In the NFL, there is almost nothing as fun as early season overreactions. This is about the last time for the rest of the season we'll be able to rev up our "Panthers are going to the Super Bowl" and "Chiefs are missing the playoffs" takes, so lets make the most of them while we can. I'll start! The Cowboys are going to win at minimum 12 games, and the Steelers will lose at minimum 12 games. See how easy it is? Anyways, lets go over this past week of NFL action, and the fantasy stars and disappointments that came with it.
Week 3 had it all, from the Bills dropping 40 points to Bears dropping 60... yards. Rookie quarterbacks look like they're throwing with their opposite arms, Gus Johnson blew a larynx, Justin Tucker kicked a football into another time zone, and the Rams look like the most complete team by a longshot. 15 more weeks to go!
Carolina Panthers vs Houston Texans
The Good: WR1s
DJ Moore and Brandin Cooks put on a show on Thursday, each posting over 20 PPR points and double digit targets on what was a relatively boring Thursday contest. These two clearly have good rapport with their QBs (espeically week 3 QB5 Sam Darnold!) and are easily in consideration for set-and-forget type of players. Honorable mention: Tommy Tremble might garner some more looks with the trade of Dan Arnold, although I wouldn't go rushing to add him off waivers. Honestly, he's kind of just here because of his name.
The Bad: Every other positional player
We all knew that Davis Mills and the Texans would struggle to get anything going vs a stout Carolina defense, so reassuring people to not even look at the disaster that is RBBC in Houston is wasting breath. What we do need to talk about, however, is whatever happened to the Darnold and Robby Anderson connection. Does Sam still think he's on the Jets? Does Robby still think he's on the Jets? Clearly something is up there, as the targets aren't there and doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon. Keep Anderson on your bench until he gives you a reason to otherwise.
Buffalo Bills vs Washington Football Team
The Good: Josh Allen, spreading the love
Wow, what an all around performance that was. The Bills are super bowl contenders and proved it in a game that somehow wasn't as close as the score indicated. While it's obviously not going to last, almost every player on the Bills warrants fantasy consideration at this point. Emmanuel Sanders, Cole Beasley, Zach Moss and Dawson Knox all catching touchdowns? Yes please.
The Bad: Anybody else I didn't just list
Man has Stefon Diggs gotten off to a slow start. I suppose that is the curse of playing on such a talented team, where he can be essentially a decoy and allow all his other teammates to blow up your team. Things are looking good for a nice rebound week vs the Texans though. Obviously this next part goes without saying, but when your team gets embarrassed like the WFT did, not many players will do well. Terry McLaurin was held to just 4 receptions, and Antonio Gibson and Logan Thomas saved their weeks with touchdown grabs in what was essentially garbage time. Oh well, all 3 are still must starts in 8+ man leagues. These things happen.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The Good: Ja'Maar Chase and Najee Harris, OROY Frontrunners
Ja'Maar Chase heard y'all talking shit. After making an incredible catch on a long bomb into the end zone earlier in the game, he capped it off with a late touchdown, giving him 4 (!!) on the season so far. Looks like he can catch after all. Najee Harris finally had his breakout game we've all been waiting for, and especially in PPR this looks like a top 5-10 RB going forward for the rest of the season.
The Bad: Ben Roethlisberger
Wow was that abhorrent. That entire offense has fallen apart, and it starts with the quarterback who right now doesn't appear to be able to run, throw, or just stand up in general.
Things are going back real quick in Pittsburgh, and while some options like Diontae Johnson are still on the table, I'd feel scared to start any of these Steelers WRs in my leagues if the quarterback is playing this poorly. Tread wisely.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers
The Good: Has Mike Williams always been this tall?
Contract year Mike Williams is not fucking around. He looks taller, faster, and caught 2 touchdowns en route to the Chargers massive upset of the Chiefs. With Justin Herbert continuing to prove himself and Austin Ekeler/Keenan Allen still taking away coverage, this could be a career year for Williams.
