Sit/Start Week 3: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 25th, 8:15 PM ET

Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Betting Odds:  Cin -2.5,  43.5 total via PFF.com

Network: ESPN

Writer: Chuck Steele (@ChuckSteele on Twitter/X)

Cincinnati Bengals

Quarterback

Joe Burrow (Sit, QB2)

After signing a five-year, 275 million-dollar extension, Joe Burrow has been a letdown to the Bengals and fantasy managers alike so far throughout the first two weeks of the NFL season. Burrow was horrendous in week one against the Browns but started to find a rhythm last week against the Ravens. However, both weeks we saw Joe Cool underperform his fantasy projections. Towards the end of the Ravens game, Joe Burrow tweaked his right calf, an injury he has dealt with since training camp. It’s currently unknown if Joe Burrow will suit up in Week 3 against the Rams on Monday Night Football. Approach this week with caution with it being the Monday night game. I’d recommend looking at different options and playing the match-up game. You do not want to be stuck with only one option at quarterback. Joe Burrow can finish this week as a QB2 if he does suit up, but it may be best to pivot for this week.

Running Backs 

Joe Mixon (Start, RB2, RB1-Upside),  Trayveon Williams (Sit)

Joe Mixon has control of the backfield seeing 70% of offensive snaps. The game scripts have not been too kind for Mixon with the Bengals playing from behind in all of their games. With 13 carries and five targets in each of his first two games, Mixon should continue to see a decent workload. Averaging over 4 yards per carry, Mixon has looked solid with his opportunities. If Joe Burrow misses week three, Mixon can benefit from being a safety blanket to backup quarterback Jake Browning. Mixon has a tough matchup this week going against a Rams defensive front led by Aaron Donald but should find enough success to finish as an RB2 with RB1 upside.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Ja’Marr Chase (Start, WR2, Lowend WR1), Tee Higgins (Start WR2, Low-End WR1), Tyler Boyd (Sit), Irv Smith (Sit )

The Bengals have two of the most talented wideouts in all of football. There are not many duos better than Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase has been a fantasy footballer 1st round pick failing to break double digits on points in a matchup, but last week we saw Tee Higgins have a great game with 89 yards with eight receptions on 12 targets and two scores, good enough 28.9 points.

This week we can see a downgrade in a quarterback with Joe Burrow’s status up in the air for week three’s Monday Night matchup. Even if he does play, Burrow is dealing with this calf injury and he already has not been spectacular this season. Higgins and Chase each have the talent though to be able to finish as at least a WR2 no matter who is throwing them the ball. Fire up both starting pass catchers of the Bengals, no matter who is throwing them the ball.

Tyler Boyd should be left on the bench unless injury should occur to one of the two stars. Irv Smith has flashed at tight end for the Bengals and can be a roll of the dice hoping for a touchdown on the week, but for now, there are other options at tight end I’d prefer.

Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford (Sit, QB2 Upside)

Matthew Stafford has been adjusting to life without his superstar wideout Cooper Kupp. Stafford has failed to break 15 fantasy points in each of his first two matchups. Even last year before his injury, Stafford failed to crack the top 15 in 7 of his 8 starts. The emergence of Puka Nacua has been thrilling these past two weeks and has volumed himself into one of the top fantasy WRs, but failing to take it to the house playmaker Stafford had in Kupp, it best to keep him on your bench until we see more scoring instead of just completions.

Running Backs

 Kyren Williams (Start RB1), Cam Akers (TRADED to Vikings)

Kyren Williams is now the lead back in LA after Cam Akers has been traded to the Minnesota Vikings. Williams has not disappointed so far this season. With a top 10 RB finish in week 1, Williams followed that up with his second two-touchdown game in as many weeks on the year. His rushing numbers won’t blow you away, but Williams saw a double-digit target share last week and should continue to see high volume in the passing game with the lack of pass catchers in LA. Fire up Williams as an RB1.

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

Puka Nacua (Start WR1), Tutu Atwell  (Low-End WR2, High-End WR3), Demarcus Robinson (Sit), Tyler Higbee (Low-End TE2, Sit).

Puca Nacua was Week 1’s waiver wire hot pickup, and has delivered even more for his Week 2 performance. The rookie, through two weeks, is the 2nd best WR for fantasy and has shown an immediate connection with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. It’s no secret Puka is now filling in the Cooper Kupp role, and has been pure gold in sure. As long as Kupp is out, Puka is primed to continue to be Stafford’s go-to target, turning in 25 receptions on 35 targets so far on the season. Puka should continue to see WR1 production in this Rams offense.

Tutu Atwell has also found moderate success in the LA passing game without Cooper Kupp. Tutu finished as a WR2 the past two weeks, and even though he faces a tougher secondary than he has the first two weeks, Atwell should still be able to do enough with this high passing volume offense. Atwell is a safe WR3, with WR2 upside.

Tyler Higbee should be treated as a low-end TE2 this week. With the pass-heavy Rams offense, there are plenty of targets to go around, so Higbee has a good chance for a few of those targets himself. I’d prefer to sit Higbee, but he’ll have the upside of a Low-End TE2 this week against the Bengals.

-Chuck Steele (@ChuckSteele on Twitter/X)