Hopefully, your fantasy team is doing as well as the Bengals have been so far this season. If things haven’t been going so well, don’t worry. We are here with some players you should start and sit for Week 3 in the NFL on your fantasy football team.
Must starts
Dalvin Cook (Vikings RB): Whatever running back going against the Bills has to be in your lineup if you own them. They have been burned by running backs (and every other position) so far during this season. Cook hasn’t had the strongest start to his season, but he should easily give you a great game this week.
Vikings wide receivers: It is rare that you can safely say that two receivers on the same team will have relevant fantasy weeks. That will easily be the case for Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Both have so far been great for fantasy teams. Diggs has three touchdowns so far on the season, and Thielen has 25 targets on the season already. Against a weak Bills secondary that is liable to lose defensive backs at any point during the game, these guys need to be in your lineup.
Christian McCaffrey (Panthers RB): Bengals fans may be mad to see an opposing player as a must start, but if you own McCaffrey in a PPR league, then you’ll be striking gold this week. He is coming off a 14 reception game against the Falcons, and the Bengals linebackers struggle with pass-catching running backs. The volume and lack of other reliable targets for Cam Newton that makes McCaffrey a must start this week.
Favorable matchups
Antonio Callaway (Browns WR): The Browns traded Josh Gordon this week. He already had his snaps severely cut in favor of Callaway last week when the rookie had three catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Against a Jets defense that isn’t extremely stout against the pass, Callaway could see plenty of targets. It also helps that Jarvis Landry is banged up, and even though he is expected to play, if he isn’t 100 percent, that means Callaway could easily steal targets from the veteran.
Phillip Lindsay (Broncos RB): Lindsay came out of nowhere. Many expected Denver’s backfield to be dominated by rookie Royce Freeman, but this undrafted rookie Lindsay has stolen the show. Vance Joseph continues to say they will ride whoever has the hot hand. Well, right now, that is Lindsay, who is currently third in the NFL in rushing with 178 yards. His limitations come with not being a reliable touchdown scorer, but owners should ride his hot hand as long as Denver does anyways.
Tevin Coleman (Falcons RB): In the absence of Devonta Freeman, Coleman put up over 100 yards rushing, four catches and 18 yards receiving against the Panthers. He saw 20 total touches, which could be very productive against the Saints this week. New Orleans hasn’t exactly struggled with slowing down running backs, but with how concerned they’ll be with the rest of Atlanta’s offense Coleman should be able to slide through with a decent outing.
Brandin Cooks (Rams WR): Cooks has 17 targets through two weeks and has 246 yards and 12 catches to show for it. The Rams love using play action to create big plays, and it is clear the Cooks has found where he belongs in the NFL. He is one of Goff’s favorite targets, and he is an easy play in Week 3 against the Chargers who struggled with speedy receivers in Week 1.
Just sit them
Derrick Henry (Titans RB): Henry has been bad for fantasy owners. Even when he was meant to be featured last week without Marcus Mariota, he still only managed 56 yards on 18 carries. It is pretty easy to see the Titans will be playing from behind most of this game, which favors running back Dion Lewis. Although I don’t think Lewis is playable outside of PPR settings either.
Josh Gordon (Patriots WR): It is too soon. Just don’t do it.
Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals WR): The Bears defense is legit. Also until the Cardinals take Sam Bradford out from under center this entire offense seems unplayable.
David Johnson (Cardinals RB): I know Johnson owners invested a lot in this guy. He was likely your first round pick. He had 51 total yards last week and 67 in Week 1. He also has only one touchdown on the season. At this point the Cardinals have been grounded and need Josh Rosen to help them take off again.
Defenses to stream
Vikings against the Bills: Whoever is playing the Bills will always be first on this list. They are that bad.
Bears against Cardinals: The Cardinals are really competing with the Bills for just how bad an offense can be.
Browns against Jets: This is a risky move, but desperate times could call for desperate measure. Sam Darnold has been loose with the ball, and Cleveland has held Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees to only 21 points each. They could be your best available option.