Who to Play in Week 3 Fantasy?
Who to Play Week 3 Fantasy?
Quarterbacks
Andy Dalton – Cincinnati @ Baltimore
Andy Dalton had a very good Week 2 vs. San Diego. Dalton was 16/26 for 214 Passing Yards with 3 Touchdowns and 0 Interceptions. Dalton has been playing well so far this season and looks to stay on track against Baltimore. The Bengals are 2-0 and are looking to improve to 3-0 with strong play from their quarterback. Baltimore let Derek Carr have a huge game and I expect the same from Dalton. Dalton has reliable options in A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert with Giovani Bernard out of the backfield to help him as well. Baltimore is coming off a bad showing against Oakland and I think the Bengals will kick them while they’re down.
Prediction – 317 Passing Yards, 3 Touchdowns, 1 Interception
Derek Carr – Oakland @ Cleveland
Derek Carr had a huge game against Baltimore in Week 2 and looked like a veteran out there. Carr was 30/46 for 351 Passing Yards with 3 Touchdowns and 1 Interception. Carr is showing Oakland that he is the quarterback of the future in Oakland and that he wants to win. He was impressive against Baltimore and I see continued success against Cleveland. Cleveland allowed Marcus Mariota to have 257 Passing Yards with 2 Touchdowns and 0 Interception. I expect Carr to have a good game and continue his strong play.
Prediction – 287 Passing Yards, 2 Touchdowns
Running Backs
In Week 2 I was a little off on my predictions for Hyde and Abdullah. Hyde ended up getting hurt and never finished the game. While Abdullah was shut down by Minnesota’s defense. But I’m looking to bounce back this week with my predictions.
Danny Woodhead – San Diego @ Minnesota
Danny Woodhead played well against Cincinnati in Week 2. He finished with 7 Rushes for 36 Yards, which isn’t a lot but he added 6 Receptions for 68 Yards. The receiving end of his game is what makes him a strong fantasy player. I expect Woodhead to steal carries form Gordon in the near future if Gordon keeps underperforming. Woodhead is a strong receiving back who plays on most passing downs. Don’t expect too much form Woodhead on the ground due to Minnesota holding all 3 Detroit running backs under 10 Rushing Yards a piece in Week 2. I think Woodhead will remain one of Phillip Rivers’ favorite targets and continue his success as a pass catching back in Week 3.
Prediction – 54 Rushing Yards/5 Receptions, 65 Receiving Yards, 1 Touchdown
Joseph Randle – Dallas vs. Atlanta
Joseph Randle has been mediocre at best this season so far. In Week 2 against Philadelphia he finished with 18 Rushes for 51 Rushing Yards and wasn’t a factor in the pass game coming up with only 1 Reception. Randle is going up against Atlanta in Week 3, who have been very good against the run this year. They shut down Demarco Murray/Ryan Matthews and played very well against Shane Vereen/Rashad Jennings. Playing Randle this week isn’t based on his matchup, it is purely based on an increased workload. With the Cowboys losing Dez Bryant and Tony Romo, I expect the run to be used a lot more from here on out. Cowboys boast one of the best Offensive Lines and I think Randle will get it done this week.
Prediction – 82 Rushing Yards, 1 Touchdown/4 Receptions, 35 Receiving Yards
Wide Receivers
Allen Robinson – Jacksonville @ New England
Allen Robinson had a monster Week 2 vs. Miami. He finished the game with 6 Receptions for 155 Receiving Yards and he added 2 Touchdowns to that. He is establishing himself as Blake Bortles favorite target and I expect that to continue in Week 3. New England has been average at best against the pass this year which led too Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods both having 60 Receiving Yards and both scoring a touchdown. Also in Week 1 they let Antonio Brown have a huge game with 130+ Receiving Yards and a score. Robinson looks to continue his bounce back after a terrible Week 1 performance. Look to get Robinson in your lineup this week against New England.
Prediction – 8 Receptions, 114 Receiving Yards, 1 Touchdown
Brandon Marshall – New York Jets vs. Philadelphia
Brandon Marshall had another good week in Week 2 against Indianapolis. Marshall finished the game with 7 Receptions for 101 Receiving Yards and 1 Touchdown. Marshall has been playing well with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center this year but Eric Decker has been playing well too. Marshall and Decker both need attention which then helps both of their fantasy stocks. Marshall in Week 3 will be facing up against Byron Maxwell, who has looked terrible this year. Maxwell was embarrassed by Julio Jones in Week 1 and Terrence Williams had a good game against him in Week 2. Brandon Marshall is physical and I expect him to use that physicality against Maxwell. Marshall is playing well and really connecting with Fitzpatrick, which I think leads to a good game against Philadelphia.
Prediction – 7 Receptions, 94 Receiving Yards, 1 Touchdown
Tight Ends
Martellus Bennett – Chicago @ Seattle
Martellus Bennett had an average Week 2 against Arizona. He ended up with 4 Receptions for 48 Receiving Yards. Bennett is a very consistent tight end but has potential to put up big numbers. He is up against Seattle in Week 3, who have given up touchdowns to tight ends in both their games this year. Chicago will be without Jay Cutler this week and potentially Alshon Jeffery. If Jeffery is unable to play, look for Jimmy Clausen to target Bennett a lot, as he is the only reliable option down the field for Clausen. Hopefully Matt Forte can establish the run which will then lead to openings down field for Bennett. I think Bennett will have a bounce back week and will look to help Chicago get their first win.
Prediction – 6 Receptions, 73 Receiving Yards, 1 Touchdown
Jared Cook - St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh
Jared Cook had a decent Week 2 against Washington. He ended the game with 5 Receptions for 47 Receiving Yards. He has played well this year, and is starting to get more comfortable with new quarterback Nick Foles. In Week 3, Cook has a favorable matchup against Pittsburgh, who haven't been good against tight ends this year. In Week 2 Pittsburgh let Vernon Davis have a good games totaling 62 Receiving Yards on 5 Receptions. Also in Week 1 Pittsburgh was embarrassed by Rob Gronkowski giving 90+ Yards with 3 Touchdowns. Cook is the number 1 tight end in St. Louis and i expect him to be used a lot in Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh.
Prediction – 5 Receptions, 93 Receiving Yards
Kickers
Mason Crosby – Green Bay vs. Kansas City (MNF)
Mason Crosby was very good against Seattle in Week 2. He finished perfect on the day going 1/1 on Extra Points and 4/4 on Field Goals with his long being a 54 yarder. Crosby is a very experienced kicker with great power. I think Crosby will put up similar numbers in Week 3, with possibly more extra points. Expect the Packers offense to move quickly which could lead to possessions in Kansas City territory, which gives Crosby a chance at points almost every time.
Prediction – 3/3 Extra Points, 3/3 Field Goals, Long: 52 Yards
Defense
New York Jets – New York Jets vs. Philadelphia
The Jets have been very good on defense this year and I look for it to continue this week against Philadelphia. Philadelphia have been very inconsistent and shut down the first two weeks of the season. In Week 2 New York forced a total of 5 Turnovers (3 Interceptions and 2 Fumbles) against a very good Indianapolis offense. Philadelphia hasn’t been able to get a run established and Sam Bradford has been terrible through 2 Weeks and I think their struggles will continue this week. Darrelle Revis will be covering Jordan Matthews, who so far through 2 games has been Bradford’s favorite target. Philadelphia’s offensive line has been manhandled against the run and things shouldn’t change against New York’s front seven. I think early turnovers will hurt Philadelphia and New York’s defense will have a huge game.
Prediction – 4 Sacks, 2 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Recovery, 1 Defensive Touchdown
