Week 3 Recap and How to Prepare For Bye Weeks

Week 3 had a lot of stupid touchdowns. That sounds horrible, but what I mean is that a lot of touchdowns were scored by secondary, backup, and no-name players that didn't result in fantasy production, as the player is a free agent or on someone's bench.

Bye weeks begin in Week 5, so there will be a little more planning involved with less options available each week. Planning ahead can fill a hole before other owners are paying attention and keep you from having to scrape the bottom of the barrell last minute (which will inevitably happen sometimes anyway). I will mention each team who will be on a bye next week and how you could start preparing if applicable.

Thursday Night

New York Giant vs San Francisco 49ers

Who Surprised?

• The 49ers have scored exactly 30 points in all three weeks, and Brock Purdy hasn't shown many cracks. He had 310 passing yards in Week 3, the second-most of his career after a 332-yard Divisional playoff game last year. Purdy has been great at the helm of a talented offense, but I don't see him consistently producing in fantasy. His playmakers can rack up a lot of yards, but Purdy hasn't thrown for big numbers often and is reliant on touchdowns while not adding anything with his legs: Purdy has only run for more than eight yards twice in his career.
• George Kittle had only six catches for 49 yards in the first two weeks, but he topped those numbers with seven for 90 in Week 3. I was seriously worried about Kittle, so it's good to see one big performance early in the season.
• Brandon Aiyuk had a huge Week 1 but was injured in Week 2 and missed this game. Deebo Samuel made up some of that absence with 129 yards and a touchdown. Samuel is probably a weekly starter, but he's especially attractive while Aiyuk is out and has eight rush attempts through three games.

Who Disappointed?

• Daniel Jones was the top-scoring quarterback in Week 2, but he was shut down by a great 49ers' defense. He had 137 yards and an interception and didn't add his usual rushing production with just five yards on the ground. Jones is a fantasy option some weeks, but the Giants will struggle against good defenses.
• Darren Waller struggled alongside his quarterback (three catches for 20 yards), and he has alternated two poor games with one good day in Week 2. The matchup is going to dictate whether Waller will be playable; Jones can't hold up to top defenses, and Waller should be valued with that in mind.

What Else?

• I say this every week, but Christian McCaffrey keeps doing his thing: 119 total yards and a touchdown. Just another day at the office.
• Ronnie Bell caught a touchdown pass, but he doesn't seem like a fantasy player. His only other catch was off a deflection that bounced high in the air.
• Matt Breida scored his own touchdown while filling in for the injured Saquon Barkley (who will miss a few weeks). His three catches gained just one yard with four carries gaining 17 yards. Breida looks like the starting RB, which means he should be rostered, but it's tough to see him as a real fantasy option most weeks.

Early Games

Indianapolis Colts vs Baltimore Ravens

Who Surprised?

• Zack Moss has proven to be the piece the Colts' backfield was missing, going for 122 yards on the ground and adding two catches for 23 yards and a touchdown. He wasn't terribly efficient (30 carries), but Moss has back-to-back big games and must be considered weekly.
• Lamar Jackson had a rough day passing (just 202 yards on 31 attempts) but had a vintage day on the ground with 101 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Jackson was QB21 through two weeks, but he finished third in Week 3. Jackson will have his ups and downs as a passer, but running like this will make him an elite fantasy player.

Who Disappointed?

• Mark Andrews had just four receptions for 35 yards, an underwhelming performance for Baltimore's top pass catcher. Last week's 45 yards were aided by a touchdown, but no such luck for owners this week. More production will be expected, but the Baltimore passing game isn't exploding as Jackson predicted.

What Else?

• I've been reluctant on Michael Pittman, but I'm finally going to acquiesce: he has at least 11 targets and eight receptions in each game and has totaled 153 yards and a touchdown (with two different quarterbacks). That's not superstar production, but it's very consistent, especially the volume. That will lead to stats and touchdowns, and Pittman must be considered every week.
• Zay Flowers had his second game with 10 targets, and he caught eight for 48 yards. That's underwhelming yardage, but Flowers has proven to be the only Baltimore wide receiver to touch the football consistently. He is at least a WR3/flex option every week unless something changes.

Tennessee Titans vs Cleveland Browns (Browns have a Week 5 bye)

Who Surprised?

• Amari Cooper has improved from 37 to 90 to 116 yards through the three weeks of the season and scored his first touchdown in Week 3. He is the unquestioned top receiver on this Cleveland team and has a case as a WR1 in fantasy.

