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Dynasty $125 - FFL: Week 3 | NFL: Week 3

Lineup Prep: Championship Games

Wed Jan 24 8:44am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

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Gibbs can produce big this week


Last week was sure entertaining. Let’s hope the games this week are just as good. I sure think it is possible. The matchups seems pretty even to me. I know the 49ers are pretty good favorites against the Lions at home, but I think Detroit can keep it close. And the Chiefs/Ravens game is setup to be fantastic. These teams are both rolling right now. We get to see two of the greatest quarterbacks in football battle it out to make the Super Bowl. This should be fun.

Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . . 

Those were some games last week. It was fun to watch, especially that Chiefs/Bills game. You have to feel for Josh Allen. He had a great run in the playoffs, but just can’t get over that Kansas City hump. It was there for the taking last week for Allen, but his field goal kicker let him down. I still think Allen is an elite level quarterback than can win the big game. It will come for him sooner than later. He is just running into a buzz saw with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs right now.

I don’t think Brock Purdy silenced the doubters after last week’s game. He was not great until that last game-winning drive. He still looked a little shaky to me most of that game. And the loss of Deebo Samuel could be huge for him and the offense. Samuel seems to be a calming influence for Purdy. I am interested to see him play this week. This could be make or break for him.

Aaron Jones sure is a difference maker when healthy. He was unbelievable for the Packers down the stretch, having five straight 100-yard rushing games. The issue is Jones is hard to trust because of his injury history and age. He is 29 years old and missed five games each of the last two seasons and played a full season just once the last five years. I love his talent, but have a hard time taking him on draft day - even after his huge finish to this season.

I’m happy for Baker Mayfield. He seems to have found a home after a rocky start to his career. He was terrific for the Bucs with that great group of receivers. And he almost played that team into the NFC Championship game last week, throwing three more touchdown passes. I don’t see the Bucs letting him loose and I think he could be a top-10 fantasy quarterback once again next season in Tampa. I don’t think it was a fluke this year.

I am really hoping the Texans make a run at Saquon Barkley this offseason. Could you imagine him in that offense? I think he would be a great fit and a huge spark for that running game in Houston. I think this would just be an ideal landing spot for Barkley when it comes to his fantasy value. Let’s make this happen!

The Ravens have a great team and are the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, but can you imagine that offense with a healthy JK Dobbins or Keaton Mitchell all season. Both these backs are difference makers in my eyes and big upgrades over what they are using right now. I still think Dobbins can be a star in this league. Just something to keep in mind next season when these guys are back playing.

I like the Titans hire of Brian Callahan as their next head coach. He should be a positive for that offense, especially quarterback Will Levis. Hopefully, he can take this offense to a new level and give us a bunch of fantasy relevant players. Callahan is a bright, young offensive mind that has been integral in the development of Joe Burrow. Let’s hope he can do the same for Levis.

News and Notes: The Lions signed tight end Zach Ertz to their practice squad on Monday. Ertz gives the Lions depth at the position after an injury to Brock Wright.

HOT PLAYS

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers. With Deebo Samuel very iffy to play, Aiyuk should be the top target at receiver for the 49ers this week. He didn’t do much last week, but was targeted six times in the game, which was encouraging. He gets a much better matchup this week against the Lions, a team that has allowed five straight 300-yard passing games. Aiyuk can have a big showing in this matchup.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions. Gibbs had a big game last week, topping 100 total yards while scoring a touchdown. He has touchdowns each of the first two playoff games for the Lions. He has 16-plus fantasy points each of those games. Gibbs is playing well and should be heavily involved in the offense again this week. The 49ers have been great against the run much of the year, but shown some issues stopping the run lately. San Francisco allowed 136-rushing yards last week and given up 100-plus rushing yards four of five games.

COLD PLAYS 

Jared Goff, QB, Lions. Goff had a great overall season, but his fantasy numbers haven’t been too off the charts. He has fewer than 20 fantasy points three of five games. He is getting his yards, but the Lions tend to run the ball in more for scores than pass. He might be an iffy fantasy play this week against the 49ers. San Francisco allowed the ninth fewest fantasy points to quarterback during the regular season.

Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens. Edwards has failed to score each of his last two games, giving him really poor fantasy numbers. He has fewer than six fantasy points each of his last two games, failing to hit 50-rushing yards each of those games. Edwards could have a similar showing this week against the Chiefs, a team that allowed the 10th fewest fantasy points to running backs. Kansas City allowed just 10-rushing touchdowns all season.

SLEEPERS

Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens. Bateman had three receptions for 39 yards on three targets last week. He had a solid game but failed to hit double-digit fantasy points once again. The good news is he got his looks once again. The Chiefs have a very good pass defense, but Bateman could have more favorable coverages than Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham. Those guys should draw the tougher assignments, leaving Bateman a chance to make some big plays in the passing game. He could surprise this week.

Justice Hill, RB, Ravens. Hill led the Ravens in rushing last week, including rushing attempts. He got more work than starter Gus Edwards. Hill had 15 touches for 77 total yards. He could be setup for a similar workload in what could be a high-scoring fantasy teams. This means Hill could have a big fantasy showing. At this point, we might trust Hill more than Edwards, who is a more touchdown dependent player.

High/Low Scoring Games

Each week we will take a look at some of the high and low scoring games for the coming week. In high scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.

High Scoring Games: Chiefs/Ravens, Lions/49ers.

Low Scoring Games: None.

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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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 3

Player Notes
Dak Prescott Sep 22 10:50pm ET
Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott strung together an impressive Week 3 fantasy performance in the 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Prescott struggled in the first half, but came alive in the second half. The veteran quarterback completed 28-of-51 passes for 379 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for seven yards and a touchdown on two carries. The outing was Prescott's best fantasy performance of the season through the first three weeks. Prescott and the Cowboys have a quick turnaround, as they will take on the New York Giants on Thursday night.

From RotoBaller

Rico Dowdle Sep 22 10:50pm ET
Rico Dowdle

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle saw the bulk of the backfield work in Week 3's loss to Baltimore. Dowdle rushed eight times for 32 yards, accounting for 62% of the team's rushing yards. He was targeted five times in the heavy-volume passing attack, catching three passes for 24 yards. Dowdle outplayed Ezekiel Elliott in the loss, although both backs will likely see similar usage moving forward. The Cowboys have a short week, as they take on the New York Giants on Thursday.

From RotoBaller

Zay Flowers Sep 22 10:40pm ET
Zay Flowers

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers went from one of the team's top fantasy finishers in Week 2 to one of their worst in the first win of the season. The game script went away from Flowers as he hauled in three of his four targets for 20 yards and took one carry for only three yards. The speedy wideout still hasn't seen many downfield targets, but his high target volume as well as the rushing attempts in each game keep him involved in the offense most of the time. Lamar Jackson and company didn't do much damage through the air with just 182 total passing yards compared to 274 yards on the ground. Flowers will look to bounce back against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4, which will likely need a bigger offensive output to get the win.

From RotoBaller

Mark Andrews Sep 22 10:40pm ET
Mark Andrews

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews continues to disappoint to start the season, but he has brought a new low to fantasy managers that stuck with him in Week 3. During the 28-25 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Andrews only received one target and put up goose eggs across the board. His counterpart, Isaiah Likely, only recorded one target as well which turned into one catch for four yards, so it wasn't much of a tight end game in this one. Andrews' best finish through three weeks was TE10 in half-PPR formats, and he now has six receptions for 65 yards on eight targets. At this rate, neither one of the Andrews nor Likely are every-week starters in shallower fantasy leagues until they show some consistency. Andrews will look to bounce back at home against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Brock Purdy Sep 22 10:30pm ET
Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had his best fantasy day of the young season in a 27-24 loss to the Rams in Los Angeles on Sunday. He finished with 22 completions of 30 attempts for 292 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and one fumble lost. Purdy also took 10 rushing attempts for 41 yards. San Francisco led the entire game -; save for the last two seconds -; largely propelled by Purdy's connection with receiver Jauan Jennings who caught all three of Purdy's touchdown passes and was his favorite and most productive target. The former seventh-rounder could have done even more for his team and fantasy managers but failed to see a wide-open Brandon Aiyuk streaking down the middle past the Rams' secondary in San Francisco's penultimate drive. Purdy and the Niners have a Week 4 home matchup against the New England Patriots next Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Rashod Bateman Sep 22 10:30pm ET
Rashod Bateman

