Week 3: Plug Em In/ Sit Em Out

Week 3 Plug Em In/ Sit Em Out:

Quarterbacks

Plug em in

• Aaron Rodgers (GB Packers): This week Aaron Rodgers faces the Saints on Sunday night football. Rodgers is coming off of scoring 30.8 and 18.76 fantasy points respectively in his first two performances. In week 2, his numbers dropped due to Davante Adams going out with a hamstring injury and Aaron Jones tearing up the Lions defense. During week 2’s matchup against the Raiders, the Saints secondary allowed Derek Carr to have a 120.7 passer rating. Expect Aaron Rodgers to have a big game during primetime football in week 3.

• Cam Newton (NE Patriots): Cam Newton. WOW. After the thrilling Sunday night game against the Seahawks, Newton has shut down all his doubters. Cam Newton has scored 2 rushing touchdowns in each of his first two games He also passed for 397 yards on during week 2. Cam Newton’s Dual threat ability makes him a steal in fantasy football allowing him to score 25.7 and 34.6 fantasy points respectively. This week the Patriots are up against the Las Vegas Raiders that has a defense that ranks in the bottom 15 allowing 30 points to the Panthers week 1 and and 24 points to the Saints in week 2. Expect Cam to eat up the Raiders young defense this Sunday.

• Ben Roethlisberger (PIT Steelers): Big Ben is back baby, and he has the Steelers looking like a real threat this season. In both of his games this season Roethlisberger has scored 22.1 and 18.2 fantasy points respectively. This week he is up against another weak defense in the Texans. Start Ben Roethisberger this week.
• Other plugs: Matthew Stafford (DET Lions), Justin Herbert (LA Chargers)

Sit em out

• Teddy Bridgewater (CAR Panthers): Teddy Bridgewater is up against a tough Chargers defense this week. The Chargers defense has allowed a 66.09 rating for Joe Burrow and 90.91 rating for the former MVP, Patrick Mahomes. Chargers has one of the best CB duos in Casey Hayward and Chris Harris, along with a top 5 defensive line. Expect Bridgewater and the Panthers to struggle this week.

• Baker Mayfield (CLE Browns): Who was that Thursday night against the Bengals, because it did not look like the Baker Mayfield that we have seen lately. Expect Mayfield to struggle this week against a ferocious Washington front seven. The Washington Football Team, though weak offensively, have made a statement defensively. They have yet to let up receiver get over 100 yards this season. Be cautious of having Mayfield in your lineup this week.

• Deshaun Watson (HOU Texans): Deshaun Watson has scored 20.82 and 14.7 fantasy points respectively with most of the points in the first game coming during garbage time. Watson had a tough matchup against the Ravens last week getting sacked 4 times. This week the Watson has to face one of the best defensive lines led by TJ Watt in the Steelers. The Texans offensive line has struggled to allow Watson time in the pocket and will have a tougher matchup this week. Avoid Watson this week.
• Other sits: Daniel Jones (NY Giants), Phillip Rivers (IND Colts)

Running Backs

Plug em in

• Jerrick McKinnon (SF Niners): Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman are likely to miss a couple weeks, with Coleman likely missing 3-4. The next running backs up are Jerrick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson Jr. I would predict a split in early down work and goal line carries, with pass down work going solely to McKinnon. In weeks 1 and 2 McKinnon was splitting work with Coleman and Mostert and he got 13.40 and 13.70 fantasy points respectively. Kyle Shanahan recently said “With those two being out (Mckinnon) should get more opportunities.” I would start McKinnon this week in what I expect to be a close game with Nick Mullens under center.

• Austin Ekeler (LA Chargers): Austin Ekeler has been a disappointment so far in 2020. In week 2 Ekeler and Josh Kelley nearly split the backfield work even though Ekeler averaged over 5 YPC while Kelley averaged 3 YPC so I would expect Ekeler to get an increase in carries. Also Tyrod Taylor is out for the season and Justin Herbert is likely to get the start. This is beneficial for Ekeler owners as Herbert (7 targets) passed to his running backs a lot more than Taylor did (1 target). The Chargers are up against the Panthers this week, whose defense has let up two top 5 running back performances (Josh Jacobs 35.90 fp and Leonard Fournette 27.60 fp). Start Austin Ekeler this week against the Panthers.