Who Disappointed?

• Derrick Henry had his first bad game of the season, with just 11 carries for 20 yards. Henry has been consistent for years, but tough matchups come every year, and the Browns are one of the toughest in the league. Najee Harris was held to 43 yards in Week 2, and Joe Mixon had 56 yards in Week 1. That's three though AFC running backs, and the Browns allowed them less than 40 rushing yards per game. Henry will bounce back, but be cautious of anybody facing Cleveland.

What Else?

• DeAndre Hopkins has led the team in targets every game, but the struggles of Ryan Tannehill and the Titans' offense have held him back. Hopkins hasn't been able to get enough productive volume to be a fantasy starter.
• Deshaun Watson was the fifth-highest scoring quarterback in fantasy Week 1 thanks to his rushing production, but he fell to 27th in Week 2 as the running game essentially disappeared. He only had 16 yards on the ground this week, but he found his passing touch against a weak Tennessee pass defense for 289 yards and two touchdowns, finishing ninth among quarterbacks in Week 3. Many owners are probably starting Watson every week, and that will require a plan in Week 5 with Cleveland on a bye. Tannehill has a good matchup (Colts) that week, as does Jordan Love against the Raiders.
• It was Jerome Ford's first start taking over for Nick Chubb, and he saved an inefficient day with two touchdowns. Ford had just 18 yards on 10 carries but added 33 yards on two catches and had a touchdown both on the ground and through the air. The Browns cruised in a blowout, but Ford would have had a highly disappointing game without the scores.

Denver Broncos vs Miami Dolphins

Who Surprised?

• They scored 70 points, so I'm just going to start naming Dolphins:
• Tua Tagovailoa didn't have quite as big a day as you might expect because the running game dominated and he sat out a big portion of the fourth quarter, but 309 yards and four touchdowns put him over 28 fantasy points and gave Tua a second-place finish.
• Jaylen Waddle missed the game in concussion protocol, but Tyreek Hill picked up the slack with nine catchese for 157 yards and a touchdown.
• Raheem Mostert had 13 carries for 82 yards and seven catches for 60 yards, scoring four total touchdowns. That's over 38 standard points and 45 PPR points.
• Mostert has to settle for second-best running back of the week, though, because rookie Devon Achane took 18 carries for 203 yards and four catches for 30 yards, scoring four touchdowns of his own. That's over 47 standard points and 51 PPR points. It's hard to know what to expect for a touch share after Week 3; Mostert didn't do anything to lose his spot, but Achane may have forced his way into more work.

Who Disappointed?

• Javonte Williams has gained between 42 and 52 rushing yards in each game, and he has failed to take advantage of a starter's workload, not averaging more than four yards per carry in any game. A player who gets the ball this much is valuable, but Williams hasn't been anything close to a fantasy starter this season.

What Else?

• Russell Wilson threw for 300 yards for the second straight week, but he finished as the 20th quarterback with only one touchdown and no running production. Wilson is a player who is only valuable when throwing touchdowns, and he doesn't have the receivers to do that consistently.
• Speaking of those receivers, top man Jerry Jeudy is back in full after missing Week 1 and gaining just 25 yards in Week 2. His five catches and 81 yards aren't game-breaking, but it's a good performance. Courtland Sutton was Denver's top receiver Week 3 with eight catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. Sutton has scored in two of the three games, and it's worth watching how the ball is split between he and Jeudy moving forward.

New England Patriots vs New York Jets

Who Surprised?

This game didn't have any surprise performers or anyone who stood out, just a few surprise scores (which we'll get to below).

Who Disappointed?

• Rhamondre Stevenson dominated the touches in Week 2, but he had only three more than Ezekiel Elliott's 17 in Week 3, and Elliott gained 84 yards to just 62 for Stevenson. Stevenson hadn't been terribly efficient, but he was racking up yards. Being out-produced by his backup in a close game isn't a way to stay on top in New England where backfields are notoriously fickle.
• Hunter Henry was the second-highest scoring tight end through two weeks and had a decent matchup, but he walked away with just two catches for 17 yards. Henry went from undrafted in fantasy to a top player at his position, but there is risk of him not getting enough volume in a so-so offense. I still trust him mostly, but Henry isn't a top-10 lock any week.
• Breece Hall had a big Week 1, but he has struggled mightily the last two games while Dalvin Cook hasn't done anything of note in 2023. This Jets team was supposed to be feared, and maybe they would have been with Aaron Rodgers, but they are a mess on offense right now with no reason for hope.

