Week 3 Game Rankings: What to watch for this Sunday

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Early Afternoon Games

  • A crucial AFC East matchup to become the sole undefeated member of the division is the best game of the early window.
  • Can the Bills continue their offensive dominance?
  • Tua had the best game of his career last week, will that be the Tua of normal or was it a fluke? He gets lucky with a banged up Bills defense.
  • Star safety Micah Hyde is out for the season and they’ll be without CB Dane Jackson and starting defensive linemen Ed Oliver and Jordan Phillips, so I see this as a shootout.
  • We haven’t seen much from either team’s running game, that’s something I really wanna see this week. Dolphins brought in Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert…USE THEM. And the Bills need to use Devin Singletary more, they’re clearly so much better when he’s playing over Zack Moss, so stop.
  • Expect massive games from the star receivers on both teams. The Dolphins are 26th in defensive DVOA, while the Bills are 1st, but that was with a healthy squad. Bang the over if you’re a betting man.
  • This is a massive game for both teams. Both 0-2 with high playoff hopes, and one will come out 0-3.
  • As last year’s 1-seed the Titans have been expectedly disappointing after trading A.J. Brown and not being prepared with the guys they’ve needed to step up. Tannehill is not playing great, but it doesn’t help when Robert Woods only has five catches, but it’s encouraging seeing rookies Treylon Burks and Kyle Philips getting involved, despite Philips being doubtful for this game with a shoulder injury, so here’s Woods’ opportunity.
  • Derrick Henry doesn’t seem like himself and hasn’t broken out yet, but he gets better as the season goes on so I wouldn’t be worried. I’d like to see more of Dontrell Hilliard, who’s been a great third-down back so far. Maybe get the two backs on the field at the same time, switch things up.
  • The Raiders had as much hype as anyone entering the season after acquiring Davante Adams, and it hasn’t panned out yet. With Hunter Renfrow out, expect an uptick in targets for Adams going up against a weak Tennessee defense ranked 29th in DVOA.
  • Raiders pass rushers will be feasting as star left tackle Taylor Lewan is out for this game, and likely the season. It looks like it’ll be Dennis Daley, who was acquired from Carolina during August roster cutdowns, as the starting left tackle moving forward.
  • A classic NFC South rivalry features two teams I cannot figure out yet.
  • The Saints have looked decent so far, but I’m hesitant. I have high hopes for them and they’re set up really well, but it all rides on Jameis Winston’s shoulders. I’m happy to finally see Michael Thomas healthy, and getting targets along with Jarvis Landry and rookie Chris Olave. The Saints offense has needed to spread out, and I think they’re on the right track.
  • Despite what everyone else is thinking, I say Baker Mayfield is getting better every week. He didn’t join the team until July, so it’s going to take time to adjust to the offense and get to know his receivers. We saw flashes last week with D.J. Moore and Robbie Anderson, and Christian McCaffrey is looking healthy.
  • I want to see the Panthers offensive line improve. First-round rookie Ikem Ekwonu has been struggling, but their interior has been solid, with all three guys in the top 10 ranking per PFF.
  • Both teams are healthy, so this should be a great game. Alvin Kamara should be back so be sure to start him, barring any late-night Adam Schefter tweets that say otherwise.
  • Coming off a devastating loss to the Dolphins, the Ravens look to bounce back against the Patriots, who are coming off a close win against the Steelers.
  • The Patriots offense has been very milquetoast and lacks much juice, but it was enough to win. I’ve been very against the whole Matt Patricia-Joe Judge dynamic on offense, but I hope to be proven wrong. Mac Jones may be without Jakobi Meyers, but it was encouraging seeing Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne starting to get involved, but they need more.
  • They need to get DeVante Parker going, he’s stunk big time. He’s been targeted four times through two games, he has one catch and two interceptions against, can’t get much worse. Their high-priced tight ends have a combined five catches on the year, USE THEM.
  • J.K. Dobbins will be making his season debut this week after coming off a torn ACL, LCL, meniscus and hamstring last preseason. I like what I’m seeing from Lamar in the passing game, showing a connection with Rashod Bateman, and getting Devin Duvernay and rookie Isaiah Likely involved alongside star tight end Mark Andrews. The Pats defense is stout and the secondary is good, so they’ll have to work to get points.
  • Ravens defense is struggling a little bit, ranking in the middle of the pack in DVOA. The secondary is getting healthier with Marcus Peters having another week under his belt, but Marcus Williams, the free agent acquisition from the Saints, has been a stud. Rookie Kyle Hamilton seemed to struggle with communication in the back end, so look for the Pats to target them.
