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NFL Week 3 Fantasy Recap: AFC Edition

You can’t watch all the games, but we can! Tune in each week as we give you quick hitting, relevant fantasy information, regarding everything that took place this week. Make sure to check out Govier’s NFC edition for the full picture!


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AFC Week 3 Fantasy Takes

Buffalo Bills 43 vs. New York Giants 21 

  • Josh Allen went 32/43, 358yds, 4TD; 1RuTD. Whatever rust they needed to knock off in the first two games, the Bills managed to knock it off. With both Zach Moss (91 total yards and 1TD) and Devin Singletary (26yards) having success, the passing game becomes even harder to defend. With two games in a row with TDs, it looks like Moss may be stealing the starting RB job back.
  • Stefon Diggs went for 62 yards on 6 catches and 10 targets. Nothing to call home about, but very solid. We also got an outlier game from Emmanuel Sanders (5 receptions on 6 targets for 94 yards and 2TDs).
  • It should be noted that the Bills did all of this against the vaunted Washington defensive line. This offense is full of fantasy weapons. The usual suspects + Zach Moss should be targeted/started, going forward.

Miami Dolphins 28 @ Las Vegas Raiders 31 

  • Jacoby Brissett showed he’s an NFL QB, for those who were confused after last week’s debacle. However, he simply managed the game. A game which they lost in OT. He doesn’t need to be on your fantasy radar. If you’re in dire need, he does have rushing upside after scoring a TD on 37 yards rushing.
  • Gaskin almost doubled Malcolm Brown on rushing carries (13 to 7), but it was Brown who put it in the end zone.
  • If you’re in a PPR league, everyone in the Miami passing attack is an asset (including Brown and Gaskin). Brissett had 32 completions for 215. The yardage totals are low, but they use their passing game as an extension of their run game with all their short throws. Gesicki, Waddle, Fuller, and Parker all boasted over 6 targets.
  • Derek Carr. Another outing where he’s shown that he’s elite. 386 yards with 2TDs and 1Int. Against a tough Miami defense.
  • Peyton Barber rushed for a career-high 111 yards and a TD. Kenyan Drake was an afterthought.
  • Edwards had a breakout game with 89 receiving yards, Ruggs had 78, Renfrow had 77 and 1TD, and Waller had 54.
  • Oakland is fantasy-relevant this year. Keep tabs on their depth for injuries (e.g. Zay Jones).

New England Patriots 13 vs. New Orleans Saints 28

  • Yuck. Kendrick Bourne had a nice day. 6 of 8, 96 yards, 1 TD. Jacobi Meyers, too. 9 of 14, 94 yards, and 0 TDs. They were the only bright lights. Mac Jones is going to get on-the-job experience this year. I’d expect a breakout next year, but this year he doesn’t have much to offer your fantasy team.
  • James White was carted off. This might make the New England backfield murkier, or more clear. Your guess is as good as ours.

New York Jets 0 @ Denver Broncos 26

  • Start the opposing defense against the New York Jets. It’s not going well for Zach Wilson early in this campaign, which also means it can’t go well for the running game. It’s a vicious cycle, and your fantasy team doesn’t need to know anything about it.
  • It’s probably not the best idea to take anything away from a game against the Jets. Melvin Gordon looked great with a TD and 61 yards rushing. Javonte Williams also got in the end zone, and would be a great waiver wire pickup, in case there’s an injury in the future.
  • Tim Patrick highlighted the receiving corp, with 5 targets (tied for team lead) and 98 receiving yards (led team).

Baltimore Ravens 19 @ Detroit Lions 17

  • The Ravens have the best kicker in the game, in Justin Tucker, and used him on a game-winning 66-yard (NFL RECORD) field goal.
  • Lamar had a pedestrian day passing, but it could’ve been huge had Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, not dropped several TD passes. Even with the drops, Lamar went for 287 yards and 1 TD, along with 58 yards rushing.
  • Mark Andrews topped 100 yards on 5 receptions.

