Welcome to Week 4 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em.
This game-by-game article breaks down every player that is relevant for fantasy football. As always, please use our projections to make your start/sit decisions every week. The analysis in this piece provides color – and a lot of stats – behind the projections.
Unless stated otherwise, all of the data in this article is from Fantasy Points Data and specifically curated from the Data Suite. Our collection team has charted every play from every game over the last three seasons, and we will have fresh, weekly data imported into the tools on Tuesday mornings after the games.
The Start’ Em, Sit ‘Em key
Must Start — Don’t take them out of your lineup, even if there is a fire.
Start ‘Em — The top-12 at QB and TE; top-20 plays at RB; top-25 at WR.
FLEX Plays — All of the best RB2/WR3 plays.
Stream ‘Em — The best one-week plays at QB and TE for streaming off of the waiver wire.
Sit ‘Em — Don’t play them in your lineups. This could be due to a poor role, matchup, or performance.
Stash ‘Em — Step 1: Hold them on your bench. Step 2: Profit. (See: Jordan Mason, Week 1)
Good luck this week!
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (TNF)
Must Start
CeeDee Lamb – After a slow start for his standard, this is a spot where Lamb can get loose. The Giants just gave up 7/86/2 receiving to Amari Cooper. New York is playing one-high safety coverage on 60% of the opponents' pass plays. Over the last two seasons, Lamb has smashed one-high safety looks to the tune of 3.42 yards per route run. His efficiency drops against two-high safety coverages (2.09 YPRR).
Malik Nabers – Leads all players in targets (37) and his 48% first-read target share trails only Cooper Kupp (52%).
Start ‘Em
Dak Prescott – Clearly a favorable spot. Dallas’ implied total (25.3 points) is fourth-highest on the slate. Prescott finished as fantasy’s QB2 last week, thanks in large part to 51 pass attempts as the Cowboys played out of a huge deficit. Prescott’s efficiency (7.0 YPA, 3.3% TD) is lower than last year (7.7 YPA, 6.1% TD), but he can make up for it with this increase in volume. Dallas’ defense is no longer dominating. The Cowboys' foot needs to remain on the gas. The Giants are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per dropback when they play one-high safety coverage.
Devin Singletary – Just a rock-solid RB2 this week. Singletary has 95 and 108 yards from scrimmage with a TD in Weeks 2-3 against Washington and Cleveland. Dallas’ run defense was average in 2023 and has really fallen off to start this campaign. They’re getting crushed for 5.4 YPC (second-most).
Jake Ferguson – Currently ranks fourth among tight ends in targets per route run (0.28). It’s a small sample, but Ferguson has clearly been heavily targeted when he’s been on the field. There’s plenty of room for him to develop into a Must Start TE1. In fact, he’s one of the lone bright spots among tight ends across the fantasy football landscape after he led the Cowboys in targets (11) and receiving (6/95) in Week 3 against the Ravens. Ferguson’s role has been more limited than usual due to the knee injury he sustained in Week 1 – he’s only 20th among TE in route share (63%) – but it’s clear that he’s ready for a bigger role moving forward. The volume will be strong offensively because Dallas’ defense has regressed after their light’s out 2023 season. The Cowboys were already pass-first, obviously, but their defense giving up more points will force them to continue passing even more. Through three games, Dallas has called 136 passes (third-most) to just 60 runs (fifth-fewest). That’s 69% pass-heavy (third-highest).
FLEX Plays
Rico Dowdle – Over the first three weeks, Ezekiel Elliott’s snaps have fallen from 50% in Week 1, 42% in Week 2, and he was all the way down to 20% last week. This paves the way for Dowdle to emerge as a FLEX option over the next few weeks. Dowdle has 5 targets in back-to-back games. New York is allowing 5.4 YPC (third-highest) in run defense.
Stream ‘Em
Daniel Jones – After a rough opener, Jones has played alright in Weeks 2-3. This is due in large part to Malik Nabers. Jones completed 64.5% of his throws for 6.7 YPA and 4 TDs against Washington and Cleveland. His rushing production is a bit lower than his career norm in his first few starts after knee surgery. He has 6, 5, and 8 carries through three games, but he’s averaging just 22.3 rushing yards per start so far. Jones has averaged 34.8 YPG on the ground in his five previous seasons. Dallas’ secondary has regressed to start this season (7.8 passing yards per attempt allowed) after being a top-10 unit last year (6.8 YPA allowed). He’s in play as a low-end QB1 streamer and you’re obviously locking him into SuperFlex lineups.
Sit ‘Em
Wan’Dale Robinson – Has finished as the PPR WR31, WR34, and WR35 through three games. That’s great for best ball leagues or if you’re in a deep 14- or 16-team league, but we need more upside in most seasonal formats. Robinson has earned 22% of the targets, but only 15% of the Giants' air yards.
Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert – These two have split targets (15 apiece), but are seeing -50% fewer targets on a per-route basis (0.14 targets per route run) compared to Ferguson (0.28).
