Another exciting (isn't it always exciting?) Sunday of football. I hit 7-of-12 highly contrarian bargains/busts (see Saturday's column), including pushing Tony Pollard (consensus RB-49) and Rex Burkhead (RB-39). Both finished in the top 10. Meanwhile, consensus back-end QB1 James Conner was my biggest RB bust of the week. Diligent readers have heard my warnings since July. He hit rock bottom yesterday, and sadly his true rock bottom is much lower. I'd be shocked if he keeps the starting job much longer.
Also got back on track in the DFS 50/50 and am now 2-1 on the season. If you used my lineup, you won thanks to Dak Prescott, Dalvin Cook, and Nelson Agholor--and Week 3's #1 scorer, Mike Evans.
Now let's get on with the Monday morning rundown . . . the most notable fantasy storyline of each Sunday team:
Bengals -- John Ross finally crashed back to earth, as 2018 seventh-rounder Auden Tate took center stage. When A.J. Green returns, Andy Dalton will not be able to feed three receivers per game. Even assuming Tate fades, fantasy managers will have to contend with Ross, Boyd, and Green fighting for balls, with Ross offering the lowest floor.
Bills -- The nearly 36-and-a-half-year-old Frank Gore got it done. 21st in rushing TDs and fourth in rushing yards all-time, Gore is one of the most unassuming legends in NFL history. And from a fantasy perspective, yeah, he's still relevant.
Broncos -- The running game finally got going, as Phillip Lindsay ended his early-season slump, thanks in part to Royce Freeman losing snaps due to a shoulder injury. But as long as Joe Flacco's under center, this will remain a largely predictable offense, to the detriment of Lindsay's and Freeman's value.
Packers -- Aaron Jones collected the touchdowns, including a goal-line touch, while Jamaal Williams out-touched him and out-ran him. I'm still buying into Jones as the 1A, but that's the problem: he's looking more like a 1A, not the true "1" he appeared to be on draft day.
Dolphins -- Trailing 10-6 at halftime, Miami clearly got cocky thinking they could win this one. It's hard to say anything about their effort, since their GM has abandoned them to the wolves. But as pointed out last week, Preston Williams is the receiver to roster. And on a side note, Kenyan Drake keeps losing trade value--in fantasy and in real life.
Cowboys -- I tried to trade Amari Cooper last week, but no one wanted him. One of the top WR fantasy performers after joining Dallas last season, he's picked up where he left off with straight strong performances. The more interesting story, though, is Tony Pollard (who, by the way, I also tried to trade, to no avail, and thank goodness). While it was against lowly Miami, Pollard looked like a bellcow if Zeke Elliott gets hurt.
Falcons -- Devonta Freeman had to get going, and he came through with rushing gains of 12, 24, and 28 yards en route to a respectable top-24 day. Notably, Ito Smith had only one touch. If Atlanta could just commit to Freeman through the air, he'd be a safer weekly start. At this point, he remains a wait-and-see fantasy asset.
Colts -- Jacoby Brissett was one of my hyped-up Week 3 bargains, and he didn't disappoint. He now owns a 7/1 TD/INT mark heading into back-to-back contests against Oakland and Kansas City. If you don't have a QB1, what are you waiting for?
Ravens -- Mark Ingram keeps proving me wrong. What can be said? He's on pace for a career-best season at age 29. 5.7 YPC? I'm always wary of statistical outliers. When none-elite players look unstoppable, it's often a warning. Ingram has been borderline elite during his career. We'll see what happens.
Chiefs -- If three weeks ago you'd predicted Darrel Williams would co-lead this backfield, you would have been frighteningly correct. Whenever Damien Williams returns, he'll be lucky to crack 6-8 touches. And with Darwin Thompson waiting in the wings, it's anyone's guess how this battle will turn out.
Raiders -- Hats off to those who bought into Darren Waller, who caught an incredible 13 of 14 targets, and is now an unbelievable 26-for-29 on the year. After toiling in obscurity for three years, he's unquestionably Derek Carr's #1 receiver.