Cincinnati Bengals 24 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 10 

  • Joe Burrow didn’t throw much but had 3 TDs. Chase had 2 TDs and Boyd had 1 TD. Tee Higgins missed the game with an injury.
  • Joe Mixon rushed for 90 yards and controlled the clock for the Bengals in their win.
  • I do wonder if this Bengals offense has the high-flying potential in practice, that it does on paper. They just seemed slow-paced, and not quite on the level to scare some of the top teams in the AFC. You can feel confident starting any of the three starting WRs, though.
  • Ben Roethlisberger’s stats don’t tell the story of how bad and slow he looked. While he threw for 318 yards and 1 TD, he also threw 2 INTs and didn’t give Steelers fans any hope. He’s droppable in any format. Chase Claypool had 96 yards on 15 targets and remains the 2nd favorite target.
  • How can you have 15 targets and be the second favorite target? When Najee Harris has 19 TARGETS! Harris was the star of the game in this loss with 142 total yards.
  • JuJu Smith-Schuster wasn’t really a factor, and Pat Freiermuth had his first career TD.

Cleveland Browns 26 vs. Chicago Bears 6

  • The Browns beat a Bears offense that still has its training wheels on. Baker had a pedestrian 1-TD performance, but Odell Beckham Jr. got back in the mix with 87 total yards and 9 targets.
  • Kareem Hunt was the difference maker with 155 total yards and 1 TD.
  • Austin Hooper is still a streamable TE, and he had 1 TD in this one. Nick Chubb still handled himself well with 84 yards on the ground (still the unquestioned RB1 in this offense).

Houston Texans 9 vs. Carolina Panthers 24

  • Avert your eyes. Brandin Cooks is the only asset to keep tabs on for this team. Another game of over 100 yards.

Indianapolis Colts 16 @ Tennessee Titans 25 

  • Carson Wentz was a non-factor on two sprained ankles, which in turn made Jonathan Taylor a non-factor. You need to have at least one part of your offense that can strike fear, in order to have use of your entire playbook.
  • The Colts lost to Tennessee and never really looked like the better team. Michael Pittman is the asset to target in this passing game (12 targets and 68 yards).
  • Derrick Henry is BACK. 182 yards and 3TDs last week, and over 100 yards rushing this week. He’s a safe bet every week. Certified RB1.
  • A.J. Brown left the game with a hamstring injury. That’s a boom scenario for Julio Jones, who had 4 targets and 47 yards. Expect much more next week, should Brown miss time.
  • Ryan Tannehill isn’t in the same form as we saw him last year, but he’ll get there. Don’t hit the panic button yet.

Jacksonville Jaguars 19 vs. Arizona Cardinals 31

  • The Jags gave the Cards are scare in the first half. They don’t look inept on offense anymore, either. They’re finally feeding James Robinson who had 88 yards on 15 carries, with a TD. Robinson owners shouldn’t fear Carlos Hyde touches.
  • Robinson, Jones Jr., Shenault, and Chark are the passing assets for Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence spreads it around, and I think big games are matchup dependent. I don’t see a true number 1 fantasy receiver here.

Kansas City Chiefs 24 vs. Los Angeles Chargers 30

  • The Chiefs had a pretty shocking loss to the Chargers. They looked lethargic, and that was partly due to how the offense looks when Tyreek Hill is held in check (56 yards).
  • Travis Kelce led the team in catches (7) and yards (104). Hardman got in the end zone but had very low usage rates again.
  • Clyde Edwards Helaire stole the show with 100 yards and a receiving TD.
  • Mahomes made amazing plays, but the stat line was lacking: 260 yards, 3 TDs, and 2 INTs.
  • Herbert threw for under 300 yards but beat the Chiefs with 4 TDs. Ekeler got 1 TD, with 107 total yards. Mike Williams had a humongous day with 122 yards and 2 TDs. And Keenan Allen didn’t disappoint with 50 yards and a TD.
  • It’s always the usual suspects for this Chargers offense. There won’t be many surprises in the names that have productive fantasy weeks.

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