Week 2 was one crazy week! There were numerous surprise performances including some huge games from guys like Derrick Henry & Aaron Jones but also some poor showing from usual fantasy studs such as Alvin Kamara & Tyreek Hill!
Hopefully we return to some normality in Week 3, and if you're looking for help with your Start/Sits dilemmas, @K_H_Ray, @ZTwiceFF, & @MattFFDynasty have you covered after reviewing this weeks game slate.
Quarterback
Starts
Start Of The Week
Daniel Jones Vs ATL (@MattFFDynasty)
Despite the poor start NYG have made to the season, Daniel Jones is currently a Top 5 fantasy QB, and this week he faces ATL who have given up the most fantasy points per game to the QB position (29.1). If Jones can take a step forward throwing the ball this week against such a porous defense, then we could be in for another solid fantasy week from Daniel Jones with his rushing upside.
Sam Darnold @ HOU (@K_H_Ray)
Oh, what a change of scenery (and some decent coaching) can do! Darnold and the Panthers offense has looked great so far this season, most recently against a Saints defense who many hold in high regard. The Carolina QB has posted back-to-back weeks with over 250 yards passing and multiple TDs. Next up are the Texans on Thursday night where he should continue his hot start.
Justin Fields @ CLE (@ZTwiceFF)
This may be somewhat of a homer pick but I truly believe Fields will have a good week assuming Dalton is out. Last week's stat line in relief didn't look good but he had a perfect deep ball that Robinson should have caught for a TD and a run in the redzone that would've been a score had he not stepped out of bounds. If those plays go his way he's would have had nearly 20 fantasy points in half a game. The Cleveland defense will be a good test but Fields has a safe floor with upside due to his rushing ability.
Sits
Sit of the Week
Jameis Winston @ NE (@MattFFDynasty)
Winston had a shocking Week 2 against CAR with just 111 passing yards including 2 INTs and I can't see it getting any easier for him this week against NE, who already have 5 INTs in their first 2 games. This could be a slow-paced game with these 2 strong defenses so I’d be fading Winston as NO looks to lean on their star RB Alvin Kamara as much as possible.
Matthew Stafford Vs TB (@K_H_Ray)
Personally, I hope Stafford proves me wrong and comes out firing against Brady and the Bucs on Sunday. In reality, it's hard to feel confident in the Rams signal-caller this week with such a tough defensive matchup. Yes, this could turn into a shoot-out, but I think its more likely that two of the leagues best defenses give us a show, with QBs lying on the turf more than celebrating in the end zone. Stafford is a fade for me this week.
Ben Roethlisberger Vs CIN (@ZTwiceFF)
Big Ben has quite frankly not looked great this year. He now has an injured pectoral muscle and likely lost his top receiving option for a couple of weeks with Diontae Johnson going down with a knee injury. Cincinnati doesn't have a great defense but I'm not trusting the banged-up 39-year-old QB this week.
Running Back
Starts
Start Of The Week
Chris Carson @ MIN (@K_H_Ray)
Mr. Consistency himself. Carson has a high floor on a week to week basis given his rushing attempts and involvement in the passing game. He's also a true #1 coming out of the backfield having played 70% of Seattles offensive snaps through two weeks. That's more than the likes of Ekeler (60%), Edmonds (61%), A. Jones (60%), Taylor (50%). This week the Seahawks are on the road vs the Vikings who gave up 150 total yards and a score to Joe Mixon in Week 1. Feel good starting CC this week.
Chase Edmonds @ JAX (@MattFFDynasty)
This matchup is lining up to be a potential shootout and while ARI have plenty of strong options at WR, Edmonds has been contributing both on the ground and through the air this season. He's currently the RB18 (PPR) and has averaged 13.5 FPPG in his first 2 games despite sharing the backfield with James Conner (who hasn't made a great start to the season). Edmonds could be a dark horse for a solid Week 3 performance, especially if he takes on a larger role after Conners struggles.
Saquon Barkley Vs ATL (@ZTwiceFF)
We've got people saying sit him because he's a bust due to his injuries. I'm not ready to give up on Saquon. We always expected him to be eased back in and we can't base season-long expectations off of two games. He showed he still is explosive with his long run early in the first half last week. After playing 84% of the snaps last week, I'm expecting him to get back to his normal ways this week against Atlanta.
Sits
Sit of the Week
Mark Ingram Vs CAR (@K_H_Ray)
Even though it's unlikely many fantasy managers are relying on Ingram at this point in the season, Ingram is still worth a designated "Sit" this week. In the most dire of RB situations, one could be convinced that Ingram is viable. "He's getting at least 15 touches a game." "Houston will rely on the run game with a rookie QB playing." Both of these things may be true. But remember this, Ingram is still a non-factor in the passing game and is facing the Panthers this Thursday night, currently the No.1 defense against the run this season. If he's on your roster, he belongs on the bench in Week 3.
Antonio Gibson @ BUF (@MattFFDynasty)
After the optimism of Gibson’s usage Week 1, it sadly didn't materialize Week 2 as McKissic came back to vulture his targets share. Now he has to face a strong BUF defense who ranks Top 3 against opposing RBs in fantasy points allowed (7.9) so far this season. WAS may lean on Gibson early but if the game starts to get away from them they may be forced to throw it more and that's where McKissic will start to be involved more and eat into Gibson's snap share.
Darrell Henderson Vs TB (@ZTwiceFF)
The most recent reports with Henderson were that McVay was optimistic he'd be able to play. With the combination of the questionable health and facing a top-run defense in Tampa, I'd avoid Henderson if possible.
