Welcome to Week 3 of the 2023 season, and the first in our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. This is where it all begins. It’s a chance to get off on the right foot and begin undefeated. As such these decisions are now more fun than ever.
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. All stats refer to 1/2 PPR, 6 point per passing touchdown leagues. The number in brackets next to an opponent is that teams rank against the position. Rank 1 is the best possible matchup, Rank 32 is the worst. Follow me on Twitter @FFMadScientist
Start’Em
Justin Herbert, Chargers v MIN (2)
Justin Herbert has been the beneficiary of some shootouts against soft defenses, that will be the situation again in Week 3. The Chargers face off against the Minnesota Vikings who rank as the second best matchups for opposing quarterbacks. They’ve allowed 22.1 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks through the first two weeks of the season. Herbert is a high-end QB1 with top-three upside.
Jared Goff, Lions v ATL (6)
After back-to-back games with high-flying offences, the Lions and Jared Goff are going to have to prove that they can be fantasy relevant in a lower scoring style of game. The Falcons will not put up points like the Chiefs and Seahawks did and the Lions will have to be consistent in this once. Goff is a low-end QB1 in an interesting matchup.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings v LAC (7)
The best thing Kirk Cousins has going for him is the Vikings defense. Their defense is so bad they simply have no choice but to play fast and loose and rack up points. Cousins is a QB2 who will always put up borderline QB1 numbers based on volume and game script alone. He sits as QB2 overall on the season and should once again be a mid-range QB1 against the high-scoring Chargers.
Sit ‘Em
Deshaun Watson, Browns v TEN (32)
The days of Deshaun Watson the top-five quarterback have come and gone. Through two weeks he has been a turnover machine and the Browns have struggled to produce consistently. This week they face a Titans defense that is the definition of lockdown, allowing only 7.2 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. If you drafted a second quarterback, now is the time to play him.
Mac Jones, Patriots v NE (28)
Mac Jones has looked excellent so far in 2023. This week he will face his toughest test of the year. He squares off against a Jets defense that allows only 8.1 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, good for 4th best.
Derek Carr, Saints v GB (25)
Derek Carr has been better in new Orleans than he was last year in Las Vegas, but this week he will go toe-to-toe with the Packers who are limiting opposing quarterbacks to 9.5 fantasy points per game. The Packers have looked good under Jordan Love, but their stingy pass defense and the Saints slow, defensive style should make Carr a mid-range QB2 at best this week.
Start ‘Em
Najee Harris, Steelers v LV (1)
Many fantasy managers are out on Najee Harris, including me for the most part. This week though, the matchup is too juicy to pass up. The Raiders are the easiest matchup for running backs and are allowing 30.2 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Even with Jaylen Warren stealing passing downs, look for Harris to be a top-15 option this week.
Miles Sanders, Panthers v SEA (2)
Sanders has started the season with back-to-back lackluster performances. This week he squares off with the Seattle Seahawks who have been a run-funnel this season. They have allowed 29.3 fantasy points per game so far in 2023 and should make Sanders a top-12 running back in Week 3.
Josh Jacobs, Raiders v PIT (3)
Despite his best efforts in Week 2, Jacobs was unable to overcome the terrible play by the Raider’s offensive line. This week they face the Steelers who are the third easiest running back matchup, allowing 28.1 fantasy points per game. Even with a terrible line in front of him, the Steelers should leave more than enough vacant holes for Jacobs to be a top-10 back in Week 3.
Sit ‘Em
Justice Hill, Ravens v IND (28)
After a season ending injury to JK Dobbins, Hill was the expected to see a huge uptick in production. Unfortunately he proved to be far inferior to Dobbins and produced middling results in Week 2. I n Week 3 he faces the top-five run defense of the Colts that allows 11.8 fantasy points per game to running backs. Sit Hill, Sit Edwards, Sit all Ravens backfield options.
D’Andre Swift, Eagles v TB (27)
A chaotic two weeks have seen the Eagles running back room all over the place. After a Gainwell injury, Swift turned his last chance at an NFL starting role into a career game. This week Gainwell is expected to return and they get to take on the Buccaneers who allow only 12.3 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. This is another messy backfield to sit until we have a more defined split and a better matchup.
