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Studs and Duds: Week 3

Mon Sep 26 9:22am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

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Jackson is carrying teams to wins


The games this week weren’t nearly as high scoring in fantasy land. There were a few players with some really big games, but not nearly as many as last week. And the bad thing was many big-time fantasy players did little. There were some stars that laid eggs, leading to some really low fantasy scores. Hopefully, you were on the right side of things in Week 3. 

Browns 29, Steelers 17

Fantasy Stud: David Njoku. We finally had a Njoku sighting, posting a huge game in this matchup. He had nine receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown. It was good to see the talented tight end get the work at a position that has been a disappointment for a lot of fantasy teams. Njoku had just four receptions all season, so maybe this is the game that gets him going. 

Fantasy Dud: Kareem Hunt. Hunt got the work but wasn’t a help to fantasy teams. He ran 12 times for 47 yards and caught three passes for 14 yards. This was his second straight game with fewer than double-digit fantasy points. He is getting 15 or more touches every game but his fantasy production hasn’t been off the charts despite the work.

Game Notes: Nick Chubb had his second 100-yard rushing game of the season and has 100-plus total yards all three games. He ran 23 times for 113 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t catch a pass in the game, though. 

Amari Cooper has two straight 100-yard games. He caught seven passes for 101 yards and a score on 11 targets. He is quickly heating up in the Browns offense. 

Bears 23, Texans 20

Fantasy Stud: Khalil Herbert. Herbert had the best game of his carer, taking advantage of a chance to be the lead back because of an injury to David Montgomery. Herbert ran 20 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 12 yards. Herbert is a must add in all formats if Montgomery has to miss any time. He could be huge in this offense if starting. 

Fantasy Dud: Justin Fields. He might have led his team to a win, but Fields did not play well. He struggled throwing the ball once again. He was 8-of-17 for 106 yards with two interceptions. He also fumbled twice, but didn’t lose either one. Fields is yet to throw for more than 150 yards in a game. He has more interceptions (four) than touchdowns (three) for the season. Fields is not a player that fantasy teams can trust. 

Game Notes: There was a Cole Kmet sighting this week. He caught his first passes of the season, catching two passes for 40 yards. 

Dameon Pierce had his best game as a pro. He had 20 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. He also had two receptions for 21 yards, giving him 101 total yards and a score. 

Colts 20, Chiefs 17

Fantasy Stud: Jelani Woods. Woods had just two receptions but both were touchdowns. He had two receptions for 13 yards and two scores. These were his first catches of the season. Woods could be playing his way into a bigger role in the offense, especially since the Colts tight ends have not been great this year. 

Fantasy Dud: Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes did not have a game that you are accustomed. He was 19-of-33 for 262 yards and a touchdown with an interception. Mahomes has been pretty mediocre the last two weeks, scoring 19.8 points in Week 2 and 20.7 this week. He will be just fine going forward, but his games the last two weeks are disappointing for all the fantasy owners that used very high draft capital on Mahomes. 

Game Notes: Michael Pittman returned from his quad injury and looked just fine this week. He had eight receptions for 72 yards on nine targets. He has 17 receptions in two games. 

Clyde Edwards-Helaire didn’t rush for a yard on seven carries but scored his third touchdowns of the season. He did have five receptions for 39 yards. Edwards has at least 14.9 fantasy points all three games. 

Titans 24, Raiders 22

Fantasy Stud: Mack Hollins. Hollins got more playing time with Hunter Renfrow out and took full advantage. He had the best game of his career, catching eight passes for 158 yards and a touchdown. Hollins has seen his usage increase the last few weeks, though. He has 13 reception his last two and could be playing his way into a little bigger role. 

Fantasy Dud: Darren Waller. You thought that Waller might play a big role this week with Renfrow out, but that didn’t happen. He had three receptions for 21 yards. Waller had two straight games with double-digit fantasy points before this showing with just 5.1 points. Waller remains a solid No. 1 fantasy tight end, but this game was a little bit of a surprise. 

Game Notes: Derrick Henry had a great game, rushing 20 times for 85 yards and a touchdown. He also got a ton of work in the passing game, finishing with five receptions for 58 yards. He had 143 total yards and a score. 

Josh Jacobs was iffy to play because of an illness, but was able to play and led the running backs in playing time. Jacobs had 13 carries for 66 yards and caught five passes for 31 yards. He looked just fine, having 18 total touches for 97 total yards. 

