NFL Fantasy Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em–Week 3
Browns Win, Let’s Get Lit!
Cleveland, the @Browns won. The fridges are open. Go celebrate with a Bud Light. You’ve earned it. pic.twitter.com/RvjJ0WvpyO
— Bud Light (@budlight) September 21, 2018
Is it possible for an entire city to have a hangover? Well, if it is, Cleveland Ohio is sick as a dog and doing the walk of shame today. Why? After 635 days, the Browns finally won a game. Number one draft pick overall Baker Mayfield led his team to a 21-17 victory over the New York Jets. The Browns could be 3-0, but bad luck and a bad kicker cost them victories against the Steelers and the Saints. Now the team can take a breath and fans get free beer courtesy of Bud Light’s “Victory Fridges.” Mayfield should start Cleveland’s next game. Is he worth a roster spot?
For the rest of us finalizing our fantasy rosters, we dissect predictions from fantasy experts around the league. This week we analyze Michael Fabiano and NFL.com’s selections. Good luck this weekend.
Quarterback
Start ‘Em
Kirk Cousins (Home) vs. The Buffalo Bills
Fabiano and I agree. Cousins should be your start of the week. The Bills have looked horrendous in two losses and travel to Minnesota to face Captain Kirk and company. The Vikings’ new signal caller has six touchdowns over two games and is developing great chemistry with WR Stefon Diggs and TE Kyle Rudolph. We expect a big game from Mr. “You Like That.”
Sleeper
Alex Smith (Home) vs. the Packers
Green Bay is in the bottom third of the league in passing yards allowed per game and if it weren’t for the magic of Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay could be 0-2. In a PPR league, Smith could also get you points with his ability to scramble for first downs and touchdowns.
Sit ‘Em
Phillip Rivers (Away) vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams loaded up with veteran defenders in the off-season. They acquired Ndamukong Suh to team up with Aaron Donald, then signed cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. Rivers may be getting solid contributions with his young backs and receivers, but the Chargers will struggle on Sunday.
Running Back
Start ‘Em
Tarik Cohen (Away) at Arizona Cardinals
Fabiano got the matchup right, but it’s the wrong running back. Tarik Cohen is the more explosive back and more likely to get into the end zone. Jordan Howard is more likely to accumulate yards. Keep in mind, “after two weeks, [the Cardinals] defense has allowed five total touchdowns and the most fantasy points (43.5 PPG) to opposing runners.”
Sleeper
Corey Clement (Home) vs Indianapolis Cardinals
The Super Bowl champs finally get their franchise quarterback. Carson Wentz has been announced as the starter against the Colts. It will take time for Wentz to get back in game shape. So we expect HC Doug Pederson to rely heavily on the running game. Jay Ajayi is injured and ineffective, so if you’re desperate for production from RB go with Clement.
Sit ‘Em
LeSean McCoy (Away) at the Minnesota Vikings
We touched on this game earlier, but add these factors to your decision. The Bills’ QBs can’t get the ball down the field, so opposing defenses are stacking the line to stop LeSean McCoy. It will be another long Sunday afternoon for Shady.
Wide Receiver
Start
Michael Thomas (Away) at Atlanta Falcons
The Saints and Falcons’ offenses are loaded with playmakers. Full disclosure, Tevin Coleman is my RB2 and Drew Brees is my starting quarterback. Suffice to say, I will be watching this game closely. The Saints are fifth in the NFL averaging 323 passing yards per game. Thomas is Brees’ number one option and already has three touchdowns in the first two games. We expect a shootout between these two elite quarterbacks.
Sleeper
Will Fuller (Home) vs New York Giants
The Giants aren’t putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. But when healthy, they do have two reliable cornerbacks in Eli Apple and Janoris Jenkins. Unfortunately, Apple has been ruled out of Sunday’s game with an injured groin. Jenkins will shadow number one option Texans’ DeAndre Hopkins, but Big Blue’s backups won’t stop DeShaun Watson to Will Fuller.
Sit ‘Em
Odell Beckham (Away) vs. Houston Texans
The Giants right side of the offensive line is playing horribly over its first two games. Eli Manning has no time to throw and will be hounded by JJ Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Whitney Mercilus all game. Beckham can separate from his defenders, but the Giants can’t get him the ball.