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September 19, 2024 • 1hr 9min
Starts of the Week + Week 3 Breakdown - Fantasy Football Podcast for 9/19
Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy, Jason, and Mike preview Week 3 of the NFL season, providing start/sit advice, injury updates, and analysis of key matchups. They discuss their "Start of the Week" picks at each position and break down several games with fantasy implications. The hosts also debate emerging players to watch and address concerns about some struggling star players.
Starts of the Week + Week 3 Breakdown - Fantasy Football Podcast for 9/19
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Key Takeaways
- Start of the Week Picks:
- QB: Joe Burrow (vs WAS), Derek Carr (vs PHI), Geno Smith (vs MIA)
- RB: Tony Pollard (vs GB), Zach Moss (vs WAS), Zamir White (vs CAR)
- WR: Chris Olave (vs PHI), Calvin Ridley (vs TEN), Jamon Williams (vs ARI)
- TE: Brock Bowers (vs CAR), Mark Andrews (vs DAL), George Kittle (vs LAR)
- Injury Updates: Cooper Kupp diagnosed with high ankle sprain, Aaron Jones limited in practice with hamstring injury, Joe Mixon missed practice with ankle injury
- Key Matchups to Watch: Texans @ Vikings, Eagles @ Saints, Chargers @ Steelers
- Emerging Players: Tank Dell (HOU), Rashid Shaheed (NO), Ladd McConkey (LAC) showing promise but inconsistent so far
- Running Back Committees: Uncertainty in backfields for Browns, Vikings, Colts
- Struggling Stars: Amari Cooper, Chris Olave off to slow starts but maintain optimism
Introduction
In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy, Jason, and Mike preview Week 3 of the NFL season, providing start/sit advice, injury updates, and analysis of key matchups. They discuss their "Start of the Week" picks at each position and break down several games with fantasy implications. The hosts also debate emerging players to watch and address concerns about some struggling star players.
Topics Discussed
News and Injury Updates (5:55)
The hosts begin by discussing recent NFL news and injury updates:
- Cooper Kupp has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and will spend the next week in a cast. The Rams are not placing him on IR yet.
- Several key players did not practice on Wednesday, including Nico Collins (hip/foot), CeeDee Lamb, and DK Metcalf. The hosts advise not to panic about Wednesday absences.
- Kenneth Walker still did not practice and was seen grabbing at his oblique in a video clip.
- Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson returned to limited practices for Miami.
Jason notes that "Wednesday practices for veterans are often missed. That's normal." The hosts emphasize not overreacting to early week practice reports.
Quarterback Starts of the Week (10:15)
The hosts reveal their quarterback starts of the week:
- Andy: Joe Burrow vs Washington
- Jason: Derek Carr vs Philadelphia
- Mike: Geno Smith vs Miami
Andy likes Burrow against a Washington defense that has allowed 18+ fantasy points to QBs in 18 straight games. Jason is buying into the Saints' offensive changes under new OC Pete Carmichael. Mike cites Smith's strong start (QB7, QB5 first two weeks) and matchup against Miami.
Running Back Starts of the Week (14:00)
The hosts provide their running back starts of the week:
- Andy: Tony Pollard vs Green Bay
- Jason: Zach Moss vs Washington
- Mike: Zamir White vs Carolina
Andy notes Pollard's steady usage and Green Bay's run funnel defense. Jason cites Moss's clear lead back role and Washington's poor defense. Mike references the Raiders coach's quote about wanting 20+ touches for White against a weak Carolina run defense.
Wide Receiver Starts of the Week (16:40)
The wide receiver starts of the week are:
- Andy: Chris Olave vs Philadelphia
- Jason: Calvin Ridley vs Tennessee
- Mike: Jamon Williams vs Arizona
Andy expects a bounce-back game for Olave against Philly's struggling secondary. Jason notes Ridley's strong target share and matchup. Mike cites Williams' increased usage and favorable game script against Arizona.
