The Fanatics Sit/Start Advice for Week 3
Welcome to week 3. Now that we have two weeks in the books we are starting to see some things take shape. For starters, any guys you have playing against Miami are now must starts. So take note that I will not be mentioning any players in the start section if they are playing Miami because that is now a universal declaration of starting all guys against Miami, and in reverse, I am not sure any players on Miami are worth considering to start so you will not see them in the sit section. So we still have 30 other teams to choose from so let’s jump right in.
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Quarterback
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Matthew Stafford (DET) @ PHI
It is no secret that the Lions have wanted to focus on running the ball this year, which has caused many people to shy away from Stafford this season. Rightfully so I would add. However, this week the Lions face a good run defense in the Eagles, but the Eagles secondary is among the leagues worst. I think this is going to force the Lions hand into passing more this week then they really wanted to this year, but you gotta do what you gotta do to win games and passing the ball, which Stafford is more than capable of doing, is going to be needed this week. So start Stafford with confidence that he will be throwing a lot this weekend.
Other Starts
- Jimmy Garoppolo (SF) vs PIT
- Jameis Winston (TB) vs NYG
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Aaron Rodgers (GB) vs DEN
Rodgers is not on this list because I think he is going to tank this week, it’s more because I think they will run the ball a lot and Rodgers will be efficient with his dropbacks. He should have a good game if you are a Packers fan, but if he is your fantasy quarterback it might not be what you want or have come to expect from him. I am thinking low 200’s for yards and one touchdown maybe two. Bottom line there are a lot of good quarterbacks out there these days and I think there are plenty that will put up more fantasy points this week than Rodgers.
Other Sits
- Derek Carr (OAK) @ MIN
- Jacoby Brissett (IND) vs ATL
Running Back
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
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Chris Thompson (WAS) vs CHI
Thompson is looking like the Thompson we had a few years ago in 2017 when he was a big weapon for the Redskins before he got hurt. This week he faces a tough Bears defense, that actually gave up nine receptions for 78 yards to Bronco’s running backs last week. Sometimes the best way to slow down an aggressive defense is to suck them in and dump it off to your back for long gains in open space, which is exactly where Thompson excels. This start pick is better for PPR formats for the record, but he could still end up with a solid amount of receiving yards to even give him decent value in standard leagues as well.
Other Starts
- Royce Freeman (DEN) @ GB
- Frank Gore (BUF) vs CIN
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Chris Carson (SEA) vs NO
I am not so concerned about the match up here as I am more concerned with two lost fumbles in the first two weeks of the season. The fumbles do not seem to have put Carson in the dog house as of now, but I think it is opening the door for Rashaad Penny to see more action. We all know Seattle likes to run the ball and having a guy fumbling it every game is going to last very long. So as Carson sees his carries go from 20 plus a game to less than 15 a game his value drops considerably as well. Pretty soon I think Carson will become the dreaded touchdown-dependent running back, especially in PPR formats.
Other Sits
- Mark Ingram (BAL) @ KC
- Adrian Peterson (WAS) vs CHI
Wide Receiver
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Chris Godwin (TB) vs NYG
Godwin owes a big thank you to Mike Evans these days. I do not mean that as a shot at Godwin’s ability, because I think he is a very good receiver and could be a number one on many teams. Rather having a stud like Evans out there means Godwin will have the advantage most weeks he steps on the field. This week will be no exception either. The Giants have given up a ton of yards to wide receivers this season and they should give up a ton more this weekend as the Bucs look to build on the solid performance from last week. I am expecting another week of Evans getting the most attention on defense and Godwin having room to operate and produce some solid numbers.
Other Starts
- Kenny Golladay (DET) @ PHI
- D.J. Moore (CAR) @ ARI
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
T.Y. Hilton (IND) vs ATL
Without touchdowns, Hilton goes from the eighth-best receiver in the NFL to the 41st. Now I know touchdowns are part of the game and we cannot just ignore them, but my point here is to show how touchdown-dependent he has been this season. So this is my warning that I do not think he finds the endzone this week thus creating a big drop in his value compared to the first two weeks of the season. Hilton may produce enough to hold some value, but I do not see him returning to the kind of numbers that he had with Andrew Luck running the show. He certainly will not be living up to his high WR2 to low WR1 values he used to get.
Other Sits
- Brandin Cooks (LAR) vs CLE
- Sammy Watkins (KC) vs BAL
Tight End
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Evan Engram (NYG) @ TB
Unlike the other new quarterbacks in the first two weeks, all of whom are starting because of injuries, Daniel Jones is starting to try to jump-start a team. Usually, when a new coach or quarterback is inserted to breathe life in a team, there is a bump in excitement for the team. Sometimes you get a little overachieving early on. This is what I think happens for the Giants this weekend. It might not result in a win for them but it should create some excitement for the offense. Which should result in guys like Engram getting a nice boost to their numbers this weekend.
Other Starts
- Kyle Rudolph (MIN) vs OAK
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
George Kittle (SF) vs PIT
Kittle is yet another victim of his situation. When Kittle is fed the ball he produces, but when his fellow receivers are healthy he is just a part of the plan and not the whole plan. As long as the offense is balanced Kittle will be hard to rely on most weeks. The biggest disappointment here is the draft capital spent on him versus the production his owners are getting. So throw in a game against a struggling Steelers team that might have their own issues moving the ball might mean a lot of running and clock management for the 49ers. Which is never good for guys that need to be few early and often.
Other Sits
- Jared Cook (NO) @ SEA
Defense
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
New England Patriots vs NYJ
Home game, third-string quarterback, a division rival, and just a more superior team. Do we really need to say anything else?
Other Starts
- Seattle Seahawks vs NO
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Baltimore Ravens @ KC
Historically the Ravens usually have a very good defense, but the Chiefs offense if historic. I just don’t see the Ravens defense do anything to score some points. Even sacks will be hard to come by for them.
Other Sits
- Cleveland Browns @ LAR
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