  • This is a fun game. Kirk Cousins coming off a primetime loss into an early afternoon game against a feisty Lions team, giddy up.
  • Cousins had a horrible game against the Eagles on Monday Night, what a surprise, so you know he and Justin Jefferson are gonna go wild against the Lions secondary. Look for Jeff Okudah, the former 3rd overall pick in 2020, to get a lot of action.
  • I’m a Lions believer, and it revolves around their running game. The Vikings have the 32nd-ranked run defense per Football Outsiders, so expect to see a lot of D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams in this one, with a little big of Hard Knocks star Craig Reynolds sprinkled in.
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown is legit, he does everything well, and I think he’s going to toast the Vikings secondary, but I’d like to see more from D.J. Chark (zero catches last week) and T.J. Hockenson so show that Jared Goff can spread the ball around.
  • Carson Wentz revenge game, spicy.
  • The Eagles look so good and are an early NFC favorite, and it’s not just one guys, it’s a whole mess of them. Obviously Jalen Hurts is playing very very well right now, but you have to thank A.J. Brown for that. They are still getting contributions from Dallas Goedert and DeVonta Smith, so it’s nice to see the ball spread around.
  • Darius Slay is playing out of this world right now, and should’ve had like nine picks against Kirk Cousins on Monday night. The whole secondary is locking it down with new acquisitions James Bradberry and C.J. Gardner-Johnson along with Marcus Epps and Avonte Maddox. The d-line isn’t lighting up the stat sheet, especially after losing Derek Barnett, and they need to get Haason Reddick going.
  • The Commanders are looking pretty good if I’m being honest. Wentz hasn’t been fantastic, but he’ll make some great plays, and have a couple classic bonehead ones. This offense is healthy, and it’s cool seeing Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel playing a lot, taking a load off of Terry McLaurin. Starting center Chase Roullier is on IR, so keep an eye on Wes Schweitzer.
  • The Washington defense will struggle in this one. They have the second-worst run defense per Football Outsiders, despite all the first-round talent. The pass defense is a little better at 20th. I really like second-year safety Darrick Forrest, who’s made some great plays in the air and on the ground.
  • Before the season I would’ve thought this would be a fantastic game, but based on what Matt Ryan and the Colts have shown us through two weeks, this will be a beatdown.
  • We all know what Patrick Mahomes can do, there’s nothing more to prove other than spreading the ball out to JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdez-Scantling. That shouldn’t be an issue against the Colts #29 ranked pass defense.
  • Clyde Edwards-Helaire will have to work against the Colts #2 ranked run defense, and Jonathan Taylor will have to deal with the #6 ranked run defense in Kansas City.
  • Shaquille Leonard will once again not play in this game and is yet to make his debut. Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman should be good to go after missing last week. That should help Ryan tremendously.
  • No Harrison Butker again in this one, so Matt Ammendola will handle kicking duties this week for KC.
  • This is a get right game for the Bengals. This is not an 0-2 team, but I fear the Super Bowl hangover is real, and history tells all.
  • The story of last year was the offensive line struggles, and that continues into this year, but even worse. They addressed it with Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, and La’el Collins in free agency, with a rookie left guard. The Jets have the worst-ranked defense per Football Outsiders, so this is what the Bengals need to get this offense going.
  • The Jets are coming off a dramatic win over the Browns with Joe Flacco as their quarterback, and if they can pull it off against the defending AFC Champs, there could be a controversy once Zach Wilson comes back in a couple weeks.
  • Watch for the Jets young cornerbacks going against the best wide receiver trio in the league. This could be a coming out party for rookie Sauce Gardner if he can limit Ja’Marr Chase.
  • We haven’t seen a ton of rookie Breece Hall as second-year man Michael Carter is out-snapping him in the early going. I’d like to see Garrett Wilson continue to break out. This is a great showcase of young talent to come for the Jets.
  • This is a meh game.
  • The Texans do nothing for me besides tracking Brandin Cooks’ fantasy contributions, but prove me wrong. The defense isn’t too bad, and I like what I’ve seen from rookie first-rounder Derek Stingley.
  • The Bears have no reason to not beat down these Texans. Show me something Justin Fields. Get Darnell Mooney the ball. Your leading receiver is Equanimeous St. Brown with three catches for 57 yards. Fields is also dead last among starters in pass completions, behind Cooper Rush and not far ahead of Jimmy Garoppolo and Dak Prescott, who’ve all only started one game.
  • Feed David Montgomery.
  • Feed Damion Pierce.

