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FFL: Week 3 | NFL: Week 3

Studs and Duds: Championship Games

Mon Jan 29 8:39am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

McCaffrey comes up big again


That was a fun weekend of games. Both came down to the wire, making for some great entertainment. The Chiefs/Ravens game didn’t have many big fantasy performances, though, which was a bit of a downer. Now the NFC game had a lot more offensive fireworks. That game had plenty of fantasy production, helping make up for the first one. Hopefully, you scored a lot of fantasy points this week and are looking good to win your league.

Chiefs 17, Ravens 10

Fantasy Stud: Travis Kelce. He might not have enjoyed his best regular season but Kelce is coming up huge in the playoffs. He was vintage Kelce in this one. Kelce has 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown. This was his third game of the season with double-digit receptions

Fantasy Dud: Both Ravens running backs. Gus Edwards had just three carries for 20 yards while Justice Hill ran three times for three yard. And neither did much in the passing game. Hill had four receptions for 34 yards, and Edwards caught a pass for 16 yards. It was a disappointing showing for both backs, especially if you consider how well the Ravens ran the ball all season.

Game Notes: Mark Andrews returned from his broken leg and had two receptions for 15 yards. Andrews didn’t do much in this game, but was able to play and played a good number of snaps in his first game back. He’ll be just fine for 2024.

Zay Flowers had good numbers but made a couple crucial mistakes, including losing a fumble at the goal line. He did have five receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown despite the mistakes.

Isiah Pacheco found the end zone for the seventh straight game he has played. He ran 24 times for 68 yards and a touchdown.

49ers 34, Lions 31

Fantasy Stud: Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey didn’t have one of his huge yardage games, but scored two more touchdowns and still produced good total yardage numbers. McCaffrey ran 20 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns. He also had four receptions for 42 yards, giving him 132 total yards and two scores

Fantasy Dud: George Kittle. Kittle was really held in checking, finishing with two receptions for 27 yards. It was a poor showing in a game that had a lot of offense. You just expected better from the elite fantasy tight end.

Game Notes: Deebo Samuel was able to play with his shoulder injury and led the 49ers in receiving. He had eight receptions for 89 yards and didn’t seem slowed by the injury at all.

The Lions had big rushing totals. David Montgomery led the way, rushing 15 times for 93 yards and a touchdown. Jahmyr Gibbs ran 12 times for 45 yards and a touchdown. Gibbs did lose a key fumble in the game, though.

Jameson Williams had three touches but two went for touchdowns. Williams had a carry for a 42-yard touchdown. And he also had two receptions for 25 yards and another touchdown.

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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Player Notes
Trey McBride Sep 23 6:30pm ET
Trey McBride

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that tight end Trey McBride (concussion) has entered the league's concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions. McBride should be considered questionable to play in the Week 4 matchup against the Washington Commanders. The 24-year-old will have to pass through the NFL's protocols for head injuries throughout the week and must be cleared by an independent neurologist before being allowed to play on Sunday. McBride has yet to score through the first three weeks of the season, but he does have 14 receptions on 21 targets for 122 yards as a surefire TE1 in fantasy lineups. Fantasy managers are obviously going to need to have a backup plan in place in case he's not cleared for Week 4. If McBride sits, Elijah Higgins and Tip Reiman figure to split TE duties in Arizona.

From RotoBaller

Adam Thielen Sep 23 6:30pm ET
Adam Thielen

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) is expected to miss some time with a hamstring injury that he suffered in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, according to sources. An exact timetable for Thielen's return is unclear at the moment, but he will miss time. The veteran wideout had three receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown from veteran quarterback Andy Dalton before leaving Sunday's contest with his injury. The news comes after the 34-year-old had an MRI exam on Monday. It's tough news for Thielen, who was becoming interesting again in fantasy with quarterback Bryce Young on the bench. As long as Dalton remains under center, Thielen should have a higher fantasy ceiling, although it's hard to recommend stashing him in shallow leagues since he has no timeline for a return. Rookie Xavier Legette could be worth waiver consideration in deeper leagues with Thielen out.

