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Rams quarterback Nick Foles has a favorable matchup in Week 3 vs. the Steelers. (Getty)
When it comes to setting your fantasy football lineup, the “obvious” choice isn’t always going to be the best one.
Every week in the NFL, lesser-known players outperform superstars. Every week. In Week 1, Titans rookie QB Marcus Mariota was 5 times more productive than Peyton Manning.
Is it always going to happen? No. But if you can identify a favorable matchup for a player you’d normally relegate to the bench, pull the trigger and play him.
Just like every weekend, the Week 3 NFL schedule presents both favorable and unfavorable matchups. And I’ve found a few quarterbacks I’m all in on and a couple who aren’t coming close my lineup.
But before we get to them, bookmark our fantasy football rankings 2015 page to keep up-to-date on the latest projections and rankings for each NFL week throughout the season. All of my Week 3 rankings are up.
Here’s our version of start and sit: “He Will Shine” and “Show Him the Pine.”
He Will Shine
Carson Palmer, Cardinals, vs. 49ers
As long a Palmer is healthy with his full arsenal of quality receivers and a so-so running game, the oft-injured veteran is a legitimate No. 1 fantasy quarterback. Palmer’s averaging 246 yards per game with 7 touchdowns vs. just 1 interception. Ben Roethlisberger just struck fantasy gold vs. the 49ers with 369 yards and 3 TDs.
Cam Newton, Panthers, vs. Saints
Newton figured out how to accumulate fantasy points without a quality set of receivers — run it himself. He has not thrown for 200 yards in a game yet, but has 111 rush yards with a score. Cam’ll crack the 200-yard barrier vs. the porous Saints and maybe add another TD on the ground.
Nick Foles, Rams, vs. Steelers
The Steelers come in with one of the shakiest pass defenses in the league, allowing a whopping 74.4 completion percentage and 6 TDs. Foles lit up the Seahawks in Week 1 before falling off against an underrated Redskins defense. Against Pittsburgh, he’ll play closer to the Seattle game than the Washington game.
Also start:
Blake Bortles, Jaguars, vs. Patriots
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jets, vs. Eagles
Show Him the Pine
Matthew Stafford, Lions, vs. Broncos
The Broncos might be having a tough time throwing the ball on offense (ahem, Mr. Manning), but their defense is making it much worse for opposing quarterbacks. To put it bluntly, their pass D has been sick so far. Aqib Talib, Chris Harris and Co. are smothering receivers, though they haven’t seen the likes of Calvin Johnson or Golden Tate yet. Still, this isn’t a fluke as the Broncos ranked in the top 10 a year ago in pass defense. And now with new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips in the mix, they’ll be stingier.
Sam Bradford, Eagles, at Jets
Bradford has played 1 good half of football so far. And even that half (vs. the Falcons in Week 1) was a series of dinks and dunks to Jordan Matthews and Darren Sproles. The Jets boast one of the better pass Ds in the league, allowing just a 63.7 opponent passer rating and forcing turnovers hand over fist. Chip Kelly’s offense will get on track eventually, but until then, leave Bradford benched.
Andrew Luck, Colts, at Titans
Yeah, I’m going there. Sooner or later Luck is going to explode and re-enter the world of elite fantasy QBs. But Luck has looked so out of sync with his receivers, especially new addition Andre Johnson. He’s already thrown 5 interceptions and Tennessee is allowing a surprisingly-low 50% completion percentage. If Luck is your starter, you probably have to use him. But in DraftKings? Not a chance. Not when he’s the second-most expensive QB in the game.
Also sit:
Joe Flacco, Ravens, vs. Bengals
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