Joshua Abbe, Mason Thompson, Mike Fanelli | September 21st, 2019
What a fun week two was as most of us hit our marks and racked up some nice wins. I hope you were able to do the same and didn’t get bit by the injury bug as it claimed a lot of big names throughout the league Sunday. With any questions you have, we might have the answers going into week three. So to help fantasy football players with their roster construction, three of our writers have provided some insight on which players they would start, would sit, and consider a sleeper for week three. Be sure to follow all of them on twitter and ask any of The Scorecrow’s fantasy writers for fantasy advice.
Quarterbacks
Starts
Jameis Winston vs New York Giants
Winston has been terrible these past two weeks, that’s no lie. He’s barely passed 200 yards passing since the beginning of the season and more than likely is sitting on your bench or free agency. Though the Giants are coming to town and what better time to plug in a borderline QB1 against a defense that has allowed the third most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (28) and passing yards total of 658 so far. – Josh
Dak Prescott vs Miami Dolphins
Prescott gets another easy matchup this week against the Dolphins. He ranks second in fantasy points at the quarterback position after great performances against the Giants and Redskins. Now, Prescott gets an opportunity to shred the Dolphins defense which is already averaging over 30 points to the quarterback position per game. Prescott should get off to a fast start and provide a great stat-line. – Mason
Mitchell Trubisky at Washington Redskins
Before you stop reading hear me out. Trubisky has been awful this season, scoring just 13.8 total fantasy points. However, he has played against two of the better defenses this season. Now he gets a banged-up Redskins defense that has given up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. They have given up 582 passing yards, six touchdowns and an average of 26.3 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Trubisky’s legs offer upside for fantasy owners and the Redskins gave up 6.9 fantasy points to Dak Prescott on the ground last week. If Trubisky is going to get out of this funk, now is the time. – Mike
Sits
Baker Mayfield vs Los Angeles Rams
Sacked eight times so far this season, third most in the league. Mayfield as of late his holding on to the ball way too long. Facing a tough Rams defense led by Aaron Donald, Mayfield needs to work on getting rid of the ball quicker. He’s only completed 55 percent of passes and thrown no touchdowns to this point with three interceptions when holding the ball longer than 2.5 seconds. He’s a strong fade for me this week. – Josh
Derek Carr @ Minnesota Vikings
Carr and the Raiders offense looked to have something going in week one against the Broncos. Unfortunately, Carr only gathered a slither over 11 points last week against the porous Chiefs defense. He gets a bad matchup against the Vikings who haven’t allowed Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers to pick them apart. Carr should be left on the bench unless you’re desperate. – Mason
Aaron Rodgers vs Denver Broncos
Look I know he’s a future Hall of Fame player but he is the QB21 over the first two weeks of the season. Now like Rodgers said himself, “R-E-L-A-X”, his schedule lightens up in the coming weeks and he is the perfect buy-low guy right now. However, this week I’m gluing him to the bench. Broncos are giving up 6.8 fewer fantasy points per game than the league average to opposing quarterbacks this season. While those quarterbacks are Derek Carr and Mitchell Trubisky, Rodgers as struggled. Over his first two games, Rodgers has a total of 412 passing yards, three touchdowns, and just 27.3 fantasy points. This game should be a low scoring game and Rodgers shouldn’t score more than 14 fantasy points this week. – Mike
Sleepers
Mitchell Trubisky @ Washington Redskins
Trubisky has had a rough two weeks. He’s only completed 59 percent of his passes, but now comes into Monday night with a favorable matchup. The Redskins are allowing over 70 percent efficiency in the passing game and over 26 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. He’s a borderline QB1 for me and fire him up in your super-flex leagues. – Josh
Matthew Stafford @ Philadelphia Eagles
Stafford has had two solid games thus far in the season. He shredded the Cardinals defense in week one and had a decent game against the Chargers last week. This week he has a positive matchup against the Eagles who have been picked apart by Case Keenum and Matt Ryan. For reference, Keenum had 27 points in week one, and Ryan had 22 last week. I expect Stafford to land somewhere in the middle this week. If your starter has a bad matchup or you were one of the unlucky people that had Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, or Cam Newton, I’d recommend scooping up Stafford – Mason
