Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em-Sit 'Em
- Fans Only Sportz Network
- Sep 18
- 7 min read
by Matt Hylen and Zak Drapeau 9/18/2025 Sportz Nation
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Start 'Em (Matt Hylen)
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers vs NE
Rodgers struggled last week against the Seahawks, completing only 18/33 passes for 203 yards, a touchdown, and 2 INTs. However, Rodgers has the perfect matchup in the Patriots to get back on track. The Pats rank last in passing yards allowed and 12th in QB fantasy points allowed, causing the belief that Rodgers could be in for a big day.
Daniel Jones vs TEN
I mean, what a start Daniel Jones is having. He replicated his stellar Week One performance with another one in Week Two, completing 23 of 34 passes, 2 total TDs, and zero INTs. As a top-3 fantasy QB at the moment, Jones has been nothing short of remarkable. He does have a tougher matchup fantasy-wise this week, but until Jones comes back down to earth, he has to start in your lineup.
Dak Prescott vs CHI
Prescott has had a great start to the season, with Week 2 being the best of the bunch. Against a good Giants defense, he completed 38 of 52 passes for 361 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. It may not be to this magnitude every week, but I expect Dak to maintain a similar level of play going forward now that he is fully healthy. Plus, he goes against a Bears defense that ranks 30th in fantasy against quarterbacks.
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Running Backs
Isaiah Pacheco vs NYG
If Isaiah Pacheco is to return to the running back managers expect him to be, this week is the best week to do it. Coming off an underwhelming 10-carry, 22-yard performance in Week 2, Pacheco has played against two of the best run defenses in football. However, that changes in Week 3, as the Chiefs face off against the worst run defense in football, the New York Giants, who allow the most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merrit vs LV
Bill Croskey-Merrit has become the sole RB1 after the Austin Ekeler injury. Though he was not utilized much in his last game against the Packers (4 carries for 17 yards), that was mainly due to the fact that Washington was playing from behind for most of the game. Croskey-Merrit will more than likely be the workhorse of the offense in Week 3, causing me to believe he could be in for a big week against the Raiders.
Rhamondre Stevenson vs PIT
Rhamondre Stevenson exploded in Week 2 against the Dolphins, turning 11 carries into 54 yards, while turning 5 receptions into 88 yards. The Pats' offense looked extremely promising in Week 2, which was mainly due to the way in which they involved and relied on Stevenson. This sort of involvement and production should carry into Stevenson's Week 3 matchup against the Steelers, who give up the 5th most rushing yards per game.
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Wide Receivers
Rome Odunze vs DAL
So far in 2025, it seems that Rome Odunze has been QB Caleb Williams' favorite target. Last week, Odunze put together a stellar performance, catching 7 of his 11 targets for 128 yards and 2 TDs. Having 20 targets through two weeks is one thing, but Rome has also been effective with those targets as well, especially in the redzone. He plays a Dallas defense that ranks 30th in passing yards allowed and 31st in fantasy points allowed to receivers. No-brainer start here.
Zay Flowers vs DET
Zay Flowers has been one of the more unexpected surprises thus far this season. After a Week 1 breakout (7/143 and a TD), Zay followed it up with a solid 7-catch, 75-yard game on 11 targets in Week 2. Lamar Jackson is heavily relying on Flowers in the passing game, especially with the likes of Mark Andrews regressing. Flowers plays the Lions this week, who rank 27th in fantasy points per game to receivers through the first couple of weeks of the season.
Terry McLaurin vs LV
It has been a rough start for star Wide Receiver Terry McLaurin in 2025. Last week, he was targeted 9 times, which is promising, but only turned that into a 5-catch, 48-yard day. I think this is the week that McLaurin finally figures things out and returns to his expected form as WR1 for the Commanders, especially since he plays the 28th-ranked Raiders defense in terms of fantasy points allowed to receivers.
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Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft vs CLE
Tucker Kraft broke out in Week 2 after a subpar Week 1, posting 6 receptions on 7 targets for 124 yards and a touchdown. With Jayden Reed out with an injury, it opens up a load of target opportunities for Kraft, who might already be Love's favorite and most reliable target. Kraft does have a tough matchup against the Browns, but I think with the target share he has been getting, he can fight through it and put together another great fantasy performance.
