Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em – Week 3 2023

Another week, another rollercoaster set of games in the NFL. As we get ready for week 3, here are my start and sit suggestions to get you prepared for the week ahead.

Quarterback – Start ‘Em!

Kirk Cousins (vs LAC)

Vikings Quarterback Kirk Cousins stands atop the fantasy Quarterback standings after the opening two games. The Vikings have been the most pass-heavy offense this year, passing at a league-high 77%. Cousins as a result ranks second in passing yards and fourth in attempts.

The week’s matchup presents another chance to carry on his strong start to the season as the face the Chargers. The LA defence has allowed the most passing yards in the first two weeks and the second-most fantasy points to Quarterbacks, per FantasyData.

Jared Goff (vs ATL)

Goff’s fantasy production took a step forward in week 2. The veteran completed 28 of his 35 passes for 323 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He now stands fifth in passing yards so far this year with 576 yards, and is the QB10, per FantasyData.

With another game at home on Sunday against the Falcons, he has a good opportunity to replicate last week’s performance. With Montgomery potentially also missing time, the offense will likely need to lean on the pass even further. Goff should present fantasy managers with a solid streaming option once again this week.

 

Quarterback – Sit ‘Em!

Jordan Love (vs NO)

Jordan Love has had an excellent start as QB1 in the post-Aaron Rodgers world. The former first-round pick has been impressive despite key injuries to both offensive linemen and weapons, throwing six touchdowns to zero interceptions.

This week, however, may be a time to look elsewhere. The Packers welcome the Saints to Lambeau Field, a team allowing just 8 fantasy points to the quarterback position per game, per FantasyData. This represents the fourth fewest points to the position this year. With a tough matchup ahead, other high-upside options may be preferable.

Sam Howell (vs BUF)

Sam Howell has also had a promising start to the year as the Washington starter. The former fifth-round pick stands as QB11, throwing for just over 500 yards over the last two games, with three touchdowns and one interception.

His opponent this week, unfortunately, may be one to avoid. Washington faces the Bills, a team which has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to the quarterback position across the first two weeks of the season. Similar to Love, it may be worth looking elsewhere in 1QB leagues if better streaming options are available.

 

Running Back – Start ‘Em!

Isiah Pacheco (vs CHI)

After a quiet first week on the ground, Pacheco was much more efficient against the Jaguars, rushing for 70 yards from 12 carries. Pacheco, however, has yet to find the endzone so far this season.

There’s a good chance this ends on Sunday when the Chiefs face the Bears. The game has the highest handicap of the week with Kansas City currently standing as 12-point favourites, which should allow Pacheco to enjoy plenty of opportunities in a positive game script. The matchup is particularly favourable given that Chicago have allowed the sixth-most PPR points to the position, per FantasyData.

Jaylen Warren (@ LV)

Prior to the start of the season we wrote about how starter Najee Harris would be under pressure to perform this year. Two weeks in and Harris’ inefficiencies on the ground have been evident, accumulating 74 rushing yards from just 16 touches. In previous years Harris’s fantasy value relied on the sky-high volume, and with just three receptions so far.

Jaylen Warren’s touches through the air, in comparison, have given him a solid floor, receiving six targets in each of the first two games. The Steelers now face the Raiders, who have allowed the most points to running backs this season. With talk his usage will increase further, he is starting to become a worthy flex consideration.

 

Running Back – Sit ‘Em!

Jerome Ford (vs TEN)

Nick Chubb’s devastating injury has presented last year’s fifth round pick with an opportunity to take hold of the lead role in Cleveland. In his absence, Ford rushed for an impressive 106 yards, adding a further 25 yards from three receptions (four targets). 

While his role looks extremely secure, the matchup continues to be one of the toughest in the league for running backs. The Titans are allowing the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season, allowing a total of just 130 rushing yards this year – joint-third fewest. Ford may have a solid floor, but there are worries over the ceiling.

Khalil Herbert (@ KC)

Despite positive signs going into the year, in the first two weeks Khalil Herbert has failed to reach 40 rushing yards and remains without a touchdown. While his fantasy production has been marginally helped by some work in the passing game, the presence of rookie Roschon Johnson should worry Herbert managers.

This week the underwhelming Bears offense faces a Kansas City team as heavy underdogs. Without the volume, efficiency, or goal-scoring opportunities, we can have little confidence in Herbert going forwards.

 

Wide Receiver – Start ‘Em!

Amari Cooper (vs TEN)

Despite issues at Quarterback, Amari Cooper managed to produce solid numbers for fantasy managers in week 2. Cooper reeled in seven of his ten targets for 90 yards, following a quiet first week. He now faces a favourable defence, to hopefully continue this trajectory. 

The Titans defence has carried on the trend from last season, exception against the run and poor against the pass. As mentioned earlier, the Titans rank last in fantasy points allowed to running backs, yet have allowed the third most points to WRs. Against a defence susceptible through the air, we should have confidence in Cooper this week.

Nico Collins (@ JAX)

Coming into the year one of the main questions we had was how the targets would be distributed amongst the pass catchers in CJ Stroud’s rookie season. The answer, it appears, is Nico Collins. Stroud has looked promising in his opening two games and already targeted Collins 20 times, resulting in 13 receptions for 226 yards and touchdown.

The Texans have been one of the most pass-heavy offenses in the league this year as a result of the struggles in the run game. The team has rushed just 49 times for a league-low 2.5 yards per carry. With this usage and two strong performances, we should have increased confidence in Collins this week.

 

Wide Receiver – Sit ‘Em!

Marquise Brown (vs DAL)

Marquise Brown bounced back in week 2 after a quiet first week, recording 56 yards a touchdown from six catches ten targets against the Giants. However, despite being the clear number one target Brown remains a high-risk option.

This is particularly true this week as he faces a Dallas Cowboys defence which has stymied opposing offenses so far. The Cowboys have allowed the fewest passing yards and fewest fantasy points to wide receivers so far this season.

Courtland Sutton (@ MIA)

With new faces in Denver there was plenty of hope that Sutton, along with the rest of the offense, would take a jump this year. With the emergence of rookie Marvin Mims last week, plus the return of Jerry Jeudy, Sutton’s utilisation may be under threat.

He faces a fairly tough matchup this week against the Dolphins. Miami have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the wide receiver position, according to FantasyData. There will likely be safer and higher upside options available. 

 

Tight End – Start ‘Em!

Hunter Henry (vs NYJ)

Henry has had an excellent start to the season with consistent production, reeling in 11 of his 13 targets for a total of 108 yards and two touchdowns. After two weeks he ranks as the TE2, according to FantasyData, only behind TJ Hockenson. Even without the touchdowns, the usage and yardage would have provided solid production. Henry stands second in yards amongst Tight Ends this year. With this usage, he can be started with a fair amount of confidence.

Pat Freiermuth (@ LV)

It has been a lacklustre start to the season for third-year Tight End Freiermuth. He has seen just two receptions for a total of five yards, yes FIVE, across the first two weeks. After two successive seasons with at least 60 receptions, an uptick should (hopefully) be around the corner. This week’s matchup presents a good opportunity to get back on track. The Steelers face the Raiders, a team which has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to the position this year. It isn’t without risk, but Freiermuth is worth taking a gamble this week.

 

Tight End – Sit ‘Em!

Tyler Higbee (@ CIN)

There were plenty of hopes Tyler Higbee would be able to step up to the plate in Cooper Kupp’s absence to start the year. The emergence of young talent, however, has limited the tight end’s role so far this season. Higbee amassed just 12 yards on Sunday against the 49ers, catching three of his seven targets. With the likes of Nacua and Atwell developing significant roles in the offense, we can have little faith in Higbee as a fantasy asset.

Chig Okonkwo (@ CLE)

After a promising end to his rookie season, Okonkwo has failed to quite hit the heights many expected so far. The second-year pro improved from his disappearance in the first week, recording four receptions for 35 yards from his four targets against the Chargers. He now faces a tough test in the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have been one of the worst matchups for the position to date, allowing the third-fewest points in PPR scoring to tight ends.

Jonathan @JKlonowksiNFL