Ezekiel Elliott
Theo Johnson
Stash ‘Em
Tyrone Tracy
Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts
Must Start
Jonathan Taylor – Has piled up 135 scrimmage yards in back-to-back games. Taylor already has 7 carries inside the 10 — which is fourth-most among RBs.
Start ‘Em
Justin Fields – Has finished as fantasy’s QB20, QB24, and QB12 in weekly scoring through three games. Fields has been on the sit list for three straight weeks, but his improving play and this matchup seem ideal to bring him off of the bench as a starter in all 1-QB leagues this week. The Colts are struggling to get to the QB (22% pressure rate forced | 28th) and are giving up strong passing production as a result (15.7 pass FPG allowed | seventh-most). Fields is getting the ball out faster (2.6 seconds time to throw) this season compared to last (3.0 TTT) and taking fewer sacks, which was a huge problem for him in Chicago.
Najee Harris – Teammate Jaylen Warren is dealing with another injury — this time, it’s to his knee. Warren missed the last few weeks of August, tending to a sore hamstring. Najee Harris has piled up the touches (21, 18, and 23) but has been an empty-calorie FLEX option without any TD upside so far. This is clearly a spot for that to change. The Colts run defense are allowing a league-high 136.3 rushing yards per game. Harris is a solid RB2 for Week 4 decisions as opposed to the usual low-end FLEX play that he usually is every week.
George Pickens – Overall, volume will remain a concern here. It’s the only thing holding Pickens back from a true breakout campaign. Fields is averaging 25 pass attempts per game and that is right in line with his last two years in Chicago when he averaged 24.5 A/G. Regardless, Pickens is the only show in town. He’s earning 31% of the first-read targets and has seen a massive 50% of the team’s passing air yards. This is a potential eruption spot up against a burnable Colts secondary. Pickens is a high-upside WR2/FLEX. Indianapolis is allowing the second-most yards per route run (2.57) to receivers aligned out wide.
Anthony Richardson – I’m not freaking out over Richardson in fantasy long-term. Let’s zoom out here and realize that he’s made just five full starts in his NFL career. The bottom line is that Richardson is struggling as a passer out of the gates. He’s dead last among QBs in off-target throw rate (29%) and turnover-worthy throws (9.6%). This is his second straight tough matchup after facing a tough Bears secondary last week. Pittsburgh is generating the third-highest pressure rate (41.3%) and forcing the third-lowest completion rate under expected (-3.2%). I expect OC Shane Steichen will dial up the designed runs with Richardson to try and keep the Steelers front-seven on their toes.
Stream ‘Em
Pat Freiermuth – This is a pretty decent spot to use Freiermuth as a low-end TE1 streamer. The usage has been decent. He’s tied as the TE7 in route share (73.6%), and he’s TE10 in target share (17.3%). The Colts just got hammered by Cole Kmet for 10/97/1 receiving after allowing the seventh-most receptions and 10th-most yards to TEs a year ago.
Sit ‘Em
Michael Pittman – We’re a long way off from his performance last season. Through three games, Pittman has just 88 yards on 20 targets. He has 11 receptions and hasn’t scored. His performance against the Bears' strong secondary was a new low. Josh Downs made his season debut and immediately tied Pittman for the team lead in targets (5). This is all moot anyway, until Anthony Richardson can dial in the accuracy on his cannon. Keep sitting Pittman on your bench.
Josh Downs – In his first game of the year, Downs immediately led the Colts in first reads (33% share) over Pittman (27%), Pierce (13%), and Taylor (13%). Continue to stash him in PPR leagues. Downs ran every single one of his routes lined up in the slot.
Alec Pierce
Adonai Mitchell – As expected, Mitchell’s role was cut down with Downs back to play in the slot. However, I didn’t expect the rookie to only run one route in Week 3. For now, Pierce is well ahead of Mitchell as the Colts' secondary perimeter receiver opposite of Pittman.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Must Start
Nico Collins – In his last 10 games with Stroud under center, Collins has piled up 68 receptions for 1,137 yards and 5 TDs on 94 targets. That’s 21.2 PPR points per game. He’s seen at least 22% of Stroud's targets in every game in this span. Collins has earned 40% of the Texans' targets when facing man coverage this season, and he’s averaging a ridiculous 3.88 yards per route run vs. man-to-man over the last two years.
Start ‘Em
C.J. Stroud – With weekly finishes of QB9, QB17, and QB25, this has not been the start that you expected if you took Stroud early. However, he will make it up here. If the Jaguars continue to play man coverage at the league’s highest rate (61%) this week, they will give up 300+ yards. Jacksonville is giving up the sixth-most passing FP per dropback.
Stefon Diggs – Teammate WR Tank Dell (ribs, hand) did not practice on Wednesday. Diggs has just three fewer targets than Collins (27 to 24), but his average depth of target is more than two times lower than Collins (13.3-yard aDOT). Through three games, Diggs has mainly been used as an underneath target (6.5 aDOT) out of the slot.
