09/20/18 01:57:00
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09/20 13:55 CDT FANTASY PLAYS: Sit Rodgers? Worth at least mulling for W3
FANTASY PLAYS: Sit Rodgers? Worth at least mulling for W3
By BRANDON C. WILLIAMS
RotoExperts
Patrick Mahomes is good. 2018 David Johnson looks nothing like 2016 David
Johnson. The Rams defense has not only replaced the Seahawks as the NFC's most
dominant unit, but may be the best the NFL has to offer.
Week 3 will go a long way toward helping fantasy football owners decide how
those clear early observations play out. Mahomes, Johnson and the Rams defense
are certain starts, but the same can't be said for some others whose fate will
hinge on the faith of their owners.
START: Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Buccaneers: FitzMagic's next act won't be too hard
as the Steelers defense looks easily disappears. Pittsburgh is 31st in fantasy
points allowed to opposing quarterbacks and will have to contend with the
withering assault that will come from Fitzpatrick firing the ball to the likes
of Mike Evans, O.J. Howard and DeSean Jackson. Mahomes' historic start is the
only reason that Fitzpatrick's 699 yards and eight touchdowns aren't the story
of fantasy football. Playing Fitzpatrick on Monday night will give his owners
plenty of confidence in pulling out a Week 3 victory.
SIT: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers: Seriously. The threat of his injured knee
giving way blends in with a road game against a Redskins defense that has
allowed 161 passing yards per game and a mere 5.1 yards per attempt. Rodgers
saw his Week 1 fantasy output nearly cut in half by the Vikings last week and
the Redskins will be focused on forcing him to make plays on his bad leg. Under
normal circumstances, Rodgers is a must-start on a weekly basis, yet there's
too much risk in play with his injury. Those who have a QB2 who is healthy and
has a favorable matchup may want to go in that direction.
START: Matt Breida, RB, 49ers: He's not going to repeat his 12.5 yards per
carry from last week against the Lions, but Breida is in line for another big
afternoon against a Chiefs defense that is giving up yardage in big chunks.
While Kansas City is seventh overall versus the run, its inability to stop
pass-catching backs is why it's 30th in fantasy points allowed per game to
opposing runners. Alfred Morris will still get his touches but in a game with
two bad defenses, Brieda is the clear choice, especially in point-per-reception
(PPR) formats.
SIT: Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings: A hamstring issue led Cook to miss practice on
Wednesday and with a battered Bills defense on the Sunday docket, this could
lead Minnesota to either put him on a tight "pitch count" in favor of Latavius
Murray or have him sit out. Buffalo is 29th in fantasy points allowed per game
against opposing backs, making Cook a tempting play, but don't be surprised if
the Vikings play the long-term game and make Murray an intriguing flex option.
START: Corey Clement, RB, Eagles: It's unlikely that Jay Ajayi and/or Darren
Sproles will be available against the Colts, making Clement a sneaky good start
in PPR leagues. Clement caught five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown in last
week's loss against the Buccaneers and gets a meaty matchup against
Indianapolis. The Colts are allowing 11 catches and 93 yards per game to
opposing running backs. With Nelson Agholor and Zach Ertz as the only reliable
options in the Philadelphia passing game, look for the returning Carson Wentz
to help get Clement 12-15 touches as a dual threat.
SIT: Corey Davis, WR, Titans: Quarterback Marcus Mariota's status remains in
question, which means Blaine Gabbert will again be cast into the role of game
manager for a run-heavy attack. It doesn't help Davis' cause that he'll see
plenty of All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey much of the afternoon. The Jaguars are
ninth in fantasy points allowed per game to opposing receivers and if Gabbert
is indeed the starter, don't count on Davis putting up big numbers.
START: Keelan Cole, WR, Jaguars: Leonard Fournette should return to the lineup,
but it shouldn't keep Cole from having a solid encore performance after last
week's seven-catch, 116-yard outing against the Patriots that included his
first touchdown of the season. Cole has caught 10 of his 12 targets in the
early going and has shown his big-play skills, having pulled in four passes of
20-plus yards. Tennessee has allowed a staggering 70 percent completion rate to
opposing passers and if the Titans put too much focus on slowing down
Fournette, Cole and Blake Bortles will be able to put up solid numbers.
SIT: Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals: C.J. Uzomah is beginning to steal targets from
Eifert and it doesn't help his cause that the Panthers have been solid when it
comes to containing opposing tight ends. Eifert could have red zone potential,
but the Bengals will look to exploit a Carolina defense that is 28th in
completion percentage (73.7) by using running back Gio Bernard to help take
attention off A.J. Green.
START: Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions: Detroit is 30th in rushing, which is more
reason for Stafford to fire away against a New England defense that was
scorched by Blake Bortles last week. The Pats have allowed 276 passing yards
per game and Stafford comes off a 347-yard, three-TD performance in the loss at
the 49ers. This should also be a good game to play Lions receiver Kenny
Golladay, who has seemingly passed by Marvin Jones and could have a huge Sunday
night.
SIT: Josh Gordon, WR, Patriots: Tom Brady will get to deploy his latest weapon
on Sunday night, but Gordon won't be on the field enough to justify starting
him. Gordon will probably get 15-20 plays, which means he will get three to
four targets with at least one a downfield shot. It will be best to wait a game
or two before going all-in with Gordon, whose upside has never looked better
now that he is with a franchise who can help him mature on and off the field.
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For more in-depth Week 2 lineup advice and tips, visit RotoExperts:
https://rotoexperts.com
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