NFL 2020 Fantasy Football Week 3 Start n Sits

Holy injuries Fantasy Aficionados’, if you still have a complete and viable fantasy team KUDOS to you. If not, I feel your pain and well look here for some waiver wire pick ups.

This is about your week three options for starts and sits.  First, let’s talk about week two. I horribly failed you (and myself) on advising to sit Ryan Tannehill…Derrick who?  Tannehill finished week two fantasy QB10 with 46.1 fantasy points ( per FantasyPros.com), that is a lot of points to be sitting on a bench (I know I sat him too)!  Damn TannThrill! 

If you started Nyheim Hines (as did I) WTF!  Hines had no rushing stats and only one target and one reception for four yards.  Totally unacceptable!  This is clearly the Jonathan Taylor show from here on out.  Philip Rivers went from having 46 passing attempts in week one to 25 in week two.  Taylor went from nine rushing attempts in week one to 26 rushing attempts in week two, he also had two targets.  The running back target ratio is low for a quarterback who has thrown to his running backs 38 percent of the time.  But with Taylor averaging 3.9 yards per attempt, it is clearly JT time in Indiana.  

Hopefully, you started Tyler Higbee and remained firmly on the Josh Allen train.  Speaking of trains…let’s move along and get to week three. 

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

MIAMI DOLPHINS v JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS, JAGUARS 3 POINT FAVORITE, 48.0 O/U

This has all the markingsers  of a good ole shoot-out.  Perhaps now is the time that you want to utilize some of that stock you have in Gardner Minshew?

START: MIKE GESICKI, TIGHT-END, MIAMI DOLPHINS: The status of DeVante Parker is uncertain.  He is “limited”.  Gesicki is starting to find his footing.  Last week he was on the field for 55 percent of the offensive snaps and hauled in eight receptions on 11 targets.  He finished with 129 yards and one touchdown.  

In week two the Jaguars allowed Tennessee Titans tight-end Jonnu Smith to get two touchdowns on four receptions. 

SIT: CHRIS THOMPSON, RUNNING BACK, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Thompson’s value has always been in the passing game.  It is clear that he is not a big factor in Minshew’s passing repertoire.  In two weeks Thompson has been targeted six times for five receptions, 26 yards and one touchdown.  With James Robinson and Laviska Shenault in the fold, it is too risky to roster Thompson.    

SUNDAY’S GAMES

NEW YORK JETS v INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, COLTS 10 POINT FAVORITE, 43.5 O/U

Just consider this, last week the Jets played the depleted roster of the San Francisco 49ers.  Players for the 49ers were dropping like a prom dress on prom night and the Jets still couldn’t score.  So this will be short and sweet. 

SIT: CHRIS HERNDON, TIGHT-END, NEW YORK JETS: While the offensive minds in New York have Herndon playing on 70 percent of the offensive snaps, he is blocking on 36 percent of those.  That materializes in four targets, one reception for five yards. Oh no thanks. 

START: MO ALLIE COX, TIGHT-END, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: The injury apocalypse did not escape the Indianapolis Colts in their week two win.  Wide receiver Paris Campbell is out and it is “too early to tell” if tight-end Jack Doyle will suit up week three. 

In week two Cox gave a glimpse of what all the hype had bee about.  He tied for team lead six targets, hauled in five receptions for 111 yards.  Combine that with the fact that in two weeks the Jets have yielded 10 receptions, 81 yards and two touchdowns to the tight end position. 

WASHINGTON v CLEVELAND BROWNS, BROWNS 7 POINT FAVORITE, 44 O/U

This is a game you  are going to start both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt with authority.  Just remember if you play IDP starting Washington’s rookie defensive end Chase Young also a good call. 

START: AUSTIN HOOPER, TIGHT-END, CLEVELAND BROWNS: The Washington Football team can stop the run.  They are 12th in opponent’s rushing yards per game yielding 108.5, and that stat is elevated due to Kyler Murray‘s performance last week.  ( I know but you can’t sit Chubb and Hunt).  Last Thursday the Browns discovered that quarterback Baker Mayfield is pretty okay in play-action (Hopefully where Chubb and Hunt also get some fantasy points).

The tight end will be pivotal in Mayfield getting the ball out.  In two weeks the tight end position has been targeted 14 times.  Hooper has six of those with a 67 percent catch rate.  His targets have doubled from week one to week two.  That is a trend that should continue in this short pass, run first offense. 

SIT: DWAYNE HASKINS, QUARTERBACK, WASHINGTON: I’m not sure who needs to hear this but Haskins is still struggling to find his form.  He has a 27.7 QBR (Pro Football Focus’ lowest among 33 qualified starters), he has a 56.3 completion percentage and he was sacked four times against Arizona.  

All those stats point to starting Cleveland defense. 