Travis Etienne – Has played at least 60% of the snaps in 20 straight games dating back to the start of last season. The Texans are playing very tough run defense again (3.2 YPC allowed), but Etienne will remain heavily involved in the pass game. He’s tied for 4th among RBs in targets (13). Etienne remains a low-end RB2.
FLEX Plays
Brian Thomas and Christian Kirk – It was great to see Kirk rejoin the Jaguars pass offense after he was a ghost in Weeks 1-2. This is all on coaching. Brian Thomas looks like a future stud, but Kirk is such a strong separator out of the slot. If Evan Engram (hamstring) misses another game, we will see the targets condense around Kirk and Thomas. Last week, Kirk earned 32% of the first-read targets, followed by Thomas (21%). Thomas gets the best matchup here, with Houston allowing the 7th-most receiving yards (356) to perimeter receivers.
Cam Akers – Starting RB Joe Mixon (ankle) didn’t practice again on Wednesday. As expected, Houston went with a split backfield in Week 3 without Mixon and Dameon Pierce (hamstring). Akers (44% snap rate) and passing down RB Dare Ogunbowale (40%) split snaps with Akers dominating early down work. If he gets another spot start, Akers will be a low-end RB2/FLEX option again.
Sit ‘Em
Tank Dell – Dealing with multiple injuries (ribs/hand).
Evan Engram – Questionable to play with a hamstring injury. Backup TE Brenton Strange has turned his 11 targets into 5/77/1 receiving over the last two weeks without Engram.
Dalton Schultz – Has just seven receptions for 48 yards on 3, 3, and 5 targets through three games. He’d get a boost as a TE1 streamer if Dell were to miss this game.
Gabe Davis
Trevor Lawrence – Has finished as fantasy football’s QB23, QB21, and QB26. Beyond the poor scheme and poor coaching that’s plagued this offense once again, Lawrence isn’t playing well. His 21.3% off-target throw rate is fourth-worst.
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
Must Start
Alvin Kamara – Didn’t practice on Wednesday with a rib and hip injury. Kamara has racked up 110, 180, and 127 scrimmage yards to start his season.
Bijan Robinson – Ranks third in snaps (82%) behind only Kyren Williams (86%) and Saquon Barkley (85%). The Falcons have been run-heavy to start the season, and they have the sixth-lowest pass rate under expectation (-6.3%).
Start ‘Em
Drake London – After a slow Week 1 in a tough matchup, London has received a whopping 43% of Cousins’ first-read targets over the last two games (12/121/2 receiving on 16 targets). London is, at worst, a WR2 with this type of target earning. The Saints didn’t have to do much in Week 1 against Bryce Young, but their secondary did allow solid games to CeeDee Lamb (4/90/1 receiving), Jalen Tolbert (6/82), and DeVonta Smith (7/79) in Weeks 2-3. London is 12th-of-58 WR in average separation score (0.173 A.S.S.) when aligned out wide, which is another positive signal.
Chris Olave – That’s more like it. After a sleepy Week 1-2, Olave cooked the Eagles for 6/81/1 receiving. Atlanta has been hammered by top wideouts George Pickens (6/85 receiving), DeVonta Smith (7/76/1), and Rashee Rice (12/110/1) to start this season. Olave leads all receivers in average separation score (0.442 A.S.S.) and route win rate (39.5%) when aligned out wide.
FLEX Plays
Rashid Shaheed – It was a day of what-ifs for Shaheed in Week 3 after his goose egg. He just missed a TD on a slightly underthrown ball from Carr that would have saved his day. The underlying usage remains strong. Shaheed has run a route on 89% of the pass plays in back-to-back games after being a part-time player last season (70%).
Darnell Mooney – Has emerged as the clear #2 target with a 27% share of the first reads over the last two weeks. Mooney is going to be on the field for pretty much every single one of the Falcons pass plays, and this first-read target rate is worthy of a WR3 projection moving forward.
Sit ‘Em
Kyle Pitts – By comparison, Kyle Pitts’ first-read target share this season is 7.4%. That ranks 30th among TEs and behind Michael Mayer (7.6%). Yikes. Since the start of last season, Pitts has now seen five or fewer targets in 15 of his last 20 games. At a certain point, we have to wonder why he isn’t earning targets more consistently.
Derek Carr – The Eagles pass rush came to life last week and pressured Carr on 48% of his dropbacks. This is after he was largely kept clean (26% pressure rate) in Weeks 1-2. Carr is going to have to live off of touchdowns and not volume because New Orleans has quietly been the second-most run-heavy offense in the league with a -11.2% pass rate under expected.
Kirk Cousins – In his first three starts as a Falcon, Cousins has finished as fantasy’s QB28, QB9, and QB24 in weekly scoring. The Saints are limiting opposing passers to the third-fewest FP per dropback (0.22).
Taysom Hill – Should return this week after missing one game with a chest injury. Hill returned to a full practice on Friday.