Tight End Starts of the Week (19:50)
For tight ends, the hosts recommend:
- Andy: Brock Bowers vs Carolina
- Jason: Mark Andrews vs Dallas
- Mike: George Kittle vs LA Rams
Andy raves about Bowers' early usage and talent. Jason expects Andrews to be heavily involved against Dallas. Mike notes Kittle's increased role with Deebo Samuel out.
Giants at Browns Preview (23:40)
The hosts discuss the Thursday night matchup between the Giants and Browns:
- Cleveland is favored by 6.5 points with a low 38.5 point over/under
- Expect the Browns defense to make life difficult for Daniel Jones
- Deshaun Watson could be a sneaky QB1 play against the struggling Giants
- Uncertainty in the Browns backfield between Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman
- Amari Cooper remains a risky start despite high target volume
Jason states: "I don't think Amari Cooper has forgotten how to catch the ball. Despite each of the last two weeks, he had an egregious, very valuable drop in each game for fantasy."
Packers at Titans Preview (31:10)
Key points from the Packers-Titans preview:
- Jordan Love's status remains uncertain after limited practice
- If Love is out, avoid Packers receivers outside of deep leagues
- Josh Jacobs is locked in as an RB1 regardless of QB
- Christian Watson not recommended as a start yet despite TD upside
Mike advises: "If you are prioritizing an insurance running back for this weekend, for me, it is Emmanuel Wilson. I think Jacobs is fine, but if he's going to carry the ball 30 times yet again, your window for getting hurt is much higher."
Bears at Colts Preview (34:10)
The hosts break down the Bears-Colts matchup:
- Close spread with Colts favored by 1.5 at home
- Concern about Anthony Richardson against a tough Bears defense
- Debate over starting Richardson vs safer options like Geno Smith
- D'Andre Swift a risky play despite good matchup
- DJ Moore remains a solid start despite lackluster production so far
Andy notes on Richardson: "I think with the pass rush of the bears being very, very good, he might just need to run a little bit more. I really want to see him running more than I have."
Texans at Vikings Preview (42:35)
Key takeaways from the Texans-Vikings discussion:
- Close spread with Texans favored by 2 on the road
- Debate over Houston's defensive strength after facing weak offenses
- Aaron Jones expected to play but in a timeshare with Ty Chandler
- Tank Dell showing promise but inconsistent production so far
- CJ Stroud a borderline QB1 in tough road matchup
Jason on Tank Dell: "If you look at the behind the scenes metrics, he is, don't look at snaps, look at route participation. When they throw their 11 personnel, he is almost identical with the other guys."
Eagles at Saints Preview (49:00)
The hosts analyze the Eagles-Saints matchup:
- Saints favored by 2.5 at home in potential shootout (49.5 O/U)
- AJ Brown likely out, boosting DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert
- Chris Olave a strong start against Eagles' struggling secondary
- Rashid Shaheed emerging as viable flex play
- Alvin Kamara returns from suspension as solid RB2
Andy states on Olave: "I will be shocked if he has a complete dud. He's looked good on film. His target pecking order is great."
Chargers at Steelers Preview (56:45)
Key points from the Chargers-Steelers preview:
- Low-scoring affair expected with 36 point over/under
- Both teams likely to lean heavily on the run game
- Jaylen Warren seeing increased usage, viable flex option
- George Pickens only startable WR in the game
- Joshua Palmer droppable after minimal usage
Jason predicts: "I promise that this will be a game where there is a combined 80 rushing attempts and 40 passing attempts between these two teams."
Parlay Picks (1:00:00)
The hosts close with their parlay picks for Week 3:
- Mike: Brandon Aiyuk 60+ receiving yards
- Jason: James Cook over 2.5 receptions
- Andy: Kyler Murray 225+ passing yards
Conclusion
The Fantasy Footballers provide comprehensive analysis of the Week 3 slate, highlighting key start/sit decisions, injury situations to monitor, and matchups to target. Their "Start of the Week" picks offer high-upside options at each position. The hosts emphasize remaining patient with struggling stars like Amari Cooper and Chris Olave while identifying emerging players like Tank Dell and Rashid Shaheed as potential breakout candidates. With several intriguing matchups on tap, Week 3 shapes up to be another exciting slate for fantasy managers.