Week 3 was one of the strangest NFL weeks in recent memory. The scoring was down again. Significant underdogs blew out their opponents. Perhaps most importantly, even more fantasy-relevant players went down to injuries.
Given the turmoil in the NFL, it felt like all the Week 3 avoids were rightfully avoided but many of the Week 3 plays with great matchups were borderline unusable.
Tight ends continue to be invisible and quarterbacks continue to struggle. Unless, of course, your name is Andy Dalton. Let's hope that Week 4 brings brighter days ahead for fantasy football fun. It is time again to look at some of the best and worst matchups of the week.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups We Love
Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills
Opponent: at BAL
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 28th
Baltimore continues to struggle defensively in 2024. So far, quarterbacks have had solid outings against this squad. Josh Allen continues to do Josh Allen things in 2024, which puts him in prime position for a QB1 finish on the week.
This game should be a relatively high-scoring affair. Both offenses have had significant scoring output thus far this season. Allen and Lamar Jackson should be going toe to toe with each other on "Sunday Night Football."
C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans
Opponent: JAX
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 31st
Stroud has yet to surpass 18.66 fantasy points. If he is going to get on track this season from a fantasy perspective, then this would be the week to do it.
The Jaguars are 31st against quarterbacks in fantasy football. In a season in which overall passing output is down, the Jaguars defense is allowing 252.3 passing yards per game. It is also allowing 28.3 points per game. To make matters worse, the pass rush is virtually nonexistent.
Stroud and the Texans offense have gotten off to a slow start. They have a lot to prove after a blowout loss to the Vikings in Week 3. This feels like a week where the Texans can "get right." Stroud should finally come through for fantasy managers.
CJ Stroud knowing it’s time to go super saiyan mode and stop listening to Bobby Slowik pic.twitter.com/bS4fkFkPdj
— big ounce (@_bigounce) September 24, 2024
Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations
Aaron Rodgers - New York Jets
Opponent: DEN
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 10th
Don't be fooled by the vintage Rodgers performance on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 3, this game should be a low-scoring affair. Denver's defense is excellent against the pass. It has not allowed big plays all season and has stifled opposing quarterbacks.
Rodgers and the Jets have found success with the combination of Breece Hall and Braelon Allen in the backfield. This feels like a prime game to let them take over and do their thing. If you were considering grabbing Rodgers after his successful Week 3, then you may want to think twice about deploying him in this game.
Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups We Love
Najee Harris - Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: at IND
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 13th
Harris' volume has been ridiculous this season, he just has not had great opportunities to score touchdowns. With Jaylen Warren banged up with a knee injury, the Steelers will likely give Harris most of the carries and targets in this backfield until Warren is fully healthy.
Harris has not been very efficient with his touches overall, but the Steelers finally found some offensive success in Week 3 that should translate into more scoring opportunities for Harris. Most importantly, Harris had five targets in Week 3, which will only further boost his fantasy outlook.
Harris has always been a steady RB2 at a minimum in fantasy. That trend should continue in Week 4 against a Colts team that has had trouble stopping the run.
Devin Singletary - New York Giants
Opponent: DAL
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 32nd
Have you seen how bad the Dallas Cowboys' run defense is? Forget the scheme, this team simply does not have the personnel required to stop the run. The New York Giants are not anything special offensively, but Singletary has scored in two straight games. He has also scored at least 9.20 fantasy points each game.
If the Giants can make this a competitive game, then Singletary will have plenty of opportunities. Malik Nabers has given this offense a serious jolt of life that is going to help keep them in games and feed Singletary.
Singletary should have an opportunity to deliver RB2 value against a Dallas run defense that has not been able to stop a nosebleed.
Devin Singletary understood the assignment. That should ice the game for the @Giants!
📺: #NYGvsCLE on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/ncONHFHxt1— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups to Temper Expectations
Kenneth Walker III/Zach Charbonnet - Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: at DET
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 1st
Kenneth Walker III is still battling an oblique injury, so this may end up being the Zach Charbonnet show once again. However, regardless of which back starts this game, they should both be avoided.
