Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, 4:25 ET
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Network: FOX
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
Jared Goff: Start, QB1
Jared Goff has had a very slow start to the season, with a 1:3 TD-to-interception ratio. He has had some exposable matchups, but nothing has clicked quite yet. The good news is the volume is there: Goff has thrown for over 500 yards in his first two games and should be able to up that pace in Week 3. The Cardinals are in the bottom third in the league when it comes to opposing Quarterbacks, so this lines up as another week where Goff could fill up the box score in what profiles as a Sunday afternoon shootout.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs: Start, RB1
David Montgomery: Start, RB2
The Lions have one of the best running back duos in the NFL, and they are supported by one of, if not THE best offensive lines as well. In what should be a high-scoring affair, we could see a BOOM game for Jahmyr Gibbs and a continuation of Montgomery’s touchdown streak. Both players should be in line for 75-100 total yards, which should provide fantasy managers with plenty of value in Week 3. If you are in 14-team leagues or deeper, Sione Vaki should be a name near the top of your watch list in case either of these backs were to miss time.
Wide Receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Start, WR1
Jameson Williams: Start, WR2
One of the toughest wide receivers in the NFL, Amon-Ra St. Brown got in a full practice after sustaining what is being called a quad contusion. After shaking off the rust in Week 1, St. Brown saw 18 targets in Week 2, bringing in 11 of them. He is one of the safest players in all of fantasy football, and you should have no concerns about him going forward. Jameson Williams has had a blazing hot start to the season, earning ten targets per game across the first two weeks. Not only that, but he has also played at least 85% of snaps. The third-year wide receiver is in the early goings of a breakout season. The big play threat for the Lions complements St. Brown well by stretching the field, and he’s not going away anytime soon. In his first full off-season and season in the NFL after spending much of the first two years of his career recovering from an ACL tear, he should remind people of just how special of a talent he truly is.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta: Start, TE1
Sam LaPorta has started the season with some of the lowest usage metrics of his young career. This is partially due to Jameson Williams’ emergence, but Goff’s struggles haven’t helped either. In Week 3, in a relatively tough matchup, I am expecting a bounce back for LaPorta. This game should be pedal to the metal for both offenses for all four quarters. LaPorta gets going in this one, and watch for him to find the end zone.
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Kyler Murray: Start, QB1
Kyler Murray had an incredible performance in Week 2, throwing for three touchdowns. He exited the game with a perfect passer rating as the Cardinals stomped the LA Rams. In Week 3, you can expect a similar but not as “perfect” performance. Finally clicking with both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride, this Cardinals team could surprise a lot of people the rest of the way.
Running Back
James Conner: Start, RB2
Trey Benson: Sit
James Conner is unquestionably the workhorse running back for the Arizona Cardinals right now. He has been on a tear to start the season, posting over 200 total yards and a pair of touchdowns across the first two weeks of the young season. Trey Benson has been inconsistent and inefficient with his touches thus far, which was part of his issue as a prospect. The athleticism is exciting, but he is not a real threat to take on many of Conner’s touches.
Wide Receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr.: Start, WR1
Greg Dortch: Sit
The Cardinal has landed. Marvin Harrison Jr. exploded in Week 2 for two touchdowns and 130 yards in the first quarter, outscoring every other pass catcher in the week in that time. The offense is funneling through Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey McBride, and James Conner right now, so there is very little room for other pass catchers to get a piece of the pie. He is my WR1 overall this week. This is not a touchdown-chasing play. This is a matchup play combined with the caliber of prospect MHJ.
Tight End
Trey McBride: Start, TE1
Trey McBride saw another six targets in Week 2. He surpassed 65 yards as well. He is a weekly TE1 and should flirt with being the TE1 overall in Week 3. Both Tight Ends in this matchup have a chance to hit paydirt this week.