Ray-Ray McLoud
Stash ‘Em
Tyler Allgeier
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
Must Start
Kyren Williams – He’s second among running backs in expected fantasy points (19.8) and leads the position in carries (10) inside-the-10.
Start ‘Em
D.J. Moore – The Rams' secondary has been absolutely destroyed for the fifth-most receiving yards (541) and third-most FPG (41.9 PPR points) to opposing wideouts. Los Angeles is giving up a league-high 3.05 yards per route run to receivers aligned out wide.
Stream ‘Em
Colby Parkinson – He was limited to just 3/21 receiving last week in a brutal matchup against the 49ers. I’m willing to give Parkinson one more week as a TE streaming option with the position so thinned out by injuries. Speaking of thinning out, Parkinson gets the benefit of more targets with one more week without Kupp and Nacua. Last week, he tied Tutu Atwell for the Rams lead in targets (5). At the very least, we know that Parkinson will be out there running routes because no TE has a higher route share (83%).
FLEX Plays
Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen – The Colts' secondary just got absolutely torched by the rookie Odunze for 6/112/1 (on 11 targets) in a performance that probably should have been bigger. Caleb Williams just missed Odunze a few times when he got behind Indianapolis’ coverage. Veteran WR Keenan Allen (heel) missed his second straight game, so we saw targets concentrate around Odunze (11), Cole Kmet (11), and D.J. Moore (10). Most importantly, the Bears have an amazing upcoming schedule to build some momentum against some of the league’s worst secondaries (vs. Rams, Panthers, Jaguars, Commanders, and Cardinals) over their next six games. This offense still has a long way to go. OC Shane Waldron has some work to do because this passing game has lacked creativity to start the season. Keenan Allen led the team in first-read targets (35% share) by a whisker over Moore (30%) back in Week 1.
Sit ‘Em
D’Andre Swift – Once again, he came up small. In a great matchup against a weak Colts run defense, Swift carried the ball 13 times for 20 yards. His longest gain was four yards. Chicago’s coaching staff has already responded. Swift’s snap rate was cut down to 53% in Week 3 after he opened the year at 68% in Weeks 1-2. After being a healthy scratch in Week 1 and playing on special teams only in Week 2, second-year RB Roschon Johnson made his debut on offense and immediately led the team in rushing (8/30) and turned his five targets into 4/30 receiving. Swift (2/22 receiving) saw one fewer target than Johnson. The Rams are another good matchup, but it’s impossible to feel confident here.
Caleb Williams – I’m not prepared to start Williams in 1-QB leagues yet, but this is an amazing spot. The Rams' secondary is getting diced up for the second-most passing fantasy points per dropback (0.59) and a league-high 9.8 YPA.
Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, Tyler Johnson, and Jordan Whittington – Without Kupp and Nacua last week, Robinson (90%) and Atwell (86%) were the top two wideouts by route share, followed by Johnson (45%) and Whittington (35%). For the second straight week, Atwell led the team in first-read target share in back-to-back games (33% in Week 2 | 29% in Week 3), and he’s the desperation WR4/FLEX play here. Robinson has just 3 receptions for 82 yards on eight targets over the last two weeks.
Cole Kmet – After running fewer routes than Gerald Everett in Weeks 1-2, Kmet finally got a larger role in Week 3 with a 58% route share to 22% for Everett. Unfortunately, there is only one ball. Keenan Allen should play this week.
Matthew Stafford – Has finished as the QB30 and QB23 over the last two weeks.
Stash ‘Em
Roschon Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Must Start
Saquon Barkley – Has shredded defenses to the tune of 132, 116, and 156 scrimmage yards.
Chris Godwin – The Eagles are giving up the second-most yards per route run (2.51) to opposing slot receivers. Godwin has earned more targets (24 to 14) than Evans and has dominated the first-reads with a 38% share, with Evans down at 22%.
Dallas Goedert – Earned 36% of the first-read targets last week with Brown out and Smith knocked out of the game.
Start ‘Em
Mike Evans – He may no longer be the lead target, but Evans still leads Godwin in end zone targets (3 to 1). Make no mistake: Evans has not fallen off. Far from it. He’s still sixth-best in average separation score (0.278 A.S.S.) when aligned out wide. This offense is just running through Godwin right now.
Jalen Hurts – After two top-8 scoring weeks to start the season, Hurts was only QB20 in weekly scoring last week. His turnover issues have leaked over, and he has now thrown 20 INTs and lost 7 fumbles over his last 21 regular season games. On the positive side of things, Hurts is running slightly more (11.3 carries per game) than usual (9.8 carries per game in 2021-23). A.J. Brown (hamstring), DeVonta Smith (concussion), and LT Lane Johnson (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday.
