Week 3 Woos and Boos: Contrarian Lineup Decisions

Week 2 of fantasy football brought us yet another slate of games where unheralded players were rankings atop the leaderboards. Players like Raheem Mostert and Demarcus Robinson went from waiver wire pickups to heroes in a week. The savvy fantasy owner could see the plus matchups that these players had and plugged them into their lineups without question. But not every week will see this happening across the league. Or will it? The current nature of the NFL is seeing a lot of teams utilized more players in their gameplans. Causing headaches for us as we prepare for our weekly matchups.

Heading into Week 3, we are still waiting to see things normalize for the upper echelon studs in fantasy. Along with injuries to key players mounting, we could see the struggles continue for top players, meaning that finding the right matchup becomes ever more important. With some intriguing games on the schedule this, many fantasy owners could find themselves benching their normal "starters" in place of a bench option with a prime matchup.

So let's jump into the numbers as I present to you my "Woos and Boos" for Week 3 to help you with those tough lineup decisions you may be facing.

Woo! - Week 3 Starts

Josh Allen vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Allen is off to very hot start to begin the 2019 season as he currently sits at QB8 in fantasy scoring. That should continue in Week 3 as he faces a Bengals Defense that is currently 10th in points allowed to the position (20.2 FPPG). With Andy Dalton and the Bengals passing attack hitting on all cylinders, this game could easily turn into a high scoring affair. Where I expect to see Allen excel this week is as a rusher. He's been successful through two weeks on the ground with a pair of scores. Look for him to make that three in a row while also adding in a couple of passing TDs in this games. Easily worth the start as a QB1.

Miles Sanders vs. Detroit Lions

Sanders has been somewhat slow to begin the season but on a positive note, he appears to be the go-to back for the Eagles. He's leading the backfield in snaps (71) and carries (21). He should finally come through for fantasy owner in Week 3 as the banged-up Eagles will need to establish a running game against Lions Defense that is 6th in points allowed to opposing RBs (22.1 FPPG). Look for Sanders to be involved early and often as he should get about 18 touches for 100 totals yards and score. Worth the look as a low-end RB2 this week.

Larry Fitzgerald vs. Carolina Panthers

Fitzgerald has once again found the fountain of youth as he looks rejuvenated in the Cardinals "Air Raid" offense. He leads the Cardinals receivers in snaps (142) and receptions (13) and also has recorded a 100-yard game in both starts. Heading into Week 3, he gets a tougher matchup against a Cardinals Defense that has been somewhat stingy against opposing receivers (20.7 FPPG). But one area that they have been soft is against slot receivers, which is where Fitzgerald mostly plays. Another six-catch, 100-yard game should be in store this week as he again gets into the endzone as well. I currently have him inside my Top 24 for the week, making him a solid start as a WR2 in PPR formats.

Austin Hooper @ Indianapolis Colts

Perhaps my Woo of the week, Hooper is lined up for a fantastic game in Week 3. He has been consistent as a low-end TE1 through two weeks of the season but has yet to find the end-zone. I believe that changes here as he faces a Colts Defense that is in the middle of the league in points allowed to the position (5.2 FPPG). With much of the focus being on the receivers for the Falcons in this game, Hooper should see lots of room to run over the middle of the field. A five-catch, 70-yard game is well within reach here as he should give you a score as well. A no doubt start as a TE1 this week.

Boo! - Week 3 Sits

Jared Goff @ Cleveland Browns

Goff has been pedestrian at best to begin the 2019 season (QB19 so far). He typically struggles on the road and that will be another tough matchup in Week 3 as he faces a stout Browns Defense. The Browns currently rank 20th in fantasy in points allowed to opposing QBs (16.1 FPPG). This could turn into a low-scoring affair between these two teams meaning fewer opportunities for Goof to score. If you have another QB rostered with a better matchup this week, don't be afraid to plug them in.

Dante Pettis vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pettis has been largely invisible in the 49ers receiver rotation to start the 2019 season. Expect for that to continue in Week 3 as the 49ers will be facing a Steelers Defense that, although they surrender plenty of points (36.4 FPPG to receivers), could see a ton of action against the team's ground game. Look for the 49ers to control this game on the ground and limit the opportunities for pass catchers outside of George Kittle. Leave Pettis on your bench until further notice unless he turns things around quickly.

Jimmy Graham vs. Denver Broncos

Graham scored a TD in Week 1, but that's been about it on the season for the veteran tight end. He went without a catch in Week 2 and now will be facing a tough Broncos Defense (7.2 FPPG allowed to TEs). With the Packers utilizing a balanced offensive game-plan, the opportunities are simply not there for fantasy owners to warrant starting him. There are other plays to use in Week 3 if you are streaming at the position.