Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 3.
Notes:
• We are only two weeks into the season and teams are decimated by injuries. Here are the names already banged up: Christian McCaffrey, A.J. Brown, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Isiah Pacheco, Deebo Samuel, Kenneth Walker III, Evan Engram, David Njoku, Jake Ferguson, Jordan Love and Tua Tagovailoa. Make sure you are aggressive in finding replacements on the waiver wire.
• As someone still haunted by Alvin Kamara and the Christmas Day game in which he scored six touchdowns, Sunday seemed eerily similar. Kamara racked up 180 yards of total offense and four scores in Dallas. He is off to a blistering start and there is no reason to believe the success won’t continue against an Eagles defense that has allowed 150-plus rushing yards in both games.
• I insisted last week to keep rookie wideouts Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers in your starting lineups. I hope you did so, as they finished as WR1 and WR3 in Week 2. Both will be making plays in the NFL for a long time, and if you are in a dynasty league, you have hit the jackpot with either player.
• It’s been a rough start for tight ends. Isaiah Likely is still atop the position after his Week 1 performance, but he followed it up with just two catches for 26 yards on Sunday. Teammate Mark Andrews has scored just 9.5 points after two games. Sam LaPorta has scored 8.8 points. Travis Kelce has 6 points. You’re sticking with top guys, but it has been frustrating that players who required big draft capital have failed to produce.
• Players rising in my rest-of-season rankings include Josh Jacobs, Chris Godwin and Brock Bowers. Players who will drop in rankings are all the injured players as well as Tyreek Hill, Rachaad White and Christian Kirk.
• Because the fans keep asking for it (or the owners want more in their pockets), we have two Monday night games this week. Set your lineups accordingly.
• Remember to check the weather heading into Sunday for your kicker selection.
Thursday Night Game: Patriots at Jets
Sunday Night Game: Chiefs at Falcons
Monday Night Games: Jaguars at Bills and Commanders at Bengals
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Baker Mayfield
Running Back: Zach Charbonnet
Wide Receiver: Quentin Johnston
Tight End: Zach Ertz
Defense: Buccaneers
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford
Running Back: Ezekiel Elliott
Wide Receiver: Wan’Dale Robinson
Tight End: Cole Kmet
Defense: Eagles
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Andy Dalton
Running Back: Carson Steele
Wide Receiver: Jalen Nailor
Tight End: Greg Dulcich
Defense: Raiders
NFL Picks for Week 3
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 15-17)
Jets (vs. Patriots)
Chargers (vs. Steelers)
Colts (vs. Bears)
Texans (vs. Vikings)
Browns (vs. Giants)
Saints (vs. Eagles)
Buccaneers (vs. Broncos)
Packers (vs. Titans)
Raiders (vs. Panthers)
Seahawks (vs. Dolphins)
Lions (vs. Cardinals)
Ravens (vs. Cowboys)
49ers (vs. Rams)
Chiefs (vs. Falcons)
Bills (vs. Jaguars)
Bengals (vs. Commanders)
Five Against the Spread Picks (Season Record: 6-4)
Chargers +2 vs. Steelers
Texans -2.5 vs. Vikings
Ravens -1 vs. Cowboys
Falcons +4.5 vs. Chiefs
Commanders +8 vs. Bengals
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 6-4)
Patriots-Jets under 37.5
Giants-Browns under 38.5
Panthers-Raiders over 38
49ers-Rams under 43.5
Jaguars vs. Bills under 46
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Jayden Daniels finishes as a top-five fantasy QB against the Buccaneers. (Off to a good start!)
Week 2: Greg Dortch finishes as a top-25 WR against the Rams. (WR89 — Yikes!)
Week 3: Derek Carr makes it three straight weeks as a top-five fantasy QB against the Eagles.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox