So far through the 2017 NFL season, the league has been generally unpredictable. Top-ranked running backs are setting career lows, the best fantasy quarterback are guys named Siemian or Smith, and the Cleveland Browns are road favourites entering Week 3. Even with all this zaniness, we can be confident that the players below will be anything but unpredictable. Here are the best starts and must sits for Week 3 of the NFL season.
Start of the Week Quarterback – Derek Carr vs Washington Redskins
Two games into the NFL season, Derek Carr is leading the Raiders to the highest scoring in the NFL while playing at an MVP level. Carr has another favourable matchup in Week 3. The Redskins defense gave up some big plays at home in Week 1 and to the Eagles and even gave up a 69-yard pass to Jared Goff in Week 2. Carr is better than Goff and Wentz, so he should be able to pick apart Washington’s secondary on Sunday night.
Sit of the Week Quarterback – Marcus Mariota vs Seattle Seahawks
Seattle’s secondary has been sizzling so far this season. Through two games, the team ranks in the top-ten in both passing yards allowed and yards per completion, and that is with a game against Aaron Rodgers. Mariota has been so-so thus far, and this will easily be his toughest game of the season. Leave Mariota on the bench this weekend or risk a slow day for the third-year quarterback.
Start of the Week Running Back – Marshawn Lynch vs Washington Redskins
After being kept out of the end zone in Week 1, Lynch scored his first career touchdown as a Raider in Week 2. Lynch only had 12 carries in Week 2, as the Raiders left Lynch on the bench after building a massive lead. This week against Washington will be a closer game and Lynch should see his touches climb closer to the 20 mark. The Redskins defense has been stout against the run in two games, but have yet to match up against an offensive line as gifted as the Raiders.
Sit of the Week Running Back – Lamar Miller vs New England Patriots
Likely to be playing catch-up this week, the Houston Texans will need to get aerial in Week 3 if they have any chance of beating the New England Patriots on the road. Last season Miller had modest success against the Pats, finishing the year with 154 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards on eight receptions. The problem is, the Texans were outscored 61-16 in those two games. The Texans cannot use the Lamar Miller for 3.8 yards per rush if they want to win. Look for the Texans to use Watson’s legs more than Miller’s.
Start of the Week Wide Receiver – J.J. Nelson vs Dallas Cowboys
After two great weeks to launch the season, it is time to get Nelson into your starting lineup. Denver had a field day against the Cowboys defense in Week 2, with three different players catching for four touchdowns. The Cowboys’ secondary is weak, and the team will need to shadow Fitzgerald all day, leaving Nelson in frequent mismatches on the outside. Toss Nelson into the lineup this week and watch him continue his hot start to the season.
Sit of the Week Wide Receiver – Stefon Diggs vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There are two reasons why you should sit Diggs this week. Stefon Diggs is in for a tough matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. The Bucs shut out the Bears offense until Chicago picked up some meaningless garbage time points down 29-0. The Vikings are not the known for being a good garbage time team. The health of Sam Bradford also factors into the decision to sit Diggs. If Bradford is limited or out in Week 3, Diggs will suffer. Comparing Week 1 with Bradford to Week 2 without him, Diggs fantasy point total declined from 21.3 in standard scoring to just 2.7 points.
Start of the Week Tight End – Charles Clay vs Denver Broncos
The Buffalo Bills wide receivers versus the Broncos secondary is one of the most lopsided matchups in Week 3. This means it will be up to Charles Clay and the Buffalo running backs to gain yards through the air. Clay had a slow Week 2 but has a better matchup against the Broncos’ linebackers than he did against Carolina. Clay is not much for the big play, but in a PPR league, he should see enough receptions to be a great start this week.
Sit of the Week Tight End – Jason Witten vs Arizona Cardinals
The Dallas Cowboys were embarrassed in Week 2, and Dak Prescott may be a bit hobbled coming into Week 3 against the Cardinals. The Cowboys will need to return to their run-first style to protect Prescott and keep the Cardinals defense guessing. The Cardinals were the best team against the tight end in 2016. This all adds up to Jason Witten have a quiet fantasy game.
Start of the Week Defense – Green Bay Packers vs Cincinnati Bengals
Although the Packers defense was not overly effective on Sunday night against the Falcons, the unit did a great job in Week 1 and face a Bengals team that has yet to score a touchdown. The Bengals are tied for the most giveaways in the NFL with six and have been sacked eight times the tying for the third most through two games. Start the Packers defense in Week 3.
Sit of the Week Defense – Houston Texans vs New England Patriots
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots put on a passing clinic in Week 2, feasting on a mediocre New Orleans secondary for 447 yards and three touchdowns. The Texans have a better defense, but on the road against New England is always a tough game. Leave the Texans on the bench this week and look for a better option this weekend.
Start of the Week Kicker – Matt Bryant vs Detroit Lions
Matt Bryant continues to be one of the best kickers in the NFL, despite his age. The Falcons kicker already has scored 21 points this season and could once again hit double digits for the third straight week against Detroit. The Falcons-Lions game in Week 3 is expected to be one of the highest scoring games of the week with an over/under of 49.5. Add in the dome factor and Week 3 should be another great week for Bryant.
Sit of the Week Kicker – Chris Boswell vs Chicago Bears
Mike Tomlin is known for his reluctance to use the kicking game in certain situations. This week Steelers are playing in Chicago, one of the harder places to kick in the NFL. There is good reason to believe Mike Tomlin will opt to go for it more frequently on Sunday, which hurts Boswell’s potential. Even after a great week, do not rely on Boswell to have a repeat performance in Week 3.
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