Plays and Fades: Week 3 Fantasy Football
Every NFL week, we'll go game by game and name a Play and a Fade for each contest. Plays and fades are relative to their consensus rankings and salaries on DraftKings and FanDuel. Meaning the Play will not always be the player I expect to have the most fantasy points for a given game and the Fade will not always be a player I expect to get zero snaps.
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Miami Dolphins vs Jacksonville Jaguars
PLAY: James Robinson
The Jacksonville Jaguars like to have a workhorse running back and have made it clear that James Robinson is the guy for them. The undrafted rookie RB is averaging a solid 5.1 YPC on 32 carries. The Miami Dolphins have been decent against the run, but I expect the Jags to hop in front of this one and give Robinson a large workload.
FADE: Keelan Cole
Keelan Cole has been on fire to start the season. 11 catches for 105 yards and 2 TDs in Week 1 and Week 2 combined. However, those 11 catches came on 12 targets. I am not expecting Cole to keep up that type of efficiency. DJ Chark has been lightly used to start the season and I'm expecting more targets to go his way as the season goes on. Odds are Cole does not complete the hat trick and find the endzone for the 3rd week in a row.
Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons
PLAY: Allen Robinson II
Allen Robinson has been lackluster, to say the least. He hasn't found the endzone yet this season and has barely surpassed 100 yards receiving. Although, he has seen some positive usage with 18 targets across Week 1 and Week 2. The trade rumors are behind us and now in Week 3, he goes up against a leaky Atlanta Falcons defense. I'm expecting a nice bounce-back here for A-Rob.
FADE: Matt Ryan
Matty Ice tore up the first two weeks throwing for 6 TDs and 700+ yards passing while only tossing one interception. His weapons may be as good as he’s ever had with Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Russell Gage at WR, Hayden Hurst at TE, and Todd Gurley II in the backfield. BUT, the Falcons are coming off of a devastating Week 2 loss against the Cowboys and now have to face a good Chicago Bears defense. The Seattle Seahawks in Week 1 and the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 were both great matchups for game flow. The Chicago Bears are a different opponent. Did someone press the sim button? I expect the clock to be running often in this one. Matty Ice may have a couple of TDs, but the yardage won't be there.
Los Angeles Rams vs Buffalo Bills
PLAY: Cooper Kupp
Tyler Higbee hogged all the TDs in Week 2 and Malcolm Brown hogged all the TDs in Week 1. Similar to Bill Belichick, Sean McVay is a master at finding what works and riding that strategy until his opponent figures it out. Rumor has it McVay grew up playing Blitz the video game and couldn't be stopped with "Da Bomb". Why would you run any other play when you can't be stopped? I'm expecting Cooper Kupp to be the beneficiary this week against the Buffalo Bills. I'm a fan of the Bills defense, but they let up big numbers to Jam Crowder in Week 1 and Mike Gesicki in Week 2.
FADE: Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs has been a stud. 16 receptions on 22 targets for 239 yards and 1 TD in the first two weeks. He's quickly built chemistry with Josh Allen and it's showing. I'm expecting the Rams to focus on Stefon Diggs which will open up some opportunities for John Brown and Cole Beasley. I love Diggs in season-long, but I'm being cautious with him for DFS in Week 3.
Washington Football Team vs Cleveland Browns
PLAY: Logan Thomas
The Logan Thomas hype team went all out in the lead up to Week 2. Everyone in the fantasy industry only had positive things to say about the guy. And then he was a full dud… catching 4 passes for 26 yards. Brutal stat line. However, he did see 9 targets. I’m expecting the targets to be there again in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns and this week he’ll scoop them in and rack up bigger numbers.
FADE: Nick Chubb
Nick Chubb looked awesome in Week 2. He’s a stud. I just don’t trust the Cleveland Browns…. That is all. You’re obviously starting him in any season-long league, but I’d like to have exposure elsewhere in DFS.
Tennessee Titans vs Minnesota Vikings
PLAY: Justin Jefferson
Does Adam Thielen have 5 defensive backs on him every time he goes out for a route? That’s the way it feels. The Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins have to catch on. I love Thielen, but I’m expecting the Vikings to pivot and spread the ball around. The first-round rookie draft pick Justin Jefferson is my pick to click in Week 3 for the Vikings. He’s been efficient in his first two weeks with 5 receptions on 6 targets for 70 yards.