What Else?

• Garrett Wilson's five catches and 48 yards aren't exactly a disappointment with Zach Wilson at QB, but Garrett has officially fallen from weekly-starter status. There is no way to trust this passing game any week, and the receiver's value is severly affected.
• Remember those stupid touchdowns I talked about? Patriots' tight end Pharaoh Brown, in the league since 2017, had never hit 70 yards in a game before his 71 on Sunday. He had just two touchdowns in his career (both in 2020) but scored in this game. New York fullback Nick Bawden caught five passes over 2019 and 2021, never had a carry, and never scored a touchdown. He ran in a one-yard score, the only other touchdown in the game. I wasn't exaggerating.

Buffalo Bills vs Washington Commanders

Who Surprised?

• For the second straight week, James Cook had over 100 total yards but didn't score a touchdown while backup Latavius Murray ran one in. Damien Harris also had a score in Week 2. Cook's consistent yardage is very welcome and puts him in the "surprise" group, but it's time to start getting in the endzone to solidify his spot as a weekly starter.

Who Disappointed?

• I guess I'll throw Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson here just to hit a point: they are very talented, but they will be inconsistent due to the play of quarterback Sam Howell. Howell has made good plays, but he struggles to produce against good defenses. These receivers will have notable games, but it's going to be a long season trying to choose those weeks. Neither can be more than a WR3.

What Else?

• Josh Allen threw for just 218 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but he had 46 yards and a touchdown on the ground to finish with over 21 fantasy points, eighth among QBs. Allen has a chance for a big game any week, but his running keeps his floor high in games like these. He was only 14th among quarterbacks through the first two weeks and had just 43 rushing yards without at touchdown over those games. This is two blowouts in a row where he didn't have to do much, but fantasy owners who drafted Allen in the third round aren't liking these middling days.
• Stefon Diggs had eight catches for 111 yards, his second game over 100 on the season. He has only one touchdown but has been producing at a high level. Gabriel Davis had just one catch, but it was a 35-yard touchdown; that hurts for Diggs owners.
• Brian Robinson averaged seven yards per carry, but he touched the ball only 10 times as Washington was down early and often. I love his prospects moving forward, and he is close to a weekly starter at running back.

Atlanta Falcons vs Detroit Lions

Who Surprised?

• Sam LaPorta started his career with two consistent games (five catches in each), but he officially arrived in Week 3 with eight catches for 84 yards and his first touchdown. LaPorta has 22 targets on the season, second among tight ends behind T.J. Hockenson (with an eye-popping 28). LaPorta was the top tight end in both standard and PPR in Week 3 and is second at the position in 2023 (behind Hockenson again). LaPorta is a fantasy starter moving forward and should continue seeing targets.

Who Disappointed?

• Bijan Robinson had his first bad game, turning 10 carries into just 33 yards (though four catches for 27 yards helped, especially in PPR). Let's spread the love(?) to Tyler Allgeier who hasn't looked like much of a fantasy option since his turn as the biggest surprise of Week 1. He had just seven carries for 12 yards and two catches for 17 yards. This Atlanta running game is for real, but they were shut down by an improving Lions' defense.

What Else?

• Amon-Ra St. Brown has over 100 yards in two games this year and a touchdown in the third. He is about as solid as it comes.
• Kyle Pitts had his best game of the season, but it was only a five-catch, 41-yard effort. He had just four catches for 59 yards through two weeks. Pitts is a victim of a low-volume pass game, as quarterback Desmond Ridder has no more than 22 completions or 237 yards in any of his seven starts. Drake London managed a good Week 2 but was back to two catches for 31 yards in Week 3 and falls into the same category.
• Jahmyr Gibbs had a decent game. He is renown for his pass catching but had just one catch for two yards. His 17 carries turned into 80 yards in a game the Lions' defense dominated. Gibbs may have the backfield to himself for a few weeks with David Montgomery nursing a thigh injury, and he is a weekly starter during that time.

New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers

Who Surprised?

• Romeo Doubs had two impressive catches on the game-winning drive, including the clinching touchdown. His five catches matched the second-most of his career, and his 73 yards tied for the most. He hasn't been a consistent producer, but Doubs has three touchdowns after just three all last season. Rookie Jayden Reed had preseason hype and has averaged close to 50 yards per game, scoring twice. Neither of these players are weekly starters, but Reed, especially, is a decent WR3 option until Christian Watson comes back. At that point, we will re-evaluate.
• I keep not believing in Jordan Love, but he has been decent every week. His real-life play is better than his fantasy production, but he had over 24 fantasy points Week 3, finishing sixth among QBs. He ran for 39 yards and a touchdown, which would be a welcome development to his game. Consistent rushing production would make Love a player to consider weekly, but it's not something I expect.

Who Disappointed?

• The Saints running game didn't do anything to help a team that was ahead 17-0 before giving up 18 straight to lose. Rookie Kendre Miller had his first game experience after missing the first two weeks and had 34 yards on 10 touches. Tony Jones had an inefficient day but scored two touchdowns in Week 2, but he went for just 52 yards on 12 touches this week. Taysom Hill, who I thought might benefit the most from the uncertain backfield, had just four carries for 12 yards and a catch for nine more. Jamaal Williams went on IR, but Alvin Kamara returns next week and will surely step into a full workload ahead of this uninspiring group. Don't trust anyone in this group other than Kamara until further notice.
• Aaron Jones played Week 1 and had 11 touches for 127 yards and two touchdowns. He has been out the last two games, and AJ Dillon got his time to shine. Dillon has responded with 31 touches for 99 yards. It has been a horrible two-game stretch in charge, and he will surely be demoted to backup duty when Jones returns.

What Else?

• Chris Olave is averaging about seven catches and 100 yards per game. He hasn't score a touchdown, but he has been consistently good each week. Derek Carr was injured, and Jameis Winston stepped in, seemingly a downgrade and something to monitor with Carr "week-to-week."

Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Who Surprised?

• C.J. Stroud has officially become a hot commodity. He threw 91 times in the first two games as Houston was losing by multiple scores and needed to catch up, and that's hard to expect on a weekly basis. In a game in which the Texans led by 17 points three different times and won by 20, Stroud threw 30 times for 280 yards and two touchdowns, showing he can do it when his team is winning, too. He also took no sacks after going down 11 times in the first two games.
• Tank Dell has burst onto the fantasy scene after five catches for 145 yards and a touchdown in Week 3. His seven catches for 72 and a touchdown were great last week, and another touchdown was called back by penalty. These two have an early connection, and Stroud and Dell might be a duo to know moving forward. Pick up both if they are free agents in your league.

Who Disappointed?

• Trevor Lawrence was supposed to be a weekly starter this season and ascend as a quarterback. Instead, he followed up an eighth-place Week 1 finish by coming in 30th in Week 2 and 19th in Week 3. The team has disappointed in real football, and Lawrence has disappointed in fantasy.
• Calvin Ridley started the season hot, and I was ready to accept him as a top player. He has combined for just five receptions and 72 yards the last two weeks after an eight-catch, 101-yard opener with a touchdown. Ridley is struggline alongside his quarterback.

What Else?

• Dameon Pierce scored a touchdown, but I can't really call this a win. His 14-carry, 31-yard performance puts him at 40 carries and 100 yards on the season: a 2.5 yards-per-carry average. Three catches for 28 yards helped in Week 3, but his receiving production has been a non-factor. Pierce hasn't had any production as his quarterback has excelled, and it's hard to expect much moving forward.
• Nico Collins had just two catches for 34 yards after 13 for 226 and a touchdown through the first two games. I didn't expect that performance to continue and see Collins more as a WR3/flex player. If Stroud keeps throwing, though, both Collins and Dell will be under weekly consideration.
• Christian Kirk had a big Week 2 and caught a late touchdown against Houston. It's hard to trust him for consistency, but he's a player that can be considered as a WR3/flex depending on the matchup.
• Travis Etienne had a great game with 142 yards on 23 touches, but backup Tank Bigsby stole a rushing touchdown (on one of his two touches). It's frustrating for owners wanting that huge day, but Etienne is a consistent starter in fantasy.
• Evan Engram had eight targets for the second straight week and has 21 total, with 18 catches for 173 yards. He has been one of the most consistent tight ends this season. PPR likes him more than standard, as he hasn't scored a touchdown, but very few at the position are going to see more targets than Engram.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Minnesota Vikings (Chargers have a bye in Week 5)

Who Surprised?

