Two weeks have passed and more and more clues of what to expect for each player throughout 2021 are being given (unless you have Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers players, the number 1 enemy of virtual GMs).
In addition, it is already possible to trace at least a beginning of a script on how each defense behaves against each offensive position, so that the The Playoffs can identify the best and worst matchups and consequently classify players as “hot” or “cold” each round.
This week 3, we will have many matches with clear favorites, with the exception of a few games at prime times, which promise a competitive spectacle for NFL lovers and, who knows, for fantasy football as well.
Before going to the finals, an important clarification.
Superstars like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, Davante Adams and Travis Kelce will not be mentioned as they are pretty obvious choices.
Note, too, that the tips are based on the scoring format that left the old “standard” behind, consolidated itself as the most popular and is now the standard on all the main platforms: the PPR, which is the one that assigns one point per reception.
Now, on to the week 3 thermometer!
Photo: Publicity Denver Broncos
hot quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings vs Seattle Seahawks) – Inserted in one of the three games with the most elastic score expected by bookmakers this round, shirt 8 faces the Seahawks’ weak secondary and counts on the good surprise KJ Osborn as another potent weapon in an arsenal that already had the talented duo Jefferson and Thielen. Although the Vikings, when given the option, always prefer to put Dalvin Cook to run with the ball like there’s no tomorrow, the tendency is that the explosive attack commanded by Russell Wilson does not “give permission” to do so.
Daniel Jones (New York Giants vs Atlanta Falcons) – After a solid performance against Washington’s strong defense, in which he showed that, for fantasy, by virtue of his ability to generate yards with his legs, he is considerably more valuable than he is today in the eyes of Giants fans, “Danny Dimes” welcomes the Falcons’ weak defense, which has already allowed Hurts and Brady to finish their first two weeks in the top 5 among QBs.
Other hot QBs: Sam Darnold (CAR @ HOU), Ryan Tannehill (TEN vs IND), Matthew Stafford (LAR vs TB)
cold quarterbacks
Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers) – Despite the important shortages in the Steelers’ strong defense, it should not be this time that the #1 overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft takes off, after two disappointing performances against Vikings and Bears. The divisional clash away from home is one of the matches with the lowest added score projected for the week and should present the so-called “truncated game”, not very encouraging for fantasy.
Justin Fields (Chicago Bears @ Cleveland Browns) – Although due to an unfortunate injury suffered by Andy Dalton, the chance to see the freshman on the field as a starter arrived in the third round. Shirt 1 certainly has some intriguing fantasy potential, but he could have caught few worse opponents than the one he faces this week. Unlucky by 7 points in an away match with no great added score expected, the tendency is that Fields will suffer with some turnovers in his debut. But be patient with him, as better days are very likely to come – Detroit awaits him in Week 4, for example.
Other cold QBs: Jameis Winston (NO @ NE), Baker Mayfield (CLE vs CHI), Trevor Lawrence (JAX vs ARI)
Running Backs quentes
Ty’Son Williams (Baltimore Ravens @ Detroit Lions) – Many are still hesitant to board the “Ty’Son Train”, more for the complete lack of a “brand name” than for any other reason. This is not the case with this one who writes to you. Having shown interesting attributes and good acceleration in the first two games, which saw him reach the mark of 6.9 yards of scrimmage per touch of the ball so far, there is not much reason for the “JK Dobbins cosplay” to lose the spotlight in the backfield. from the team that runs the most with the ball in the NFL to the veteran Latavius Murray, who has been fitted into the role that would be Gus Edwards. Oh! Facing the fragile Lions defense, which was just obliterated by Aaron Jones on Monday night, isn’t too bad either.
Javonte Williams (Denver Broncos vs New York Jets) – As part of the attack of the team with the biggest favoritism of the round – at least according to the bookmakers –, “Pookie”, listed as one of the main targets for exchange in the columns on the subject here on the site in the last two weeks, comes gradually gaining space in this backfield, which tends to dominate almost completely from the second half of the season. With the Broncos expected to command ball possession and the clock at home against the Jets, shirt 33 is a lineup option, at least as a flex, even before reaching that projected dominance.
Other hot RBs: Chase Edmonds (ARI vs JAX), Elijah Mitchell (SF @ GB), Myles Gaskin (MIA @ LV)
Running Backs frios
Antonio Gibson (Washington Football Team @ Buffalo Bills) – Three factors go against expectations for one of this writer’s favorite runners in Week 3: a shoulder injury has been limiting his participation in practice, JD McKissic’s use of air play has returned to “haunt” him in Week 2 and he will crash forward with a defense that has been proving to be very solid at the start of the season, especially against the running game. With a very high chance that Washington will have to chase the score – and the consequent greater probability of seeing McKissic on the field in such a situation – it is difficult to have much confidence in shirt 24 for this round.
Damien Harris (New England Patriots vs New Orleans Saints) – Another “darling” of the one who writes to you is unfortunately not the best alternative in this round. That’s because the 37 shirt faces a defense that, in recent times, has been consistently showing itself to be very strong against the run game, having even managed to limit the achievement of rushing yards by superstars Aaron Jones and Christian McCaffrey in weeks 1 and 2. , respectively. With that, it is to be expected that the Patriots, always quite intelligent in the game plan, seek success more by air than by land, that is, the tendency is to see James White more prominently than Harris in the backfield due to the opponent this week 3.