Late Afternoon Games

  • This is sneaky a very good matchup.
  • Justin Herbert is questionable but likely to play after taking a shot to the ribs last week. Keenan Allen is also questionable, and his availability is a bit more murky. I’d keep an eye on him and prepare for a backup plan in fantasy.
  • J.C. Jackson and Corey Linsley are doubtful for the game, so there’s concern for being without their top CB and All-Pro center.
  • Last week’s performance against the Colts is encouraging for Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. Christian Kirk heard the contract criticism and is starting to justify it. James Robinson looks fantastic coming off a December torn Achilles, and Travis Etienne is still getting his feet wet. I expect a huge week coming soon for the former Clemson product.
  • The Jaguars defense will be on full display this week, and I like what I’m seeing from first overall pick Travon Walker alongside Josh Allen. The secondary is also playing very well with a mix of young guys and veteran signings, so I see Herbert challenging that group.
  • This might be the last Brady-Rodgers matchup we ever get, unless the playoff gods work their magic.
  • Allen Lazard is ready again for the Packers, but they’ll be without Sammy Watkins for a while. They need to get the rookies going and earn Rodgers’ trust. I want to see more of Robert Tonyan, who is fully healthy after his ACL surgery last year.
  • The Bucs will be very short-handed this week, with Mike Evans serving a suspension and Chris Godwin still dealing with a hamstring injury. They signed Cole Beasley this week and was called up from the practice squad for this game. I don’t know if we’ll see a lot of him with Russell Gage serving as the slot guy, but there will definitely be a lot of deep shots to Scotty Miller that will fall incomplete, so if you’re a Brady hater, you’ll be seeing a lot of yelling from Ol’ Tommy.
  • Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith is doubtful to play, and his backup Josh Wells is on injured reserve after getting hurt last week, so it’ll be Brandon Walton making his first career start.
  • Good news for the Packers left tackle, David Bakhtiari is expected to make his season debut after missing most of last year.
  • Two NFC West juggernauts with something to prove.
  • After falling flat in the opener, the Rams bounced back with a nice win against the Falcons that almost got too close for comfort. It was nice seeing Allen Robinson and Cam Akers get some action, which should be the norm.
  • The Rams will be without third receiver Van Jefferson for a while as he was played on IR, another week without center Brian Allen.
  • Despite the defensive effort last week, the Cards defense is still ranked 31st per Football Outsiders. Let’s get Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins going.
  • Cardinals won’t have Rondale Moore in this one, but everyone else is healthy, and Kyler Murray should build off that heroic performance against the Raiders last week. Let’s hope he spent enough time watching film and avoiding the new Call of Duty Modern Warfare II Beta release.
  • Yawn.
  • Ok the Falcons are kind of exciting, I want to see Marcus Mariota sling it to Kyle Pitts and Drake London with RPOs to Cordarelle Patterson. Make it happen. This Seahawks defense is not good, especially against the pass. Take advantage of this young secondary Marcus…AND FEED KYLE PITTS.
  • I do want to see if Geno looks good in this one against a mediocre Falcons defense. Get Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf the ball somehow, just do it please. I also think this will be a big Kenneth Walker game against the #28 ranked run defense. Got his feet wet last week, now set him loose this week.

Sunday Night Football

  • The return of Jimmy Garoppolo against a struggling Russell Wilson in Denver, storylines gallor.
  • We all know the back and forth with the 49ers over the years about how they feel about Jimmy G, and they just couldn’t get rid of him. So they reduced his contract and handed the keys to Trey Lance while Jimmy could stay in the background. But after a season-ending ankle injury early last week, it’s Garoppolo’s team once again. This honestly makes the 49ers better right now, as Lance hasn’t shown much, but it’s a very small sample size, so it’s not far to make these assumptions yet.
  • George Kittle should also be back in this game to make his season debut.
  • The Broncos have been abysmal this season so far, and a lot of that falls on new head coach Nathaniel Hackett more game management and Russell Wilson’s red zone attack. They are 0-6 on scoring touchdowns in the red zone this year. Hackett also just hired longtime special teams coach Jerry Rosburg as an assistant coach to help with game day decisions. Good for the Hackman on admitting his sucks at understanding the game clock. Probably could’ve hired all of Mile High to help with that too.
  • On the injury front the Broncos have 10 guys are questionable, notably wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and cornerback Pat Surtain II, who both left early last game. We’ll see if they play.
  • The 49ers will be without rookie running back Tyrion Davis-Price, so it’s still Jeff Wilson’s show. They did sign Marlon Mack from the practice squad so we’ll see if he gets involved.
  • The last thing I wanna mention is the 49ers offensive line. When the year started and I saw their starting line, I honestly did not know who three of their starters were (Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, and Spencer Burford), I call them the 3Bs. They are hoping to have a fourth B, Daniel Brunskill, back this week.
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