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman found the end zone for the first time since Week 11 of the 2023 season. In the team's three-point win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Bateman hauled in three receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown on four targets. Bateman ran a beautiful route in the second quarter and found himself wide open in the end zone where Lamar Jackson hit him with a perfect pass for a 13-yard score. The former first-round pick received a lot of praise during the offseason which made him more of a deep sleeper candidate heading into the season. Through three games, Bateman now has eight catches for 121 yards on 13 targets. He'll look to double last season's touchdown output as the Ravens return home to face the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Chuba Hubbard Sep 22 10:20pm ET
Chuba Hubbard

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard rushed 21 times for 114 yards in the team's 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Additionally, he caught all five of his targets for 55 yards and a touchdown. Hubbard looked strong in this one -- gashing the Raiders throughout this contest with a long gain on the ground of just 14 yards. The work in the passing game was excellent, too -- the second week in a row he recorded five targets. It was the second-highest single-game touch total of his career, and he tied a career-high with the five receptions. Carolina's offense ran exceedingly smooth with Andy Dalton under center for the first time in almost exactly a year. The Red Rifle breathed some life into what was one of the league's worst offenses through two weeks, and Hubbard (along with the rest of the Panthers' skill players) has his arrow pointing up ahead of Week 4. Carolina will host the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Sep 22 10:10pm ET
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson posted another efficient performance which led the team to their first win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Jackson finished the game with 182 yards and a touchdown through the air on 12-for-15 throwing while gathering 87 yards and another score on 14 carries. Finally, the Ravens offense was firing on all cylinders for a portion of this game which created a ton of running room for both Jackson and Derrick Henry as they combined for 238 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Jackson is now on track for a 1,000-yard rushing season, which would be his first since 2020. The two-time MVP put up most of his passing stats in the first half while the second half saw a lot more three-and-outs which allowed the Cowboys to almost come all the way back. He'll look to put together two halves of consistent football against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Sep 22 10:00pm ET
Malik Nabers

The Cleveland Browns defense picked up two sacks and forced two turnovers in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. The Browns played reasonably well on defense but had no answer for rookie Malik Nabers, who caught two touchdowns in the contest. To make matters worse, Myles Garrett appeared to have aggravated a foot injury that has been dogging him over the first month of the season. The Browns draw a plus matchup on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Diontae Johnson Sep 22 10:00pm ET
Diontae Johnson

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson caught eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown in their Week 3 36-22 defeat of the Las Vegas Raiders. Johnson was the biggest beneficiary of the team's switch to Andy Dalton, leading the Panthers in every significant receiving category in the win. He garnered an absurd 14 targets -- nine more than any other Carolina skill player. The long-time Steeler slipped by the Raiders' defense all game, consistently picking up chunks of yardage as they seemingly had no answer for him. Las Vegas had not allowed a third-down conversion of ten or more yards through two weeks until Johnson bucked that trend in the second quarter. He came screaming out of his break on a deep-in route, and Dalton hit him with a strike in the zone's soft spot, converting a 3rd-and-14. The former third-round pick has his arrow pointing up with the Red Rifle under center, and he'll look to keep the good times rolling when Carolina hosts the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Akins Sep 22 9:50pm ET
Jordan Akins

Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Akins had a productive game in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Akins caught four of his seven targets for 29 yards in the loss, tying for second on the team in targets and catches and third in receiving yardage. The veteran tight end has now drawn two starts in place of the injured David Njoku (ankle) and could remain in a starting role for another week or so if Njoku is not ready to play in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Andy Dalton Sep 22 9:50pm ET
Andy Dalton

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton completed 26 of 37 passes for 319 yards and tossed three touchdowns in the team's 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Dalton had the Panthers' offense humming on Sunday, putting together TD drives of 70, 75, 68, and 69 yards. It was an impressive performance from the 36-year-old veteran in his first start since Week 3 of 2023. The Red Rifle was sharp in this one, completing a pass to seven Panthers and ripping impressive throws all over the yard. Carolina had scored just one touchdown in its last four regular season outings dating back to last season, and the team's 36 points were their most since Christmas Eve of 2022 when they scored 37. Carolina's decision to bench second-year starter Bryce Young was a good one, as they recorded their first win in the last six contests. They'll look to get in the left column again when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Derrick Henry Sep 22 9:50pm ET
Derrick Henry

