It is week three of the NFL season! Check out the starts and sits from resident fantasy football analyst, Dan Portillo, host of Another (Damn) Fantasy Podcast presented by Stadium Rant!
Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford @ Cardinals – Start
The Cardinals have allowed the second most passing yards in the NFL through two weeks. They are also tied for first with seven passing touchdowns allowed. Most of those numbers came against Patrick Mahomes, but Derek Carr had himself a pretty solid day despite the loss. Stafford and Kupp have been electric and he finally found Allen Robinson as well. Look for him and the Rams to have a big day.
Tom Brady V. Packers – Sit
Tom Brady has left very little to be desired. Is it his offensive line? Is it his bruised and battered wide receivers? Or could it be the age 45 QB is losing his touch? I do not have the answers, Sway. All I know is that he will not have Mike Evans or Chris Godwin this Sunday and could be without Julio Jones as well. Leave Brady on the bench until we see more from this Buccaneers offense.
Tua Tagovailoa V. Bills – Start
Start Tua! I repeat, start Tua! Jaylen Waddle and Tyrek Hill have proven that they are the most dangerous tandem of wide receivers in the league and that success is going to continue this week. You may be nervous about this vaunted Bills defense, but with no Tre White, Dane Jackson, and potentially no Micah Hyde, they will be incredibly short-handed. Lock it in.
Trevor Lawrence @ Chargers – Sit
It was hard for me to pick on Trevor Lawrence here, but after the performances of Derek Carr and Patrick Mahomes against this Chargers defense, I do not like the idea of starting the second-year QB this week. Christian Kirk and James Robinson could have big games, but the pressure the Chargers create coupled with the opportunistic nature of the defense has me thinking turnovers galore. Let him ride some pine and check out some streaming options below on ADP!
Running Backs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire @ Colts – Start
CEH has had limited opportunities this season but has been the epitome of efficiency. On just 15 carries he has amassed 116 yards – good for 7.7 yards a pop – and has caught seven passes for 76 yards and two scores. The Chiefs should get up big in this game and Clyde will reap the benefit of added touches.
Jeff Wilson @ Broncos – Sit
Jeff Wilson does not have the best injury history and even though Shanahan is a proven RB wizard, I am leaving him on the bench. Marlon Mack was elevated to the active roster, Tevin Coleman was signed to the practice squad, and Jordan Mason is still in the backfield with Wilson. This is going to remain a committee situation as long as Shanahan is calling the shots, I am staying away this week.
David Montgomery V. Texans – Start
Holy volume! David Montgomery had a rough week one, even with 17 carries, but the weather was no help in that game. Week two comes around and he takes the volume and turned it up with 8.13 yards per carry and over 120 yards on the ground. The Bears only attempted 11 passes on Monday night and he still was a recipient of two of those passes. This man is a must-start against the Texans this week.
Chase Edmonds V. Bills – Sit
After taking 12 carries for just 44 yards in week one, Edmonds only received five carries and three targets in what should have been a game full of opportunities. While the Bills secondary is hurting, their run defense has allowed a league-low 132 yards. Let Edmonds ride the bench in week three.
Wide Receivers
Drake London @ Seahawks – Start
Drake London has been the most consistent rookie receiver outside of Garrett Wilson this year. Mariota loves getting him the ball and the Seahawks have allowed the 9th most passing yards in the league over the first two weeks. Ride the wave and put the 15th-best fantasy receiver in your lineup for another big week.
DK Metcalf V. Falcons – Sit
DK has not had the love you would expect from a WR1. Even though the Falcons seem like a good option, I do not like the odds of Geno Smith getting him the ball deep. If you have the chance, look for trade options and see if you can pick up some value.
CeeDee Lamb @ Giants – Start
After a rough week one, CeeDee had a bit of a bounce back as the number one option for Cooper Rush. This week, the Cowboys face a Giants defense that has only allowed 395 passing yards, but the Panthers and Titans haven’t been world beaters by any stretch of the imagination. Keep CeeDee in the lineup this week.
Darnell Mooney V. Texans – Sit
EW! The Bears have been terrible on offense this year, especially in the passing game. With only 11 attempts in a good-weather game, I am sitting the entire Bears pass-catching unit this week, Darnell Mooney included, and I might even consider flat-out dropping a few of these guys. More on that to come.
Tight Ends
Tyler Higbee @ Cardinals – Start
Tyler Higbee has been a top-ten tight end through the first two weeks of the season. Given the position, that is not saying much, but his 20 targets through two weeks puts him second on the team. Make sure you start Higbee this week, and any other week until we see otherwise.
Cole Kmet V. Texans – Sit
Back to the Bears passing unit. Cole Kmet is a bench and maybe a drop at this point. There are plenty of serviceable tight ends available across many leagues. Guys like Logan Thomas, Gerald Everett, Mike Gesicki, and Irv Smith are all more beneficial options at the position.
Irv Smith Jr V. Lions – Start
Speaking of Irv Smith! After missing 2021 due to injury, the young TE found the end zone for the Vikings only touchdown last week. After seeing the attention Cousins gave him in the MNF matchup with the Eagles, I have some confidence in him against a Lions team that has allowed 65 points to opposing teams through two weeks. Start him.
Taysom Hill @ Panthers – Sit
I took a flier on Ttaysom Hill last week with Winston’s injury and it did not pay off. I do not see the Saints using him for more than two or three wildcat plays and maybe an end around. The boom or bust nature of his game has me wanting to bench him this week.
Defense
Kansas City Defense @ Colts – Start
The Chiefs play the Colts this week, a team that was shutout by their division-rival Jaguars, allowing five sacks, and three interceptions. Matt Ryan is not a mobile QB and the Chiefs have been able to force plenty of pressure, but the issue has come with finishing the pressure with a sack. After playing mobile guys like Herbert and Kyler Murray, the Chiefs are going to get those numbers up on Matt Ryan this week. The Chiefs are available in about 75% of fantasy leagues, pick them up and start them this week.
Indianapolis Defense V. Chiefs – Sit
This should be obvious after the defense has allowed a tie to the Texans and a blowout to the Jaguars. The Chiefs are not those teams and are poised to score big. Do not even think about leaving these guys in your lineup this week.
Fantasy Football Honorable Mentions
- Garrett Wilson V. Bengals
- TJ Hockenson @ Vikings
- Dameon Pierce @ Bears
- Tyler Lockett V. Falcons
Dan Portillo
Check out some of Dan’s other Stadium Rant content here. You can follow him on Twitter @dan_tf40 and check in with his podcast The Fastest 40 & Another (Damn) Fantasy Podcast on Spotify, Anchor, Apple Podcasts, & anywhere you listen to podcasts!