CAROLINA PANTHERS v LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, CHARGERS 7 POINT FAVORITE, 44 O/U

Last week the Chargers took the reigning Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs to overtime before they eventually lost to a 58-yard field goal.  Is it necessary to mention they did this with rookie quarterback Justin Herbert who found out he was starting at game time?  Now the question is who will the Chargers have under center for this game?

START: JOSHUA KELLEY, RUNNING BACK, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: Here is the conundrum, the productivity of both running backs appears quarterback dependent.  The Chargers run the ball on 58 percent of the snaps. 

While the Panthers are allowing 127.5 rushing yards per game, Herbert was more inclined to include the running backs in the passing game than was Tyrod Taylor in week one.  In week one the running backs saw one target, in week two they were on the receiving end of seven targets. 

Austin Ekeler is still the number one running back in LA, but Kelley was on the field for 52 percent of the offensive plays in week two (up from 27 percent in week one) and he appears to be the goal line option, he is tied for eight in red zone rushing attempts and has a 57 percent share of red zone attempts for the Chargers. 

SIT: CURTIS SAMUEL, WIDE RECEIVER, CAROLINA PANTHERS: There will be no Christian McCaffrey for defenses to worry about, and let’s be serious that was the only worry defenses had.  With McCaffrey the Panthers were 19th in rushing yards (108) but fourth in passing yards per game (299.5). In two weeks Samuel has 10 targets for seven catches for 51 yards and zero touchdowns.  In week two he was actually the second highest rusher on the team with 26 rushing yards on four carries.  

It’s all a bit confusing except that the Chargers defense is 10th against the pass and 18th against the rush (and that counts for yards gained in overtime).  Actually, it really isn’t that confusing. 

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS v DENVER BRONCOS, BUCCANEERS 6.5 POINT FAVORITE, 48.5 O/U

The Broncos will be without starting quarterback Drew Lock, running back Philip Lindsay, wide receiver Courtland Sutton, defensive line Dre’Mont Jones and cornerback AJ Bouye.  Which would all seem pretty insurmountable had not the Broncos played the Pittsburgh Steelers tight only to lose in the last seconds 21-26.

START: TAMPA BAY DEFENSE: The Buccaneers are tied for eighth most fantasy points on defense.  The Broncos have allowed the eighth most fantasy points to opposing defenses.  Math. 

SIT: JEFF DRISKELL, QUARTERBACK, DENVER BRONCOS: Driskell filled in admirably for the injured Lock last week.  He was also sacked at a 15 percent sack rate, numerically that was six sacks.  He also had one interception on 34 passing attempts. Last week the Buccaneers’ defense sacked Teddy Bridgewater five times.  

This is akin to Driskell holding dead man’s hand, it might look good but in the end it isn’t going to turn out well. 

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS v NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, PATRIOTS 6 POINT FAVORITE, 47.5 O/U

Does anyone else feel like this may be a trap game for the Raiders?

START: CAM NEWTON, QUARTERBACK, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Newton is back (for now).  He leads the Patriots in rushing attempts (26), yards (122) and touchdowns (4).  According to fantasyprofiler.com, he has an 80 percent deep ball completion percentage and a 75 percent red zone completion percentage, on 33 pass plays per game.  The Raiders meanwhile are 29th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game, giving up an average of 285.5.  Newton is back to being the definition of a dual threat quarterback.  

SIT: BRYAN EDWARDS, WIDE RECEIVER, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS:  Edwards will most likely be shadowed by a very angry Stefon Gilmore who got worked Sunday night by Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf.  Edwards is nowhere near being the physical specimen that Metcalf is.  Look for Gilmore to get back to his former self. 

CINNCINATI BENGALS v PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, EAGLES 6 POINT FAVORITE, 46.5 O/U

Both teams are 0-2, but only one of them currently looks like it will muster some wins this season and well…it isn’t the Philadelphia Eagles. 

START: MILES SANDERS, RUNNING BACK, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: First let me say I am not sure why the Eagles are a six point favorite? Carson Wentz has the second lowest passer rating in the NFL.  Jim Schwartz’s defense does not instill fear in any offense and I am pretty sure I saw Zack Ertz’s face on a milk carton yesterday.  

That being said the Bengals run defense has given up four touchdowns and an average of 5.0 yards per attempt in two weeks of play.  When all else fails hand the ball off to Sanders. 

SIT: AJ GREEN, WIDE RECEIVER, CINCINNATI BENGALS: Green is quarterback Joe Burrow‘s favorite target.  In the Thursday night loss to Cleveland he was targeted 13 times.  He caught three of those for 29 yards.  Maybe it is just because he has been out for a year?  Whatever it is until he becomes more efficient he needs to rest on your roster. 