Baker Mayfield – I was dead wrong about Mayfield and the Bucs’ passing attack last week. The Buccaneers have given up 12 sacks over the last two weeks without RT Luke Goedeke (concussion), as their weak interior offensive line has been exposed. Goedeke is progressing through the league’s protocol. After two dormant games, the Eagles pass rush woke up last week and pressured Derek Carr on 48% of his dropbacks. Mayfield has streamer appeal again this week if his offensive line is intact. Philadelphia’s secondary has been burnt for 0.46 passing fantasy points per dropback (fifth-most).
FLEX Plays
Rachaad White – He still played on his usual 74% of the snaps, but this was the third-straight game where RB Bucky Irving was the better runner. It’s not close, either. This was always a huge concern here. White has 31 carries for 66 yards (two first downs), while the rookie Irving has been far more efficient with 25/154 rushing (five first downs). Neither running back has scored. At this point, it’s more than fair to wonder if White’s role starts deteriorating under this new coaching staff led by OC Liam Coen. He’ll always remain involved on passing downs, but this has been a terrible start for White after his efficiency on the ground was league-worst among his peers last year. White got away with it last year because the Buccaneers didn’t have a legitimate second option. The good news? This is a good matchup. The Eagles are allowing the fourth-most YPC (5.2) and the most explosive runs of 15 or more yards. With his slow start, I’m downgrading White to more of a high-end FLEX as opposed to a RB2.
Sit ‘Em
Jahan Dotson – For now, we’re expecting Dotson to be the lead WR for the Eagles with Brown, Smith, and Britain Covey (shoulder | I.R.) all injured. Dotson has earned just four targets on 89 routes this season.
Cade Otton
Stash ‘Em
Bucky Irving – One of the best handcuffs.
Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers
Must Start
Ja’Marr Chase
Joe Burrow – Carolina is allowing the third-most passing FP per game (17.3). They’ve given up at least 2 TDs in three straight games.
Start ‘Em
Diontae Johnson – It’s amazing what competent quarterback play can do for an offense. Veteran QB Andy Dalton came in for the benched Bryce Young, and he immediately torched the Raiders for 319 yards and 3 TDs on 37 attempts. With Dalton at the controls, Diontae Johnson led the team in targets (14) and dominated (8/122/1 receiving). He just missed on a second TD when Dalton overshot him when he was wide open in the end-zone. Regardless, it was great to see Johnson playing up to his potential when he’s given a chance. He had just five receptions for 34 yards with Young through two games. The Panthers can’t seriously go back to him if Dalton keeps playing at this level. Just take the loss and move on. Johnson dominated first-read targets (44.8% share) last week. Adam Thielen sustained a hamstring injury in Week 3 and he went on injured reserve.
Zack Moss – Once again, Moss led this backfield in Week 3. Moss is the clear lead RB in the red zone (84% snap rate) and on early downs (33 carries to Brown’s 14). What’s been most surprising is that Moss has run far more routes (68 to 21) than Chase Brown. This is a great spot for Moss as an RB2 play, up against a Panthers run defense that’s allowing the fifth-most rushing yards per game (124.7).
Chuba Hubbard – His snaps have increased slightly in three straight games (55% > 59% > 60%) with last week being the breakout. Hubbard ended up dominating on the ground with 169 scrimmage yards and he took 21 carries to Sanders’ seven in this revitalized Panthers offense last week. We saw a shift last week. In their first two games, Hubbard (16) and Sanders (12) split carries nearly evenly. This is another good matchup against a Bengals run defense that’s allowing the ninth-most yards per game (107.0). Rookie RB Jonathon Brooks can return off of I.R. next week.
FLEX Plays
Tee Higgins – In his season debut, Higgins immediately played a full-time role and earned one fewer first-read than Chase (30% to 26% share). Carolina has allowed the seventh-most yards to receivers aligned out wide (118.7 per game). Higgins is on the WR2-3 borderline.
Sit ‘Em
Andy Dalton – Burrow and Dalton are the only QBs to throw for 300+ yards and 3 TDs in a game so far this season, and they both did it last week. Dalton’s performance immediately puts him in the low-end streaming conversation in 1-QB leagues, and he’s a Must Start in SuperFlex leagues.
Chase Brown
Xavier Legette – He gets a huge opportunity with Thielen (hamstring) out for at least the next four games.
Andrei Iosivas
Mike Gesicki – Still just a part-time player. He hasn’t run a route on more than 54% of the Bengals pass plays in a single game yet.
Denver Broncos at New York Jets
Must Start
Breece Hall – Leads all RBs in targets (19) over De’Von Achane (18) and Aaron Jones (14).
FLEX Plays
Garrett Wilson – It has been a slow start for Wilson, with just 150 receiving yards on 26 targets through three games. This is an absolutely brutal matchup against the league’s premier shadow CB Pat Surtain. Over the last three weeks, Surtain has erased DK Metcalf (3/29 receiving), George Pickens (2/29), and Mike Evans (2/17). This is a weaker wide receiver slate, but Wilson is more of a WR3 this week.
