Here are my Week 3 fantasy football notes, starting with this week’s New England at New York Jets Thursday Night Football matchup.
New England at New York Jets
Breece Hall is the best fantasy player in this matchup, but don’t be shocked if Rhamondre Stevenson is in Hall’s neighborhood scoring-wise, as the Jets have awful rush defense metrics and Stevenson already has 46 carries this year.
New York Giants at Cleveland
It’s tough to trust Amari Cooper after he’s scored only 4.7 PPR points this year, but the Giants deep pass coverage has been mediocre, and Cooper has a favorable cornerback matchup. Consider him for flex duty this week.
Chicago at Indianapolis
Caleb Williams has yet to post a game of 8+ points, but this is the contest that streak ends, as Kenny Moore II and Jaylon Jones both saw their coverage grades downgraded this week. This means you can consider Williams for QB2 status this week.
Houston at Minnesota
Dalton Schultz has been a borderline TE1 for the past two years, but he’s been lost in the shuffle so far this year. That likely changes this week, as the Vikings have allowed 14.7 PPR PPG to tight ends this year. Get him into lineups if you need a TE upgrade.
The rest of KC Joyner’s Week 3 fantasy football notes are available exclusively for Pickwatch Pro subscribers.
Philadelphia at New Orleans
The Philadelphia defense has been terrible this year in many areas, as this platoon can’t stop the run and has shaky coverage metrics. This means Derek Carr has a very good chance of posting another 20+ point day.
Los Angeles Chargers at Pittsburgh
Both D/STs in this game are starter-caliber, as the Steelers offense can’t get moving with Justin Fields under center and Justin Herbert is battling an injury and either will miss this game or will be at less than full strength.
Denver at Tampa Bay
Mike Evans has been playing second fiddle to Chris Godwin in fantasy scoring this year, but that should change this week due to Evans facing Denver cornerback Riley Moss, who has allowed 9.2 PPR PPG in coverage this year (per Pro Football Reference). This means Evans needs to be in starting lineups this week.
Green Bay at Tennessee
The tenor of this game will change if Jordan Love returns this week (which is unlikely), but the only go-to fantasy scorers in this matchup if Love is out are Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard. Those in daily fantasy may consider putting Pollard into lineups, as he may end up as the bell cow back if Tyjae Spears misses this contest.
Carolina at Las Vegas
If you can make a deal for Brock Bowers, now is the time to do so, as Bowers has posted one game with superb numbers and will make it two in a row this week versus an awful Carolina defense. Bowers also has very favorable matchups for most of the rest of the season.
Miami at Seattle
Don’t worry about the Dolphins running back production with Tua Tagovailoa out, as the Seahawks have allowed nearly 250 rushing yards to opponent’s running backs this year. This means De’Von Achane is his usual must start, but could also mean RB2/flex status for Raheem Mostert if he plays.
Detroit at Arizona
Kyler Murray’s vertical pass woes came to an end last week versus the Rams and the Lions secondary should keep Murray’s long pass success going, as Carlton Davis and Terrion Arnold are both allowing 13+ PPR PPG in coverage this season.
Baltimore at Dallas
Dallas has some of the worst run defense metrics in the league right now, so this is a week that Derrick Henry, who has been something of a disappointment this season, should finally give fantasy managers the RB1 status they invested in him during draft season.
San Francisco at Los Angeles Rams
The Rams secondary had an awful game last week, so Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle are must starts, but be a bit more cautious in starting Brock Purdy, as the Rams rush defense is just as bad or maybe worse. That could cause Kyle Shanahan to reduce the pass volume in this contest.
Kansas City at Atlanta
Kansas City’s defense hasn’t been the powerhouse group it was last year, and that extends to tight end coverage, as the Chiefs have allowed opposing teams to complete 25 of 30 passes to tight ends for 276 yards and two touchdowns. That is by far the worst coverage metrics in this area, so get Kyle Pitts into starting lineups.
Jacksonville at Buffalo
If you need WR depth on your roster, consider rostering Khalil Shakir, as he has scored 10+ PPR points in both of Buffalo’s games this year and has a favorable matchup this week. Shakir is also available in just short of half of ESPN leagues, so he may be available as a free agent as well as on the next waiver run.
Washington at Cincinnati
This is the week that Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase return their high draft value, as the Commanders got obliterated by Baker Mayfield and company in Week 1 and the same could happen to them this week. It may be a good week to trade low for Chase, as he hasn’t done much this year and that may have some managers looking to throw in the towel.
