Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings: Matchups We Love and Box Score Stats Projections
The New York Jets and New England Patriots kicked off Week 3 on Thursday night, leaving fantasy managers with 15 games to navigate over the next four days.
While managers usually lean on their top draft choices early in the season—byes won't begin until Week 5—that won't be an option for everyone. Several players who were undoubtedly drafted highly—like Christian McCaffrey, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp—are injured and will be unavailable in Week 3.
Managers facing tough lineup decisions are always wise to consider the best matchups.
Here, you'll find a look at some of our favorite plays for the remainder of Week 3, along with box-score projections for the top matchups.
Rankings and analysis based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.
Quarterback
1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
4. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
5. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
6. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
7. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
8. Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
9. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
10. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Matchup to Love: Joe Burrow vs. Washington Commanders
The Cincinnati Bengals narrowly lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, which dropped them to 0-2 on the season.
"This one stings a little bit," Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow told reporters after the latest loss.
Burrow and the Bengals will be eager to bounce back, and they'll have an excellent chance against the visiting Washington Commanders. Washington has flashed potential during the early stages of its latest rebuild, but the secondary is a significant liability.
Washington has allowed an average of 228 passing yards per game this season, and no team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Burrow may also have his full complement of receivers this week as Tee Higgins (hamstring) returned to practice on Thursday. Even if Higgins doesn't go, Burrow should be in line for a big night.
Box Score Projection: 272 passing yards, 3 TDs, 22 rushing yards
Running Back
1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
2. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
3. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers
5. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
6. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
7. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
8. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
9. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
10. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
Matchup to Love: Travis Etienne Jr. at Buffalo Bills
The Jacksonville Jaguars will also be in action on Monday night, and like the Bengals, they're getting desperate for their first win of the season.
Jacksonville may not emerge victoriously against the Buffalo Bills, but running back Travis Etienne Jr. should have a strong performance. Jacksonville's talented dual-threat usually serves as a reliable fantasy option because of his PPR floor.
Even in a Week 2 loss, Etienne had strong numbers. Though he only saw 13 carries, he had 52 rushing yards, three receptions for six yards, and a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns.
Etienne should see a bigger workload on Monday, as the Jags look to exploit Buffalo's 18th-ranked run defense. Buffalo has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
Box Score Projection: 88 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 23 receiving yards, 1 TD
Wide Receiver
1. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
2. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
4. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
5. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
6. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
7. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
8. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
9. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
10. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matchup to Love: Ja'Marr Chase vs. Washington Commanders
After sitting out the entire offseason, Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase, unsurprisingly, has had a sluggish start to the 2024 season.
Chase has caught 10 passes but has tallied just 97 receiving yards and has yet to find the end zone. Those aren't the expected numbers for a receiver who was a first-round selection in most fantasy leagues.
However, Chase will have an excellent chance to break out against the Commanders and their lackluster secondary. The Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots did a good job of corralling Chase, but Washington doesn't have a cornerback who can consistently cover him one-on-one.
Managers shouldn't be too concerned about Higgins' potential return on Monday. Chase is poised for a fantasy feast.
Box Score Projection: 7 receptions, 119 receiving yards, 1 TD
Tight End
1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
2. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
3. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (assuming he's active)
4. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
5. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
6. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
7. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
8. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
9. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
10. Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Matchup to Love: Brock Bowers vs. Carolina Panthers
Anyone who questioned the Las Vegas Raiders' decision to draft Brock Bowers a year after using a second-round pick on Michael Mayer has quickly gotten answers. Two games into his NFL career, Bowers already looks like one of the best receiving tight ends in the league.
The Georgia product caught six passes for 58 yards in his debut and caught nine passes for 98 yards in Week 2. Though the Raiders boast other pass-catchers—including Mayer, Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers—it's clear that Bowers is a featured player in Luke Getsy's offense.
This week, the Raiders will host the Carolina Panthers, who recently benched second-year quarterback Bryce Young. If Andy Dalton can boost Carolina's offense at all, Las Vegas may not have the luxury of abandoning the pass early.
An early lead and a lack of passing attempts are the only real threats to Bowers' fantasy production this week. The Panthers have allowed an average of 15.7 fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Box Score Projection: 7 receptions, 71 receiving yards, 1 TD
*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.