• Justin Herbert was the top-scoring fantasy QB in Week 3 against a weak Vikings' pass D. Herbert matches up with another questionable unit in Las Vegas in Week 4, and the good times are likely to keep rolling after 405 yards and three touchdowns against Minnesota. The Chargers have a bye after the Vegas game, so owners will need to have a replacement ready; along with Tannehill and Love, whom I mentioned above, Howell has a great matchup against the Bears in Week 5. Those three are decent replacements and can be picked up this week if you have an empty bench spot.
• Keenan Allen probably had the best day of his career. Not only did the receiver catch 18 of 20 targets for 215 yards, he threw a 49-yard touchdown to fellow receiver Mike Williams, placing him at the top of PPR scoring among receivers and second in standard in Week 3. Williams had seven catches for 121 yards and that touchdown, but he left the game and has a torn ACL. Allen will continue his large volume without his teammate, with bumps in opportunity for Josh Palmer (who caught a touchdown Sunday) and rookie Quentin Johnston.
• Kirk Cousins has thrown for at least 344 yards in each game and topped out this week with 367 and three touchdowns. He did have an interception and four sacks, but Cousins has been amazingly consistent to start the season. He has the most passing attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns through three weeks. Cousins is a weekly starter right now until we see him slow down.
• Justin Jefferson has had 150, 159, and 149 yards in his three games this season and just scored his first touchdown. He's one of the best.
• Alexander Mattison responded to the Vikings acquiring Cam Akers with his best game of the season: 20 carries for 93 yards and five catches for 32 yards. The first two games of the season were brutal for Mattison (though a receiving touchdown saved Week 1), so it's a good time for him to show something before he was overtaken by the new addition.

Who Disappointed?

• Joshua Kelley played alongside Austin Ekeler in Week 1 and had 16 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown. Ekeler has missed the last two games, and Kelley, with the opportunity to break out, has carried the ball 24 times for just 51 yards and caught one pass for five yards. Kelley seemed like a waiver star after Week 1, but he has disappointed in two straight games.

What Else?

• Donald Parham had just a three-yard catch and a one-yard catch, but they both went for touchdowns. He now has three touchdowns on six receptions. That's not sustainable, and I'm not looking at Parham as an option despite his scoring.
• K.J. Osborn had a touchdown for the second straight week, but that 36-yard catch was his only reception. Jordan Addison hasn't been below 50 yards any week and had a touchdown each of the first two games. Both of these receivers are reasonable to consider for your WR3 spot, and Addison might be a WR2 some weeks.
• T.J. Hockenson has at least seven receptions in every game and went for eight and a season-high 78 yards in Week 3 (while losing a fumble). He scored twice last week, and Hockenson is a weekly starter at tight end due to his high volume.

Late Games

Carolina Panthers vs Seattle Seahawks (Seahawks have a bye in Week 5)

Who Surprised?

• Kenneth Walker is a winner just by virtue of being a clear top back, but he proved it with 18 carries for 97 yards and two touchdowns in Week 3 with three catches and 59 yards thrown in. You can't expect two touchdowns every week, but Walker should be able to approximate this performance on a consistent basis. Walker will be missed with Seattle on bye in Week 5, and it's harder to pick up a replacement running back than any other position. Washington faces a terrible Bears defense, so Antonio Gibson could score big even as a second option. Tyler Allgeier and Devon Achane are two other second options with good matchups.
• DK Metcalf has progressed through the season from 47 to 75 to 112 yards (with a touchdown in Week 1). He is an ascending player who has the ability to go off any game. A WR1 on bye hurts, but the Chiefs play a bad Minnesota defense in Week 5 and have a number of receivers worth looking at, including Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice, and Kadarius Toney.
• Andy Dalton for 361 yards with two touchdowns and the seventh-most QB fantasy points? Outrageous. I'm going to guess no one reading this picked up Dalton after it was announced he would be starting for Bryce Young, but Dalton put up numbers. The other side is that it took 58 pass attempts, the most in a game this season. Dalton won't throw that much most weeks, and he shouldn't be thought of as a fantasy option.
• Adam Thielen had a good Week 2 but went off against the Seahawks for 145 yards and a touchdown on 11 catches. Thielen has shown he can still be a fantasy option by scoring in two straight weeks. D.J. Chark had a nice day of his own with 86 yards and a touchdown, but it's hard to consistently trust either receiver.