Vikings -- Alexander Mattison entered Sunday as a top-3 handcuff. He's now probably top-2.
Jets -- Le'Veon Bell sat out a season for this? I'll say this again and again: he's a volume asset. The Jets will run him into the ground if they have to. Surely he misses Pittsburgh's offensive line and more functional offense in general. But hey, at least he got paid.
Patriots -- Sony Michel struggled again. Rex Burkhead didn't again. As I wrote last week, Bill Belichick doesn't believe in long leashes. Next week in Buffalo, be prepared for the possibility of a shifting game plan--one that utilizes Burkhead and James White at the expense of the largely TD-dependent Michel.
Lions -- It was Marvin Jones's turn. My preseason hyping of Kenny Golladay is proving to be unhelpful. But buy low heading into next week's dream home matchup against Kansas City.
Eagles -- Predictably, Nelson Agholor led all receivers. Not as predictably, Miles Sanders enjoyed a breakout performance of sorts. Aside from a fumble (and losing a goal-line look to Jordan Howard), Sanders showed why he deserves to get more touches.
Panthers -- Remember that "Simpsons" Halloween episode where the kids discover Bart's long-lost twin holed up in the attic? And the twin is actually the better version of Bart? In this stretch of an analogy, Cam Newton is Bart, and Kyle Allen is the twin. Allen looks like he belongs with the starters. While I can't imagine Carolina even considering benching a healthy Cam, we finally saw a glimpse of what this team could be.
Cardinals -- It might seem unfair of me to keep harping on David Johnson. But in three games he's now averaging 12 carries for 44 yards and four catches for 28 yards. His one TD per game is not sustainable. Unfortunately, his poor running--dating back to the middle of his breakout 2016 campaign--has endured.
Giants -- Eli Manning played about two seasons too long. But it was worth it to Giants fans desperate for a new franchise QB. While it's still way too early, Daniel Jones looked the part in a heroic come-from-behind victory. He has the weapons to be a QB1, though some of that hinges on the severity of Saquon Barkley's reported high-ankle sprain. We'll learn soon if the stellar back will be sidelined; if so, don't rush to grab the pedestrian Wayne Gallman. Instead, keep an eye on Kenyan Drake (if it's a short-term injury) or Melvin Gordon (if it's somehow a season-ender).
Buccaneers -- I tried to wrest Mike Evans from my opponent last week. He obviously knew what was coming, too. I hyped Evans as a future Hall-of-Famer when he was 22. Assuming he remains healthy into his early 30's, he'll be an all-time great. Man, wish I'd drafted him.
Texans -- Where was Duke Johnson? This is not what fantasy managers expected even after Houston signed Carlos Hyde. His dwindling looks are baffling.
Chargers -- Yesterday I joked my Week 3 opponent should bench Keenan Allen. This is why. It was a perfect matchup for this top-5 fantasy wideout.
Steelers -- Bringing up James Conner again. Don't blame it on Ben Roethlisberger's injury. This was actually Conner's best game on the ground all season: 13 carries for 43 yards. He'll get the Bengals next week before entering facing the much tougher Ravens and Chargers. If he doesn't get going against Cincy, fantasy managers who invested in him will be in a heap of trouble.
49ers -- First off, what a chaotic and talented backfield. There is no #1, which is painful for fantasy managers and quite effective for a team that wears down defenses on the ground. The Niners entered Week three third in the NFL with 74 carries, and they tacked on 40 more yesterday. Again, a bit of a fantasy nightmare, but it's working for this surprising 3-0 team.
Saints -- No Drew Brees? Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas will be fine.
Seahawks -- Chris Carson lost his third fumble. If Rashaad Penny returns Week 4, buy low on Penny.
Rams -- Last year Todd Gurley had 59 receptions in 14 regular-season contests--more than four per game. This year he's averaging barely one per game. That's 5-6 points fantasy managers aren't getting.
