Fantasy Football Week 3: Starts, Sits For Patriots Vs. Texans ‘Thursday Night Football’ Game
Week 3 officially kicks off Thursday night with a prime-time matchup between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. Both teams are loaded with fantasy football stars, but this might not be the week to play them.
Let’s take a closer look at who to start and sit in this “TNF” matchup.
Houston Texans
Quarterback: There are better options than Brock Osweiler this week, and while we like some of the players he’s throwing to, it doesn’t mean he’ll have a great game. Sit Osweiler.
Running Backs: Lamar Miller is contending with David Johnson for the title of “best running back in football” right now. The Patriots game-planned for Johnson in Week 1, but he still managed to have a good fantasy game, and Miller should do the same Thursday.
Wide Receivers: DeAndre Hopkins is one of the NFL’s best receivers, and while the Patriots will focus their attention on him, you can’t just sit your stud without good reason. New England’s secondary has looked spotty in two games, and they actually single-covered Larry Fitzgerald all night in Week 1, so who knows what could happen? Either way, we like Will Fuller in this matchup, too.
Tight End: We didn’t have a clue who these tight ends were before looking it up, so it’s safe to say you shouldn’t start any of them.
Defense/Special Teams: Our Nick Goss wrote Wednesday that the Texans are a must-start defense this week. So go with that.
New England Patriots
Quarterback: Whether it’s injured Jimmy Garoppolo, rookie Jacoby Brissett or highly entertaining emergency backup Julian Edelman, avoid Patriots QBs this week.
Running Backs: Brissett took 38 snaps in two-plus quarters in Week 2. The Patriots attempted just nine passes during that span. Start LeGarrette Blount, and in deeper PPR leagues, we’re even OK with James White getting a nod.
Wide Receivers: This is a toss-up. Edelman seems like the go-to guy, but we’re still probably avoiding him, Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan this week. Unless you’re hoping to get some quarterback fantasy points from Edelman, that is.
Tight End: We actually like Martellus Bennett, who broke out in Week 2 and became a favorite target of both Garoppolo and Brissett. If Rob Gronkowski plays, you have to start him, but he could be just a decoy.
Defense/Special Teams: Eh, take a pass in favor of another streaming option this week until we see them get things together.
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Images