Kyle Allen at Arizona Cardinals
Unless you are playing in a deep two quarterback or super-flex league, Allen shouldn’t be on your radar. However, if you are or trying to save a few bucks in DFS, Allen is a great option. Last year, in his only career start, Allen threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns in the air while adding another 19 yards and a touchdown on the road. He finished the game with over 25 fantasy points against the Saints. Now he gets to face an awful Cardinals defense that has given up the second-most points to opposing quarterbacks so far this season. Allen likely won’t reach the 29.2 fantasy points per game the Cardinals have given up this season to opposing quarterbacks but he could easily top 20 in a closer game than many expect. – Mike
Running Backs
Starts
David Montgomery @ Washington Redskins
Maybe Matt Nagy has figured it out and he’s realized he has a hidden gem just sitting on his bench. Montgomery had a good game week two facing Denver with 62 yards rushing and a touchdown. Now focusing on Washington, a team that last week surrendered 111 yards and a touchdown to Ezekiel Elliot. Montgomery is a great RB2/flex play Monday night. – Josh
Chris Carson vs New Orleans Saints
I know what you’re thinking. Carson coughed the ball up twice last week against the Steelers and was losing snaps to Rashaad Penny. I’m going to tell you to keep the faith in him. Carson is clearly the better back of the two and faces a Saints defense that has given up six yards per carry to running backs. Carson is a factor in the passing game and in what could be a high-scoring game against New Orleans, you can start him with confidence. – Mason
Sony Michel vs New York Jets
After a disappointing week one, Michel bounced back last week and finished with a solid 12.3 fantasy points in a blow out win against the Dolphins. Similarly this week, the Patriots are expected to blow the Jets out of the water. Michel will get plenty of rushing attempts early in the game and in the second half as the Patriots will have this game in hand by halftime. Furthermore, the Jets just gave up 27.8 fantasy points to the Browns’ running backs last week. It’s not a sexy play but a safe one. – Mike
Sits
Chris Carson vs. New Orleans Saints
Carson has fumbled the ball twice in the past two weeks and continues to lose carries to fellow running back Rashaad Penny. Now comes to town a Saints defense that is very good against opposing running backs and while Penny is still there. He might be a threat at any point to take over the RB1 role for lead back. Fade Carson until it works itself out. – Josh
James White vs New York Jets
White used to be thought of as a PPR machine for fantasy. Now, he’s a desperation flex play at best. With the breif addition of Antonio Brown, and Rex Burkhead playing a key role, White only played 30 percent of the offensive snaps last week in a blowout victory against the Dolphins. He could be in for another blowout as the Patriots play against the Jets who are without their top two quarterbacks. I’d start both Sony Michel and Burkhead over White this week. – Mason
LeSean McCoy vs Baltimore Ravens
Yes, Damien Williams is out this week and Darwin Thompson has two touches in two weeks this season. However, McCoy is listed as questionable with an ankle injury and while he is supposed to play he may be limited with the injury. This could mean Thompson gets more snaps than we are currently projecting. This game is also expected to be a shootout which limits McCoy’s upside. Furthermore, the Ravens have given up just 19.1 fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. For what it’s worth, I’d consider playing Thompson in some of your DFS lineups this week. – Mike
Sleepers
Carlos Hyde @ Los Angeles Chargers
Hyde has been the focal point of an offense that wants to establish the run game from the time the ball is kicked with the Texans. Last game he rushed for 90 yards on 20 carries. Even though the Chargers are quite stingy against the run, I still like Hyde to continue to produce flex value in the ground game with red zone and goal-line touches. It makes it very intriguing to add a touchdown in there too. – Josh
Miles Sanders vs Detroit Lions
Sanders has been in on more snaps this season than Jordan Howard, though it hasn’t led to many touches. This week, Sanders should finally break out against the Lions. The Lions defense has allowed David Johnson and Austin Ekeler to shred them through the first two weeks, and it could happen again this week for Sanders. – Mason
Frank Gore vs Cincinnati Bengals
