Time is flying, we are now entering Week 3 of the 2021 season, and continuing our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. This week has some nice matchups, so there are plenty of reasons to be excited already. I hope your fantasy season is off to a good start too.
As always, if you are struggling with a decision you can checkout our rankings for each Week. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Start 'Em
Kirk Cousins v SEA
Cousins is one of those guys that you are ok to put in your lineup, but you aren’t excited about it. Kinda like going to Subway and getting Tuna. But, given hos the offense is playing, he is well work a start. The Titans offense worked on the ground last week, so we could see Dalvin Cook have a big game, but with the mouths to feed in the air, Cousins should have a decent outing too.
Daniel Jones v ATL
This is likely to be the only week that I would feel happy putting Jones in my lineup. That is much more about the Falcons defense than anything else. This season, they have really not been effective at all, and Jones has some receiving weapons he can rely upon, as well as rushing upside. It might be bumpy, but if you are really short this week, or in a Superflex league, go for it.
Derek Carr v MIA
I’ll admit it, I was out on the Raiders this season. I thought they’d struggle to do anything this year, with the moves they made this offseason. But Carr has looked really effective for fantasy so far. Miami haven’t had a good time of it so far this season, and while they might have periods where they are ontop, Carr should still be a viable start. That, of course, is only if he starts, as he is currently on the injury report (but he is expected to play)
Ty’Son Williams @DET
Williams has stepped in as the lead RB for the Ravens, and has really made it his own. This game should be the one where he makes a statement, Detroit are a team you can run all over, so Williams could have a week-winning week.
Note: In deeper leagues, other guys in the backfield are worth a start too
Elijah Mitchell v GB
The 49ers backfield should have a good game. Which one it is? That’s up in the air. Mitchell left the field with an injury, but did return. With the rest of the backfield carrying knocks, it’s most likely to be Mitchell.
Javonte Williams v NYJ
Fantasy football doesn’t always have to be difficult. Williams is a big part of the backfield, splitting carries with Melvin Gordon almost 50/50. Against the Jets, who are one of the worst against RBs, this is a lock- for Williams and Gordon.
Chase Edmonds @JAX
Edmonds and James Conner are both massively in play this week. The Cardinals should be able to get a lead early and maintain it, given the strength of their defense. The two of them are splitting carries, with James Conner currently having the edge in the redzone.
Rondale Moore @JAX
If you made the move to pick up Moore this week, you have to start him in this matchup. Moore currently leads the team in targets, ahead of DeAndre Hopkins, despite being on field the least of the viable WRs on the roster.
Odell Beckham v CHI
This comes with caution, and you really need to keep an eye on the injury report. Jarvis Landry just got added to the IR list, which should enable Beckham to dominate the targets this week. Against the Bears, who have struggled against the position, he is an auto-start (assuming he plays)
A.J. Brown v IND
Brown hasn’t had the season that many would have expected. Julio Jones has established his role in the offense, but Brown is still elite. This game is a get right for Brown (assuming Derrick Henry doens’t light the field up again).
Michael Pittman @TEN
Pittman could have a solid week against this Titans offense. But that does rely on the Colts passing game being able to fucntion. Currently Carson Wentz is dealing with injuries to each of his ankles, which could forece the backup to play. Otherwise, Pittman is the target leader on an offense that is going up against the worst defense in the league at the position.
Dallas Goedert @DAL
Goedert has a good opening week to the season, before struggling to build on it in Week 2. Going up against Dallas who are one of the worst at the position so far this season, and could’ve been worse if the Chargers hadn’t had a TD called back due to a penalty.
Jared Cook @KC
Cook has a decent matchup against Kansas City, who are a middling team against the position. Cook would’ve had an even better game if it wasn’t for the holding penalty mentioned above.
Arizona Cardinals @JAX
Trevor Lawrence is struggling with the offense at the moment, and the Cardinals defense is firing. Even on the road, this defense should cause issues all game.
Tennessee Titans v IND
The Titans defense isn’t the best. But the Colts could have a very green QB throwing the ball. Even if it weren’t to happen and Wentz plays, he has struggled this season with consistency.
Daniel Carlson v MIA
Carlson has become a great kicker for fantasy. Accurate, and has been looked to by the team when the drive has stalled. Playing in a dome is a plus too, so should make any long-range attempts more accurate
Sit 'Em
Zach Wilson @DEN
The Broncos defense is legit. The Jets offense is still a work in progress. Wilson is still very much learning what it take to succeed at the NFL level, and has been inconsistent as a result. There are several players I’d start before Wilson, even in deeper leagues.
Jameis Winston @NE
Winston is an improved version of himself, but he is still inconsistent. The Saints offense is dealing with the void that has been left by Drew Brees retirement, as well as struggling with injuries. Throw in the fact they are going up against the smoke-and-mirrors of the Patriots defense, and I’d avoid.
J.D. McKissic @BUF
I am tempted to go for the shock of saying sit Antonio Gibson, but it’s hard to do it. The Bills are one of the best units against the position. McKissic had a big game last week, so it’s tempting to play him, but don’t do it!
James Robinson v ARI
Robinson is the lead back for the Jaguars, but has not really had the role he had last season, with Carlos Hyde in the mix. Against Arizona’s rush defense, in a negative gamescript, there are plenty of better options as your RB2 this week.
Devin Singletary v WAS
Singletary has been great this season, with a string of good performances. This week the Bills matchup against Washington as noted above, and with Zach Moss in the mix in the redzone (not to mention Josh Allen) look elsewhere.
Courtland Sutton v NYJ
The Jets are a tough defense against WRs. That makes Sutton a tough play, with the way that the team has been spreading the ball (and the success of the ball on the ground)
D.J. Chark v ARI
Chark is part of a Jaguars offense that should be forced to throw the ball early and often. However, when the team has been forced to pass, it hasn’t been to Chark who trails Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault in targets.
Marquez Callaway @NE
Callaway had massive hype at the start of the season, expected to step in as the leading receiver for the team. That hasn’t happened, and the Patriots are a top defense against the position.
Mike Gesicki @LV
Gesicki was a sit last week, and there isn’t a reason to not have him as a sit again this week. The Raiders are a good unit against the position, and Gesicki has been a fringe piece for Miami. With some more tough matchups on the horizon Gesicki could be a mainstay here.
Eric Ebron v CIN
This is more a passing of the torch from Ebron to rookie Pat Freiermuth. Ebron hasn’t been used nearly at all, with only 3 targets this season. It’s early, but that usage is worrying- especially against the tough matchup of the Bengals
Seattle Seahawks @MIN
The Seahawks defense just got ran through (literally) by the Titans. This week, they face another top-tier RB, and Kirk Cousins who is looking great at the moment.
Mason Crosby @SF
Crosby is not worth a start for me in the matchup against the 49ers. The offense will likely be limiting his attempts to PATs on the whole. Especially if the 49ers backfield manages to get a foothold in the game.
Well that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 3 of the 2021 season. Remember, you can check out rankings for each Week. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Image Credit: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