Sit ‘Em
Aaron Rodgers – Has finished as the QB27, QB13, and QB11 in weekly scoring to start off his campaign. It’s great to see Rodgers back playing at a high level, but because he doesn’t run, we need to shoot for more upside in 1-QB leagues. Rodgers looks like a terrific value in SuperFlex, though. Rodgers’ 21 fantasy points last week were the most that he’s scored in a game since Week 15 of his fourth MVP season in 2021 (H/T Tom Brolley).
Javonte Williams – Lost a would-be TD when it looked like he crossed the goal line on the Broncos' second scoring drive last week. Teammate RB Jaleel McLaughlin made an insane effort on a poorly designed toss to score on the ensuing play. Williams later coughed up a fumble in the second quarter, and then he got just one more carry in the game. Wait, who’s that? Tyler Badie!? That’s right. HC Sean Payton is up to his old ways here. In a game the Broncos largely controlled, it wasn’t Williams (5/12 rushing) nor McLaughlin (5/7/1 rushing) leading the team in carries, but Badie (9/70). Williams has turned his 24 attempts into 52 yards this season.
Courtland Sutton – Continues to dominate targets (29% first-read share) over secondary wideouts Josh Reynolds (16.5% FR share) and Lil’Jordan Humphrey (12.7%). This is not a spot to get excited about Sutton as a WR3. Jets CBs Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed form a no-fly zone. The Jets are holding opposing outside wide receivers to the second-fewest yards per game (53.3).
Allen Lazard and Mike Williams – Over the last two weeks, Lazard has run more routes than Williams (74% route share to 52%) and earned two more targets (7 to 5).
Tyler Conklin – Tied as TE4 in route share (76%), so at least he’ll be out there. Conklin was finally added to the pass attack last week and delivered 5/93 receiving on six targets.
Bo Nix
Stash ‘Em
Braelon Allen
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Waiting on news for Jordan Love. This game will be added soon.
Washington Commanders at Arizona Cardinals (4:05p ET)
Must Start
Kyler Murray – Washington’s secondary is getting hammered for a league-high 22.5 passing FP per game. In fact, the Commanders have allowed at least 17.5 total fantasy points to a QB in 17 of their last 20 games dating back to last year.
Jayden Daniels – Washington’s first two conservative gameplans gave way to an aerial display in Week 3. Daniels’ average depth of target was second-lowest (4.8) yards before nearly doubling up to 8.7 yards against the Bengals.
Marvin Harrison – Gets the premier matchup of the week. Harrison is going to go off. Washington has gotten cleaned out by Mike Evans (5/61/2 receiving), Malik Nabers (10/127/1), and Ja’Marr Chase (6/118/2) this season. Harrison has 9/149/3 receiving on 19 targets over their last two weeks.
Start ‘Em
Brian Robinson – Teammate RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) is out. This locks Robinson into a near bell cow role for Week 3. We sort of saw that last week when Ekeler was knocked out of the game, and Robinson played on 76% of the snaps. That was the second-highest snap rate of his career so far.
James Conner – Only saw 10 touches last week, but his snap rate actually spiked to a season-high (75%). Conner remains a strong RB2. Washington is struggling to defend the pass and the ground game equally (5.2 YPC allowed | fifth-most).
FLEX Plays
Terry McLaurin – It was a slow start, but McLaurin exploded for 4/100/1 receiving on six targets with the downfield passing game added to this attack in Week 3. I said last week that McLaurin was a shaky WR3 until Washington started throwing deep, and, well, that didn’t take long. He’s back in play again. McLaurin is leading the Commanders in first-read targets (27% share) over Zach Ertz (20%).
Michael Wilson – Will be needed to step up with McBride (concussion) likely out. This is certainly an amazing matchup. Washington is allowing 52.1 PPR points per game (!!) to opposing wideouts.
Stream ‘Em
Zach Ertz – Has finished as the TE16, TE8, and TE10 in weekly PPR scoring so far. With 4, 4, and 5 targets in Weeks 1-3, Ertz remains a low-ceiling TE1 streamer with more value in TE premium leagues. He gets a boost on this weak TE slate since LaPorta, McBride, Kittle, Njoku, and Engram are all dealing with injuries.
Sit ‘Em
Trey McBride – In concussion protocol. TE Elijah Higgins will start in his place if McBride isn’t cleared to play.
Austin Ekeler – Out with a concussion.
Greg Dortch
New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers (4:05p ET)
Must Start
Jordan Mason
Start ‘Em
Brandon Aiyuk – An excellent buy-low. Aiyuk’s average separation score (0.32 A.S.S.) is second-best, and he leads all receivers in win rate (37%) on his routes. The Patriots held Ja’Marr Chase and Garrett Wilson relatively in check but allowed D.K. Metcalf (10/129/1 receiving) to lose his mind. Aiyuk is a strong WR2.
Brock Purdy – Dating back to the end of 2022, Purdy has finished as a top-15 scoring QB in weekly output in 18-of-24 games as the 49ers starter. That’s 75%. Once again, Purdy is a low-end QB1 in this likely low-scoring affair. The Patriots played really well in Week 1 against the Bengals, but have since been cleaned out by Geno Smith (327 yards, 1 TD) and Aaron Rodgers (281 yards, 2 TDs).