FADE: Adam Thielen
See the above thoughts on Justin Jefferson. Mike Vrabel is going to throw the kitchen sink at Adam Thielen in an attempt to shut him down. If the Vikings can get ahead and Dalvin Cook gets hot early, Adam Thielen may get free for some play-action passes.
Las Vegas Raiders vs New England Patriots
PLAY: Julian Edelman
The fantasy community wrote Julian Edelman off once Tom Brady left town. Sunday night against the Seahawks he went off and showed why he is a Super Bowl MVP. He seems to be the same target/reception machine he’s always been even with Cam Newton throwing him the ball. This massive game for Edelman was not a blip on the radar.
FADE: Damiere Byrd
In Week 1, Damiere Byrd had a goose egg. In Week 2, he came to play posting 6 catches for 72 yards on 9 targets. In Week 3, I think we’re looking at another goose egg. They won’t need to keep up with the Raiders the same way they had to keep up with the Seahawks. I know the Raiders are coming off of a big win against the Saints, but now they have a short week and have to prepare for Bill Belichick.
San Francisco 49ers vs New York Giants
PLAY: Giants DEF
The 49ers offense is beat up. At the time of this writing, I’m not expecting any of Jimmy G, Raheem Mostert, George Kittle, or Deebo Samuel to play. The NYG’s defense could be a sneaky start. The opening line is 49ers -4 points.
FADE: Jordan Reed
Jordan Reed had a great Week 2 with George Kittle sidelined and hauled in 2 TDs. He looked like the elite receiving target we all know the uninjured Jordan Reed to be. Unfortunately for Reed, both of those TDs were thrown by Jimmy G. I’m not trusting Reed in Week 3 if Mullens is taking snaps. Obviously, this point is moot if Jimmy G does in fact play.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Philadelphia Eagles
PLAY: AJ Green
Fantasy owners were psyched to see what a healthy AJ Green could do. Especially with the rookie Joe Burrow throwing him the ball. Thursday Night Football against the Browns was a major disappointment. It was impossible to scroll through Twitter that night without coming across the AJ Green hate hype. AJ Green ended up with 3 catches for 29 yards on 13 targets! It was clear Joe Burrow was trying to force him the ball, but the connection was just not there.
I happen to be a buyer of AJ Green. 22 targets in 2 games is hard to ignore AND he has a good quarterback. Joe Burrow is the real deal. It’s just a matter of time before these two start moving the ball down the field and into the endzone.
FADE: DeSean Jackson
The Eagles have looked bad, but the Bengals have looked worse. I’m expecting a big day for the TE duo and Miles Sanders. The Eagles are most likely going to be playing ahead in this one. DeSean Jackson is going to have to get going early if he wants to rack up any stats.
Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers
PLAY: JuJu Smith-Schuster
JuJu is looking at a big bounce-back week in Week 3 against the Houston Texans. He caught 7 of his 8 targets in Week 2, but it only added up to 48 yards and 0 touchdowns. Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and James Conner took all the TDs and had the big plays for the Steelers. The Steelers offense is looking decent now that Big Ben is back. JuJu should get his share of big plays and get in the endzone in Week 3.
FADE: Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson hasn’t been good. To make matters worse, it looks like he will not have the often injured Will Fuller in Week 3. I’m avoiding Watson until he shows any sign of life. I could see a case for him in GPPs if you’re looking for a low owned option at QB, but it’s a meta play I’m not going to make. Deandre Hopkins is laughing his way to Week 3 at 2-0.
New York Jets vs Indianapolis Colts
PLAY: Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor is a chalky call, but it’s hard to find anyone playable in this matchup. I had Jonathan Taylor as a play in Week 2’s Plays and Fades, but I was not expecting that massive usage he got in Week 2. He finished the game with 26 carries and out-touched Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins by a wide margin.
FADE: TY Hilton
TY Hilton was a fade in Week 2’s Plays and Fades. We’re going to fade him again. He hasn’t shown any chemistry with Phil Rivers. This is another situation that I’m avoiding until I see any positive signs here. Playing TY is a blind dart throw.
Carolina Panthers vs Los Angeles Chargers
PLAY: Keenan Allen
Keenan Allen is back! And by that I mean he has Justin Herbert throwing him the ball. Herbert looked mechanical back there like a robot programmed to play QB. With HerBot as the QB, Keenan Allen had 7 receptions for 96 yards on 10 targets. This is going to be a landslide victory for the Chargers going up against a McCaffrey-less Carolina Panthers. Keenan Allen will get his.
