The Fantasy Footballers’ Week 3 Starts
The Fantasy Footballers chose their starts of the week (SOTW) for Week 3 today. Its part of the podcast found here, or jump right into the segment on YouTube. But first a quick review of their Week 2 picks. Mike wisely chose to send in the (Derek) Carr, which led him to victory, scoring a solid 62.1 combined points amongst his picks. Andy finished a close second with 57 points thanks to a big performance from Ty Montgomery, while Jason fell to a third-place finish with 49 points in Week 2 after finishing first in Week 1.
Andy’s Starts
QB Matt Stafford vs. Atlanta
Stafford has a nice matchup against Falcons defense that will be without Vic Beasley. Stafford has been solid and has plenty of weapons around him on offense. He found the end zone against a much tougher Giants defense last week, and against Atlanta this week the opportunity (and need) will be there to put up much larger fantasy numbers.
RB Mike Gillislee vs. Houston
Don’t be intimidated by the Houston run-defense, start Mike Gillislee. Last week Gillislee had 18 carries in a game the Patriots controlled and could dictate tempo, and this week could be a similar scenario with Gillislee wearing down the Texans’ defense and finding the end zone on at least one occasion.
WR JJ Nelson vs. Dallas
With the Arizona offense in shambles, Nelson has an opportunity to see the field in a meaningful way, as evidenced in his player of the week performance last week. He can burn past a defense and can do about 80% of a healthy John Brown from a route perspective. He has also formed a nice rapport with Carson Palmer, and while the name may not be exciting, the production will be there again this week in a nice matchup at home.
TE Jack Doyle vs. Cleveland
Doyle is one of the only start-able pieces in the Colts offense and has established himself as the outlet guy in the offense. Doyle is a nice baseline TE option in a sea of injuries that has engulfed the TE position.
Jason’s Starts
QB Derek Carr @ Washington
The over/under for this game is at 54, and the combination of being the primetime game in ideal weather conditions against the Washington defense is the perfect set-up for a monster game for Derek Carr. This year Carr has left no doubt that he is a great QB. When Carr has good matchups, he takes advantage and has big fantasy performances.
RB Dalvin Cook vs. Tampa Bay
With or without Sam Bradford, Cook is worth starting this week. He was very effective against Pittsburgh without Bradford last week and comes home this week to a better matchup vs. the Buccaneers. He is a solid RB and the Vikings heavily rely upon him already, just three weeks into his NFL career.
Justin Berl/Getty Images
WR Kelvin Benjamin vs. New Orleans
Benjamin got back on track last week, catching 6 passes for 77 yards, and the Panthers lost a big target in Greg Olsen to injury. They play at home against a very beatable Saints secondary. It all comes down to health. *audible*- If restricted due to health, Jason announced his right to call an audible and insert Keenan Allen as his WR start of the week.
TE Eric Ebron vs. Atlanta
Eric Ebron struggled in Week 1 but bounced back in Week 2. The way Detroit used him against the Giants, which led to decent volume, should instill confidence in his role going forward, so start him in a great matchup vs. Atlanta in a potential shootout.
Mike’s Starts
QB Jay Cutler @ New York Jets
The Jets are giving up the third most QB points in fantasy this year. If Tyrod Taylor can get it done through the air against that defense, certainly smokin’ Jay Cutler can be started with full confidence.
RB Theo Riddick vs. Atlanta
This is a great matchup between two strong offenses. The Falcons defense can be beaten by pass-catching RBs. Riddick has been good to start the year and is receiving some carries to go along with his usual receiving role. Despite being more of a depth player on fantasy rosters, this is the week to start him with confidence given the great matchup.
WR DeVante Parker @ New York Jets
Parker has an average depth of target of 19 yards with a 27% target share. That is a recipe for success. Despite a potentially tough CB matchup, he’s worth starting because of his target volume, big play potential, and TD upside.
TE Jared Cook @ Washington
Jared Cook has received at least five targets in each game to start the season, and Washington has allowed over 100 yards receiving to TEs in both games this season. Cook is someone you can get off of waivers and play with the expectation of low-end TE1 numbers this week.
Jason Moore’s Ironclad, Locked-and-Loaded, 100% Guaranteed, Boom-Boom Kicker of the Week
Giorgio Tavecchio @ Washington
Tavecchio has a great opportunity in a Week 3 matchup that’s expected to be high scoring and played in perfect kicking conditions. He has replaced Sebastian Janikowski and has looked every bit as good, kicking with the surgical precision of a scalpel (Or scapple, explained as only Jason can during the boom-boom segment on YouTube).
(Week 2 Review- Stephen Gostkowski finished as a top 6 kicker, another successful pick for Jason, now 2-for-2 on the year)