FLEX Plays
Jauan Jennings – Exploded for 11/175/3 receiving last week, and his 46.5 PPR points marked the 15th-highest-scoring game by a WR over the last 10 years. Jennings made the most of his opportunity and was getting lead receiver usage with a 43% first-read target share. Brandon Aiyuk (38%) saw one fewer first-read. WR Deebo Samuel (calf) is set to miss another game and TE George Kittle (hamstring) is questionable. The big question in this matchup is just how much the 49ers will have to throw after the Patriots offense looked so inept against the Jets last week.
Rhamondre Stevenson – The bottom fell out for the Patriots last week after their already talent-depleted offensive line lost their starting left side in LT Vederian Lowe and LG Sidy Sow. Both linemen are questionable for Week 4. Stevenson’s snaps were cut in last week’s blowout loss on a short week, but I expect him to continue to get borderline bell-cow usage moving forward. It’s impossible to get excited about his outlook behind a banged-up offensive line. New England has the lowest implied total (14.8 points) on the board.
Sit ‘Em
George Kittle – Nursing a hamstring injury.
Patriots WRs – Keep stashing Ja’Lynn Polk in deep leagues. He’s still behind vet KJ Osborn for now.
Hunter Henry – Just when it looked like Henry was going to be heavily utilized, the Patriots' offensive line fell apart. Henry was needed to block more last week. His route share was cut down to 57% in Week 3.
Jacoby Brissett – Fire up 49ers D/ST.
Antonio Gibson
Stash ‘Em
Drake Maye – He will be starting soon and has some upside for our game. Maye’s scramble rate (11.1%) was on par with the likes of Justin Fields (11.4%) and Lamar Jackson (9.9%) in college. In fact, Maye averaged more rushing yards per game (40.3) than Justin Fields (33.3) and Josh Allen (28.3) did. He also scored 16 rushing TDs across 26 starts in his final two seasons at UNC.
Cleveland Browns at Las Vegas Raiders (4:25p ET)
Start ‘Em
Amari Cooper – We noted last week that Cooper was a solid buy low after ranking WR11 in expected PPR fantasy points in Weeks 1-2, and he got right quickly with 7/86/2 receiving on 12 targets. This is another premier matchup. The Raiders got hit up for 7/91/1 receiving by Zay Flowers in Week 2 and just got hammered by Diontae Johnson (8/122/1).
Davante Adams – The Browns are one of a few defenses that are actually playing some man coverage (41% | fourth-most). It’s a small sample, but Adams has received 38% of the targets against man-to-man this season. No wide receiver had a higher target share (39%) vs. man coverage than Adams did last year.
Brock Bowers – Through three games, Bowers is only TE22 in route share (62.5%), as Michael Mayer will continue to stay involved. I can’t explain why Bowers had just one first-read target last week after he saw a 27% FR share in Weeks 1-2, but there is no way you’re moving off of him as a TE1.
FLEX Plays
Jerome Ford – As expected, Ford went back to playing a borderline bell cow role last week after D’Onta Foreman was moving like a turtle in Week 2. Ford’s 79% snap rate marked a season-high. The problem remains the same: Deshaun Watson. Ford didn’t practice on Wednesday (knee). This is an amazing matchup with the Raiders getting shredded on the ground for a league-high 5.6 YPC. Backup Pierre Strong (hamstring) still isn’t practicing.
Sit ‘Em
Zamir White and Alexander Mattison – Hopefully, you have zero White rostered on your teams after we buried him in projections and best ball ranks all off-season. The Raiders got steamrolled by the Panthers, which didn’t give White the positive game script that he needs to pile up touches. White played on a season-low 22% of the Raiders snaps and finished the game with 10/34 rushing. He lost a goal-line TD and all of the passing down work to Alex Mattison. Through three games, White has just 5 receptions for 16 yards, while Mattison has been far more effective (7 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD). Feel free to drop White in shallow leagues because he’s the definition of a roster clogger. His only shot at a fantasy-relevant role is if Mattison misses time.
Jerry Jeudy – QB Deshaun Watson has made 14 starts with the Browns, in which he’s put up just 197.3 passing yards per game with 20 total TDs and 15 turnovers. Cleveland is averaging a pitiful 1.27 points scored per drive (30th) this season. With his quarterback struggling, Jeudy is averaging a career-low 41.7 yards per game.
David Njoku – Didn’t practice on Wednesday after missing Weeks 2-3 with a high ankle injury.
Deshaun Watson – We’re getting close to seeing Jameis Winston. The Browns offensive line is reeling and might be without both of their starting tackles again with LT Jack Conklin (hamstring, ACL) and RT Jedrick Wills (knee) both hurting. RG Wyatt Teller (knee) just went on I.R.