From RotoBaller

Chidobe Awuzie Sep 23 6:29pm ET
Chidobe Awuzie

ennessee Titans cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (groin) suffered a groin injury in the Week 3 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday that could land him on Injured Reserve. If Awuzie is forced to IR, it would cost him at least the next four games. The Titans have their bye in Week 5, so the earliest Awuzie could return if they place him on IR this week would be for a Week 9 contest against the New England Patriots. The 29-year-old is in his first season with Tennessee and has recorded four tackles (three solo) in his first three games in 2024. The 0-3 Titans are going to be a bit more vulnerable in their secondary with Awuzie injured as they prepare for a Week 4 matchup on the road at Hard Rock Stadium against the Miami Dolphins, who might be forced to start third-string quarterback Tim Boyle. Expect Jarvis Brownlee and Darrell Baker to get more opportunities with Awuzie set to miss time.

Rashee Rice Sep 23 6:28pm ET
Rashee Rice

Dynasty | Chefs wide receiver Rashee Rice had 12 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs win against Atlanta. Dynasty Analysis: And the beat goes on. At this point, Rice's three-game total of 288 receiving yards is good for second in the NFL and his targets rank third. In other words, Rice has taken over Travis Kelce's spot as the top weapon for Patrick Mahomes and has made every other receiver a secondary option. While there are concerns about a possible suspension, it's not going to stop Rice's ascension in dynasty rankings.

Xavier Worthy Sep 23 6:28pm ET
Xavier Worthy

Dynasty | Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy had two catches for 17 yards in the Chiefs win against the Falcons. Dynasty Analysis: He added 13 rushing yards on three carries. After his two-touchdown debut, Worthy now has two straight weeks with exactly two catches for 17 yards, each of them more disappointing than the last. At this point, the Chiefs offense is running through Rashee Rice and Worthy is being used as a situational deep threat or a running option. There will be better days ahead, but it really is looking like more of a development year for Worthy than anything else.

Jordan Addison Sep 23 6:20pm ET
Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said the team is "optimistic" about wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) heading into a Week 4 divisional showdown at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Addison hasn't played since injuring his ankle in the third quarter in the season-opening win over the New York Giants on Sept. 8. The 22-year-old second-year pass-catcher hasn't actually practiced since spraining his ankle in Week 1, so he'll need to get back on the field first this week to have a shot at returning in Week 4. Both Jailen Nailor and Brandon Powell have seen more work behind WR1 Justin Jefferson the last two weeks with Addison sidelined, but it has been Nailor that has been more productive. Nailor has been a popular waiver-wire pickup the last two weeks and has found the end zone in each of the first three weeks of the 2024 season.

From RotoBaller

Evan Engram Sep 23 6:13pm ET
Evan Engram

The Jacksonville Jaguars have declared OG Cole Van Lanen, S Darnell Savage, OT Javon Foster, LB Myles Cole, DT Jordan Jefferson, DE Esezi Otomewo and TE Evan Engram inactive for Week 3.

From TheHuddle

Taron Johnson Sep 23 6:13pm ET
Taron Johnson

The Buffalo Bills have declared CB Taron Johnson, S Mike Edwards, LB Terrel Bernard, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio and OT Ryan Van Demark inactive for Week 3.

From TheHuddle

Cooper Kupp Sep 23 6:10pm ET
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) will not make it back in time for the Week 4 contest this Sunday at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears. Kupp injured his ankle in the Week 2 loss against the Arizona Cardinals and didn't play in the Week 3 victory over the division-rival San Francisco 49ers. The 31-year-old avoided a stint on Injured Reserve, unlike teammate Puka Nacua (knee), but Kupp will miss his second straight game this weekend. Fantasy managers and the Rams can only hope that he has a shot to suit up in Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers, but with LA's bye coming in Week 6, it's possible we don't see him again until Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Kupp was looking more like his All-Pro self in 2021 before hurting his ankle, so hopefully he can return sooner than later. Tutu Atwell led LA with four catches and 93 yards in the Week 3 win.