• Jonathan Taylor (IND Colts): I had to check the stat sheet twice during half time when I saw that Taylor had 18 carries at half! He went on to run for 101 yards and 1 TD from 26 carries. Even though he only averaged 3.9 YPC he was used as a true workhorse back. This week the Colts are up against the Jets. The Jets defense has been very bad this year allowing Bills to rush for 98 yards week 1 and Niners to rush for 182 yards week 2. This game also has a high chance of being a blowout by the Colts so look for the Colts to control the clock with their run game (bad news for Hines owners).
• Other Plugs: Deandre Swift (DET Lions), Chris Carson (SEA Seahawks)

Sit em out

• David Johnson (HOU Texans): David Johnson played an astounding 95% of snaps against the Ravens in week 2. However he had trouble anything going, he rushed for 34 yards from 11 carries. With Duke Johnson likely returning this week I expect the snap % to drop. The Texans are also against the Steelers this week who have arguably the best front 7 in the league. With Texans horrible offensive line and Steelers astounding front 7 I would bench David Johnson this week.

• Rams RBs (LA Rams): Rams backfield is a big mess as of now. There is no clear RB1 as Malcolm Brown led the backfield week 1 and Darrel Henderson led the backfield week 2. Cam Akers is likely out due to a rib injury so he will not play a factor this week. However, Brown or Henderson could lead this week and get goal line carries. To make matters worse for the Rams, they are up against a stellar Bills defense that hasn’t allowed a running back to rush for over 50 yards. I would be wary of starting either of these backs this week in this unpredictable backfield.

• Mike Davis (CAR Panthers): Mike Davis is next up for the Panthers this week after CMAC went down with an ankle injury. But expect Davis to have trouble this week against a Chargers defense that shut down Joe Mixon week 1 (69 rush yards on 19 carries) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire week 2 (38 rush yards on 10 carries). Mike Davis hasn’t gotten more than 5 carries since 2018 so he will likely have a slow going on his first start as well. I would be cautious starting Davis this week, at best he is a low end flex with some upside.
• Other sits: Todd Gurley (ATL Falcons), Giants RBs

Wide Receivers

Plug em in

• Marquise Brown (BAL Ravens): Marquise Brown had a great week 1 putting up 5/101/0, in week 2 he had a tougher going putting up 5/42/0. Both weeks he has 6 targets in two blowout games. This week against a Chiefs secondary that has allowed 253 pass yards week 1 and 311 pass yards week 2, expect Brown to play a bigger role. The Chiefs versus Ravens game will be a close high scoring game and Brown will get more than 6 targets. I am expecting a big week from Marquise Brown.

• CeeDee Lamb (DAL Cowboys): CeeDee Lamb has passed Michael Gallup as the WR2 for the Cowboys. Lamb had 6 and 9 targets in the first two games while Gallup had 5 both games. This week the Cowboys are against the Seahawks in another high scoring affair. Seahawks have let up two 395+ yard QBs in both their matchups. Dak Prescott will have a field day against the Seahawks defense this week allowing Amari Cooper, Dalton Shultz and CeeDee Lamb to eat.

• DK Metcalf (SEA Seahawks): DK Metcalf seems to be Russell Wilson’s favorite target this season getting 4/95/1 on 8 targets week 1 and 4/92/1 on 6 targets week 2 against the reigning DPOY. Russell Wilson is putting up MVP numbers so far in the season and has seem unstoppable. The Cowboys are up next against the Seahawks this week and are missing Byron Jones (Dolphins) and Leighton Bander-Esch on their defense. They Just allowed Matt Ryan to throw for 273 yards and 4 TDs. Russell Wilson and DK Metcalf will both have a big game this week against the Cowboys in this high scoring affair.
• Other plugs: Julian Edelman (NE Patriots), TY Hilton (IND Colts)

Sit em out

• DJ Chark (JAX Jaguars): DJ Chark is questionable this week and even if he does play he will be shadowed by standout corner, Xavien Howard in the Thursday night primetime matchup. DJ Chark hasn’t been the top 10 receiver we saw last year either getting only 11.50 and 12.40 fantasy points this year. Its sam\fe to say bench DJ Chark this week and look for Laviska Shenault Jr. to be a sneaky start.