Gardner Minshew
Jakobi Meyers
D’Onta Foreman
Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers (4:25p ET)
Must Start
Rashee Rice – Dating back to last year, Rice has earned 121 targets to Kelce’s 97 over their last 14 games played. Rice is WR3 in PPR points per game (21.6).
Start ‘Em
J.K. Dobbins – Continued to distance himself from Gus Edwards last week. Edwards’ role dwindled down to 35% of snaps with just three carries in Week 3. Dobbins has dominated snaps inside-the-10 (89%), and he’s the main passing-down RB, which gives him plenty of runway as a high-upside RB2 for the rest of the season. The main concern here is the Chargers offensive line and Herbert’s health.
Patrick Mahomes – The start of this season looks just like last year from a production standpoint where we’re left with Mahomes as a low-end QB1. His weekly finishes are middling so far (QB15, QB14, and QB17). The problem is that this game is unlikely to be a shootout with the Chargers dealing with a slew of injuries and Justin Herbert limited. Stud EDGE Joey Bosa (hip) is questionable.
Travis Kelce – Do you really have a better streaming option? No way. He gets a matchup boost with S Derwin James set to miss this game (suspension).
FLEX Plays
Carson Steele – Led this backfield in carries (17 to 6) over Samaje Perine last week and got the first crack at goal-line work. By expected fantasy points, Steele’s role was worth 16.1 PPR points, but he only scored 8.4. Veteran RB Kareem Hunt will “rotate in” on Sunday, per HC Andy Reid.
Sit ‘Em
Xavier Worthy – Has earned just 11 targets on 70 routes this season. By comparison, Rice has 29 targets on 80 routes.
Quinten Johnston – Scored again last week, but Johnston has yet to have a true breakout game in the yardage department with 3/38, 5/51/2, and 2/44/1 receiving through three weeks. He’s on the WR3/4 borderline in this tougher matchup. The Chiefs are doing their usual thing, where they exclusively play two-high safety coverage (69% frequency). Against two-high looks, Johnston’s target share drops to 12.5%. This compares to 24% vs. one-high safety looks.
Ladd McConkey – Got a boost last week with Palmer out. However, he only earned six targets because the Chargers are the third-most run-heavy team in the league.
Josh Palmer – Dealing with multiple injuries (elbow, calf).
Justin Herbert – Dealing with a high ankle injury. Both of his tackles Joe Alt (knee) and Rashawn Slater (pec) are injured. Alt is out, and Slater is questionable.
Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens (SNF)
Must Start
Josh Allen
Lamar Jackson
Derrick Henry
Start ‘Em
James Cook – After running cold on touchdowns in the red zone to start his career, Cook has already cashed in 2 TDs on his five carries inside-the-10 so far. This is after Cook scored just one TD on 21 career inside-10 carries heading into this year. With legitimate goal-line usage unlocked, Cook is a borderline RB1 moving forward. Cook has gone over 85 scrimmage yards in nine of his last 12 games. This is his toughest test yet. The Ravens have played stout run defense (2.6 YPC | fewest) to start this season, which should force Josh Allen to the air a bit more than usual here.
Dalton Kincaid – The Ravens have been shredded by tight ends. They got hit up for 6/71 receiving by Chiefs TEs, gave up 9/98 by Brock Bowers, and they just gave up 6/95 to Jake Ferguson.
Zay Flowers – The Bills are largely playing two-high safety coverage (64% frequency | third-highest rate) and keeping everything in front of them. This is Zay Flowers’ game. He leads the team in targets (26% share) for a 5.6-yard average depth of target against two-high safety coverages. He’s a WR2 in PPR leagues and more of a WR3 in half-PPR or standard formats.
FLEX Plays
Khalil Shakir – Remains the only consistent part of the Bills receiving corps. Shakir has 49 receptions for 697 yards and 4 TDs (on 57 targets) over his last 12 games with OC Joe Brady. That’s 11.9 PPR points per game.
Sit ‘Em
Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely – Uh oh. Something is up here. Andrews' snap rate plummeted down to just 33% in Week 3. He has been a ghost in the passing offense so far with just 6/65 receiving (on 8 targets) through three games. After getting into a car accident in late August and rehabilitating a brutal high ankle injury that he sustained last year, it’s fair to wonder if Andrews is not 100% healthy at this point. Put on your tinfoil hats because there hasn’t been any word from the team on if Andrews is injured and he wasn’t on the injury report heading into their game against Dallas. TE Isaiah Likely caught one pass for four yards with Andrews limited last week. RB Derrick Henry dominated the game and trampled the Cowboys for 25/151/2 rushing, but this Ravens pass offense is a nightmare right now. This is a good matchup because the Bills play so much two-high safety coverage which forces everything to the middle of the field, but it’s impossible to have a good read here.
Keon Coleman – Has earned two targets over his last two games.
Curtis Samuel – Droppable.
Rashod Bateman
Justice Hill
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins (MNF – 7:30p ET)
This game will be added soon.
Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions (MNF – 8:15p ET)
This game will be added soon.