DETROIT LIONS v ARIZONA CARDINALS, CARDINALS 6 POINT FAVORITE, 54.5 O/U

This game has the second highest over/under for the week.  Kyler Murray has the Cardinals at 2-0 for the first time since 2015.  After two weeks, Murray has 516 passing yards, a completion percentage of 66.7, 158 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.  He will be going against a defense that has given up 46 second half points in two games, so his start is not even a question…right?

START: TJ HOCKENSON, TIGHT-END, DETROIT LIONS: While Hockenson only has one red zone target, he has nine targets, nine receptions, 118 yards and a touchdown.  And while the Cardinals are doing everything they can to change last year’s narrative on giving up the most fantasy points to tight ends (through two weeks they have only allowed eight receptions, 70 yards and no touchdowns to the tight end position), this is the team that Hockenson had his best results against.  In a game that has a 54.5 over/under, Hockenson should get his. 

SIT: CHRISTIAN KIRK, WIDE RECEIVER, ARIZONA CARDINALS: Kirk is the third most targeted wide receiver in Arizona.  Through two weeks he has eight targets, Larry Fitzgerald has 12 and DeAndre Hopkins has 25.  That is good news-bad news segment.  The bad news is last week while he saw twice as many targets as wide receiver Andy Isabella he had the same number of receptions (2) and was outgained by Isabella by 10 yards.  In this fast pace offense Kirk has a place, but it just might be slipping to fourth behind Isabella. 

DALLAS COWBOYS v SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, SEAHAWKS 5 POINT FAVORITE, 55.5 O/U

The Cowboys escaped with a miraculous win over the hapless Atlanta Falcons last week.  Seattle’s defense managed to stop Cam Newton on the goal line to win Sunday night.  

START: CEE DEE LAMB, WIDE RECEIVER, DALLAS COWBOYS: The Seahawks have given up 731 yards to wide receivers so far this season, while allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers.  Lamb is second on the team in targets with 7.5.  

It’s a Sophie’s Choice for Seattle’s secondary in trying to figure out what Cowboys’ wide receiver will do them the most harm.  As it stands it could be any of the three, but look for them to concentrate on Amari Cooper opening the door for both Lamb and Michael Gallup. 

SIT: CARLOS HYDE, RUNNING BACK, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Now that the Seahawks have decided to “let Russ cook”  the run game is a second thought.  That makes Hyde less than a third option.  Last week he had five rushes for 22 yards, and in week one he had seven rushes for 23 yards but saved your fantasy day with one touchdown.  Chris Carson is receiving more targets and more touches.  In a game that is a shoot-out, Hyde is not the man you should be looking towards. 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS v NEW YORK GIANTS, 49ERS 4 POINT FAVORITE, 41.5 O/U

The 49ers are injury ridden.  They are down a quarterback, two running backs, wide receiver, tight end and two pivotal men from the front seven of their defense.  Even so they are a four point favorite against the Giants who are without Saquon Barkley.  

START: DANIEL JONES, QUARTERBACK, NEW YORK GIANTS: This is kinda of like a Hail Mary play.  Jones will undoubtedly make some bone-head mistake when the game could potentially be on the line.  You know like an interception in the red zone or a fumble on a drive.  Even so he passed for 241 yards against the Chicago Bears defense and 279 yards with two touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense.  The only way the Giants are going to stay relevant in this game is if Jones puts up 40+ passes and 250+ yards.  Like I said it is a Hail Mary play, some might say deep…deep sleeper. 

SIT: GEORGE KITTLE, TIGHT END, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: I know that word is Kittle flew to Virginia to be with the team before Sunday’s game.  And the word on the street is he is game ready.  But will the Niners risk further injury to Kittle on the same field that foiled them last week?  And how game ready is he going to be with a back-up quarterback?  

HOUSTON TEXANS v PITTSBURGH STEELERS, STEELERS 4 POINT FAVORITE, 45 O/U

The Steelers are still playing down to their opponents.  Thankfully the defense has been there to make sure a loss isn’t included in that narrative. 

START: JAMES CONNER, RUNNING BACK, PITTSBURGH STEELERS: The Texans have gotten owned by running backs, allowing the Baltimore rushing game to run for over 200 yards against them last week and allowing Clyde Edwards-Helaire to rush for 138 and a touchdown against them in week one. Opposing running backs are averaging 28.1 fantasy points per game on them. 

The Steelers are back to the one running back game and that is all Conner for now.  Last week Conner averaged 6.6 yards per carry while also getting in the end zone.  Play Conner while he is healthy. 

SIT: DESHAUN WATSON, QUARTERBACK, HOUSTON TEXANS: They should let Bill O’Brien attempt to quarterback behind that offensive line without DeAndre Hopkins as a security blanket.  That’s all. 

CHICAGO BEARS v ATLANTA FALCONS, FALCONS 3.5 POINT FAVORITE, 47.5 O/U

Mitchell Trubisky has the Bears 2-0, while Matt Ryan and the Falcons are 0-2. Well played 2020.

