We are still in the early stages of the Fantasy football regular season. Lineup decisions are only getting more difficult. Let’s take a look at our QB/TE start/sit Week 3 plays.
These are only a small sample of start/sit decisions for the week. For all your lineup questions, check out our PFN Consensus Rankings.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and Start/Sit Optimizer to help you make the right decision.
Which QBs and TEs Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?
Which QBs and TEs have good Week 3 matchups, warranting a spot in fantasy lineups?
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (vs. ATL)
It is still too early in the season to utilize defensive stats against an opponent. What we do know is this. The Atlanta Falcons just surrendered three passing touchdowns to Jordan Love. While I am a fan of Love, Goff is undoubtedly a better quarterback.
Goff is coming off a 323-yard, three-touchdown performance in a tough home loss to the Seattle Seahawks. We know Goff is capable of big fantasy weeks. He’s just not consistent … or so it seems.
MORE: Fantasy Football Week 3 Waiver Wire Rankings
Figuring out Goff isn’t all that complicated. Just start him at home.
Since joining the Lions in 2021, Goff has made 18 home starts and 15 road starts. He averages 21.8 fantasy points per game at home against 15.1 ppg on the road. The Lions are at home this week in what could be a high-scoring game. Start Goff as a back-end QB1.
Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. ATL)
Why not double down on the Lions for this week’s starts? I love what I’m seeing from LaPorta. He’s out there on over 80% of the snaps. He’s being utilized by Goff to the tune of five receptions in each of his first two games.
The talent is undeniably there. The only thing standing between LaPorta and a big week is the end zone. Inevitably, he will score.
All of the positives about the matchup that apply to Goff apply to LaPorta as well. The Falcons are likely not an imposing defense, but they are capable of putting up points.
With David Montgomery out, this offense could lean even more on the pass. Consider LaPorta a locked-in TE1 until further notice.
Which QBs and TEs Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?
What QBs and TEs have tough Week 3 matchups, prompting fantasy managers to consider alternatives?
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (at ARI)
Sometimes, it’s not about the matchup. The Arizona Cardinals are not exactly an imposing foe. Prescott, if he wanted to, would have no trouble lighting up the Cardinals. The problem is he won’t have to.
We are entering Week 3, and the Cowboys have yet to play a competitive football game. It is doubtful to happen this week as they are heavy road favorites against the worst team in football.
Mike McCarthy wants to win games with ball control and defense. So far, the Cowboys have done just that. While Daniel Jones was able to post an elite QB1 outing against the Cardinals last week, he did so because the Giants had to play from behind.
That’s not happening for Prescott and the Cowboys.
The Cowboys have scored 70 points over the first two games while allowing just 10. In Week 1, Prescott was only needed for 143 yards on 24 pass attempts.
In Week 2, he did throw it up 38 times, completing 31 for 255 yards and two touchdowns. His fantasy managers were fortunate that he threw both of their touchdowns.
If Tony Pollard takes the touchdowns this week, it could be another easy day on the field for Prescott but a rough one for his fantasy managers. We like the favorable matchup, but we want our QBs to have to throw. Dak is a sit this week if you have a better option.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (at LV)
This one isn’t even about the matchup. It’s not as if the Las Vegas Raiders are some terrifying defense. Dawson Knox scored against them last week, and Dalton Kincaid had a very solid five receptions for 43 yards.
I wonder how long it would take Freiermuth to get to 43 yards? After all, the third-year TE has a total of five yards on two receptions over his first two games.
Even without Diontae Johnson in the lineup, Freiermuth was not part of the offensive game plan. It’s probably premature to conclude about the entire season in Week 3, but it sure looks like there is no desire by the Steelers to get Freiermuth the ball.
MORE: Week 3 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet
The only hope with starting Freiermuth is a short touchdown. He is rarely Kenny Pickett’s first read, and Pickett isn’t capable of progressing beyond his first read. That is going to severely limit Freiermuth’s opportunities.
Even against a weak opponent, fantasy managers should go out of their way to get Freiermuth on the bench this week. If he smashes, so be it. At least you know you can start him going forward. He is well outside my top 12 TEs in Week 3.