Setting your fantasy football lineups each week can be hard. Below are some good plays for Week 3, as well as some guys you should consider avoiding based on matchups, injuries and trends:
Who to Start
— Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (QB): Garoppolo had a huge day for fantasy with over 300 offensive yards, 17 completions on 25 attempts and three touchdowns. The Bengals had no answers for coach Kyle Shanahan’s play-calling on Sunday and this week’s matchup is just as favorable. Expect Garoppolo to put up big numbers against the Steelers as a low-end QB1 with upside.
— Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans (RB): Ekeler rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries and caught an additional six catches for 67 yards. He has been a must-start through two games this year.
— Frank Gore, Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals (RB): With rookie Devin Singletary’s status uncertain, veteran running back Frank Gore will undoubtedly see more work. Singletary left the game in the fourth quarter on Sunday and Gore had 19 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. He has a good chance to get into the end zone this week against a Bengals team that allowed 41 points last week against the 49ers.
— Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles (WR): The Eagles secondary has been lit up by the Redskins and Falcons. Golladay put up 117 yards on eight catches and a touchdown last week and is a high-end WR2 this week with upside.
— Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings vs. Oakland Raiders (WR): Both of the Vikings’ top receivers, Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, had quiet outings against the Packers last week. They should have much more success in Week 3 against a Raiders secondary that was torched by Chiefs receivers Demarcus Robinson and Mecole Hardman. Do not be surprised if both end up as WR1s this week.
— Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals (TE): This one is dependent on quarterback Cam Newton’s health, but if Newton starts, Olsen should have a good opportunity to score versus a highly permeable Cardinals secondary. He is a solid TE1 this week.
— Dallas Cowboys D/ST vs. Miami Dolphins: Any defense matching up against a Dolphins team that has been outscored 102-10 through the first two weeks should be a good start this season. The team has opted for Ryan Fitzpatrick over Josh Rosen once again, and it looks like they have kept their eyes on the prize of the 2020 NFL Draft, Tua Tagovailoa.
— New England Patriots D/ST vs. New York Jets: The Patriots are the one team that has not allowed a touchdown this season. They have a great matchup against the Jets, who have been decimated by injuries and will start Luke Falk at quarterback this Sunday. All signs point to the Patriots being a good play.
— Joey Slye, Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals (K): Slye was perfect in all four of his field-goal attempts on Thursday. With consistent kickers at a premium, he is a nice play in Week 3 against the Cardinals.
Who to Sit
— Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Rams (QB): Per ESPN’s Mike Clay, the Rams, Browns and Patriots are the only teams that have yet to give up a touchdown to a receiver this season. Odell Beckham Jr. could definitely change that, but Mayfield and the Browns’ offensive line looked shaky against the Jets on Monday. Do not hesitate to sit Mayfield this week in a tough matchup if you have better options.
— Tarik Cohen, Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins (RB): Cohen combined for 25 total offensive yards on Sunday and has had only four carries this season. He appears to be at least three deep on the Bears depth chart and should only be considered a low-end RB3 or flex this week.
— Adrian Peterson, Washington Redskins vs. Chicago Bears (RB): Peterson scored a touchdown on Sunday, but was held to a mere 25 rushing yards against the Cowboys. The Bears have one of the top run defenses in the league, and with Washington’s offensive line woes, he is also a low end-RB3/flex this week.
— James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers (WR): There are a lot of question marks now that the Steelers have lost Ben Roethlisberger for the year. This is a huge blow for all members of the Steelers offense. Washington was not being started in many leagues this season, but he gets downgraded further with Mason Rudolph under center.
— Robby Anderson, New York Jets at New England Patriots (WR): It was announced on Tuesday that Trevor Siemian would miss the rest of the season and with Sam Darnold out indefinitely with mononucleosis, Anderson will catch passes from Falk. His problems will be compounded by the fact that he will most likely draw shadow coverage from Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who is having a fantastic year. Sit Anderson (and all Jets not named Le’Veon Bell) this week.
— Baltimore Ravens D/ST at Kansas City Chiefs: Though the Chiefs’ skill players are not exactly at full strength, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has proven he can make plays with almost anyone. He spread the ball around to Hardman and Robinson, as well as tight end Travis Kelce. Expect the Chiefs to put up big numbers each week, regardless of the matchup.
— Dan Bailey, Minnesota Vikings vs. Oakland Raiders (K): Dan Bailey missed a field goal and an extra point on Sunday and has only made one field goal (from 31 yards) this year. The Vikings should be able to put up a lot of points against the Raiders in Week 3, but there should be better free agent options available in your leagues.