Jerome Ford, Browns, v TEN (25)
Jerome Ford will be the waiver wire belle of the ball this week. It’s a shame that managers who manage to grab him this week will realize he has a dreadful matchup in Week 3. The clock will strike midnight this week on waiver wire Cinderella.
Start ’em
Keenan Allen, Charges v MIN (1)
This is becoming a theme every week. Start the Chargers offensive weapons. That them continues this week as they get yet another opportunity to be the highest scoring game of the week. The Vikings allow 49.1 fantasy points per game and the Chargers lack of any passable defense should make this a fantasy bonanza.
Michael Pittman, Colts v BAL (2)
Pittman has proven to be more consistent than expected. This is largely because Anthony Richardson has looked better as a passer than expected. His production should continue with another solid outing this week, even if Gardner Minshew gets the start at quarterback, which could lead to even more passing than Richardson.
Devonta Smith, Eagles v TB (5)
The eagles never struggle to score points, the Buccaneers meanwhile struggle to stop passing games. That combination in Week 3 could lead to a week winning performance for Smith. Tampa Bay allows 37.9 fantasy points per game to receivers and are destined to give up points to Smith in bunches.
Sit ’em
Amari Cooper, Browns v TEN (31)
Cooper has been consistent throughout his career, Deshaun Watson has not been consistent in 2023. Add in a Week 3 matchup with the Titans suffocating secondary and it could prove to be a tough week for Cooper.
Adam Thielen, Panthers v SEA (30)
Thielen had a solid week against the Saints in Week 2. In Week 3 he faces a Seahawks defense that gives up most of its production via the ground game. The Panthers may struggle to keep up with the Seahawks so this one could be a game to avoid.
Christian Watson, Packers v NO (28)
Watson is no guarantee to make his season debut this week, if he does he should be benched. The packers face the Saints are the 8th toughest matchup for opposing receivers, allowing 21.2 fantasy points per game. Watson is too risky to trust, especially with the emergence of Jayden Reed in Week 2.Let the dust settle on this receiver room before you roll out any of the options.
Start ‘Em
Dallas Goedert, Eagles v TB (1)
Goedert has struggled out of the game, as has the Eagles offense. They haven’t been bad, they just aren’t elite right now. This week they get the best matchup for tight ends, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay allows 21.8 points per game to tight ends, which is an insanely high number to the position. Look for Goedert to have his best week of the season as a high-end TE1.
Sam LaPorta, Lions v ATL (3)
Sam LaPorta has looked good through two weeks, and just for a rookie tight end. The Lions offence doesn’t struggle to score and should be able to score at will this week. LaPorta should once again out up a solid fantasy day and should crack double-digit fantasy points against the 3rd best matchup for tight ends, the Falcons.
Evan Engram, Jaguars v HOU (6)
The Jaguars struggled mightily in Week 2, this week they face off against division rival Texans. Engram has not produced so far for fantasy managers but should finally get back into a groove this week as the Texans allow 12.2 fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Sit ’em
Hunter Henry, Patriots v NYJ (32)
Hunter Henry has been a pleasant surprise for managers in need of a desperation tight end. He currently sits as TE2 on the season and has been the focal point of the Patriots passing game. This week he faces a Jets pass defense that ranks as the worst matchup for tight ends, allowing only 1.8 fantasy points per game. Avoid the hot hand here and sit Henry.
Juwan Johnson, Saints v GB (31)
Juwan Johnson has been a disappointment so far this season, a bold statement given the current tight end landscape. This week he faces the Packers who allow 1.9 fantasy points per game to tight ends and are unlikely to make the day easy on Johnson. He is nothing more than an absolute desperation play in Week 3, there have to be better streamers available.
David Njoku, Browns v TEN (30)
Njoku is another member of the Browns passing game that hasn’t clicked to this point. Deshaun Watson has struggled to get on the same page as his pass catchers and Njoku is no exception. The Saints face the Titans who allow only 2.0 fantasy points per game to tight ends. This is a great week to sit Njoku for streaming options.