Old man Gore just keeps on rolling. Devin Singletary has been ruled out for this game with a hamstring injury while T.J. Yeldon hasn’t touched the ball yet this season. Gore will have a feature role this week against an awful Bengals run defense. Last week they allowed the 49ers, without Tevin Coleman, to rush for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and score 55.8 fantasy points. The only way Gore doesn’t finish this game with at least 18 fantasy points is if he retires at halftime (shoutout to Vontae Davis). – Mike
Wide Receivers
Starts
Larry Fitzgerald vs Carolina Panthers
Carolina last week gave up eight catches, for 121 receiving yards with a touchdown which equaled 26 fantasy points to Tamp Bay’s slot receiver Chris Godwin. With Fitzgerald lining up in the slot going into Sunday, he ranks in the top 10 of wide receivers targeted through the two weeks. He’s in line for a nice WR2 or even borderline WR1 day. – Josh
Kenny Golladay @ Philadelphia Eagles
Golladay had a tough matchup against the Chargers and Casey Hayward last week but made the most of it. This week, he gets a much easier slate as he faces off against the depleted Eagles secondary. The Eagles have given up three top 13 performances throughout the first two weeks to receivers including two top-ten performances. I expect Golladay to be in the WR1 conversation by the end of the weekend. – Mason
Stefon Diggs vs Oakland Raiders
Raise your hand if you want to glue Diggs to the bench. Yeah me too! However, this is Diggs breakout game. So far this season he has caught just three of nine targets for 86 yards, a touchdown, and just 15.6 fantasy points. The good news is he faces a Raiders defense that made Demarcus Robinson look like Michael Irvin as he scored 35.2 fantasy points. With Gareon Conley focused on Adam Thielen, Diggs should have a field day against the rest of the Raiders’ poor cornerbacks. Expect a few deep shots to Diggs off play-action. – Mike
Sits
Terry McLaurin vs Chicago Bears
I know, you blew your FAAB budget load to snag McLaurin. That doesn’t mean plug him in right away, especially against the nasty Bears defense that limits outside wideouts to less than 20 fantasy points a game. The ceiling is low and if you must start him, he’s borderline flex play. – Josh
Josh Gordon vs New York Jets
Like James White, Gordon’s role in the Patriots offense is to be determined following the release of Antonio Brown. After a great week one performance against Pittsburgh, Gordon had a measly five targets last week in a blowout against the Dolphins. It will be tough to trust Gordon until we get more information on how Tom Brady will spread the ball around. – Mason
Jarvis Landry vs Los Angeles Rams
Landry was someone I recommended fantasy owners stay away from this season and so far I’ve been right. In two games, Landry is averaging nine fantasy points per game while only bringing in half of his targets. Part of that is on Baker Mayfield‘s accuracy issues to start the year and part is Landry’s diminishing role in the offense. To make things worse the Rams have yet to give up a touchdown to opposing wide receivers this season. Furthermore, the rams are holding opposing wide receivers to 12.3 fewer fantasy points than the league average. Other than Odell Beckham Jr. and Nick Chubb, I would bench every other Browns player this week. – Mike
Sleepers
James Washington @ San Francisco 49ers
It’s no secret Washington and new quarterback Mason Rudolph played together at Oklahoma State. Mix that chemistry and the fact Washington out snapped Donte Moncrief by 13 last week, gives this opportunity for him to have a breakout game. – Josh
Randall Cobb vs Miami Dolphins
Cobb has looked great since joining the Cowboys during the offseason. He gets a tasty matchup this week as he faces off against the Dolphins who are trying to tank in any way possible. Cobb could get off to a fast start along with Prescott in a game that could get out of control immediately unless Josh Rosen can save the Dolphins. Cobb is a reliable flex option this week. – Mason
D.K. Metcalf vs New Orleans Saints
Do you know what my favorite kind of Apple is? The answer is Eli Apple. For some reason, the Saints think he should be starting instead of one of the fans. With Marshon Lattimore shadowing Tyler Lockett, Metcalf will see plenty of Apple. While the Saints will be without Drew Brees and that means a shootout is very unlikely, Russell Wilson trusts the rookie receiver and will take plenty of shots targeting him and whoever else Apple is covering. Metcalf is averaging over 20 yards per catch this season and has scored at least 12.9 fantasy points in both games this season. Metcalf is another one of my favorite cheap DFS values this week. – Mike
Tight Ends
Starts
Vance McDonald @ San Francisco 49ers
McDonald is about to become a start every week with the production he had last week. Scoring two touchdowns and 22 fantasy points. He becomes the security blanket for quarterback Mason Rudolph. Against the 49ers, teams are 11 for 15 when passes are thrown to the tight end. Big TE1 play is in effect Sunday. – Josh