Note: Anthony Lynn has suggested Tyrod Taylor may still be the starting QB. Nothing against Tyrod Taylor, but I’m not buying what Lynn is selling. If Tyrod does indeed start, I take back Keenan Allen as a “Play”. Unless of course Tyrod plays and Keenan Allen has a good game. In that case, I’m sticking to it.
FADE: Mike Davis
Mike Davis is going to be chalky this weekend at RB. He secured all 8 of his targets for 74 yards in Week 2 and had a nice week. He’s the likely benefactor with Christian McCaffrey out. The “fade” is purely coming from a DFS perspective on this one. I’m avoiding him Week 3 because I think he’ll be highly owned. I’m playing Mike Davis in cash and fading him in GPPs. If he’s on waivers, grab him.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Denver Broncos
PLAY: Leonard Fournette
Leonard Fournette is clearly the best talent in the Bucs backfield. It was just a matter of time before he became the de facto lead back. He out-touched Ronald Jones by a slim margin, but he took his opportunities and ran with them. 12 carries for 103 yards and 2 TDs for Fournette vs 7 carries for 23 yards and a TD for RoJo in Week 2. I’m expecting them to lean more and more on Fournette when push comes to shove.
FADE: Tom Brady
I’m not on the “Tom Brady hasn’t looked like himself yet” kick. I think he looks fine and is helping his team win. The Bucs are a work in progress and they’re going to get better and better as the season goes on. I’m fading him from a fantasy football perspective in Week 3 as I’m not expecting big numbers from Brady. The injuries at the WR position aren’t helping. After Week 3, he may be a nice buy-low opportunity in season-long.
Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals
PLAY: Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray’s passing stats have been mediocre at best, but luckily for him, he’s a stud running the football. In two games he already has 158 yards rushing and 3 TDs! When it comes to juicy matchups, the Detroit Lions are as juicy as it gets. Kyler Murray is going to go off Week 3 and take the Arizona Cardinals to 3-0.
FADE: TJ Hockenson
TJ Hockenson was a fade in Week 2’s Plays and Fades. He’s here as a fade again in Week 3 for the same reason. The usage is just not there. Hockenson has to be extremely efficient to turn his limited targets into production. He has caught all 9 of his targets for 118 yards and 1 TD so far this season. Even with the high efficiency, the production is mediocre.
Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks
PLAY: Dak Prescott
It was hard to pick a “play” in this one. Everyone looks like a good play. This game is ripe for fantasy greatness.
FADE: Chris Carson
It was hard to pick a “fade” as well. I’m expecting a high scoring affair with most of the action in the passing game. I don’t feel strongly about this one and could see it backfiring.
Green Bay Packers vs New Orleans Saints
PLAY: Alvin Kamara
There is a strong case for Alvin Kamara to be the #1 overall pick in redraft leagues. He’s a stat monster and the Saints know how to use him. The Packers DEF have already allowed 3 rushing TDs against opposing RBs this season. I’m expecting Kamara to have another multi-touchdown game.
FADE: Aaron Jones
In Week 2’s Plays and Fades, we faded Josh Jacobs against the Saints on MNF and received a lot of hate for it. Jacobs had a touchdown-less 105 yards on 30 touches… The game flow was there and he didn’t do much with it. I’m a buyer of this Saints DEF against opposing RBs. That’s where this fade is coming from.
Aaron Jones was the clear MVP of Week 2 from a fantasy football perspective. His performance brought W’s to fantasy owners and $’s to DFS players. People are going to blindly fire him up in there Week 3 lineups, but this is a tough matchup for him.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Baltimore Ravens
PLAY: Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson hasn’t been great from a fantasy perspective this year. He set the bar extremely high with his 2019 showing. But this a Monday Night Football game of Patrick Mahomes vs Lamar Jackson. ESPN (and the refs) will make sure this one lives up to the hype. Lamar Jackson will be special.
FADE: Mark Ingram II
JK Dobbins was the Week 2 fade in the Baltimore Ravens game. That obviously turned out to be the right call. I’m still buying Ingram as the lead back for the Ravens, but it’s too crowded to feel comfortable firing him up in your lineups. Gus Edwards got a lot of play and JK Dobbins looked unreal when he was in. The only fantasy owners feeling good about this backfield are JK Dobbins dynasty owners.
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