START: DAVID MONTGOMERY, RUNNING BACK, CHICAGO BEARS: The Bears may be 2-0 but they are no match for the offensive power the Falcons will bring to the game.  The need to get ahead and keep the Falcons off the field.  Enter Montgomery.  Last week he was on the field for 35 snaps while leading the team in rushing and receiving.  The Falcons have been good against the run allowing only four touchdowns to the running back position.  But this is a game Montgomery should be fed often. 

SIT: JULIO JONES, WIDE RECEIVER, ATLANTA FALCONS: According to DraftKings.com, Jones is dealing with a hamstring injury, which would explain his four targets last week.  So you have an injured Jones going against one of the best cornerback duos currently in the league.  The Falcons will not lack in firepower with Jones on the bench on in the game acting as a decoy.

MONDAY NIGHT GAME

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS v BALTIMORE RAVENS, RAVENS 3.5 POINT FAVORITE, 53.5 O/U

This is the highlight of the week, which means it will probably be a blow-out by one team.  

This isn’t an attempt to be lazy, but seriously who are you going to sit in this game?

BACK TO SUNDAY’S GAMES

TENNESSEE TITANS v MINNESOTA VIKINGS, TITANS 3 POINT FAVORITE 49 O/U

The Thrill is back in Tennessee and rapidly dissipating in Minnesota. The Vikings are all kinds of bad and it isn’t just on the offensive side of the ball.

START: RYAN TANNEHILL, QUARTERBACK, TENNESSEE TITANS: Tannehill had 22 fantasy points week one and 34 fantasy points week two.  Now he will go up against a Vikings’ defense that has given up 283.5 passing yards per game, 154.5 rushing yards per game and whose offense was on the field for four plays in the second half last week.  Tannehill is now a viable fantasy option until he isn’t. 

SIT: KIRK COUSINS, QUARTERBACK, MINNESOTA VIKINGS: I did mention that the Vikings offense was on the field for four plays in the second half of last week’s game?  Cousins attempted 26 passes, for 113 yards.  He had no touchdowns, but did have three interceptions and three sacks.  He finished the game with a 15.9 passer rating.  WTF!

GREEN BAY PACKERS v NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, SAINTS 3 POINT FAVORITE, 52 O/U

Aaron Rodgers is taking his FU Tour to Prime Time.  This will be the best defense the Packers have yet to see. 

START: AARON RODGERS, QUARTERBACK, GREEN BAY PACKERS: According to Fantasy Football Calculator, Rodgers was the 10th quarterback drafted in fantasy this season, he came off the board behind Deshaun Watson and Drew Brees to name a few.  He is ahead of both of them and Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson in fantasy points per game.  

If last week is any indication, he will continue his climb up the fantasy board over the back of the Saints defense.  A defense that allowed Derek Carr to rack up 282 passing yards and three touchdowns while completing 28 or 38 passes.  

SIT: DREW BREES, QUARTERBACK, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Brees is a better quarterback at home than away.  He is also a better quarterback with Michael Thomas in the line up and healthy.  While this game will be home there are no fans and presumably no Thomas.  I want to believe in Brees, but he is averaging 4.82 air yards on his passes so far.  ESPN Stats & Info reports that is the lowest by any quarterback through two games since 2009.  His 312 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception Sunday night isn’t horrible, but he doesn’t run.  So those stats were good enough for QB22 fantasy rank.  There were 21 other quarterbacks you could have played that would have scored more points. 

 LOS ANGELES RAMS v BUFFALO BILLS, BILLS 2.5 POINT FAVORITE, 47.5 O/U

START: TYLER HIGBEE, TIGHT END, LOS ANGELES RAMS: The Bills without Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano allowed Dolphins’ tight end Mike Gesicki to score a touchdown on eight receptions and 130 yards n last week’s game. The status of both is uncertain for Sunday’s game. Even so last week against, yes an inferior defense, Higbee scored three touchdowns on 5 receptions and 54 yards.  Three touchdowns is a lot but Higbee should surely muster up one on 90 plus receiving yards.  

SIT: ZACK MOSS, RUNNING BACK, BUFFALO BILLS: The Bills have a running back by committee with Devin Singletary currently out touching Moss 26-20.  However, Moss has more carries in the red zone 7-3.  Singletary is slightly above Moss because he has been the recipient of 10 targets while Moss has just seen four.  

This game should be quick paced and it is the best defense the Bills have seen so far.  Look for quarterback Josh Allen to run more and the wide receivers to be more involved. 

 

Good Luck and bring your fantasy start sit questions to Twitter @neverenoughglt and on Sundays 1130 eastern time to the War Room Armchair Fantasy Show. Live on @YouTube, Periscope and Facebook Live

 

 

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