Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 3.
Notes:
• Nick Chubb’s gruesome injury on Sept. 18 is a reminder why so many are big on the zero running back strategy in fantasy football. Chubb, Saquon Barkley and Austin Ekeler were selected with high draft picks and will miss significant time. Jerome Ford becomes the Browns’ starter and should be picked up in all leagues.
• We are starting to see some clarity in certain running back rooms around the league. Brian Robinson is the guy in Washington. Raheem Mostert is running away with the job in Miami, and the job will be his even when Jeff Wilson returns. Jahmyr Gibbs is going to get more opportunities with the injury to David Montgomery. You can start these guys with confidence.
• On the flip side, we are scratching our heads about some situations. The Eagles are in a good spot as a team with Kenneth Gainwell and D’Andre Swift both taking advantage of their touches. For fantasy purposes, it’s a guessing game as to who leads the team in carries moving forward. The Jets are on the other end of the spectrum as Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook have done very little in their first two games. I’m still waiting to see how these backfields play out.
• It’s hard to understand what exactly the Rams are doing with Cam Akers. He was in the doghouse last year and was benched as the team explored trading him. Then, Akers was one of the best backs in the league in December and the team did little to add competition. Fast forward to now, he’s a healthy inactive and back on the trade block. I’m adding Kyren Williams in all leagues and I’m keeping Akers on my roster until we see where he lands in a trade.
• Speaking of the Rams, they are off to an explosive start and have a young group of players who need to be rostered. I mentioned Williams above. He has four touchdowns and leads all running backs in targets after two games. What we are witnessing from Puka Nacua is unworldly with 25 receptions in two games to start his career, but don’t forget about Tutu Atwell. His role is likely to take the biggest dip when Cooper Kupp returns, but until that happens, Atwell is a solid WR3.
• The Bengals’ offense has been a shell of itself to start the season, but we’ve seen this script before (pun intended). Joe Burrow is still nursing a calf injury and the rest of the playmakers have done little as a result. I’m not panicking about any of the Bengals and as you can see below, I’m targeting them in trade talks this week.
• Players to keep an eye on as the week progresses: Anthony Richardson, Davante Adams and Jaylen Waddle. All will need to pass concussion protocol to play in Week 3.
• It’s another week of two games being played on Monday night. Let’s hope the action this week is better than in Week 2.
• Remember to check the weather heading into Sunday for your kicker selection. The weather on the East Coast the first two weeks is a reminder of why to do so.
Thursday Night Game: Giants vs. 49ers
Sunday Night Game: Steelers vs. Raiders
Monday Night Game: Eagles vs. Buccaneers and Rams vs. Bengals
Top Pickups of the Week: Jared Goff, Jordan Love, Jerome Ford, Kyren Williams, Zack Moss, Puka Nacua, Nico Collins, Zach Ertz
Buy Low: Joe Burrow, Isiah Pacheco, Dameon Pierce, Ja’Marr Chase, Jahan Dotson, Dallas Goedert
Sell High: Justin Fields, AJ Dillon, Gabe Davis, Mark Andrews
Send to the Waiver Wire: D’Onta Foreman, Rashaad Penny, Quentin Johnston, Kadarius Toney, Darnell Mooney, Chig Okonkwo
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Geno Smith
Running Back: Jahmyr Gibbs
Wide Receiver: Nico Collins
Tight End: Hunter Henry
Defense: Jaguars
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Daniel Jones
Running Back: AJ Dillon
Wide Receiver: Marquise Brown
Tight End: Kyle Pitts
Defense: Commanders
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford
Running Back: Jerome Ford
Wide Receiver: Tutu Atwell
Tight End: Zach Ertz
Defense: Raiders
NFL Picks for Week 3
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 20-12)
49ers (vs. Giants)
Browns (vs. Titans)
Vikings (vs. Chargers)
Lions (vs. Falcons)
Ravens (vs. Colts)
Saints (vs. Packers)
Patriots (vs. Jets)
Dolphins (vs. Broncos)
Jaguars (vs. Texans)
Bills (vs. Commanders)
Seahawks (vs. Panthers)
Chiefs (vs. Bears)
Cowboys (vs. Cardinals)
Raiders (vs. Steelers)
Eagles (vs. Buccaneers)
Bengals (vs. Rams)
Five Picks Against The Spread (Season Record: 7-3)
Saints +1.5 vs. Packers
Bears +13.5 vs. Chiefs
Cowboys -12.5 vs. Cardinals
Raiders +1.5 vs. Steelers
Eagles -5.5 vs. Buccaneers
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 7-3)
Vikings-Chargers Over 54.5
Falcons-Lions Over 45.5
Bills-Commanders Over 44.5
Panthers-Seahawks Under 42.5
Rams-Bengals Over 43.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Sam Howell finishes as a top-5 fantasy QB against Cardinals (miss)
Week 2: Michael Thomas leads all players in receiving yards in the two Monday night games (miss)
Week 3: Justin Fields leads the league in rushing yards in an effort to keep up with the Chiefs
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox