We are back with Week 3 of the fantasy football season. Last week we saw an explosion of points. Who knows what we’ll see next! To keep you covered week in and week out, The League Winners are here to help you with any start or sit questions you have. Spending the week agonizing over who to start in your flex? Put your mind to rest and rely on us week in, and week out. If you missed last week’s picks, you can see them here.
Starts
Derek Carr – Las Vegas Raiders (Thomas Christopher)
Despite having a revamped offense, Derek Carr is only the QB14 in fantasy football. This week he’ll be without Hunter Renfrow – and likely Josh Jacobs – against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans haven’t been able to stop opposing passers this year. With the Raiders in a 0-2 hole and without their best RB, I’m expecting Carr to carry the load to an excellent week.
Matthew Stafford, QB – Los Angeles Rams (Harry Prskalo)
I am going back-to-back weeks with Stafford as my start of the week. Last week he threw for 3 TDs and nearly 300 yards; and once again, Stafford and Kupp continue to wreck opposing defenses. This week he gets to go against the Arizona Cardinals. In two weeks, Arizona has allowed opposing quarterbacks throw for 604 yards, 7 TDs, and 0 interceptions. I believe Stafford will torch this defense and continue his great play from last week. If you have Stafford in any of your fantasy football leagues, this is a matchup that you have to play him in.
Drake London, WR – Atlanta Falcons (Aaron St. Denis)
Kyle Pitts, TE – Atlanta Falcons (Jeremy Shulman)
Nyheim Hines, RB – Indianapolis Colts (Sheldon Hand)
“If I was going to be in a fantasy league, I think I’d pick Nyheim this year.” – Frank Reich, May 27th
Hines hasn’t hurt you as a flex player in in fantasy football PPR leagues, but hasn’t been anything special either. I think Reich will make good on his quote this week. Hines has been second on the team in targets in both games this year, but hasn’t been able to break any off. I expect him to be heavily involved in the game this week. The Colts will be playing from behind for most of the game. Look for Matt Ryan to bounce back this week after the disaster against the Jaguars. Hines should be a top 20 option in PPR formats with receptions. If he can find the end zone it will push him up more! I am starting him above guys like A.J. Dillion, Jeff Wilson, Dameon Pierce and Damien Harris. I personally am starting him over Micheal Carter this week as my RB2 in one of my fantasy football leagues.
Sits
Miles Sanders, RB – Philadelphia Eagles (Thomas Christopher)
Despite telling fantasy football managers not to draft him this year, Miles Sanders has been a top 14 RB as we head into Week 3. This week he gets the Washington Commanders, and I think he falls short of expectations. Even without Chase Young, Washington has a good front seven that’s started off slowly. I expect them to get right in a divisional matchup that is sure to go against normal fantasy expectations.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB – Kansas City Chiefs (Harry Prskalo)
Clyde has put up numbers the past two weeks, but he has not been given the volume that most fantasy football managers want to see. He has gotten 15 carries the past two weeks and has put up good numbers with them. His matchup this week is against the Indianapolis Colts, and they have Top-9 defense against the run. Clyde has been doing very well in the passing game, and that is where he gets most of his points; but the Colts are also a Top-15 defense against the pass. I think he will underperform his tag as RB6 this year.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB – Miami Dolphins (Aaron St. Denis)
DJ Moore, WR – Carolina Panthers (Jeremy Shulman)
AJ Dillon, RB – Green Bay Packers (Sheldon Hand)
AJ Dillon had a great Week 1, but took a back seat last week to primetime Aaron Jones. This week, the Packers take on the Buccaneers. The Bucs kept the Cowboys RB duo contained in week one. They haven’t allowed a rushing TD this year and will look to keep that streak going. The Packers are hurting at WR, meaning the Buccaneers can focus on stopping the run. Both Dillon and Jones are good pass catchers, but Jones is definitely superior. I expect Jones to still be a reliable pass catching option out of the backfield, but I am not confident Dillon will find the space to warrant a spot in your lineups this week. Pivot if possible!