The Bad: Patrick Mahomes playing hero ball
I know, I know. Patrick Mahomes will continue to try passes off his back foot blindfolded upside down and drunk and more often than not, he'll complete them. However, sometimes he doesn't. And that's where the Chiefs need a competent defense to back them up, which is the main reason they have fallen to 1-2. They have been bad against both the run and the pass, and will need to step it up if they want a shot at a ring. For fantasy purposes, however, at least Clyde Edwards-Helaire had a nice bounce back after many managers starting losing faith. Its still only week 2 people!
Arizona Cardinals vs Jacksonville Jaguars
The Good: Streaming defenses
Drafting defenses is hard. Streaming whichever defense is playing the Jaguars or Jets is easier. While it wasn't easy, one of the ugliest flea flickers I've ever seen led to a nice showing from Arizona's defense, making it 2/3 weeks of solid points from them. Can they keep it up? Who knows. If not, find the next team playing a rookie QB and throw them in there. Honorable mention: Gus Johnson. I love you so much. If you ever wanna just like commentate one of my Madden matches or me making food or something I will pay thousands.
The Bad: A bit too much confidence in the waiver wire
Rondale Moore has all the makings of a good player, and I really hope he does develop into a nice #2 behind Deandre Hopkins. But being started in 25% of ESPN leagues on week 3? Woof. I'm sure he will rebound and end up with some boom/bust potential, but it just goes to show how much things can backfire sometimes. Also I know I already said something on this, but I cannot stress enough how awful that flea flicker was. Truly terrible.
Chicago Bears vs Cleveland Browns
The Good: OBJ's Return
It would be easy to get into defenses and all that and say how dominant they were, but I'm going to go a bit deeper and say how good it is to see Odell Beckham out there again. Especially with Landry out, OBJ is going to be huge for that offense, which should lead to hopefully a bit of a resurgence in his game in the coming weeks. Special shoutout to Kareem Hunt as well, and the Browns for realizing he had the hot hand and sticking with it. He's due for at least another one or two more of those games this season.
The Bad: Justin Fields confidence
Where to begin. Allen Robinson is apparently not QB proof, David Montgomery never got a chance and I think Matt Nagy is doing this intentionally, and if not he is a horrific coach. But poor Justin Fields, man. Terrible gameplan and a weak O-line was the worst possible combo. Hopefully Detroit serves as a nice rebound game, although the Lions aren't as much of a pushover as their record suggests.
Atlanta Falcons vs New York Giants
The Good: Saquon Barkley getting back into form
Man it was hard to find something good here. Lets go with Barkley, who looked a little more nimble and finally is starting to bring in the return that you expected from a late first rounder. He should see more work in the passing game as the weeks go by, especially given how thin the WR Corps in New York is looking. Honorable Mention: Cordarelle Patterson is looking like a good play in deep PPR leagues - if he's on waivers, snatch him up quick.
The Bad: Everyone you were supposed to draft on the Falcons
Total touchdowns to Calvin Ridley, Kyle Pitts and Mike Davis - 1. Total touchdowns thrown to Mike Edwards - 2. Mike Edwards plays for the Tampa Bay Buccanners. Thanks Matt Ryan! I do believe these 3 are holds unless you have league members trying to buy low, cause you can't sell much lower than how these 3 have been.
Tennessee Titans vs Indianapolis Colts
The Good: Ryan Tannehill getting back into form
Many fantasy players, myself included, thought we had a steal picking Tannehill in the later rounds, only for him to end up putting up very pedestrian numbers vs some very average defenses. While Sunday still wasn't great, it showed that he's still on his way to getting back into that top 5-10 QB range. Hopefully he can keep it up and while the AJ Brown injury will hurt, Derrick Henry will still do more than enough to take some pressure off of Tannehill.
The Bad: Nyheim Hines
Jonathan Taylor owners, look away.
While he hasn't been the "lead" back, Nyheim Hines still has more touchdowns, fantasy points and had more touches in week 3 than Taylor did. To be frank, I have no idea what this means. Should I bench Taylor? Should I start Hines? How does one person sprain two ankles at the same time? If I were Frank Reich I'd have answers to all three of these. Sadly I am not. Regardless, the Colts have to get Taylor more involved if they want to start winning games. I'm sure all you fellow 0-3ers starting him would agree too.
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