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry posted his best performance of the season in the team's 28-25 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. This was truly an "age is nothing but a number" type of performance as King Henry posted 151 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries with one reception for 23 yards. His totals and efficiency have grown in every game as his yards per carry have gone from 3.5 to 4.7, and most recently 6.0. Vintage stiff arms and huge accelerations through the holes of the line were on full display. When the Ravens' game plan looks like this, the sky is the limit for Henry. Especially in a game where Lamar Jackson finds his own running room so defenses have to worry about both of them at the same time. Henry continues to live in RB1 territory and should be considered so until proven otherwise.

From RotoBaller

Dustin Hopkins Sep 22 9:50pm ET
Dustin Hopkins

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed his lone field-goal try while adding an extra point in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Hopkins misfired on a 53-yard attempt in the third quarter, his first miss from 50+ yards since joining the Browns before the 2023 season. Overall, Hopkins has made four of his five field goals and all four of his extra points through three games this season. He will kick against the Las Vegas Raiders on the road in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Amari Cooper Sep 22 9:40pm ET
Amari Cooper

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper caught seven of his 12 targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Cooper bounced back after a slow start to the season, hauling in a 24-yard touchdown pass on Cleveland's first play of the game. He later came back and caught a six-yard score in the fourth quarter to pull the Browns within eight points of tying the game. Cooper now has 12 catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns through three weeks. He will look to keep it going in Week 4's road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Jerry Jeudy Sep 22 9:40pm ET
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy caught four of his seven targets for 27 yards and added a two-point conversion reception in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Jeudy was quiet from a yardage standpoint, although his seven targets tied for second on the team. The veteran wideout gave the Browns hope when he caught a two-point conversion from Deshaun Watson in the fourth quarter to pull Cleveland to within six points of the Giants, but those would be the last points they would muster. Jeudy will take 12 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown into Cleveland's Week 4 road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Elijah Moore Sep 22 9:40pm ET
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore caught two of his three targets for 17 yards in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. After drawing 14 targets through the first two games of the season, Moore was an afterthought in the passing attack in Week 3. Moore now has caught 11 passes for 70 scoreless yards through three games. He will look to bounce back in a Week 4 road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Deshaun Watson Sep 22 9:30pm ET
Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson struggled in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Watson completed 21 of his 37 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns while adding four carries for 26 yards in the loss. The Browns got off to a fast start, recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff with Watson throwing a 24-yard touchdown to Amari Cooper on the ensuing play. Things went downhill from there with Watson taking eight sacks in the loss. Watson has now thrown three touchdowns to two interceptions through three games. He will look to regroup ahead of a road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Dre Greenlaw Sep 22 9:30pm ET
Dre Greenlaw

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) was forced from the team's Week 3 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Winters was making his first start of the season after being nagged by an ankle injury that forced him to miss the 49ers' first two matchups of the season. However, he seems to have reaggravated the injury against LA. It's yet another blow for San Francisco -- already without Dre Greenlaw (Achilles). Additionally, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel Sr. missed Week 3. The team has now dropped two straight after a devastating loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2. Fantasy managers can expect an update on Winters over the coming days, but a reaggravation of the ankle injury that plagued him throughout the preseason would not bode well for his Week 4 status. San Francisco will host the visiting New England Patriots next Sunday

From RotoBaller

Jerome Ford Sep 22 9:30pm ET
Jerome Ford

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford carried the ball 10 times for 37 yards and caught three of his four targets for 33 yards in a 21-15 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. Ford wound up leading the Browns in carries and rushing yards while finishing second on the team in receiving in the close loss. Meanwhile, teammate D'Onta Foreman only saw two carries for five yards in the contest. The Cleveland backfield has been tough to predict through three weeks with Ford leading the way in Weeks 1 and 3 while D'Onta Foreman took the majority of the workload in Week 2. Ford will remain involved, especially in the passing game, heading into a road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4.

From RotoBaller