• DJ Moore (CAR Panthers): DJ Moore is another player who was on my start list last week and put up 8/120/0 on 13 targets. This week though I would bench the third year receiver. Moore will likely face Casey Hayward, who is a top 5 CB in the NFL. Hayward held AJ Green to 51 yards week 1 yet allowed Tyreek Hill to get 99 yards on only 5 receptions from 13 targets (majority came on a 1 deep TD throw). I would expect DJ Moore to have trouble against this tough Chargers defense. Robby Anderson however, could be sneaky start as Curtis Samuel will be guarded by Chris Harris Jr. .

• Tyreek Hill (KC Chiefs): Tyreek Hill is tough to bench as he is too fast to be shut down completely. However, I would advise you to be wary of Hill in this tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Since Ravens signed Marcus Peters they have yet to allow a receiver get over a 100 receiving yards. In the 2019 matchup against the Ravens, no Chiefs WR hit a 100 yards. The closest WR was Mecole Hardman who had one big play as he got 2 catches for 97 yards and 1 TD. Tyreek Hill is at best a TD dependent flex this week.
• Other sits: Golden Tate (NY Giants), Robert Woods (LA Rams)

Tight Ends

Plug em in

• Mark Andrews (BAL Ravens): Mark Andrews should have a big game this week against the Chiefs who rank in the bottom third against tight ends. Andrews has been Lamar Jackson’s favorite target since 2019. In the Ravens 2019 matchup against the Chiefs, Ravens TEs accounted for 87 yards on 9 receptions. This year so far, Mark Andrews, has scored 22.80 and 3.90 fantasy points respectively. The low points in week 2 are likely due to the game script as Lamar only threw for 204 yards on 18 completions. Expect Mark Andrews to play a big role in this weeks matchup.

• Logan Thomas (WAS Football Team): Logan Thomas has come to become one of Dwayne Haskins top targets. Week 1 he was targeted 8 times and in week 2 he was targeted 9 times, the volume is there and Thomas should produce. This week Thomas has another easy matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have allowed 2 top 10 TEs in their matchups (Mark Andrews 22.80 and CJ Uzomah 14.20). Logan Thomas should have a nice day especially if Haskins continues to look his way.
• Other plugs: Dalton Shultz (DAL Cowboys), Tyler Higbee (LA Rams), TJ Hockenson (DET Lions)

Sit em out

• Austin Hooper (CLE Browns): Austin Hooper has been a big disappointment so far in 2020. I was high on him before season started and now I don’t believe he is worth rostering. Baker Mayfield isn’t talented enough to support more than one fantasy viable candidate receiver per game. Mayfield has thrown for 300 or more yards only 6 times since he was drafted in 2018 and 10 times for less than 200 yards. This season so far he has thrown for 189 yards and 219 yards respectively. As long as Baker Mayfield continues to struggle, only OBJ is worth starting as a receiver for the Browns.

• Evan Engram (NY Giants): Evan Engram has had tough matchups against the Steelers and Bears to start the season. He has another tough matchup this week against the SF Niners. Even though Niners lost many defensive starters over the past two week, their linebacker core has stayed healthy. In 2019 the Niners were the 5th hardest team against TEs. With Kwon Alexander healthy this year (missed 10 games due to pec injury in 2019) they have an even better linebacker core. Evan Engram will continue to have trouble getting much going this week even with Sterling Shepherd out.
• Other sits: Be wary of Chris Herndon (NY Jets), Eric Ebron (PIT Steelers), Kyle Rudolph (MIN Vikings)

D/ST

Plug em in

• Buccaneers D/ST: The Buccaneers D/ST was the top scoring defense last week accumulating 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions against the Panthers. Week 1, the Bucs defense shut down Michael Thomas to less than 30 yards. The Bucs defense is legit and has another easy matchup this week against a Denver Broncos team that will be without Drew Lock, Courtland Sutton and Philip Lindsay this week. Bucs D/ST should have another bog day this week.
• Other plugs: Colts D/ST, Chargers D/ST

Sit em out

• Rams D/ST: Rams defense has so much talent in Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald, both top 3 at their positions. This week the Rams are against a Bills offense that has got over 400 total yards week 1 and over 500 total yards week 2. Josh Allen is quietly putting together a nice season as well. I expect the Rams defense to have trouble this week against the explosive Bills offensive.
• Other Sits: 49ers D/ST, Bills D/ST

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