Start ‘Em
San Francisco 49ers DST v NYG (1)
The 49ers are the 49ers. They are one of three must-start DSTs every week regardless of matchup. This week it just so happens they get the best matchup for DSTs. The Giants are giving up 20.5 fantasy points to opposing defenses and the 49ers could run up a huge day in this one. If you are facing the 49ers DST this week, good luck, you will need it.
Kansas City Chiefs DST v CHI (3)
The Chiefs have been a mediocre defense through two weeks, but Justin Fields and the dysfunctional Bears offense should heal what ails the Chiefs. Fields holds onto the ball too long and makes poor decisions and throws. This should equal a multitude of fumbles and interceptions for the Chiefs DST in a matchup that should see them limit points scored for the Bears. The Chiefs are a top-five DST this week.
Jacksonville Jaguars DST v HOU (8)
Jacksonville limited the Kansas City Chiefs to 17 points in Week 2. A Week 3 matchup with the Houston Texans doesn’t look good for Houston. The Texans put up some points last week but a rookie quarterback with young offensive weapons should lead to a productive day for the Jaguars DST.
Sit ‘Em
Arizona Cardinals DST v DAL (32)
The Cardinals are a DST to avoid in a good matchup. This week they face the Cowboys, which is the worst matchup. This should go without saying, bench the Cardinals. They could easy give up 40 points this Week and could easily put up a negative fantasy day.
New York Giants DST v SF (30)
The Giants have struggled to limit points against to every opponent including the Arizona Cardinals inept offense. This week they get one of the better offenses in the league, San Francisco. The 49ers are another team that could easily drop 40 points this week and I want no part of the Giants DST.
Denver Broncos DST v MIA (28)
Typically Denver is a DST I am targeting to stream every week, but the Dolphins are an offense I am avoiding at all costs for my DST. The Dolphins score at will every week and play fast paced, high-scoring games that are fantasy poison for DSTs. Bench the Broncos DST this week and stream someone who isn’t facing this Dolphins offense.
Start ‘Em
Greg Zuerlein, Jets v NE (1)
Zuerlein gets a Week 3 matchup with he Patriots that have been the best matchup for opposing kickers. Their stingy defense limits touchdown upside and forces their opponents to kick field goals. They allow 15.5 fantasy points to opposing kickers. This week could be a low-scoring field goal fest for two of the better defensive teams in the NFL.
Nick Polk, Patriots v NYJ (2)
Polk is a must-start for all the reasons Zuerlein is a start. Low scoring, defensive matchups tend to lead to many field goal opportunities, this game will be no different. Fire up Polk as a reliable kicker as well. Barring any unforeseen weather issues with his game in New York, these are the two best options at kicker in Week 3.
Evan McPherson, Bengals v LAR (5)
McPherson and the Bengals look to get on the winning side of the board for the first time in 2023. Despite the Rams looking better this year they should be no match for the Bengals in Week 3. McPherson should have ample opportunity to put up meaningful kicks.
Sit ‘Em
Matt Prater, Cardinals v DAL (32)
Typically an indoor game with Matt prater is exactly the scenario I want to target. Not this week. Against the Dallas Cowboys elite defense, it’s possible the Cardinals never actually cross midfield. If you have better options I suggest benching Prater.
Jake Elliott, Eagles v TB (31)
The Eagles score at will and should this week. Unfortunately for Elliott his work figures to be mostly extra points this week. The Buccaneers will struggle to stop the Eagles offense which will limit Elliott’s chances at long field goals. Elliott is another example of a kicker you should sit if you can.
Daniel Carlson, Raiders v PIT (5)
The Raiders are terrible. There’s no additional information needed to figure out why to sit Carlson this week. If that wasn’t enough to convince you to sit an elite kicker than factor in the Steelers allowing only 6.0 fantasy points per game to kickers. Sit Carlson as painful as that may be.
Well that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 3 of the 2023 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. Follow me on Twitter @FFMadScientist
Image Credit: Charles LeClaire – USA TODAY Sports
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em 2022 Week 14
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