Kyle Pitts Sr. vs CAR
Kyle Pitts Sr. has flown under the radar this year, which could be a good thing for some managers. His target share has been promising (7th among NFL TEs), and he plays a Panthers team that allows the most fantasy points per game to TEs. I could see him having a similar kind of performance this week that Green Bay's Tight End Tucker Kraft had last week.
Sam Laporta vs BAL
Sam Laporta has been decent so far this season, but is looking for that breakout performance in 2025. Coming off a 3 catch, 26 yard performance on 4 targets in Week 2, Laporta will likely be more involved in a Lions offense that seems to have figured things out. Laporta also plays a Ravens team that has conceded the 2nd most fantasy points per game to Tight Ends through the first two games of the season.
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Sit 'Em (Zak Drapeau)
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff @ BAL
After a historic game where he made Ben Johnson question every life decision he's ever made, Jared Goff will run into Baltimore and quickly come back down to earth. Baltimore gave up a day to Josh Allen in Week 1 but looked 10x better against the Browns last week. Goff will throw the ball at least 40 times against the Ravens, and I see multiple interceptions in doing so.
Bo Nix @ LAC
Like Goff, Nix had a remarkable turnaround in Week 2 but has still thrown 3 interceptions in 2 weeks. The Chargers' defense, meanwhile, got 3 interceptions in Las Vegas last week and is now back at home.
Bryce Young vs ATL
The Panthers might be one of, if not the, worst teams in the league, but Bryce Young ended up having a day. This week will be a seriously tough matchup with their division rivals and against a seriously improved Atlanta defense, which ranks 2nd in the league against the pass.
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Running Backs
Josh Jacobs @ CLE
Jacobs has had a decent start to his season on the Juggernaut-Packers, but a matchup in Cleveland could be really difficult. Currently ranked 1st in the league against the rush, the Browns limited Derrick Henry to just 23 yards on 11 carries and Chase Brown to 43 yards on 21 carries. The Packers have been a pass-first team anyway this year and could give up on Jacobs early in the game.
Kyren Williams @ PHI
Williams is struggling to piece together any consistent runs this season and has become extremely touchdown-dependent. The Eagles also have one of the best defensive fronts in the league, and if they get up early, the Rams will throw the ball almost exclusively in the 2nd half.
Tre'Veyon Henderson vs PIT
Averaging 8 touches for 45 yards a game so far, not only will the Patriots' offense really struggle against Pittsburgh, but Rhamondre Stevenson will likely continue to be the premier back in New England, at least for carries.
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Wide Receivers
Justin Jefferson vs CIN
Justin Jefferson has been the "Quarterback-maker" over the last few years, but I'm not even certain he can make J.J. McCarthy. To make matters worse, he will have Carson Wentz throwing him passes for the next month. In a game where two backup QBs are throwing to two of the best receivers in the league, look for this game to be too sloppy to start almost anyone.
Tyreek Hill @ BUF
Tyreek may have saved his season with a second-half performance against the Patriots last week, but he still might be the WR2 now behind Jaylen Waddle and receiver three behind De'Von Achane as well. Combine that with Miami's very shaky offense and a matchup on Thursday night in Buffalo, and just keep 'Reek on the bench.
Marvin Harrison Jr. @ SF
After a promising Week 1, Harrison Jr. was back to being an afterthought and probably the third option in Arizona last week.
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Tight Ends
Mark Andrews vs DET
UGGGGHHHH man, I fell for the Mark Andrews trap 2 years in a row. I don't know what Lamar's problem is with Mark Andrews for the first half of seasons nowadays, but he's already relegated to an every-week bench until he turns it around.
T.J. Hockenson vs CIN
Same thing with Hockenson, except now his starting QB isn't even going to be on the field for a month. Hockenson almost went without a point before a garbage-time 12-yard reception at the end of the game last week.
Evan Engram @ LAC
Engram hasn't been horrible to start the season, but his calf injury seems to be limiting his receiving potential. Add a matchup in Los Angeles against the Chargers' defense that has allowed 7 receptions for 85 yards to two of the best TEs in the world right now, and Engram has to be a scratch.
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-Z.D.
-Matt Hylen
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