From RotoBaller

Sam Darnold Sep 23 6:10pm ET
Sam Darnold

The Minnesota Vikings announced on Monday that quarterback Sam Darnold (knee) suffered a left-knee bruise in the Week 3 win over the Houston Texans, but he's not expected to miss any time. Don't be surprised to see Darnold on the team's Week 4 injury report, but it sounds as though he's fully expected to play this Sunday when the team travels to Lambeau Field to face the division-rival Green Bay Packers. The 27-year-old came out for a play in the third quarter of the 34-7 blowout win over Houston. The former first-round pick heads into Week 4 with a league-leading eight touchdown passes while completing 67.9% of his pass attempts for 657 yards in three games despite not having receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) for two games. Going into this weekend's game on the road, Darnold should be considered a high-end QB2 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Demarcus Lawrence Sep 23 6:03pm ET
Demarcus Lawrence

Dallas Cowboys S Markquese Bell (ankle) and CB Caelen Carson (shoulder) did not participate in practice Monday, Sept. 23. CB Trevon Diggs (foot) and DE DeMarcus Lawrence (shoulder) were limited during practice. DT Mazi Smith (back) and TE John Stephens (hamstring) fully participated in practice. The Cowboys did not hold a practice Monday, Sept. 23, so the practice report is an estimation.

From TheHuddle

Cooper Kupp Sep 23 5:53pm ET
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) will not be able to play in the Week 4 game, according to head coach Sean McVay.

Fantasy Spin: Kupp was expected to miss several weeks when he initially suffered the injury but could return soon since the team did not place him on the Reserve/Injured list. Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson and Jordan Whittington likely will be the main receivers in Week 4, and Atwell can be a flex option in some deeper leagues.

From TheHuddle

Yannick Ngakoue Sep 23 5:53pm ET
Yannick Ngakoue

Updating a previous report, free-agent DE Yannick Ngakoue is being signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, according to a source.

From TheHuddle

Yannick Ngakoue Sep 23 5:23pm ET
Yannick Ngakoue

Free-agent DE Yannick Ngakoue (Bears) is expected to sign with the Baltimore Ravens, according to a source.

From TheHuddle

Adoree' Jackson Sep 23 4:43pm ET
Adoree' Jackson

New York Giants CB Adoree' Jackson (calf) and CB Dru Phillips (calf) did not participate in practice Monday, Sept. 23. DT Dexter Lawrence (foot), CB Nick McCloud (knee), LB Micah McFadden (back) and WR Darius Slayton (thumb) were limited during practice. OT Jermaine Eluemunor (thumb) and C John Michael Schmitz (neck) fully participated in practice. The Giants did not hold a practice Monday, so the practice report is an estimation.

From TheHuddle

Marcus Davenport Sep 23 4:33pm ET
Marcus Davenport

Updating a previous report, Detroit Lions DE Marcus Davenport (elbow) suffered a season-ending elbow injury during the Week 3 game, according to head coach Dan Campbell.

From TheHuddle

Andy Dalton Sep 23 3:23pm ET
Andy Dalton

Carolina Panthers QB Andy Dalton will remain the starting quarterback, head coach Dave Canales told reporters Monday, Sept. 23.

Fantasy Spin: This isn't a surprise at all after Dalton threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns in a Week 3 win. He should still be viewed as a QB2 for fantasy but if he shows some consistency, there's upside here as a potential streamer in certain matchups.

From TheHuddle

Darnell Mooney Sep 23 3:10pm ET
Darnell Mooney

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney caught all eight of his targets for 66 yards in the team's 22-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Mooney led the team in catches on Sunday night, recording two more than Drake London on one fewer target and gaining one fewer yard. The 26-year-old kicked off the game's opening drive with back-to-back receptions for 35 yards on Atlanta's first two plays from scrimmage. He hauled in another short pass late in the first quarter before being held in check for the remainder of the first half. It was a valuable outing for the former Bear, though it's unlikely he was started in many fantasy leagues. He's the clear No. 2 option at wide receiver for the Falcons despite playing one fewer snap than Ray-Ray McCloud III's 58 in Week 3, and holds some WR3 value with upside while getting consistent targets. With Atlanta potentially down two offensive linemen, they may increase their pass rate when the team hosts their rival New Orleans Saints at home in a tough Week 4 matchup.

From RotoBaller

Chidobe Awuzie Sep 23 3:03pm ET
Chidobe Awuzie

Tennessee Titans CB Chidobe Awuzie (groin) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Monday, Sept. 23.

From TheHuddle

Marcus Davenport Sep 23 2:53pm ET
Marcus Davenport

Detroit Lions DE Marcus Davenport (elbow) could miss the remainder of the season with a significant elbow injury, according to sources Monday, Sept. 23.

From TheHuddle