Who Disappointed?

• Tyler Lockett is on the other side of Metcalf's rise; he had eight catches for 59 yards and two touchdowns (one in overtime) in Week 2, but Lockett otherwise has five catches for 44 yards. Lockett will turn 31 before his next game, so it's realistic to expect a decrease in production and/or consistency. This is something to watch, especially with rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba lurking.

What Else?

• Miles Sanders had a touchdown to salvage his day, but he turned 14 touches into 62 yards with an ugly nine carries for 24 yards. He will continue touching the ball, but Sanders will struggle to consistently put up more than flex numbers. He's not a bad player to have, just use him wisely.

Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona Cardinals

Who Surprised?

• In the biggest upset of the young season, James Conner led Arizona with 14 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown (with two catches and 18 yards). I called Conner a must-sit against the tough Dallas defense, but the Cardinals produced against the Cowboys in a way no other team has come close to.
• I don't believe in Rondale Moore and Marquise Brown as consistent performers, but they both had good games against Dallas. Moore only had four receptions for eight yards, but he ran the ball three times for 54 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown. Brown had five catches for 61 yards and his own score, capping their best day as a pair.

Who Disappointed?

• CeeDee Lamb had his quietest game of the season with just four catches for 53 yards. He was tied for the team lead with seven targets but didn't have a game up to his standard. Michael Gallup led the team with six receptions and 92 yards, but I don't see him as a real fantasy option week to week.

What Else?

• Tony Pollard is about as consistent as it gets for fantasy running backs, and he had 23 carries for 122 yards on Sunday. Backup Rico Dowdle had seven touches for 46 yards and caught a touchdown, an annoyance for Pollard owners, but the lead back will continue to produce.

Chicago Bears vs Kansas City Chiefs

Who Surprised?

• The running back trifecta of Jerick McKinnon (two receiving), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (one rushing), and Isiah Pacheco (one rushing) combined for four touchdowns in the first half of a Chiefs' blowout. Pacheco is the lead guy and led the team with 17 touches, but Edwards-Helaire had the same number of carries playing while the Chiefs ran out the second-half clock. Pacheco is the only back I trust on a weekly basis, but Kansas City will use a lot of guys.
• Patrick Mahomes adds some value with his legs (28 yards this week), but his biggest reason for consistency is throwing touchdowns. He gets in the endzone as a passer better than anyone in the league. He had three this week to go with 272 yards, and one went to Travis Kelce (69 yards) who missed Week 1 but has scored in two straight since returning.

Who Disappointed?

• The line for Justin Fields: 11/22 passing for 99 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He did run the ball 11 times, a welcome development, but those carries went for just 47 yards, middling production for Fields. He hasn't had a good fantasy day yet, and Fields has officially fallen from must-start status.

What Else?

• Rashee Rice led Kansas City wide receivers with five catches and 59 yards, and he was tackled at the one-yard line twice, just missing out on a big day. Skyy Moore caught four passes for 42 yards. Those two are worth looking at for your WR3 spot each week.
• D.J. Moore won't get a lot of catches, but he scored a touchdown in Week 3 to make his week (with 41 yards). I don't like Moore's weekly prospects, but he has scored 10 standard points in back-to-back weeks. Moore is a WR3 type that must be used with caution.

Sunday Night

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Las Vegas Raiders

Who Surprised?

• Pat Freiermuth caught his second touchdown of the season and had three receptions for 41 yards. He had only one catch in each of the first two weeks. The Raiders have been bad against tight ends all season, so it was a good matchup for Freiermuth, but I don't see him as a fantasy option most weeks with his low output so far.
• Davante Adams had 20 targets and caught 13 of them for 172 yards and two touchdowns. He was essentially the Raiders' whole offense when they were at their best. Jakobi Meyers returned from a concussion to record seven catches for 85 yards. Meyers had 81 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1, so he has shown out in the two games he has played. Meyers is a high level WR3 each week and in consideration as a WR2 in some matchups.

Who Disappointed?

No one really underwhelmed horribly compared to expectations, just middling results.

What Else?