Dolphins 21, Bills 19

Fantasy Stud: Devin Singletary. Singletary got a workout in the passing game, leading the team in receptions and yards. He had nine receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t have as much success running, rushing nine times for 13 yards. This was his first game all season with double-digit fantasy points. He has rushed for just 80 yards in three games, but if he keeps getting the catches, he will have fantasy value. 

Fantasy Dud: Tyreek Hill. The Bills did a great job of holding the explosive Hill in  heck. He had just two receptions for 33 yards. Hill had 90-plus yards each of his first two games, so this showing was a real disappointment for fantasy owners. Hill will be just fine going forward, though. We wouldn’t worry much about this one. 

Game Notes: Tua Tagovailoa took a huge hit and was visibly wobbly on the field, falling over. He was able to return to the game somehow, though, and was 13-of-18 for 186 yards and a touchdowns without a turnover. 

Isaiah McKenzie had seven receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Both his reception and yardage totals were season highs. He has found the end zone two of three games. 

Vikings 28, Lions 24

Fantasy Stud: Jamaal Williams. Williams got much of the work at running back with D’Andre Swift still less than 100 percent. Williams produced big, rushing 20 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 20 yards, finishing with 107 total yards and two scores. This is the second game this season Williams scored multiple touchdowns. He has double-digit carries all three games. 

Fantasy Dud: Justin Jefferson. Jefferson did next to nothing in this one, catching three passes for 14 yards. Kirk Cousins looked at other receivers with the Lions doing a good job of covering Jefferson. This was a really unexpected showing from Jefferson in what looked like a very favorable matchup. His performance might have been the surprise of the entire week.

Game Notes: D’Andre Swift still didn’t get much work as he is slowed by a sprained ankle. He ran seven times for 31 yards and caught three passes for 15 yards. Swift had 10 touches after having seven his previous game. 

Adam Thielen finally got some more work and found the end zone for the first time this season. He had six receptions for 61 yards and a score. 

Dalvin Cook dislocated his shoulder during the game and left early. Cook is hoping to avoid missing any time with this injury, though, and plans to wear a harness going forward. Don’t rule him out for Week 4 just yet. 

Ravens 37, Patriots 26

Fantasy Stud: Lamar Jackson. Jackson had another monster game for all his fantasy owners, doing on the ground and through the air. He was 18-of-29 for 218 yards and four touchdowns with an interception. He also hit the 100-yard mark rushing, running 11 times for 107 yards. Jackson has two straight weeks with 40-plus fantasy points. 

Fantasy Dud: Mac Jones. Jones did score a rushing touchdown but was unable to throw in a score against arguably the worst pass defense in football. He was 22-of-32 for 321 yards with three interceptions. Jones hit the 300-yard passing mark but all the interceptions were very disappointing to his fantasy owners. Jones has just three touchdowns all season. He also suffered the dreaded high ankle sprain on the last play of the game and looked to be in a lot of pain. This is an injury to watch going forward. He is likely going to miss some time. 

Game Notes: DeVante Parker had a huge game, getting more looks with Jakobi Meyers out. Parker had five receptions for 156 yards. 

J.K. Dobbins made his season debut and led the Ravens in rush attempts. He ran seven times for 23 yards and caught two passes for 17 yards. Dobbins should see his touches increase in the coming weeks. 

Bengals 27, Jets 12

Fantasy Stud: Joe Burrow. Burrow looked like the Burrow from last season in this game. He was 23-of-36 for 275 yard and three touchdowns without a turnover. Burrow is not having a huge season but does have 26-plus points two of three games. He is starting to heat up a little. If the line can give Burrow time to throw, he can do plenty damage. 

Fantasy Dud: Joe Mixon. Mixon was unable to get much going on the ground. He ran 12 times for just 24 yards. He also caught three passes for just 14 yards. And to top it off, he suffered an ankle injury in the game and sat late. Mixon is off to a disappointing start to his season. He is yet to find the end zone and his points have decreased each week since the start of the year.  

Game Notes: Joe Flacco failed to score a touchdown and was intercepted twice. He was 28-of-52 for 285 yards. Zach Wilson will return as starter as soon as he his healthy enough. 

Tyler Conklin continues to post big numbers as the starting tight end for the Jets. He had eight receptions for 84 yards. Conklin has double-digit fantasy points every game this season. 

Eagles 24, Commanders 8

Fantasy Stud: DeVonta Smith. Smith had a monster game for the second straight week. He had eight receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t catch a pass in Week 1 but has 15 his last two games, having 15-plus fantasy points each of those games. Smith looks like the real deal and is emerging as a favorite target for Jalen Hurts. 

