Fantasy football week three: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em

Week three’s slate of NFL games is set to kick off tonight with the divisional rival Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. Let’s take a look at the Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em columns this week:

Quarterback

Start ‘Em:

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott versus Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are 28th in yards per game allowed and dead last in yards per pass attempt allowed. To boot, Dak Prescott is playing incredible football right now, making him a natural start regardless of matchup. Ironically, the Cowboys get the worst team in football. The Cowboys will miss WR Michael Gallup in this one, though Devin Smith came off the bench and looked fantastic in week two replacing Gallup.

Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins versus Oakland Raiders

Kirk Cousins has been bad through two weeks in 2019. I believe this will be the week he finally snaps out of it and puts together a productive game as the Raiders are dead last in passing yards per game allowed and 29th in yards per pass attempt allowed. Some of those numbers are inflated due to Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, sure, but the Vikings have a ton of offensive talent themselves.

Other potential starts: Lamar Jackson versus Kansas City Chiefs, Jameis Winston versus New York Giants, Josh Allen versus Cincinnati Bengals

Sit ‘Em:

Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff versus Cleveland Browns

The Browns are currently fifth in passing yards per game allowed and 16th in yards per pass attempt allowed. Not only that, but the Browns (and the Rams) are the only NFL teams who have yet to allow a receiving touchdown. I’d sit Goff out in this one, even if he has a chance to break the streak.

Indianapolis Colts QB Jacoby Brissett versus Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are one of the best defenses in the league, ranking top-7 in both yards per pass game allowed and yards per pass attempt allowed. Brissett has had a bit of a rough go as a passer, particularly in week two facing the Titans’ strong defense. It doesn’t get easier with this matchup.

Other potential sits: Andy Dalton versus Buffalo Bills, Luke Falk versus New England Patriots

Running Back

Start ‘Em:

Baltimore Ravens RB Mark Ingram versus Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are actually dead last in yards per rush attempt allowed at six yards-per-carry, making them a juicy matchup for the explosive Ravens’ offense. Mark Ingram has looked very solid running the football and the added threat of Lamar Jackson’s play should make it even simpler to find holes. I’m firing up Ingram in this one and not looking back.

Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler versus Houston Texans

The Texans — like the Chiefs — are among the worst run defenses in football right now, ranking tied for dead last in yards per carry allowed and 23rd in rushing yards per game allowed. Austin Ekeler has looked incredible through two weeks and offers a lot of pass catching upside to boot.

Other potential starts: Phillip Lindsay versus Green Bay Packers, Chris Carson versus New Orleans Saints

Sit ‘Em:

Kansas City Chiefs RB’s Damien Williams/LeSean McCoy versus Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are ranked first in the NFL in rushing yards per game allowed and yards per carry allowed. In addition to the Ravens defense being amazing, both the Chiefs’ running backs are banged up and could miss the game. In the event they don’t, I’d stay away from both options.

Atlanta Falcons RB Devonta Freeman versus Indianapolis Colts

The Colts aren’t even a good run defense, though I simply don’t trust Freeman at this point. Freeman has looked awful through two games, averaging 2.2 yards-per-carry and not eclipsing 22 rushing yards in either contest.

Other potential sits: Adrian Peterson versus Chicago Bears, Marlon Mack versus Atlanta Falcons, Duke Johnson versus Los Angeles Chargers

Wide Receiver

Start ‘Em:

Minnesota Vikings WR Stefon Diggs versus Oakland Raiders

As mentioned above, the Raiders’ secondary is struggling, making this the perfect time for the Vikings’ offense to get back on track. I’d feel good about starting Cousins, and that stack pairs well with Stefon Diggs who hasn’t been terribly productive in 2019. Diggs did come alive in week two with a deep touchdown against the Packers and another called back due to penalty.

Detroit Lions WR Kenny Golladay versus Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles currently rank 31st in passing yards per game allowed and 24th in passing yards per attempt allowed. Their secondary is incredibly suspect and could and should be ranked lower if it weren’t for multiple misses from Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan in week two. Matthew Stafford has never been fearful of pushing the ball downfield, ensuring Kenny Golladay will get a few chances to make a massive play.

Other potential starts: Chris Godwin versus New York Giants, Randall Cobb versus Miami Dolphins, Marquise Brown versus Kansas City Chiefs

Sit ‘Em:

New York Jets WR Robby Anderson versus New England Patriots

The Patriots are not only top-9 in both passing categories, but Robby Anderson pairs with a new QB who’s never made an NFL start in Luke Falk. Avoid the entire Jets offense for the week outside of Le’Veon Bell if possible.

Cleveland Browns WR Jarvis Landry versus Los Angeles Rams

Jarvis Landry looks to be the neglected guy in the receiving core as he’s only collected seven receptions on 14 targets through two games. QB Baker Mayfield has struggled with inaccurate passes and the Rams are one of only two teams yet to allow a receiving touchdown.

Other potential sits: Dede Westbrook versus Tennessee Titans, Corey Davis versus Jacksonville Jaguars, John Ross versus Buffalo Bills

Tight End

Start ‘Em:

Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews versus Kansas City Chiefs

As you can tell, I’m all in on the Ravens this week, as per usual. Mark Andrews has an incredible rapport with Lamar Jackson and the Chiefs are a below average pass defense. Their linebackers and safeties shouldn’t strike fear into anyone, especially not to a weapon like Andrews.

Dallas Cowboys TE Jason Witten versus Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are terrible on all sides of the ball. With Michael Gallup out this week (and more), I’d feel really good about starting Jason Witten. Witten isn’t going to see a big target share by any means, though the Cowboys are likely to score a lot of points in this one and Witten is usually a guy they look to down in the redzone.

Other potential starts: Delanie Walker versus Jacksonville Jaguars, Vance McDonald versus San Francisco 49ers

Sit ‘Em:

Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Eifert versus Buffalo Bills

The Bills are sixth in yards per game allowed and first in yards per pass attempt allowed. Their defense is humming and Tyler Eifert and the Bengals aren’t exactly an offensive juggernaut.

Chicago Bears TE Trey Burton versus Washington Redskins

Trey Burton is still working his way back from an injury that forced him to miss week one. His week two wasn’t exactly thrilling as he seen three targets, pulling in two of those for five yards. Stay away until the Bears prove they’re willing to work Burton into the offense, which has looked horrible in 2019.

Other potential sits: T.J. Hockenson versus Philadelphia Eagles

Defense

Start ‘Em:

Dallas Cowboys versus Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins average five points per game. The Cowboys have a very talented defense. Fire it up, ladies and gents.

New England Patriots versus New York Jets

The Patriots are among the best defenses in the league and the Jets are averaging 9.5 points per game. Not only that, but the Jets are starting a quarterback who’s never started an NFL game.

Other potential starts: Washington Redskins versus Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers versus Pittsburgh Steelers

Sit ‘Em:

Kansas City Chiefs versus Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are dynamic in every way offensively, averaging 41 points per game and attacking defenses in every way imaginable. The Chiefs’ defense isn’t good, and they surely shouldn’t be a streaming option for the week.

New York Jets versus New England Patriots

The Patriots average 38 points per game, good for second in the league. The Jets are still banged up and inside linebacker C.J. Mosley looks like he’ll miss the contest. Not that Mosley’s absence really matters, because the Jets are a major sit in this one either way.

Other potential sits: Pittsburgh Steelers versus San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens versus Kansas City Chiefs