• Najee Harris had a better day than either of the first two weeks by gaining 65 yards, but it took him 19 carries, still a middling day. His backup, Jaylen Warren, wasn't much better but did catch three passes for 23 yards. The Pittsburgh offense is going to struggle all season, and the running backs will be a big part of that.
• George Pickens caught four passes for 75 yards a week after going for 127 and a score. He is Pittsburgh's top receiver while Diontae Johnson is out, and Pickens is showing off his imposing physical skills.
• Josh Jacobs had 20 touches for 80 yards, a decent day after a disastrous Week 2. Jacobs has struggled to produce consistently, but he is touching the ball a lot and has the volume to make him essentially a weekly starter (though that status is slipping).

Monday Night

Philadelphia Eagles vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bucs have a bye in Week 5)

Who Surprised?

• D'Andre Swift had his second straight big game, with 16 carries for 130 yards. A time-share with Kenneth Gainwell seemed likely and was Philadelphia's plan, but Gainwell gained only 43 yards on 14 carries as Swift excelled. Multiple backs getting carries in the Philly backfield is the most likely event, but Swift has only helped himself the last two games.
• After a quiet Week 2 that involved an unhappy A.J. Brown on the sideline, the star receiver had his best game of the year with nine receptions for 131 yards. Brown is one of the best receivers in the league and should have more big performances.

Who Disappointed?

• Dallas Goedert is helping in PPR leagues, but he hasn't had a big start to the year: he was shut out in Week 1 and has 11 catches for just 63 yards the last two weeks. That's not starting tight end production, especially in standard leagues.
• DeVonta Smith had a big start to the season, but he was held to just 28 yards on four catches in Week 3. Smith is a weekly starter along with star teammate Brown; they can both have big games on the same week.
• Rachaad White is a clear starting running back, but he didn't find any room against a good Eagles' defense. He had just 38 yards on 14 carries and a lost fumble, though three catches for 24 yards helped. There will be better weeks ahead against less defensive stars.

What Else?

• With 277 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, Jalen Hurts had an OK game and helped himself with a rushing touchdown. His 10 rushing attempts only produced 28 yards, but Hurts was 12th among quarterbacks in Week 3. That's not the level fantasy owners were hoping for when they drafted Hurts in the top four rounds, though: he has finished outside the top 10 QBs in two games (while ranking fifth in Week 2).
• Olamide Zaccheaus caught a 24-yard pass and a 34-yard touchdown. That's a good game, but Zaccheaus is a bit player in the Philly offense.
• It was a slow start to the game, but Mike Evans came on to record five receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown in Week 3. Evans has had a great start to the year, averaging 99 yards and scoring in each of the three games. Evans is a weekly starter, and the Week 5 bye for Tampa means owners will have to plan for a week without a breakout receiver. The Kansas City receivers were mentioned above as bye week fill-ins, and Green Bay's WR group has a tasty matchup with Las Vegas Week 5, so Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed are good replacement options.

Los Angeles Rams vs Cincinnati Bengals

Who Surprised?

• Tutu Atwell is officially a WR2/3. I was a believer after Week 2, but seeing a third 50-plus-yard game and his first touchdown makes Atwell undeniable. He added a carry for 22 yards that was initially called a touchdown before review called him out at the three-yard line. Atwell should be considered every week.
• Ja'Marr Chase finally had a big game with 12 catches for 141 yards. Chase has struggled with his quarterback, but fantasy owners will be relieved to see 15 targets and big production.

Who Disappointed?

• Kyren Williams scored two touchdowns in both Week 1 and Week 2, but he had just 10 carries for 38 yards in Week 3 (with two catches for 27 yards). Williams is the unquestioned starter in LA after they sent Akers away, and he has had good fantasy numbers, but he hasn't topped 3.8 yards per rush in any game.
• Something is wrong with Joe Burrow. He threw 49 times to reach 259 yards and had no touchdowns and an interception. Burrow missed most of the preseason with a calf strain, and it seems like that issue might be persisting. Burrow was drafted as a weekly starter but hasn't finished higher than 20th among quarterbacks any week. He has fallen from must-start status.
• Tee Higgins was shut out in Week 1 before a two-touchdown Week 2, and he fell back against the Rams with just two catches for 21 yards. Burrow's performance has directly impacted Higgins.

What Else?

• I won't call Puka Nacua a "disappointment" after five catches for 72 yards, but it's not up to the impossible standard he set to start his career. He is one of the most start-worthy receivers on a weekly basis.
• Joe Mixon's 70 yards on 20 touches wasn't efficient, but he scored a touchdown for a decent day. Mixon has been the only consistent performer in Cincinnati this season, but he hasn't had a huge game yet.

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