Fantasy players will have to decide whether last week’s high-scoring running back is a sign of things to come or a fluke. However, the most critical part of the waiver wire is finding the right players to stream for the upcoming matchup. Whether you need an injury replacement or your current starter has a bad matchup, it is critical to find the right player to stream. With that in mind, here are eight potential streaming options for Week 3.
The following players are owned in under 50 percent of ESPN leagues. All stats are base on four-point per passing touchdown and PPR scoring.
Matt Ryan at New York Giants (36.7%)
After a horrible performance in Week 1, Ryan bounced back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, finishing with 300 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 16.3 fantasy points. If not for three interceptions, Ryan would have finished with 22.3 fantasy points. This week, he faces a Giants’ defense that has struggled to slow down quarterbacks this season. In Week 1, Teddy Bridgewater scored 20.5 fantasy points against the Giants. Then, Taylor Heinicke scored 20 fantasy points against them last week. Those two quarterbacks combined for 600 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, and only one interception. The Atlanta Falcons appear to have gotten their offense going last week. Hopefully, they take their next step forward this week, leading to plenty of fantasy points for Ryan.
Kirk Cousins vs Seattle Seahawks (24.5%)
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Well, that rule applies to Cousins. For the third week in a row, Cousins makes the streamers list. In Week 1, Cousins scored 22 fantasy points against the Cincinnati Bengals. He followed that up this past weekend with 25.3 fantasy points against the Arizona Cardinals. So far this season, Cousins had completed over 71 percent of his passes for 595 yards and five touchdowns. This week, he faces a Seattle defense that gave up 18.3 fantasy points to Carson Wentz in Week 1 and 14.6 to Ryan Tannehill on Sunday. The Seahawks will be able to score at will on Minnesota this week, forcing Cousins to air it out for the third game in a row.
Evan Engram vs Atlanta Falcons (32.5%)
It isn’t a great week for streaming tight ends. However, Engram is an appealing option if he plays. Engram has missed the first two games of the season with a calf injury. There was a chance he would play last week against the Washington Football Team. However, with the short week, the New York Giants held him out. With 10 days rest, Engram will hopefully be ready to suit up in Week 3 against the Falcons. Over the first two weeks of the season, the Falcons have struggled to defend tight ends. In Week 1, Dallas Goedert scored 14.2 fantasy points. Then on Sunday, Rob Gronkowski finished with 19.9 fantasy points and two touchdowns. If Engram plays this week, he has top-10 upside.
Dan Arnold at Houston Texans (0.7%)
So far this season, Arnold has failed to reach the end zone or score double-digit fantasy points in either game. However, Arnold has caught five of his seven targets for 61 yards this season. This week, he has an appealing matchup on Thursday night against the Texans. Over the first two games of the season, the Texans have struggled against tight ends. In Week 1, Jacksonville Jaguars’ James O’Shaughnessy and Chris Manhertz combined for 20 fantasy points against the Texans. Then on Sunday, the Texans gave up 21.7 fantasy points to the Cleveland Browns’ tight ends, including 11 catches for over 100 receiving yards. Arnold is a reliable streaming option and should finish the week with double-digit fantasy points.
Arizona Cardinals D/ST at Jacksonville Jaguars (29.0%)
In Week 1, the Cardinals D/ST scored 17 fantasy points against the Tennessee Titans, totaling three turnovers and six sacks. Then, they came back down to earth against the Minnesota Vikings, scoring negative two fantasy points. However, the Cardinals D/ST is in a prime position to have a massive performance against the Jaguars. Over the first two weeks of the season, D/STs have had their way with the Jacksonville offense. In Week 1, the Texans D/ST scored six fantasy points after forcing three interceptions. Then, the Denver Broncos D/ST scored 11 fantasy points against on Sunday, forcing two interceptions. Between Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt, the Cardinals will get plenty of pressure on Trevor Lawrence, leading to sacks and interceptions. This week, the Cardinals D/ST is a top-three option.
Carolina Panthers D/ST at Houston Texans (13.3%)
Over the first two weeks of the season, the Panthers D/ST has been on fire. In Week 1, they scored 11 fantasy points against the New York Jets, finishing with six sacks and an interception. Then, the Panthers D/ST scored 14 fantasy points last week against the New Orleans Saints, finishing with four sacks and two interceptions. This week, they take on the Texans on Thursday night. Last week, the Browns D/ST scored five fantasy points against the Texans, finishing with two turnovers. With Davis Mills starting, they are the best D/ST this week.
Matt Prater at Jacksonville Jaguars (36.8%)
On Sunday, Prater made all four of his extra point attempts and both of his field goals, including the game-winner. For the season, Prater has made three of his four field goals and all of his nine extra point attempts, scoring 19 fantasy points, including 12 last week against the Vikings. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have been fantasy gold for opposing kickers. In Week 1, the Texans’ Joey Slye scored 14 fantasy points against the Jaguars. Then, Brandon McManus scored 13 fantasy points against them on Sunday. Furthermore, Prater has been one of the better kickers during his time in the NFL, making 83.1 percent of his career kicks. The Cardinals will score in bunches against the Jaguars this week, which should result in a top-five finish for Prater.
Daniel Carlson vs Miami Dolphins (17.7%)
The Raiders are one of only two undefeated teams in the AFC after two weeks of play. A critical reason why is Carlson. This season, Carlson had made all six of his field goals, including four from 40 plus yards. He has also made all five of his extra point attempts, averaging 14 fantasy points per game. Meanwhile, Carlson takes on the Dolphins this week. Against the New England Patriots in Week 1, the Dolphins surrendered three field goals and 11 fantasy points to Nick Folk. During his time with the Raiders, Carlson has made 88.1 percent of his field goals, including 80 percent from 50 plus yards. Carlson should have his third game in a row with double-digit fantasy points against the Dolphins.
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