Fantasy Football Breakdown: Week 3

Audio/Story posted September 27, 2020 in CommRadio, Sports by Sam Kirk & Matt Rudisill

Host Logan Bourandas and analysts Sam Kirk, Matt Rudisill and Aidan Torok look ahead to Week 3 of the NFL season. They discuss fantasy matchups they like and don't like, as well as waiver wire names to look out for.

Building a solid fantasy team is quite the challenge today. With the amount of injuries that are going around coupled with inconsistent play, constructing the perfect fantasy football roster is nearly impossible. Nonetheless, here are some names that will give you the best chance to win, from studs to sleepers.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers

Pittsburgh’s opponent this week, the Texans, has just lost two games in a row, so they’ll be coming out of the gate firing. Roethlisberger will have to keep pace, therefore leading to lots of passing yards and hopefully some key touchdowns. —Matt Rudisill

Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys

Forty points is nothing to sneeze at. Last week, Prescott looked like a top-five quarterback, comfortable as ever in the pocket during the second half versus the Falcons. His receiving core is better than ever, too, so you should be able to bank on Prescott looking as good versus the Seattle defense, which was torched by Cam Newton last week.  —Sam Kirk

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts

With the unfortunate injury to Marlon Mack, Taylor has claimed the top spot on the Colts depth chart at the running back position. This week’s game against a hapless New York Jets team is the perfect opportunity for Taylor to break out. The Jets are giving up an average of 140 yards on the ground in the first two weeks. That should be an indication of a good game for Taylor.  —Matt Rudisill

Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers

Ekeler has been solid in his two weeks as the lead man in Los Angeles. He hasn’t been anything special, but fantasy owners should not lose hope. It’s a long season, and Joshua Kelley is still developing. Keep him in your lineup and expect good things against Carolina this week.  —Sam Kirk

Jerick McKinnon, RB, 49ers

The 49ers were decimated by injuries last week, including running backs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman, meaning McKinnon will have the spotlight to himself on Sunday. McKinnon’s strength lies in the passing game, and withJimmy Garoppolo out this week as well, there is a high likelihood that backup Nick Mullens will seek out McKinnon for checkdown passes more often, thus leading to a good fantasy day. Especially in PPR leagues, it might be a good idea to start McKinnon.  —Matt Rudisill

Leonard Fournette, RB, Buccaneers

Fournette showed the same dominance that we’ve seen before again last Sunday. He was effective as a Jaguar, so it’s no shock that he’s even better in the developed Tampa Bay offense. Bruce Arians may use this week to try to find out who he wants running the show in the backfield (Fournette or Ronald Jones), but regardless, Fournette should have his way against a banged-up Denver defense.  —Sam Kirk

Allen Robinson, WR, Bears

Robinson continues to see a high target volume from Mitchell Trubisky, and he should finally capitalize on that this week. The Falcons are coming off a historic defeat, so they will certainly be motivated to beat the Bears. Like with the Steelers, Trubisky will be forced to air the ball out.  Robinson should see the bulk of these targets, maybe going for over 100 yards and a score for the first time this season.  —Matt Rudisill

Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers

After missing Week 2 with concussion-like symptoms, Godwin gets a good matchup to return to in Week 3. He should be able to cash in against a wounded Broncos defense. Expect Brady to look his way early and often to help build that chemistry for the playoff goals that Tampa Bay has.  —Sam Kirk

Marquise Brown, WR, Ravens

Playing the Chiefs on Monday night means a massive target share for “Hollywood” Brown. The Chiefs defense is giving up almost 270 passing yards per game, so Brown should explode in this one. Look for him to pick up his first touchdown of the year.  —Matt Rudisill

Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams

Higbee has been a reliable option for Jared Goff in the red zone this year. This week, he faces a Bills defense that has struggled against tight ends. With three touchdowns last week, it’s clear that Higbee is emerging as a reliable starter and playmaker in Sean McVay’s offense. Start ‘em!  —Sam Kirk

KJ Hamler, WR, Broncos

An injury to Courtland Sutton will keep him out for the entire season. With that target share now vacated, Hamler will have to fill a much bigger role in the young offense. This is certainly a boom-or-bust play for the flex, but the upside with Hamler against the Buccaneers is clear.  —Matt Rudisill

CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys

Lamb was effective in the historic comeback win in Atlanta last week. He went for over 100 yards and tied Amari Cooper in targets with nine. Lamb should get his first touchdown soon, and Sunday’s game versus a struggling Seattle secondary may be the perfect time. Have faith in the Oklahoma product this week as a solid flex option.  —Sam Kirk

Los Angeles Chargers, D/ST

Going up against the Panthers sans Christian McCaffrey will be easy pickings for Joey Bosa and company. Expect the Los Angeles defense to feast on the powerless Panthers all game long.  —Matt Rudisill

San Francisco 49ers, D/ST

The 49ers defense had two enormous injuries in Week 2, with Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas both tearing their ACLs. Still, San Francisco has enough depth to dominate on defense. The Giants’ best player in Saquon Barkley also went down with an ACL tear, giving the Niners a huge advantage. Daniel Jones and the New York offense has yet to find their identity and will most likely struggle again against a quality San Francisco defense.  —Sam Kirk

Harrison Butker, K, Chiefs

With kickers, you should always turn to the games where a lot of points will be scored, and with the Chiefs, points come in droves. So lock in Butker as your kicker for Week 3.  —Matt Rudisill

Zane Gonzalez, K, Cardinals

The Cardinals should continue their offensive success in Week 3. The Lions have given up 69 points in two games, meaning Arizona should be in the red zone all day. As a result, Gonzalez, one of the most consistent fantasy kickers in the business, should have plenty of opportunities to get owners a pile of points.  —Sam Kirk

 

Matt Rudisill is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mpr5529@psu.edu.

Sam Kirk is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email sjk6325@psu.edu.

About the Contributors

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Logan Bourandas

Third-Year / Broadcast Journalism

Logan Bourandas is a third-year broadcast journalism major from Long Island, NY. He is a the news director for CommRadio and the host of Ducks on the Pond, which is an all-baseball talk show on CommRadio. He is also a sports writer, broadcaster and podcaster for CommRadio. He got his start as the station manager for his high school radio station WPOB in his hometown of Plainview, NY, where he hosted numerous radio shows and was involved in sports broadcasts. You can contact him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Matt Rudisill's photo

Matt Rudisill

Junior / Broadcast Journalism

Matt Rudisill is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism hailing from Parkesburg, Pennsylvania. He is a writer and content creator for the CommRadio sports department and has contributed multiple NFL articles and podcasts as well as some MLB-related content. Along with CommRadio, Matt also writes for Onward State’s sports department. You can contact him by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or through Twitter @mrudy26.

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Aidan Torok

Sophmore / Broadcast Journalism

Aidan Torok is a sophmore from West Caldwell, New Jersey majoring in broadcast journalism at Penn State. He produces content and does play-by-play announcing and beat writing for the CommRadio sports department. If you’d like to contact him, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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Sam Kirk

Junior / Broadcast Journalism

Sam Kirk is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism at Penn State. He is a writer and podcaster for the CommRadio sports department. He is also featured weekly in the CommRadio news department on Thursday newcasts. Sam has written articles all across the board that deal with baseball, football and basketball. He is also working for a football media company called Inside the Hashes, writing articles, interviewing players and contributing to their YouTube channel.