Fantasy Football Start/Sit Week 3: Who to Start and Sit This Week

Nailing your start/sit calls in a given week can be the difference between winning and losing

Using our fantasy football projections as a guide, let’s get you prepped for this week’s fantasy football decisions.

This article is geared toward 12-team, half-PPR scoring formats with only one starting quarterback -- though the general advice can be loosely applied to most formats. Injury information may change after this article is published. You can stay up to date with this week’s injury news via our NFL player news page.

All betting references refer to the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. All statistics via NFL Next Gen Stats and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise stated.

Week 3 Fantasy Football Start/Sit

Fantasy Football Starts for Week 3

Jordan Love, QB, Packers (vs. ATL)

Jordan Love hasn't been consistent through the first two weeks, but Thursday's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons puts him in a nice bounce-back spot.

Love erupted for 387 passing yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 before being held to 145 yards in Week 2. Importantly, he still tossed another two scores in that second outing, leaving him with 532 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception for the season.

Atlanta has yet to intercept a pass through two games and has surrendered 508 passing yards and 4 passing touchdowns. The Falcons have also given up eight completions of at least 20 yards, which creates some big-play appeal for Love and Green Bay's passing attack.

Love's lack of rushing production caps his fantasy floor a bit, but this is a matchup where his passing upside is enough to put him firmly in the QB1 conversation.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Browns (vs. CAR)

The box-score results haven't been pretty for Quinshon Judkins thus far, but I'm willing to go back to him in Week 3.

Judkins has been given exactly 12 carries in each of the Cleveland Browns‘ first two games, and he's added seven receptions for 44 yards. His rushing efficiency has been poor -- just 54 yards on 24 carries -- but the involvement in the passing game gives him a little more cushion in PPR formats.

The matchup is where things get interesting. The Carolina Panthers‘ D was shredded for 291 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns by Chicago in Week 1. The Panthers were much better in Week 2, but Atlanta still ran for 157 yards against them. That leaves Carolina at 448 rushing yards allowed through two weeks.

Judkins hasn't given fantasy managers much reason to be excited yet, but this is the type of matchup where his volume can finally turn into production. He's a strong RB2/flex start for Week 3.

Jalen Coker, WR, Panthers (at CLE)

At this point, we probably need to start treating Jalen Coker‘s production as more than an early-season fluke.

Coker opened the year with 8 receptions for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns against Chicago. He followed that with another eight-catch outing in Week 2, this time producing 66 yards. Through two games, he's already up to 16 catches, 204 receiving yards, and 2 scores.

Cleveland's defense hasn't exactly shut down opposing passing attacks, either. The Browns have surrendered 427 passing yards and 5 passing touchdowns through their first two games, with opposing quarterbacks posting a 112.2 passer rating.

Coker's consecutive eight-catch performances are especially appealing in PPR leagues. With Carolina clearly willing to funnel targets his way, he's earned high-end WR3 consideration for Week 3.

Fantasy Football Sits for Week 3

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots (at JAX)

The return of TreVeyon Henderson dramatically changed the complexion of the New England Patriots‘ backfield in Week 2.

With Henderson sidelined in the opener, Rhamondre Stevenson handled 18 carries and caught five passes. Once Henderson returned against Pittsburgh, Stevenson fell to just six carries and one reception -- and lost a fumble.

Meanwhile, Henderson immediately handled 16 rushing attempts, turning them into 76 yards and a touchdown. Stevenson was actually efficient with his limited work, gaining 43 yards on his six carries, but the workload split is what matters most for fantasy.

Stevenson should remain involved, particularly on passing downs, but it's difficult to trust him as an RB2 if Henderson continues to command this much of the rushing workload. I'd keep Stevenson on the bench in standard-sized leagues until we see how stable this new backfield hierarchy is.

Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders (vs. SEA)

It's been a very quiet start for Terry McLaurin.

McLaurin caught just two passes for 14 yards in Week 1 before finishing Week 2 with two catches for 50 yards, although he nearly came down with a TD catch on what would’ve been a long score. That leaves him with only 4 receptions, 64 yards, and no touchdowns through two games.

His quarterback situation isn't helping matters. Jayden Daniels dislocated his elbow against Dallas in Week 2, and Washington coach Dan Quinn has said Marcus Mariota will start against Seattle while Daniels is sidelined.

Then there's the matchup. Seattle has allowed only 273 total passing yards through two games while recording 4 interceptions and permitting just 4.5 yards per pass attempt. Remarkably, the Seahawks haven't yet allowed a completion of 20-plus yards.

McLaurin's talent always gives him big-play potential, but his early-season volume, quarterback change, and matchup combine to make him a risky Week 3 start. I'd prefer him as a bench option unless you're thin at receiver.

Tony Pollard, RB, Titans (at NYG)

Tony Pollard has been efficient enough when given the ball, but his workload makes him a difficult player to trust in fantasy lineups right now.

Pollard has turned 21 carries into 99 rushing yards through two games, good for 4.7 yards per carry. The problem is that he's contributed almost nothing as a receiver, catching just two passes for zero yards, and he has yet to score a touchdown in a Tennessee Titans offense that is among the NFL’s worst.

The backfield rotation is another concern. Pollard handled 14 carries against Philadelphia in Week 2, but Tyjae Spears still received seven carries while Nicholas Singleton mixed in for four. Pollard finished with 15 total touches, compared to 13 combined for Tennessee's other backs, so this is shaping up as a situation where it’s going to be real tough to trust Pollard.

The matchup with the New York Giants isn't particularly scary after the Rams ran for 163 yards against New York on Monday night. Still, Pollard's lack of receiving production, limited touchdown equity in a struggling Titans offense, and competition for touches leave him with a fairly fragile fantasy floor. Unless you're short on running back options, I'd look elsewhere for Week 3.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit FAQ

Who should I start in fantasy football this week?

The best starts are typically players with strong recent usage, favorable matchups and a reliable path to touches or targets. Matchup-specific factors and changes in workload should also be considered before setting your lineup.

Who should I sit in fantasy football this week?

Players can be worth sitting when they face difficult matchups, have seen their role decrease or carry significant risk due to injuries or inconsistent usage. Even proven players can be matchup-based sits in a given week.

How do you decide who to start or sit in fantasy football?

Start/sit decisions should account for a player's expected volume, recent production, matchup, offensive role and game environment. Comparing those factors against your other lineup options can help determine which player offers the best combination of floor and upside.

Should I start a player with a difficult matchup?

It depends. A difficult matchup can lower a player's expected production, but high-volume players can still deliver strong fantasy performances regardless of the matchup. The player's role and expected opportunity should usually carry more weight than matchup alone. Another huge factor is whether or not you have quality alternatives on your roster.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.