Week 3 Top Plays and Fades

Photo by Jed Jacobsohn of the Associated Press

It’s week 3 already, and it’s time to start putting some W’s on the board. At the start of the season, everyone always starts the higher drafted player, regardless of the matchups. We now have enough data to actually make some start sit decisions based on matchups, weak defenses, and strong offenses. Sticking with players that are underperforming, just because you drafted them higher can cost you wins, which will burn you at season’s end. 

Here at Go For Two, we’ve split players into a few different categories. We’ll give you a Go For Two option, a field goal play, and a turnover on downs. The Go For Two option is a player that is rostered in very few leagues, but has the potential to blow up and win you the week. This is a player that you start and bask in the glory when they go off. The field goal option is a player that is a borderline start, but we are giving you confidence this week. Start them and enjoy the points that you collect. The turnover on downs player is a highly rostered player who is set up to disappoint you. Do what you can to avoid a turnover on downs.

Field Goal Play

Jared Goff, QB (DET)- Goff is off to a great start to the year, currently sitting at the QB10 on the year. This week he faces off against the Vikings in a game that will likely be high scoring, and where the Lions will likely be playing from behind. Goff isn’t good enough to get things done by himself, but he’ll put the ball in the hands of Swift and St. Brown and they’ll put points on the board for Goff. I expect him to put up over 250 yards and 3 TDs. – Derek

Brandon Aiyuk, WR (SF) – While Brandon Aiyuk’s counting numbers have been underwhelming to start the year, it just feels like a big game is coming soon. Coming off an 8 target performance in week 2, you know the intentions are there for the Niners to get the 3rd year wideout going. While Trey Lance suffering a season-ending injury is certainly an unfortunate development, you can certainly argue the transition to Jimmy G will prove to be a net positive for the San Francisco pass catchers, at least from a fantasy perspective. Not to mention Deebo Samuel’s target share has dwindled as he’s assumed the “ wide back” role, and George Kittle is a wild card coming off his first game from injury, so this could be a case where opportunity and positive regression collide. Fire up Aiyuk this week- it could be the difference you need. – Ryan 

Tyler Conklin, TE (NYJ) – Tyler Conklin has shown himself to be a solid floor play in a year featuring a massive drop in tight end production so far.  Conklin is currently the TE12 (0.5ppr) with 10 receptions on 16 targets for 56 yards and a touchdown through the first 2 weeks this season.  Joe Flacco is still finding his groove as a starter checking the ball down to his tight end more often and the Jets face the 0-2 Bengals this week who allowed 5 receptions for 75 yards to Pat Friermuth Week 1. Don’t expect the world from Conklin, but if you find yourself without a tight end play Week 3, look for Conklin to fill that role (19% owned on Yahoo) and for him to produce 5 receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown. – Jon

Turnover on Downs

Tom Brady, QB (TB)- Advising you to sit the GOAT can only age well right? Expectations for Brady need to be low this week. Mike Evans is suspended, Godwin is out, Gage and Jones are both questionable, meaning Brady could go into the game with no bonafide pass catchers. Tampa’s game plan for this week will be to run the ball, and play shut down defense. Brady will likely be nothing more than a game manager. You can bank on him throwing for more than 1 touchdown. – Derek 

Terry McLaurin, WR ( WSH) – While he has posted usable ( but not great) fantasy lines over the first 2 weeks thanks to touchdowns and big gains, some underlying data reveals some red flags for McLaurin. His target share of just 14% is definitely concerning, as the likes of Curtis Samuel, Jahan Dotson, and Logan Thomas have also been able to earn prominent roles in this Commanders offense. I hate betting against a player as talented as McLaurin, but sometimes the data is too hard to ignore. Given that he will also likely see a heavy dose of Darius Slay on the other side this week, his range of outcomes is wider than usual . I do not advocate sitting him unless your team is completely loaded, but expectations do need to be tempered at this point. I would rank him around the WR 2 / 3 borderline at the moment, which is fine in a vacuum, but not what you drafted him to be. – Ryan

Trevor Lawrence, QB (JAX) – Lawrence has been efficient through 2 weeks this season but efficiency doesn’t put your fantasy team in the win column as the Jaguars face the 1-1 Chargers this week.  Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are going to be bringing the heat as the Chargers look to bring their team back to above .500 this season.  Through 2 weeks, Lawrence has gone 49 of 72 for 510 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception ranking him at QB16 on the season.  The Jaguars could still win this game, but it will be on the back of a solid run game and good defensive play.  Leave Lawrence on the bench this week. – Jon  

Go for Two Option

Breshad Perriman- WR (TB)- Derek just advocated against playing Tom Brady this week, which is entirely valid. However, that does not mean no Tampa skill position player can be fantasy-viable. The journeyman wideout is coming off a game in which he hit paydirt, and there is reason to believe it could happen again. It is well documented that injuries have ravaged the Bucs receiver room , and Perriman is one of the last men standing. Given that his role grew as the game progressed last week, it is conceivable that he has earned the trust of Tom Brady, and he could be a guy who is relied upon early and often, and he could get some looks downfield and in the red zone. We should not get carried away with our assessments of him this week, but if you are in need of a WR or flex this week, Perriman is certainly a worthy dart throw option.