Fantasy Dud: Carson Wentz. Wentz came back down to earth against a good Eagles defense this week. He did most of his damage late in the game when the Commanders were down big. He finished 25-of-43 for 211 yards without a touchdown. He also lost a fumble in the game. Wentz scored just 11.8 fantasy points after having 30-plus fantasy points each of his first two games. 

Game Notes: Jalen Hurts had his usual big game, finishing 22-of-35 for 340 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. Hurts had 30-plus fantasy points two straight games. 

Curtis Samuel caught seven passes for 48 yards. He has at least seven receptions all three games this season. 

Panthers 22, Saints 14

Fantasy Stud: Chris Olave. Olave continues to lead the way at receiver for the Saints his rookie season. He had nine receptions for 147 yards. This was his first 100-yard game as a pro. He has 17 receptions this season, including 14 his last two games. Olave is emerging as the go-to target in this offense. 

Fantasy Dud: Alvin Kamara. Kamara returned this week from his rib injury but didn’t do much. He had 15 carries but ran for just 61 yards. He also had just two receptions for 12 yards. He also lost a fumble, hurting his fantasy numbers. Kamara has played just two games this year but is yet to top nine fantasy points in either game. 

Game Notes: Christian McCaffrey continues to get little work in the passing game, but had a 100-yard rushing game this week. He had 25 carries for 108 yards. 

Laviska Shenault made his Panthers debut and scored their only offensive touchdown of the game. He had two receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. He might have earned a bigger role in the offense after this showing. 

Jaguars 38, Chargers 10

Fantasy Stud: Zay Jones. There were a lot of studs for the Jaguars in this one, but we will give it to Jones. He was great, catching 10 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. He scored 24.5 fantasy points. This was his second game of the season with 12-plus fantasy points. He has emerged as the No. 3 receiver in this up and coming offense. Jones should continue to get looks on a weekly basis. 

Fantasy Dud: Mike Williams. Williams did score a touchdown but that was his only catch. He had a catch for a 15-yard touchdown. Williams didn’t even score double-digit fantasy points despite scoring a touchdown. He continues to be an up and down fantasy player capable of the huge game any given week. You just expected better from Williams this week with Keenan Allen out of the lineup once again.  

Game Notes: James Robinson found the end zone for the third straight game. He also had his first 100-yard game of the season, rushing 17 times for 100 yards and a touchdown. Robinson has at least 15 fantasy points every game. 

Trevor Lawrence seems to be gaining confidence every week. He was 28-of-39 for 262 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. He has five touchdowns without a turnover his last two games. 

Falcons 27, Seahawks 23

Fantasy Stud: Cordarralle Patterson. Patterson had a huge game once again as a rusher. He continues to play good football at the running back position, running 17 times for 141 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 8.3 yards per carry. Patterson also caught a pass for 12 yards, giving him 153 total yards. Patterson has 22-plus fantasy points two of three games.

Fantasy Dud: Rashaad Penny. Penny had another disappointing game, rushing 14 times for 66 yards. He caught just a pass for three yards. Penny is yet to have double-digit fantasy points in a game. His season high in rushing yards is just 66. Penny just isn’t doing much for fantasy teams. His lack of work in the passing game doesn’t help matters for Penny, having just three catches for the season. 

Game Notes: Kyle Pitts finally played like a high fantasy draft pick. He had five receptions for 87 yards. Pitts was targeted a season high eight times. 

Drake London continued his strong play, catching three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. He has at least 12 fantasy points all three games.

Packers 14, Bucs 12

Fantasy Stud: Russell Gage. Gage was the leading receiver for the Bucs, taking advantage of an expanded role in the offense because of injuries and suspension. Gage had 12 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. Gage scored 25.7 fantasy points. This was a welcome sight for Gage, who had seven receptions for 41 yards his first two games. Gage showed what he is capable of in this offense. 

Fantasy Dud: Aaron Jones. Jones was kept in check by a great Bucs defense. He had 12 carries for just 36 yards. He had three receptions for 11 yards, giving him just 6.7 fantasy points. Jones had a monster game in Week 2, so this performance was a little bit of a surprise for his fantasy owners. 

Game Notes: Romeo Doubs was the top target for the Packers. He had eight receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. He seems to be gaining the confidence of Aaron Rodgers and could be in store for more targets going forward.

Allen Lazard found the end zone for the second straight game. He had four receptions for 45 yards and a score. 

Rams 20, Cardinals 12

Fantasy Stud: Marquise Brown. Brown was fabulous in defeat. The Rams secondary had no answers for him. Brown had 14 receptions for 140 yards. Brown has been very consistent for fantasy teams to start the season. He has at least 12 fantasy points all three games. He has been targeted double-digit times two straight games. 

