It’s time to look at our quarterback and running back starts and sit decisions for Week 3. There have been disappointments this season. Trevor Lawrence is lost and does not resemble the chosen one, as he was labeled upon leaving Clemson. J.J. McCarthy is hurt. Bo Nix proved me wrong, and C.J. Stroud is being let down by his offensive line.
Tony Pollard has been a great candidate to be benched in the first two weeks. Despite Tyjae Spears being hurt, Pollard has not been able to produce. Aaron Jones was also a smart choice to be left on the bench, and now he is out for the next four games. Omarion Hampton has been a major letdown, but at least Javonte Williams is looking like one of the best late-round picks this season. He has had back-to-back top-five finishes in the first two weeks.
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Quarterback and Running Back Starts and Sits
Quarterback Starts
Caleb Williams vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Chicago Bears got decimated by the Detroit Lions in Week 2, but Caleb Williams still had 18 points. He is currently the QB11 on a PPG basis, and the volume is there for him to continue to produce. In Week 3, he plays the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are allowing the third most fantasy PPG to the position. Their defense is not the same without Micah Parsons. Russell Wilson threw for over 400 passing yards against the Cowboys in Week 2. Williams will have his first 300-yard game of the 2025 season and will be a QB1 this upcoming week.
Drake Maye vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
First, Drake Maye had his best game of his career last week. Currently, he is the QB8 on a PPG basis, averaging 21.5 points. That is a seven-point increase from his rookie year. This week, Maye faces the Pittsburgh Steelers. They allow 22.66 fantasy PPG to the position. That is the fifth most through two weeks. Maye is elite in the rushing department, too. In Week 3, Maye will continue his hot start with another QB1 finish and lead the Patriots to their second consecutive victory. He is one of the better starts amongst QBs this upcoming week.
Quarterback Sits
Daniel Jones @ Tennessee Titans
Daniel “Indiana” Jones is the QB2 in PPG. No one would believe you if you said that a few months ago. He is averaging 26.2 points in the first two weeks. With that being said, he plays the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. The Titans are allowing the second-fewest PPG to the position. Jones has found his home with the Indianapolis Colts, but from his track record, it is only a matter of time before he has one of his questionable games. Leave Jones on the bench this week and pivot towards another option.
Kyler Murray @ San Francisco 49ers
Kyler Murray has not been good through two weeks. In fact, he is just the QB16 on a PPG basis. First, the entire coaching staff for the Arizona Cardinals needs a restart after this season. He is not being utilized correctly, and neither is their WR1, Marvin Harrison Jr. Murray faces the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3. Secondly, the Niners are allowing the seventh fewest PPG to the position. That offense is a mess, and the best course of action is to leave Murray on the bench.
Check out all of our Week 3 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings
Running Back Starts
Jordan Mason vs. Cincinnati Bengals
For starters, Aaron Jones is out for the next four games. This means that Jordan Mason is in line for an increase in his workload. Mason will be viewed as a high-end RB2 for the next month with no Jones. Also, the Cincinnati Bengals are allowing the second-most fantasy PPG to running backs over the first two weeks. Due to Jones’ age, handcuffing Mason was the best thing fantasy managers could have done in their drafts. Now, it will pay off with Mason being one of the most popular starts in Week 3.
Isiah Pacheco @ New York Giants
To begin with, Isiah Pacheco does not have even ten points combined in the first two weeks. He has been awful. The good news is that he faces the New York Giants. The Giants are allowing over 30 fantasy PPG to the position, which is the most so far. Also, the Kansas City Chiefs are 0-2 for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era. The Chiefs blow the Giants out, and Pacheco gets a ton of opportunities to produce, making him one of my favorite starts in Week 3.
Running Back Sits
J.K. Dobbins @ Los Angeles Chargers
J.K. Dobbins has been through hell with so many injuries in his football career. Despite that, he is the RB14 on a PPG basis through two weeks. That comes to an end in Week 3 as the Denver Broncos face the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are allowing just 11.9 fantasy PPG to the position in the first two weeks. That is the third fewest. This game features two of the best defenses in football. Expect a low-scoring affair and be comfortable leaving Dobbins on your bench.
Chuba Hubbard vs Atlanta Falcons
Chuba Hubbard has been fantastic thus far. He is the RB7, but faces a top-three defense in Week 3. The Atlanta Falcons are legit. Their defense made the high-powered Minnesota Vikings offense look normal. They are allowing the fourth fewest PPG to the position and just one receiving touchdown in two weeks. Hubbard was drafted to be in your starting lineup, but I cannot feel comfortable trusting the Carolina Panthers’ offense against the Falcons.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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