The Detroit Lions' run defense is top-notch. Unlike the aforementioned Cowboys, this unit does not allow much on the ground. The Lions just shut down a red-hot James Conner in Week 3. Given the Seahawks' injuries on the offensive line, it would behoove them to try and win this game through the air.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups We Love
Marvin Harrison Jr. - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: WAS
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 32nd
This Commanders defense has been unbelievably terrible in 2024. The secondary is in shambles and has managed to be shredded every week. Harrison has now scored in two straight games and he has left a few plays on the field. This feels like a game in which Harrison and Kyler Murray truly get things going.
You should fully expect Harrison to score in his third straight game. No one on the Commanders can cover him. With Trey McBride in the concussion protocol after a bad hit in Week 3, Murray is going to have no choice but to force-feed Harrison if McBride misses this game.
Air Yard Leaders @FTNFantasy
1. Malik Nabers 384
2. Calvin Ridley 373
3. Amari Cooper 372
4. Marvin Harrison Jr. 360
5. Nico Collins 345
6. Rome Odunze 330
7. Jameson Williams 324
8. Courtland Sutton 321
9. D.K. Metcalf 308
10. DeVonta Smith 287https://t.co/qqnpf57NT7— Chris Meaney (@chrismeaney) September 24, 2024
Mike Evans/Chris Godwin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: PHI
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 27th
These two players have become a favorite in this column, and for good reason. The Buccaneers' passing offense has been able to support two excellent wide receivers. Evans had a down week in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos and Patrick Surtain II, but Godwin feasted once again.
Insert a young Eagles secondary that just allowed six receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown to New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave. The Saints vs. Eagles game was surprisingly low-scoring, but this Week 4 matchup should have more fireworks.
Look for Godwin and Evans to continue producing high-end WR2 and borderline WR1 numbers in Week 4.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups to Temper Expectations
Garrett Wilson - New York Jets
Opponent: DEN
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 1st
Wilson has not been what many expected he might be with Aaron Rodgers in 2024. While the Jets offense started to click in Week 3, Wilson still only caught five passes for 33 yards. He scored a touchdown that saved his fantasy day.
Patrick Surtain II is entering his fourth straight week with an influence on this list. It just so happens that each week he has matched up with a fantasy-relevant wide receiver and shut them down. Wilson is likely to be disappointing yet again in Week 4.
Fantasy Football Tight End Matchups We Love
Dalton Kincaid - Buffalo Bills
Opponent: at BAL
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 31st
The Ravens have been susceptible to the tight-end position in 2024. After holding Travis Kelce in check in Week 1, Brock Bowers and Jake Ferguson combined for 15 receptions for 193 yards in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively.
This is not the same old Ravens defense. The loss of former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has had a profound impact. The Bills offense has not skipped a beat this season and Kincaid found the end zone for the first time in Week 3. This feels like a game where he can get rolling.
Prepare for a lot of points in this one as the mobile quarterbacks on both sides should have success. Kincaid figures to continue to feature in the Bills offense, giving him a good chance for serious success in Week 3.
DALTON KINCAID, WELCOME TO THE 2024 FANTASY FOOTBALL SEASON.pic.twitter.com/U5BOx1jGMD
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) September 24, 2024
Fantasy Football Tight End Matchups to Temper Expectations
Hunter Henry - New England Patriots
Opponent: at SF
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 1st
After his big 18.90-point Week 2, Henry felt like a trap. Better days are not ahead for Henry in Week 4. The 49ers boast a talented group of linebackers who are great in coverage against tight ends.
The Patriots O-line has been abysmal in 2024. The 49ers should be able to put pressure on quarterback Jacoby Brissett and make it difficult for the offense to get much going in the passing game. The 49ers defense has a couple of injuries up front, most notably Javon Hargrave, but it is unlikely to matter.
Keep Henry on the bench or the waiver wire this week.
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