Week 3 fantasy football matchups preview Published: Sep 21, 2018 at 12:09 PM Fantasy Analyst New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX Saints Drew Brees: Start Alvin Kamara: Start Mike Gillislee: Sit Michael Thomas: Start Ted Ginn: Sleeper Ben Watson: Stream DST: Beware The offense is about as concentrated as they come. Brees will spend much of the afternoon having target practice with and . is interesting as a big play piece in the offense and Ben Watson could see a target or two near the end zone. The defense has been a disappointment so far this season. Things could have been worse last week were it not for some dropped pa ses by the . They might not be so lucky this week against Atlanta. Falcons Matt Ryan: Stream Tevin Coleman: Start Devonta Freeman: Sit Ito Smith: Deep sleeper Julio Jones: Start Calvin Ridley: Sleeper Austin Hooper: Stream DST: Sit isn't likely to run for a pair of touchdowns this week but the secondary has proven to be vulnerable so far this season, which bodes well for his fortunes this week. As for running the ball, is a worthy substitute for the injured while showed sleeper potential with his play last week. will see his normal allotment of targets ... hopefully one of them leads to a score. seems to be getting comfortable in 's old role. is a nice streaming option but the injury-riddled defense should be avoided. Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX Packers Aaron Rodgers: Start Jamaal Williams: Beware Aaron Jones: Beware Davante Adams: Start Geronimo Allison Khalil Mack Jersey : Sleeper Jimmy Graham: Start DST: Beware The news about Rodgers' knee this week will likely have fantasy managers spooked but he's shown in the first two weeks that as long as he's playing, he should be in your lineup. There is now a two-headed attack in the backfield, though Williams' abilities in pa s protection should earn him more snaps than Jones. Reports this week indicated Jones may start out behind Williams and . is always poised for a big game while Allison is more of a ceiling play. 's ability and status as a red zone threat make him hard to sit. The defense, on the other hand, should be approached with caution. Redskins Alex Smith: Stream Chris Thompson: Flex Adrian Peterson: Beware Jamison Crowder: Flex Josh Doctson: Flex Jordan Reed: Start After a lackluster Week 2, this week's matchup feels like a chance for fantasy streamers to give some run. 's usage in the pa sing game makes him hard to sit -- especially in PPR leagues. 's usage depends heavily on game-script, making him unpredictable. Washington's pa sing game isn't big on chunk plays, which means everyone not named is a questionable start. Even Reed has a limited ceiling in an offense that doesn't stretch the field. Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX Colts Andrew Luck: Beware Jordan Wilkins: Sleeper Nyheim Hines: Sit Marlon Mack: Sit T.Y. Hilton: Start Jack Doyle: Sit Eric Ebron: Stream The good news is that is back. The bad news is that he's been Captain Checkdown in the first two weeks. His 5.3-yard intended air yards per attempt is last in the NFL. That's bad news against an defense that doesn't offer much room for error. looks like the best option in an otherwise crowded and clouded backfield. should be in your lineup. has sleeper potential as the No. 2 receiver in the offense. won't suit up on Sunday and should be out of your lineups. That means more targets for early season surprise star . Eagles Carson Wentz: Start Jay Ajayi: Sit Corey Clement: Sleeper Nelson Agholor: Flex Kamar Aiken: Deep sleeper Zach Ertz: Start DST: Start Welcome back, . Too bad a lot of your weapons are gone. With and out of action, figures to see a much larger role. and will continue to be the central parts of the pa sing game but has sleeper potential as the No. 2 receiver. The defense is too good to leave on the bench, regardle s of matchup. Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS Bills Josh Allen: Sit LeSean McCoy: Sit Chris Ivory: Deep sleeper Kelvin Benjamin: Sit Zay Jones: Sit Charles Clay: Sit There's not much here to be excited about. One of the league's worst offenses faces one of the league's best defenses. Buffalo's best hope to move the ball, , is dealing with a rib injury that could keep him out of action. That could put extra James Daniels Jersey pre sure on rookie quarterback and a crew of inconsistent pa s-catchers to pick up the slack. If McCoy can't go, gets a little bump as a sleeper running back but isn't likely to find his way into many lineups. Vikings Kirk Cousins: Start Dalvin Cook: Sit Latavius Murray: Sleeper Stefon Diggs: Start Adam Thielen: Start Kyle Rudolph: Start DST: Start The offense has been a high-flying unit through the first two weeks and there's no indication that the will be the group to slow them down. That means you can start any of your Vikes with confidence. The exception is , who is going to mi s this week's game with a hamstring injury. That makes backup a tantalizing sleeper play for the week. Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS Raiders Derek Carr: Sit Marshawn Lynch: Flex Jalen Richard: Deep sleeper Amari Cooper: Flex Jordy Nelson: Sit Jared Cook: Sit The offense has been a rollercoaster through the first two weeks. A trip to South Florida for a 10 a.m. body clock kickoff doesn't seem appealing. has been a viable running back option in the first two weeks and should at least be flexed. For anyone feeling saucy, you could hope for an redux, though it's been awhile since he gave us back-to-back big performances. is still one of the top tight ends in fantasy but it feels like just that ... a fantasy. Stream him if you must, otherwise look elsewhere for help. Dolphins Ryan Tannehill: Stream Kenyan Drake: Start Frank Gore: Sleeper Kenny Stills: Start Devante Parker: Flex DST: Stream hasn't been lights out in the first two weeks but he hasn't been terrible, either. The secondary could be a boost for his production. and both have potential against one of the NFL's worst rushing defenses. should bounce back after being mi sing in action last week. If you believe in the Devante Parker breakout, this could be a week that bolsters your hope. For anyone streaming defenses, the could be a sneaky play. Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS Broncos Case Keenum: Sit Phillip Lindsay: Flex Royce Freeman: Beware Demaryius Thomas: Flex Emmanuel Sanders: Start DST: Start failed to take advantage of a good matchup last week. This week shouldn't inspire optimism. is the back to start here. isn't seeing the same level of opportunity but his touchdown upside means he should still be on rosters. The matchup isn't great but the number of targets that go to Thomas and Sanders means they should at least get starting consideration this week. The defense was torched last week but should still be started in most leagues. Ravens Joe Flacco: Stream Alex Collins: Beware Javorius Allen: Beware Michael Crabtree: Flex John Brown: Flex Willie Snead: Sleeper DST: Start You might have better options to start than Flacco ... but you could also do worse this week. There's a committee afoot with Collins and Allen, making both of them risky starts for the week. All three of Baltimore's main receivers have the potential to put up a decent number this week. They also could leave you wanting. Neither of them should be more than flexes in Week 3. The defense can hopefully rebound from the beating they took from the last week and force a turnover or two from . Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS Bengals Andy Dalton: Stream Giovani Bernard: Start A.J. Green: Start Tyler Boyd: Sleeper Tyler Eifert: Sit DST: Sit You can never be certain if Good or Bad will show up in a given week. This week, the Red Rifle should only be an option if you've exhausted most other avenues. With out another week, Gio Bernard should see a full workload. is a starter, period. has usurped as Cincy's second receiver. 's usage rates are too low right now to recommend starting him as more than a Hail Mary play. Panthers Cam Newton: Start Christian McCaffrey: Start C.J. Anderson: Sit Devin Funche s: Flex Ian Thomas: Deep sleeper DST: Start Right now, the entirety of the offense is and . The only other potential hope is that sees more targets in the wake of 's absence. has deep sleeper potential if you have the guts for it. Carolina's defense is worth a look against Dalton, who has a tendency to to s interceptions while under pre sure. New York Giants at Houston Texans, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX Giants Eli Manning: Sit Saquon Barkley: Start , Jr.: Start Sterling Shepard: Sit Evan Engram: Start is a must-start every week. 's volume of touches means he should always be in your lineup. There's no such clarity for the rest of the offense. As long as the offensive line struggles to open holes or protect the quarterback, the fates of and will always be in doubt. Texans Deshaun Watson: Start Lamar Miller: Flex DeAndre Hopkins: Start Will Fuller: Start DST: Stream The offense hasn't had problems moving the ball, even if isn't throwing touchdowns as the same rate as he did last season. The defense can be forgiving, which means good things for Houston's top two receivers. has been a nice fantasy option as the Riley Ridley Jersey only true option in the backfield. That should continue this week. Tenne see Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS Titans QB: Sit Dion Lewis: Beware Derrick Henry: Beware Corey Davis: Sit DST: Stream With injuries on the offensive line and attempting to play at le s than 100 percent against one of the top defenses in the league, there isn't much to be excited about here. could be asked to help out with pa s protection, thereby limiting his production. This has the makings of a Derrick Henry-heavy game script, though the matchup isn't a favorable one for the big back. Jaguars Blake Bortles: Stream Leonard Fournette: Start T.J. Yeldon: Sit Keelan Cole: Flex Dede Westbrook: Sleeper Austin Seferian-Jenkins: Stream DST: Start 's expected return could change the dynamic of the offense. The running back should see plenty of touches which should come at the expense of some pa sing attempts. That will have a ripple effect acro s the rest of the Jacksonville pa sing game. Last week's breakout star could come back to Earth a little bit this week. You don't need me to tell you to start the Jags defense but ... start the Jags defense. San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX 49ers Jimmy Garoppolo: Start Matt Breida: Start Alfred Morris: Flex Pierre Garcon: Flex Marquise Goodwin: Beware Dante Pettis: Sleeper George Kittle: Start This should be the big week we've been waiting for. The defense has been as bad as its offense has been good and should offer hope to any Niners you would consider starting this week. The only caveat is , who could be a Adam Shaheen Jersey game-time decision this week. Oh, and don't start the Niners defense. They're not likely to fare too well against the red-hot . Chiefs Patrick Mahomes: Start Kareem Hunt: Start Tyreek Hill: Start Sammy Watkins: Flex Travis Kelce: Start Did I mention that has been red-hot to start the season? Because ... yeah. You're starting him with no questions. The same goes for , though we'd like to see him get more targets. All of the main pa s-catchers are in play, including , who came back to life last week. If he can do it again this week, it might be worth including him in the conversation going forward. Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS Chargers Philip Rivers: Beware Melvin Gordon: Start Austin Ekeler: Flex Keenan Allen: Start Mike Williams: Beware DST: Beware The have one of the NFL's better offenses but this week's matchup against the is reason to be concerned. It's hard to sit any of the Bolts' skill position players -- including breakout star -- but the defense has been formidable this season. has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league this year but anyone starting him this week should do so cautiously. Even the defense is a "beware" start against an efficient and effective offense. Rams Jared Goff: Start Todd Gurley: Start Brandin Cooks: Flex Cooper Kupp: Flex Robert Woods: Beware DST: Start It seems there isn't a defense that the offense can't exploit. The have given up yards through the air, so and his trio of wide receivers are all variations of good starts in Week 3. You're starting without even worrying as he remains the centerpiece of the offense. Even against the offense, the defense is worth a starting nod. Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX Cowboys Dak Prescott: Sit Ezekiel Elliott: Start Cole Beasley: Beware Deonte Thompson: Sit Tavon Austin: Sit DST: Stream The defense isn't what it once was but the offense hasn't given anyone reason to be confident in anything beyond . has been 's top target but an injury could keep him out of action. If you were considering starting him, prepare to have a contingency plan in place. Seahawks Ru sell Wilson: Beware Chris Carson: Flex Rashaad Penny: Sit Tyler Lockett: Sleeper Brandon Marshall: Deep sleeper Will Di sly: Stream DST: Beware Until the can figure out a way to protect the quarterback, it's getting harder to advocate starting . That makes it hard to start and . Through it all, has been one of the most consistent parts of the Seattle offense. Stay away from the Seattle running backs. Stream the defense, if you're in a pinch. Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX Bears Mitchell Trubisky: Sit Jordan Howard: Start Tarik Cohen: Sit Allen Robinson: Start Taylor Gabriel: Sleeper Trey Burton: Stream DST: Start The offense is starting to come together, but it's far from a finished product. Until Trubisky proves himself to be more than a game manager, he should be on your bench. However, that doesn't mean you need to avoid and , who are dominating the touches so far. has not been the Swi s Army Knife we expected and we're still waiting for to have a breakout week. The defense is carving its name among the elite stop units in the game and should be started every week. Cardinals Sam Bradford: Sit David Johnson: Beware Chase Edmonds: Sit Larry Fitzgerald: Beware Ricky Seals-Jones: Sit DST: Sit Things look bleak for the offense. is their only hope -- if Mike McCoy can figure out how to use him. Beyond that, there's nothing else to consider in this offense, even . It wouldn't be a surprise if we saw rookie take some live snaps before this game is over. New England Patriots at Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBCk Patriots Tom Brady: Start Rex Burkhead: Flex James White: Flex Sony Michel: Sleeper Chris Hogan: Flex Josh Gordon: Sit Phillip Dorsett: Sleeper Rob Gronkowski: Start DST: Stream The defense hasn't offered much resistance this season, so and company should be all systems go this week. The only potential confusion could be in the backfield with joining and . This is likely the last call for with more receiving weapons joining the squad. will likely make an impact for this team but this isn't the week to consider starting him. Lions Matthew Stafford: Sleeper RBs: Sit Golden Tate: Start Marvin Jones: Flex Kenny Golladay: Flex DST: Sit Detroit's offense is one-dimensional. The running backs have offered no real production through two weeks, leaving the burden on and his receivers. Nonethele s, there has been enough volume to feed all three wideouts -- though may have surpa sed in the pa sing game pecking order. Stay far away from the defense. Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN Steelers Ben Roethlisberger: Start James Conner: Start Antonio Brown: Start JuJu Smith-Schuster: Start James Washington: Sleeper Je se James: Stream DST: Beware The " is bad on the road" narrative is going to be tested this week against a bad defense. If Roethlisberger can rise above that weird trend, it will boost everyone else's production. should rebound against Tampa's bad run defense. will test the squeaky wheel theory after airing his frustrations this week. will see plenty of targets with rookie Gale Sayers Jersey having sleeper appeal. The defense hasn't shown enough to warrant being in lineups this week. Buccaneers Ryan Fitzpatrick: Start Peyton Barber: Sleeper Mike Evans: Start DeSean Jackson: Start Chris Godwin: Flex O.J. Howard: Start DST: Sit There could be at least one more week of "Fitzmagic" available against a struggling defense. The way Tampa has stretched the field in the vertical pa sing game, all three receivers are viable fantasy options this week. has sleeper potential versus a run defense that is bottom three in the NFL. has made a thing of the past in the pa sing game. Just say no to the Bucs defense. This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. 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