By Jacob Denninger
Sports Columnist
I had a good fantasy week this week. In my PPR league I won 160 to 74. In my standard scoring league, I had three injured running backs, Jonathan Stewart, Doug Martin, and Rashad Jennings, so I traded for Frank Gore and started him and Christine Michael out of necessity. Then Gore was great, Michael was amazing, and Coby Fleener finally came through for me. I was down by 12 going into Monday night with only Fleener left and he got me the come from behind win. I’m having a good year overall, too. I am 3-0 in the PPR league and 2-1 in the standard league. I hope you had a good week and are having a good season as well, though you may have been cursing yourself for playing Eric Decker over Marvin Jones this past week. If that’s the case, I wish you the best of luck this week, and I hope some of the suggestions here will help in week four.
Week 3 Stars
Reminder: All point values are using ESPN standard scoring.
-QBs: Trevor Siemian (DEN): 28 Pts, 312 Yds, 4 TDs; Aaron Rodgers (GB): 26 Pts, 205 Yds, 4 TDs, 22 Rush Yds; Matthew Stafford (DET): 26 Pts, 385 Yds, 3 TDs, 1 Int, 11 Rush Yds. These quarterbacks were made themselves fantasy stars this week by throwing 3+ touchdowns and few just 1 or zero interceptions. Young Trevor Siemian was the surprise number QB in week two, which may have been due to the fact he was pressured 13% of the time instead of 30% of the time in weeks one and two.
-RBs: Devonta Freeman (ATL): 26 Pts, 14 carries, 152 Yds, 5 Rec, 55 Yds, TD; Tevin Coleman (ATL): 26 Pts, 12 Carries, 42 Yds, 3 TDs, 3 Rec, 47 Yds. The tandem of Atlanta backs both went off in week three and tied as the number one RB. Coleman had the touchdowns (3), while Freeman had the yards (207 total yards from scrimmage) and the efficiency (10.9 Yds/carry compared to Coleman’s 3.5 Yds/carry)
-WRs: Marvin Jones (DET): 32 Pts, 6 Rec, 205 Yds, 2 TDs. Jones far surpassed the competition at wideout this week. Why? He was the receiver for 53% of Matthew Stafford’s passing yards and 2 out of his 3 passing touchdowns. Jones’ performance has him as the number one receiver in fantasy this year and has Lions fans asking “Calvin Johnson Who?”
-TEs: Zach Miller (CHI): 19 Pts, 8 Rec, 78 Yds, 2 TDs. Miller led the Bears with 8 catches and 2 touchdowns to finish as the number one tight end in week three. He finished three points ahead of Coby Fleener, who finally came through for owners (and got me the come from behind win) this week.
-D/STs: Chiefs D/ST (KC): 32 Pts, 3 PA, 6 Int, 2 FR, 2 TDs. The Chiefs had a terrific week against the Jets.
-Ks: Dustin Hopkins (WSH): 19 Pts, 5/5 FGs, 2/2 XPs; Justin Tucker (BAL): 17 Pts, 4/4 FGs, 1/1 XPs. Field goal heavy games for Hopkins and Tucker (5 and 4 respectively) made these two kickers the best in fantasy this week.
Week 3 Busts
-Kelvin Benjamin, WR, CAR: The Vikings took out Newton’s top receiving option completely. Benjamin had no catches, no yards, and no points in week three.
-Rob Gronkowski, TE, NE: Gronk ran only 8 routes for rookie third stringer Jacoby Brissett, and he only got one target and no catches as the Patriots eased Gronk back into football after his hamstring injury. The way the Pats beat the Texans, there was no reason to push Gronk any harder, though that was to the dismay of owners who started him.
-Julio Jones, WR, ATL: Jones delivered just 1 point on 1 reception for 16 yards while his teammates in the backfield had a beyond spectacular game.
-Brandin Cooks, WR, NO: Cooks was silenced by Falcons corner Desmond Trufant, recording just 2 catches for 13 yards. After a top finish in week one with 27 fantasy points, Cooks has dropped off significantly with 6 points last week and 1 point this week. Owners are hoping he will get back on track.
-Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT: The Steelers scored just three points against a better than expected Eagles team, and Big Ben scored just six fantasy points on 257 yards, 1 interception, and a lost fumble. Roethlisberger also relied a little too heavily on Antonio Brown; 54.5% of his passing yards were to his top wideout.
-Brandon Marshall, WR, NYJ: Marshall tied for the league lead in touchdowns this year with 14, which translated to big fantasy numbers, but so far he has just 15 points in 3 games (5.0 ppg). On a tough day where the Jets lost 24-3, Marshall had just 3 catches for 27 yards and 2 fantasy points.
-DeAndre Hopkins, WR, HOU: The Patriots took away the deep ball from the Texans, and the Texans and Hopkins struggled. The teams was shut out while Hopkins had just 4 catches for 56 yards and 5 fantasy points.
-DeAngelo Williams, RB, PIT: Williams had two great games (28 and 18 points) filling in for Le’Veon Bell, but did poorly in his final game, getting just 4 points on 44 total yards from scrimmage. He is no longer much use to owners unless Bell gets hurt.
-Eric Decker, WR, NYJ: Decker, after a terrific week two, had no catches into the fourth quarter of the Jets horrid offensive performance on Sunday. He ended with just 1 for 31 yards, resulting in 3 points.
-Matt Forte, RB, NYJ: After moving to the Jets in the offseason, Forte had two good games (14 and 18 points), but he struggled with the rest of the Jets offense this week, scoring just 6 points.
-Ryan Mathews, RB, PHI: Mathews’ 0 points was mostly a result of him injuring his ankle. Mathews did manage to get worse than Thomas Rawls’ -1 yards per carry last week; he averaged -2.5 (-5 yards on 2 carries).
-Mike Wallace, WR, BAL: Wallace seemed to be on the way out going into the season, but started the year with two 16 point games. Wallace has always been a boom or bust player though, and he was a bust this week as he failed to catch a touchdown for the first time this season.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, NYJ: Fitzpatrick and the Jets had a tough day, but mostly Fitzpatrick. He had -3 points on just 188 yards, no touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Good quarterbacks throw fewer picks than that in half a season. Fitzpatrick is owned in less than 40% of ESPN leagues, so he’s not very relevant, but I like making fun of the Jets.
Week 3 Injuries
-Russell Wilson, QB, SEA: Wilson went down with a left knee injury Sunday against the 49ers, which was later diagnosed as an MCL sprain. Coach Pete Carroll and Wilson both say he will play in week four, but with a lingering ankle injury as well as the spain, Wilson may not to his potential, even if he does play.
-Dez Bryant, WR, DAL: Bryant’s leg bent awkwardly while he was being tackled on sunday night while the Cowboys played the Bears. Bryant returned from the game, but he is going to have an MRI. The most likely serious injury is a meniscus tear, which would mean Bryant would be out 8-12 weeks. Even if there is more minor damage, Bryant could still be out 3-4 weeks.
-Thomas Rawls, RB, SEA: Rawls’ shin bruise from week two is actually a hairline fracture. He will probably miss 4-6 weeks, giving Christine Michael a chance to prove his outstanding game against the 49ers was no fluke, and possibly even steal the starting job from Rawls.
-Jeremy Langford, RB, CHI: Langford was carted to the locker room in the third quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Cowboys. According to ESPN, the Bears expect him to miss 4-6 weeks.
-Shane Vereen, RB, NYG: Vereen tore his triceps, which could mean he will be out for two months, or it could mean he is done for the season. Rashad Jennings is now the only man in the backfield for the Giants.
-Michael Floyd, WR, ARI: Floyd was evaluated for a concussion during his game this week, then returned to the field. After the game, though, he entered the concussion protocol. Watch him closely to see how his status progresses this week.
-Jordan Cameron, TE, MIA: Cameron got a concussion on Sunday, his fourth in four years, and is unlikely to play this week.
Week 4 Pickups
-Jordan Howard, RB, CHI: With Jeremy Langford out this week due to injury, Howard is the most likely candidate to inherit his carries. Ka’Deem Carey is also in the nix, but he was injured last week and Howard was successful filling in for Langford (5.0 yards for carry, 4 catches for 47 yards). Howard is a good pickup as the starter for Chicago’s run heavy offense this week.
-Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, CAR: Artis-Payne got the workhorse role in Jonathan Stewart’s stead, but didn’t do very well, scoring only 5 fantasy points and putting up a mediocre 3.9 yards per carry. He could fare better in a very favorable matchup with Atlanta.
-Mike Wallace, WR, BAL: Wallace is a boom or bust receiver, and after two weeks of boom he was a bust in week three; however Wallace still averaging a touchdown and 11.7 fantasy points per game this season and a favorable matchup against Oakland (2nd most fantasy points allowed to receivers this year) and is a great pickup if he isn’t owned in your league (he is in 72.7% of ESPN leagues).
-Terrelle Pryor, WR, CLE: Pryor had a great game in week three playing wide receiver, quarterback and running back (and safety, actually, but that has no fantasy value). He had 144 receiving yards, a rushing touchdown, and 35 passing yards. The former Ohio State quarterback’s terrific multi-faceted game is the anomaly this season, but the Browns may try to use Pryor like this again. If they do, there’s a lot of potential for Pryor this week against a poor Redskins defense.
-Jamison Crowder, WR, WSH: Crowder has improved every game this season (5, 9, and 13 points), has touchdowns in each of the last two games, and is tied for thirtieth among wideouts in fantasy points (with OBJ). He could improve yet again in a great matchup against a poor Cleveland defense.
-Kyle Rudolph, TE, MIN: Rudolph has developed good chemistry with quarterback Sam Bradford and it shows in his stat line from last week. Rudolph got a team high 10 targets which he turned into 7 catches for 70 yards and a TD. Rudolph is second among tight ends in Fantasy points, but owned in under 60 percent of leagues, so pick him up.
Vikings D/ST, D/ST, MIN: The Vikings are the number one defense through three weeks. They’ve scored over 20 points both times they scored touchdowns and 14 points when they didn’t, which is still very good. There’s no reason to think the defense that many fantasy analysts thought could be a sleeper is going to slow down anytime soon. They’re definitely worth picking up if your defense is struggling.
-Dustin Hopkins, K, WSH: Hopkins was the number one kicker this week, helped by five field goals. He has also been very consistent, scoring at least 11 points in all three games. Hopkins should get lots of opportunities for kicks in what could become a Cleveland-Washington shootout between two bad defenses. He is owned in under 30% of ESPN leagues.
Week 4 Fill Ins
-Russell Wilson, QB, SEA: Wilson may not play this week due to an MCL sprain, and even if he does, he will be limited by the knee injury and a recent ankle injury. If you are unsatisfied with your backup, Matt Ryan is one possible fill in, but 2016’s number one QB may not be available as he is owned in just under 80% of ESPN leagues. Ryan Tannehill is another option. He goes into his Thursday night game eighth in fantasy points among quarterbacks. His Dolphins face the Bengals, a historically good defense that has allowed the fifth most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. That includes allowing a 4 touchdown game to the young Bronco Trevor Siemian, a last resort option coming off a good game and playing a poor Tampa Bay secondary.
-Dez Bryant, WR, DAL: See wide receivers in the Pickups for fill in suggestions.
-Thomas Rawls, RB, SEA: Rawls has a hairline fracture in his leg and will be out 4-6 weeks. See running backs in the Pickups section for fill in suggestions.
-Jeremy Langford, RB, CHI: Langford will be out 4-6 weeks. See running backs in the Pickups section for fill in suggestions.
-Aaron Rodgers, QB, GB: Rodgers has a bye week this week, so put in your backup or see Russell Wilson in the Fill Ins section.
-Jordy Nelson, WR, GB: Nelson has a bye this week. See wide receivers in the Pickups for fill in suggestions.
-Mason Crosby, K GB: Crosby has a bye week. Dustin Hopkins is the best streaming kicker this week, in my opinion. See Pickups for more information.
-Jordan Matthews, WR, PHI: Matthews has a bye this week. See wide receivers in the Pickups for fill in suggestions.
-Ryan Mathews, RB, PHI: Mathews has a bye this week. See running backs in the Pickups section for fill in suggestions.
