Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, 8:20 ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Network: NBC/Peacock
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: Start, QB1
Patrick Mahomes rounds out our top tier of QBs as our QB6 this week. Mahomes won’t often finish as the weekly QB1 due to his lower rushing ceiling, but he’s as reliable an option as we’ve ever seen at the position. If you have Mahomes, you’re starting him — some decisions don’t need much thought. While Mahomes has mostly underwhelmed as a fantasy QB up to this point, the Chiefs will need to air the ball out more following the loss of Isiah Pacheco. This likely change in offensive game plan raises Mahomes’ floor and ceiling, and fantasy owners should expect better days ahead from the best QB of this generation.
Running Back
Samaje Perine: Sit
Carson Steele: Sit
Kareem Hunt: Sit
Without Isiah Pacheco, owners of the Chiefs’ ancillary running backs should utilize a wait-and-see approach. The signing of Kareem Hunt only muddies the water even further. If I had to bet on one of these players to succeed this week, it would be Carson Steele, with his athleticism and bruising style of play coming the closest to Pacheco’s. He has the best chance to find the end zone out of these three backs.
Wide Receiver
Rashee Rice: Start, WR1
Xavier Worthy: FLEX Option
Both Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy displayed their fantasy value in Weeks 1 and 2. Rashee Rice is on the Amon-Ra St. Brown lite track. He is a safe player tied to an elite quarterback and offensive scheme. Worthy, on the other hand, is a volatile player who could win your matchup with any opportunity he gets. Worthy is more of a FLEX or FLEX2 play this week, especially if you are projected to lose by more than 15 fantasy points.
Tight End
Travis Kelce: Start, TE1
Travis Kelce has had an incredibly slow start to the season. That being said, he still has shown us glimpses of his greatness. Mahomes should be able to get back on track against Atlanta this week, and that should be in large part due to Kelce. Atlanta has allowed 50 yards to opposing tight ends, and Kelce is a much better player than either Pat Freiermuth or Dallas Goedert. At least for now, you shouldn’t be placing Kelce on your bench.
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins: Sit, QB2
Kirk Cousins ended up having a solid performance for fantasy football thanks to his game-winning 70-yard drive in Week 2. He looks completely incapable of moving around, though, and still seems unable to plant his recently repaired leg to drive the football to his targets. He is in the low-end QB2 tier against a stout Kansas City Chiefs defense.
Running Back
Bijan Robinson: Start, RB1
Tyler Allgeier: Sit
Bijan Robinson continues to dominate snaps for the Atlanta Falcons. He is the workhorse running back we were all hoping for. It hasn’t all come together quite yet to produce an RB1 week, but the usage is there, and in Week 3, while he faces a strong defense against the run, Bijan should be a lock for 20+ touches. Tyler Allgeier is an elite handcuff, but he should not be in your starting lineups unless Bijan misses time.
Wide Receiver
Drake London: Start, WR2
Drake London had a game-winning performance, catching the go-ahead touchdown pass from Cousins in the waning moments of Week 2. He still was only able to compile 54 yards, which could continue to be a problem for a Kirk Cousins-led offense. I don’t know if we ever see him as a WR1 with any regularity, but London is a rock-solid WR2 for teams and is my WR19 on the week.
Tight End
Kyle Pitts: Start, TE1
Kyle Pitts saw his usage drop from Weeks 1 to 2. Week 3 could bring him back to his Week 1 usage, though, as the Chiefs have allowed the most points to opposing tight ends this season. It may not always be pretty, but Pitts should have a strong season ahead, and Week 3 is one of the good weeks for managers. Fire him up with confidence.