Browns -- Another lacking performance from Baker Mayfield. And not at all shocking. As I wrote last Monday, weeks 12 and 14 (at home against Miami and Cincy) are the games to circle. Beyond that he's largely unstartable barring some dramatic personnel or game-plan shift.
Also got back on track in the DFS 50/50 and am now 2-1 on the season. If you used my lineup, you won thanks to Dak Prescott, Dalvin Cook, and Nelson Agholor--and Week 3's #1 scorer, Mike Evans.
Now let's get on with the Monday morning rundown . . . the most notable fantasy storyline of each Sunday team:
Bengals -- John Ross finally crashed back to earth, as 2018 seventh-rounder Auden Tate took center stage. When A.J. Green returns, Andy Dalton will not be able to feed three receivers per game. Even assuming Tate fades, fantasy managers will have to contend with Ross, Boyd, and Green fighting for balls, with Ross offering the lowest floor.
Bills -- The nearly 36-and-a-half-year-old Frank Gore got it done. 21st in rushing TDs and fourth in rushing yards all-time, Gore is one of the most unassuming legends in NFL history. And from a fantasy perspective, yeah, he's still relevant.
Broncos -- The running game finally got going, as Phillip Lindsay ended his early-season slump, thanks in part to Royce Freeman losing snaps due to a shoulder injury. But as long as Joe Flacco's under center, this will remain a largely predictable offense, to the detriment of Lindsay's and Freeman's value.
Packers -- Aaron Jones collected the touchdowns, including a goal-line touch, while Jamaal Williams out-touched him and out-ran him. I'm still buying into Jones as the 1A, but that's the problem: he's looking more like a 1A, not the true "1" he appeared to be on draft day.
Dolphins -- Trailing 10-6 at halftime, Miami clearly got cocky thinking they could win this one. It's hard to say anything about their effort, since their GM has abandoned them to the wolves. But as pointed out last week, Preston Williams is the receiver to roster. And on a side note, Kenyan Drake keeps losing trade value--in fantasy and in real life.
Cowboys -- I tried to trade Amari Cooper last week, but no one wanted him. One of the top WR fantasy performers after joining Dallas last season, he's picked up where he left off with straight strong performances. The more interesting story, though, is Tony Pollard (who, by the way, I also tried to trade, to no avail, and thank goodness). While it was against lowly Miami, Pollard looked like a bellcow if Zeke Elliott gets hurt.
Falcons -- Devonta Freeman had to get going, and he came through with rushing gains of 12, 24, and 28 yards en route to a respectable top-24 day. Notably, Ito Smith had only one touch. If Atlanta could just commit to Freeman through the air, he'd be a safer weekly start. At this point, he remains a wait-and-see fantasy asset.
Colts -- Jacoby Brissett was one of my hyped-up Week 3 bargains, and he didn't disappoint. He now owns a 7/1 TD/INT mark heading into back-to-back contests against Oakland and Kansas City. If you don't have a QB1, what are you waiting for?
Ravens -- Mark Ingram keeps proving me wrong. What can be said? He's on pace for a career-best season at age 29. 5.7 YPC? I'm always wary of statistical outliers. When none-elite players look unstoppable, it's often a warning. Ingram has been borderline elite during his career. We'll see what happens.
Chiefs -- If three weeks ago you'd predicted Darrel Williams would co-lead this backfield, you would have been frighteningly correct. Whenever Damien Williams returns, he'll be lucky to crack 6-8 touches. And with Darwin Thompson waiting in the wings, it's anyone's guess how this battle will turn out.
Raiders -- Hats off to those who bought into Darren Waller, who caught an incredible 13 of 14 targets, and is now an unbelievable 26-for-29 on the year. After toiling in obscurity for three years, he's unquestionably Derek Carr's #1 receiver.
Vikings -- Alexander Mattison entered Sunday as a top-3 handcuff. He's now probably top-2.