Fantasy Dud: Matthew Stafford. Stafford failed to score a touchdown and finished with just 12.7 fantasy points. He was 18-of-25 for 250 yards without a turnover. Stafford has been a bit of a bust to start the year, having fewer than 15 fantasy points two of three games. 

Game Notes: Just when you thought Cam Akers was working his way into good graces with the coaching staff once again, he fumbled at the goal line late in the game. He had another crucial fumble at a key point of the game. Akers had 12 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown, looking good before the fumble. 

James Conner was able to play on his sore ankle and led the team in carries. He ran 13 times for 39 yards and caught three passes for 18 yards. He seemed to come out of the game healthy, so he should be good to go going forward. 

Broncos 11, 49ers 10

Fantasy Stud: Courtland Sutton. This was one of the ugliest offensive games in recent memory, but Sutton was a bright spot. He had eight receptions for 97 yards. Sutton has been the favorite target of Russell Wilson all season. He has at least 70 yards every game and 15 receptions his last two games. Expect his production to continue to be high as long as Wilson is throwing him passes. 

Fantasy Dud: Javonte Williams. Williams owners continue to be frustrated by his usage, especially after seeing Mike Boone get on the field in passing situations. Yes, you read that right, Mike Boone is taking snaps from Williams. Williams had 15 carries for 58 yards and caught three passes for two yards. Melvin Gordon ran 12 times for 26 yards, averaging just 2.2 yards per carry. He also fumbled twice in the game but the Broncos were able to recover. Even with that said, it was Gordon that got the goal-line carry late in the game for the Broncos, scoring the only touchdown in the game. Williams scored just nine fantasy points and has failed to reach double-digit fantasy points two straight games. 

Game Notes: Jerry Jeudy was able to play despite dealing with a sternum injury. He did little, though, catching two passes for 17 yards. Jeudy has just three receptions his last two games. 

Jimmy Garoppolo did not have a good first start for the 49ers. He was 18-of-29 for 211 yards and a touchdown with an interception. He also lost a fumble and stepped out of the back of the end zone, leading to a safety. 

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Calvin Austin III May 24 2:00pm ET
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Russell Wilson May 24 1:50pm ET
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson has looked on point during organized team activities this week with his new team, and the 35-year-old still appears to have plenty of arm strength. Wilson's accuracy was spot on this week, whether in warmups, drills or competition periods, including a 70-yard pass in stride to receiver Quez Watkins on Thursday. His ability to sell play-action fakes was also noticeably better than the other QBs this week. Wilson is in pole position to open the 2024 season as Pittsburgh's starter under center for Week 1, but Justin Fields, a former first-rounder, is competing to make starts for the Steelers at some point in 2024 as well in what is a contract year for him. Fields' presence and dual-threat abilities will be a threat to Wilson's value as a QB2 in fantasy in his first year in the Steel City.

From RotoBaller

Pat Freiermuth May 24 1:50pm ET
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has been one of new quarterback Russell Wilson's favorite targets during organized team activities this week. The Athletic's Mark Kaboly writes that it's hard not to notice the connection the two have already built. The two had a throwing session in San Diego earlier in the spring, which might have helped. Wilson seems to have the most trust in Freiermuth right now, and the big tight end is fully healthy and is entering a contract year in 2024. Having a more accurate QB and an offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith who will highlight the tight end position could be the factors that lead to the 25-year-old having a breakout year. A hamstring injury cost Freiermuth five games in 2023, and he caught just 32 passes for a career-low 308 yards and two touchdowns in 12 regular-season games (nine starts) in 2023. With better health, he's a value pick at TE to consider in fantasy this fall.

From RotoBaller

Jarrett Stidham May 24 1:40pm ET
Jarrett Stidham

As he competes with both rookie first-round quarterback Bo Nix and former first-rounder Zach Wilson in offseason workouts, Denver Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham said he's much more comfortable running the offense in his second year with the team. Stidham was with head coach Sean Payton a year ago and will have an advantage over both Nix and Wilson in that area. His four career starts in the NFL have come in the last two seasons with the Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders. "I'm not out there thinking as much, I'm just out there playing free and playing more confident, which is great. It's been good," Stidham said. It remains to be seen who will emerge as the team's Week 1 starter after training camp and the preseason, but if it's Stidham, he'll probably be no more than a low-end QB2 in fantasy. Even if Stidham wins the job to begin the year, it would be a surprise if Nix doesn't make starts at some point in 2024.

From RotoBaller