Other cold RBs: Darrell Henderson ou Sony Michel (LAR vs TB), Mike Davis (ATL @ NYG), Mark Ingram (HOU vs CAR)
Wide Receivers quentes
DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys) – Despite the expectation of being marked by rising cornerback Trevon Diggs, who limited Mike Evans quite a lot in his debut, but didn’t have the same success against Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in week 2, the number 6 should return to prominence for fantasy after a second round that differed greatly from the first. The expectation is for a lot of points in Monday Night Football’s divisional clash, with Philadelphia having to chase the damage – and nothing better than looking for the rookie, who, since his beginning in the league, has already established himself as a target. team leader.
Kenny Golladay (New York Giants vs Atlanta Falcons) – Hard to come up with a better opportunity than facing the Swiss cheese that is the Falcons’ secondary to the most expensive reinforcement of the Big Apple Giants’ free agency to finally show what it came for – and justify the screams directed at offensive coordinator Jason Garrett on national television (and world) last Thursday.
Other hot WRs: A.J. Brown (TEN vs IND), Allen Robinson (CHI vs CLE), Rondale Moore (ARI @ JAX)
Wide Receivers frios
Robby Anderson (Carolina Panthers @ Houston Texans) – With much less volume of targets than he had in 2020 – at least so far – Anderson should be the “exception to the rule” in a game in which the Panthers are “favorites” against a Houston Texans with Davis Mills taking the reins of attack. . Expecting the visitors to control the pace of the match, there won’t be much need for them to risk deep passes to shirt 11. Expect a lot more Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore and even Terrace Marshall playing the ball in the center of the field.
Tim Patrick (Denver Broncos vs New York Jets) – In a script that tends to resemble what we saw from the Patriots in the last round – and in line with the appointment of Javonte Williams as “hot RB” – the likely absence of the need to seek the score on the part of the Broncos will make to focus their actions much more on the land route in what is the game with the lowest aggregate score expected for week 3.
Other cold WRs: Marquez Callaway (NO @ NE), D.J. Chark (JAX vs ARI), Will Fuller (MIA @ LV)
Hot Tight Ends
Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens @ Detroit Lions) – Few opportunities would be better than the one that shirt 89 has ahead of him this week to re-enter the top TEs for fantasy. Detroit has allowed over 75 yards (with at least 53) or 1 TD for players in the position he’s faced so far.
Jared Cook (Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs) – Although he didn’t score his first TD for the new team, the veteran remains very involved in the Chargers’ offensive game plan, with an average of 6.5 targets per game so far. The fireworks show translated into expected scoreboard points at Arrowhead Stadium presents a great opportunity for him to produce good numbers.
Other hot TEs: Tyler Higbee (LAR vs TB), Logan Thomas (WAS @ BUF), Dallas Goedert (PHI @ DAL)
Tight Ends frios
Mike Gesicki (Miami Dolphins @ Las Vegas Raiders) – Having gone blank in the first game of the season, but returned to the stats table in Week 2, the 88 shirt now wins target competition from Will Fuller, who returns from suspension (and the solution of a personal problem). Worse still: he won’t have his starting QB Tua Tagovailoa, already declared out of service, due to a rib injury, for this round.
Cole Kmet (Chicago Bears @ Cleveland Browns) – Having taken the “opposite path” compared to Gesicki, that is, a solid week 1 and a “statistical disappearance” in the second round, the sophomore has the chemistry with Justin Fields, the Bears’ new starting signal caller, still an unknown. Better to proceed with caution.
Other cold TEs: Maxx Williams (ARI @ JAX), Austin Hooper (CLE vs CHI), Gerald Everett (SEA @ MIN)
hot defenses
Carolina Panthers (@ Houston Texans) – One of the key factors in the Panthers’ great performance this early season, their defensive unit is faced with rookie Davis Mills debuting as a starter in a regular season game. Great opportunity to keep the score low and get some turnovers.
Other hot defenses: Tennessee Titans (vs IND), Denver Broncos (vs NYJ), Las Vegas Raiders (vs MIA)
cold defenses
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ Los Angeles Rams) – Despite having one of the best defenses in the NFL, the defending champions visit the also powerful Los Angeles Rams, with a likely attack plan well designed by Sean McVay, in the game that is expected to have the highest combined score of the week.
Other cold defenses: Los Angeles Chargers (@ KC), New Orleans Saints (@ NE), Washington Football Team (@ BUF)
hot kickers
Daniel Carlson (Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins) – Owner of a very prominent use of shots since last year, shirt 8 still hasn’t made a mistake in 2021. Little reason to think that will change in this third round, in which he should continue to have good opportunities to score points.
other hot kickers: Graham Gano (NYG vs. ATL), Matt Gay (LAR vs. TB), Brandon McManus (DEN vs. NYJ)
cold kickers
Jason Sanders (Miami Dolphins @ Las Vegas Raiders) – Last season’s top kicker has struggled to find opportunities to show service in the Dolphins’ current campaign, who have yet to meet offensively. And that tends to continue to happen with Jacoby Brissett as a starter in the QB position.
Other cold kickers: Cairo Santos (CHI @ CLE), Rodrigo Blankenship (IND @ TEN), Aldrick Rosas (NO @ NE)
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+ Trade targets: Week 3
+ Waiver Wire: Semana 3
+ Preview: Week 3