Jets -- Le'Veon Bell sat out a season for this? I'll say this again and again: he's a volume asset. The Jets will run him into the ground if they have to. Surely he misses Pittsburgh's offensive line and more functional offense in general. But hey, at least he got paid.
Patriots -- Sony Michel struggled again. Rex Burkhead didn't again. As I wrote last week, Bill Belichick doesn't believe in long leashes. Next week in Buffalo, be prepared for the possibility of a shifting game plan--one that utilizes Burkhead and James White at the expense of the largely TD-dependent Michel.
Lions -- It was Marvin Jones's turn. My preseason hyping of Kenny Golladay is proving to be unhelpful. But buy low heading into next week's dream home matchup against Kansas City.
Eagles -- Predictably, Nelson Agholor led all receivers. Not as predictably, Miles Sanders enjoyed a breakout performance of sorts. Aside from a fumble (and losing a goal-line look to Jordan Howard), Sanders showed why he deserves to get more touches.
Panthers -- Remember that "Simpsons" Halloween episode where the kids discover Bart's long-lost twin holed up in the attic? And the twin is actually the better version of Bart? In this stretch of an analogy, Cam Newton is Bart, and Kyle Allen is the twin. Allen looks like he belongs with the starters. While I can't imagine Carolina even considering benching a healthy Cam, we finally saw a glimpse of what this team could be.
Cardinals -- It might seem unfair of me to keep harping on David Johnson. But in three games he's now averaging 12 carries for 44 yards and four catches for 28 yards. His one TD per game is not sustainable. Unfortunately, his poor running--dating back to the middle of his breakout 2016 campaign--has endured.
Giants -- Eli Manning played about two seasons too long. But it was worth it to Giants fans desperate for a new franchise QB. While it's still way too early, Daniel Jones looked the part in a heroic come-from-behind victory. He has the weapons to be a QB1, though some of that hinges on the severity of Saquon Barkley's reported high-ankle sprain. We'll learn soon if the stellar back will be sidelined; if so, don't rush to grab the pedestrian Wayne Gallman. Instead, keep an eye on Kenyan Drake (if it's a short-term injury) or Melvin Gordon (if it's somehow a season-ender).
Buccaneers -- I tried to wrest Mike Evans from my opponent last week. He obviously knew what was coming, too. I hyped Evans as a future Hall-of-Famer when he was 22. Assuming he remains healthy into his early 30's, he'll be an all-time great. Man, wish I'd drafted him.
Texans -- Where was Duke Johnson? This is not what fantasy managers expected even after Houston signed Carlos Hyde. His dwindling looks are baffling.
Chargers -- Yesterday I joked my Week 3 opponent should bench Keenan Allen. This is why. It was a perfect matchup for this top-5 fantasy wideout.
Steelers -- Bringing up James Conner again. Don't blame it on Ben Roethlisberger's injury. This was actually Conner's best game on the ground all season: 13 carries for 43 yards. He'll get the Bengals next week before entering facing the much tougher Ravens and Chargers. If he doesn't get going against Cincy, fantasy managers who invested in him will be in a heap of trouble.
49ers -- First off, what a chaotic and talented backfield. There is no #1, which is painful for fantasy managers and quite effective for a team that wears down defenses on the ground. The Niners entered Week three third in the NFL with 74 carries, and they tacked on 40 more yesterday. Again, a bit of a fantasy nightmare, but it's working for this surprising 3-0 team.
Saints -- No Drew Brees? Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas will be fine.
Seahawks -- Chris Carson lost his third fumble. If Rashaad Penny returns Week 4, buy low on Penny.
Rams -- Last year Todd Gurley had 59 receptions in 14 regular-season contests--more than four per game. This year he's averaging barely one per game. That's 5-6 points fantasy managers aren't getting.
Browns -- Another lacking performance from Baker Mayfield. And not at all shocking. As I wrote last Monday, weeks 12 and 14 (at home against Miami and Cincy) are the games to circle. Beyond that he's largely unstartable barring some dramatic personnel or game-plan shift.