Wide Receiver
Starts
Start Of The Week
AJ Brown Vs IND (@ZTwiceFF)
So far the 2021 season has been a disappointment for Brown and the Titans passing game. Against Seattle, he uncharacteristically only caught 3/9 targets for 43 yards. This week he's got an Indianapolis team that has given up big games to Tyler Lockett and Cooper Kupp. I am not worried about the ultra-talented Brown and expect him to get back on track this week.
DeVonta Smith @ DAL (@MattFFDynasty)
After an impressive Week 1, Smith came back down to earth with a poor Week 2 (2/16/0). However, he actually took a step forward in target share for PHI (23% to 29%) and he’s in the 93rd %tile in Air Yards Per Game at 113 yards. The opportunity is there for Smith as the team's WR1, and facing DAL this week who are Bottom 6 in fantasy points allowed to opposing WRs. Smith could be in line for a bounce-back week.
JuJu Smith-Schuster Vs CIN (@K_H_Ray)
Just because Big Ben may be a fade this week doesn't mean that Juju should be as well. Number 19 has a high weekly floor and has a 20% target share. Through two weeks he has 10 receptions on 15 targets. This weeks matchup, however, is less about Juju and more about Pittsburgh's lead receiver Diontae Johnson who is banged up with a knee injury. Even if Diontae plays, I like the Steelers relying more on Smith-Schuster against a Cincinnati defense that doesn't scare you. Dink n' dunk your way to victory!!!
Sits
Sit of the Week
Brandin Cooks Vs CAR (@MattFFDynasty)
Despite the state of this HOU team, Cooks has managed to make a strong start to the season with QB Tyrod Taylor. He’s currently the WR12 but there are 2 big concerns with his Week 3 matchup. He plays CAR who have been solid against the pass so far this year but also, he’s lost his starting QB Tyrod Taylor to injury, so will now have rookie Davis Mills throwing him the ball. It’s going to be a tough debut for the rookie, and I expect that to hinder Cooks performance this week.
Marquez Callaway @ NE (@K_H_Ray)
The preseason darling has yet to put up productive numbers, most recently finishing with a 2-8-0 line against the Panthers. With several coaches missing the game due to a COVID-19 outbreak, the entire New Orleans offense struggled to move the chains. Although the Saints will likely rebound, I won't feel confident starting Callaway until he has at least two meaningful fantasy weeks. If that weren't enough, he now faces a New England secondary that has been effective at limiting receivers so far this year (8th best vs the pass).
Jaylen Waddle @ LV (@ZTwiceFF)
Waddle played really well in week 1 but the offense as a whole struggled last week against Buffalo. This week Fuller is likely to return and Tua has officially been ruled out with a rib injury. There is a chance for Waddle to have a respectable day this week but there are too many variables involved with the Miami offense led by Jacoby Brissett. Not to mention the Raiders defense has looked surprisingly good this year with a high-end pass rush led by Max Crosby.
Tight End
Starts
Start Of The Week
Dallas Goedert @ DAL (@K_H_Ray)
I get it. You never want to see a player get just targets in a game. But neither offense could gain traction during Philly's defensive battle against the Niners last week. Up next for the Phanatics are the Cowboys who have yet to prove they can limit opposing pass catchers. Couple that with Zack Ertz being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Goedert shouldn't have any trouble finding opportunities Monday night.
Kyle Pitts @ NYG (@MattFFDynasty)
Another rookie selection for me this week, but Kyle Pitts isn't your average rookie TE! He’s already the TE8 so far and looks to be primed for a big fantasy week. He’s averaged 7 targets per game and given the state of the TE position, that opportunity alone makes him a safe option. This week Pitts faces NYG who have a history of struggling against TEs and he is looking like one of ATL’s most dangerous weapons already. I expect another strong showing from Pitts this week.
Austin Hooper Vs CHI (@ZTwiceFF)
The already slim pass-catching group for Cleveland just got thinner with Jarvis Landry being put on IR. There is a chance for Odell to play this week but even with that there is not much competition for targets with Austin Hopper. At the TE position I always chase volume and for those that stream the position, Hooper is a good option this week with Chicago coming to town.
Sits
Sit of the Week
Gerald Everett @ MIN (@ZTwiceFF)
I really like Everett as a breakout candidate coming into the season but so far he has lacked any involvement in the Seattle offense outside of a week 1 TD. With only 4 total targets on the season, he is a TD-dependent TE that should only be played for desperate teams.
Logan Thomas @ BUF (@MattFFDynasty)
It’s hard to find many TEs I’d be happy to start given the way this season has begun for the position. However, Thomas is probably one of the better TEs who I would at least temper expectations on this week. I mentioned earlier how good the Bills have been against the run, but they are also just as strong against the pass too and have given up the 2nd least passing yards to opposing teams so far this year (161 yards per game). This whole offense could struggle but as mentioned at the start, it's hard to sit any TE who has some level of involvement in an offense, so rather than sit, just temper expectations with Thomas this week.
Waiver Recap
Thanks for reading. Be sure to keep an eye out for both our weekly articles, Tuesday Waiver Targets & Wednesday Start/Sit and Waiver Recap with the @FF_Astronauts. Follow @K_H_Ray, @ZTwiceFF, & @MattFFDynasty on Twitter for more Fantasy Football content throughout the season, and hit us up with any of your Start/Sit or Waiver questions.
