points after 2 weeks and now play the high powered Dallas Cowboys offense. I expect this to be another shootout with both QBs coming of great Week 2 games. If I want any part of this game is offensive players rather than the defenses.
Minnesota Vikings Vs TEN
Chicago Bears @ ATL
Green Bay Packers Vs NO
L.A Rams @ BUF
Thanks for reading. Be sure to keep an eye out every Wednesday for our weekly start/sit article with the @FF_Astronauts. Follow @FFShaneB and @MattFFDynasty on twitter for more Fantasy Football content throughout the season.
