Week 3 Fantasy Start Em' Sit' Em

Story by Yinzer Crazy Fantasy Football Expert Luke Ranalli

Hope yinz played Waddle last week, what a show that game was. Week three is going to be a test for most teams, and that’s why we’re here to hopefully help you make the tough decision whether to start, or sit ‘em.

Start ‘em

QB

Jared Goff – Never in my life did I think I would see Jared Goff playing like he did last week, on the Lions no less. Goff put up 4 TD’s, no interceptions, and 256 yards, that’s impressive for any QB. I know he is going up against a tougher defense in Minnesota this week, but with the hurt that Jalen Hurts was able to put on them last week, I think there is some real potential here. For the first time since Matthew Stafford and Megatron were on the field together, this Lions team feels like a playoff contender. I’m not saying to play Goff over Josh Allen here, but he’s worth a look over the current struggling Joe Burrow or Russell Wilson. If anything, Goff should finally be taken in every league sitting on the bench to see if this is his year, and the Lions could pull out a playoff berth for the first time since 2016.

RB

Cordarrelle Patterson – I know after last week’s dud from Patterson a lot of people are going to have their doubts, but I don’t think it’s time to panic yet. Patterson had an impressive season last year, but that could have been due to the aging Matt Ryan, no Drake London, and Kyle Pitts feeling things out. Last week, London was the only real threat on offense for the sputtering Falcons, but that was against the Rams. I think Marcus Mariota has a bounce back week against the Seahawks and Patterson plays a big role. Patterson is the closest utility to Deebo Samuel you can get in the NFL and that always presents an upside. Watch for Patterson to get back into form against a meek sea chickens defense.

WR

Adam Thielen – Talking about duds, Thielen has put up two straight weeks of those. With no trips to the end zone, under 5 receptions each game, and less than 100 yards after two games this season, Thielen is looking a bit washed right now. This week though, the Vikings play the Lions who I just mentioned, look like they mean business this year. I can’t imagine the taste from last week's game sitting too well with Kirk Cousins, I would be shocked if the Vikings don’t try and run up the score this week against the Lions. Thielen is still the clear cut WR2 on this team, and Justin Jefferson can’t do it all week in and week out. Thielen should start seeing WR2 production again soon, and against this Lions defense there is real potential.

TE

Logan Thomas – This year is starting out pretty trash for TE’s. No hate, but scrolling through the list, it seems like it’s tough finding anything out of the top 5 that are living up to their potential. Logan Thomas isn’t putting up anything spectacular, but at least he’s been consistent. He’s only had 3 receptions in each of the last two games, but he’s been somewhat productive. The later game definitely helped with the touchdown he was able to produce, but it would have been a mediocre production again otherwise. Philly may have only let up seven points against Minnesota, but they let up 35 against the Lions. Washington is another fringe team that has potential to be something this year, at 1-1 they still need to really be tested beating the Jags and losing to Detroit. If this offense keeps being productive, Thomas has a good chance of being a part of that.

Sit ‘em

QB

Russell Wilson – I mentioned how Goff is worth a look over Wilson this week, but I think there are plenty of looks better than Russ. Wilson has been struggling to find his flow since moving to Denver and last week it was even more evident against Houston. Russ threw for 219 yards and only one touchdown. Coupled with his lack of yards with his feet, Russ is looking every bit of 33 years old these days. Hell, I would consider Davis Mills or Trevor Lawrence this week over Russ, and I’m not sold on either of them. Unfortunately, I assume Russ was taken as a QB one in most leagues and it’s hard to look at your second QB that may have been drafted pretty late. Looking at the matchup for Wilson this week, I think there are a lot of better options out there than Russ against the 49rs.

RB

Austin Ekeler – I’m not telling you to play Breece Hall over Ekeler here, but it may have crossed my mind. Look, I love Ekeler and I’m going to start him in my one PPR league, but if you’re in a non PPR league, you can do better. In non PPR format Ekeler has yet to crest 10 points in his first two outings in the season. Jacksonville isn’t exactly ranked one against the run, but they aren’t last either. If Ekeler can’t find the endzone his meager production on the ground and through the air won’t be enough to satisfy an RB2 slot let alone a flex. It’s really hard to bench what should be an RB1, but there just isn’t much here. Ekeler could definitely prove me wrong and bounce back this week, but this feels more like an I told you so kind of game for Ekeler, and not a wow he’s back game.

WR

Juju Smith-Schuster – This might be low hanging fruit but what a fall from being the supposed WR1 in the Tyreek Hill absent offense. Juju was supposed to be a shoe-in to step into the lead role but so far after week two Juju has nine catches for 89 yards and no trips to the end zone. That’s not to say he’s being left in the dust by his fellow wideouts, right now there doesn’t really seem to be anyone in Kansas City getting fed, aside from Travis Kelce and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The weirdest part is Patrick Mahomes is still throwing TD’s, sitting at seven after the first two games, two of which went to Helaire, one to Kelce. What makes this strange is when you look at who’s on the receiving end of the rest of those TD’s, Jody Fortson, Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon, and the only receiver on this entire squad who has seen the end zone thus far, Mecole Hardman. Really it's hard to say any KC receiver is reliable right now, not until a favorite emerges later in the season anyway.

TE

Kyle Pitts – Pitts went high in most of my leagues and for good reason, he should be a beast right now, should being the key word though. The only thing you can say about Pitts is that he’s been consistent, unfortunately that consistency has come in the form of two receptions for 19 yards in each game. This week should prove to be better for Pitts with their matchup against the Seahawks, but will it be fantasy viable? I think not. Drake London is emerging as Marcus Mariota’s favorite target through the air while Patterson continues to be the versatile option. Mariota will need to start spreading the ball around if he wants to stay QB1. It’s nice to see this offense finally producing but they are still losing in Falcon fashion with a 26-27 loss to the Saints and a 27-31 loss to the Rams. I think Pitts can and should be a dominant TE in the league, so far this year though, he hasn’t shown he can even be a backup tight end in fantasy production.