Greg Olsen @ Arizona Cardinals
Olsen showed some signs that he still has potential in the Panthers offense last week as he caught six passes for 110 yards against the Buccaneers. Even with Cam Newton’s injury looming and the possibility of having to play with Kyle Allen, Olsen should show out this week against the Cardinals who have been gifting tight ends with great games so far throughout the two weeks. If young bucks T.J. Hockenson and Mark Andrews can have great games, so can Olsen. – Mason
O.J. Howard vs New York Giants
Take your pick of your favorite back from the dead meme and put Howard’s face on it. After getting zero targets last week and having his head coach call him out for his poor play, I fully expect Howard to have a big game against an awful Giants defense. In week one the Giants gave up 23.4 fantasy points to the Cowboys’ tight ends. In case you were wondering, that group is old man Jason Witten and totally forgotten about Blake Jarwin. Imagine what Howard will do to this defense. Howard is a must start and a top-five tight end play this week. Another great value play in DFS. – Mike
Sits
Darren Waller @ Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings fifth in pressure percentage this season. Only Tyrell Williams besides Waller has produced for Oakland so far in the passing game this season. Josh Jacobs might not play as well which only hinders the run game making pass coverage able to focus on Waller and Williams unless someone steps up. Waller has a tough matchup this week. fade him if possible. – Josh
Eric Ebron vs Atlanta Falcons
Let’s try this again. Last week I had Ebron listed as a sit and he scored a touchdown. He is still second in snaps at the tight end position to Jack Doyle by almost 30 percent. Ebron is a weekly disaster waiting to happen at the tight end position because of his lack of snap usage. Since 2017, the Falcons have only given up nine touchdowns to the tight end position, making this a difficult play for Ebron. – Mason
Will Dissly vs New Orleans Saints
Let me be clear here. DO NOT CHASE THE STINKIN POINTS! In week one Dissly had the same number of targets (two) as he had touchdowns in week two. Ironically, he had a poor game against the Bengals swiss cheese defense but a great one against a solid Steelers unit. If you remove Dissly’s two fluke touchdowns, he scores 10 points last week and averages 6.1 for the season verse the 12.1 he currently is averaging. The Saints have given up just six catches for 59 yards and 11.9 fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. Find a better streaming option on the waiver wire. – Mike
Sleepers
Jason Witten vs Miami Dolphins
Michael Gallup won’t play this week, combine that with the fact that Miami has allowed an average 22 points a game to the tight end position, Witten is a great play this week. Witten has also scored in both games up to this point so the chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott is there. Oh, and did I mention he’s up against Miami? Plug him in away! – Josh
Will Dissly vs New Orleans Saints
I had Dissly listed in this category in week one and it turned out I was a week too early. I like his chances of having another solid game this week against the Saints. In a game that could feature a lot of scoring, Dissly is a reliable endzone option for Russell Wilson. I’d roll with him instead of Ebron this week. – Mason
Jordan Reed/Vernon Davis vs Chicago Bears
Currently Jordan Reed is not expected to play Monday Night verse the Bears with a concussion. If by some chance he plays start him over Davis but like I said in the week three streamers article, make sure you either have Davis on the bench or he’s available on the waiver wire if Reed is ruled out last minute. With Reed out of the lineup, Davis is averaging a solid 10.9 fantasy points per game. Meanwhile, the Bears are the fifth friendliest defense to opposing tight ends this season, giving up an average of 17.2 fantasy points per game; 5.9 more than the league average. Furthermore, the tight ends the Bears have given up the most fantasy points to this season are Jimmy Graham and Noah Fant. Whichever Redskins tight end that starts Monday night, play them. – Mike
Questions and comments?
thescorecrowsports@gmail.com
Follow Us on Twitter @thescorecrow
Follow Us on Reddit at u/TheScorecrow
Follow Us on Facebook at The Scorecrow
Follow Us on Instagram at The Scorecrow
Facebook Group where you can read and post articles at The Scorecrow
Reddit Group where everyone can post without fear of being banned at The Scorecrow
Follow Joshua Abbe on Twitter @jabbe05
Follow Mason Thompson on Twitter @Thompson22Mason
Follow Mike Fanelli on Twitter @MikeSports22
Main Image Credit:
[getty src=”1174400777″ width=”594″ height=”394″ tld=”com”]
