Fantasy football preview: Week 3

Greetings, Falcoholics! The Falcons are fresh off of a win, and hopefully your fantasy team(s) have enjoyed the same kind of success. Week 3 of the 2019 season is coming up, so let’s get you ready for your matchups.

First, let’s review last week.

The Falcons player I was highest on entering the Sunday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles was wide receiver Calvin Ridley. In last week’s preview I mentioned that the Eagles had given up the 12^th most fantasy points in week 1, and that Ridley should be able to take advantage of his matchup. Ridley finished with a very solid 24.5 fantasy points and would’ve had more if it wasn’t for a Matt Ryan overthrow for a touchdown.

The Falcons player I’m most focused on this upcoming week is running back Devonta Freeman. You may be scratching your head, as Freeman has been off to a rough start in 2019. The Vikings and Eagles both have solid fronts which basically shut the running game down, but this week the Falcons face the Indianapolis Colts who have allowed the 3^rd most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Ito Smith has actually been the more productive runner for the Falcons this season, but Freeman’s carries increased in each of the last two games while Smith’s have decreased. I have a feeling Freeman at least falls into the end zone this weekend.

On to the national front. We witnessed a lot of injuries this past week, as starting quarterbacks Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger sustained major injuries. Even if you don’t directly have both players, you may have a player on their respective teams that are impacted by their absence. Some players which I actually think will benefit off the injuries are New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Vance McDonald. In each of the first two games, Kamara has only rushed the ball 13 times in both games.

With Brees going down, I expect the Saints will lean on Kamara more, increasing his carries to around 15-20 per game. Vance McDonald is a solid tight end considering how thin the position is. Once Big Ben went down, McDonald caught two touchdown passes from new starting quarterback Mason Rudolph.

Mailbag Question

Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Kyler Murray is the second quarterback in NFL history to throw for 300 yards or more in each of his first two starts. Even though he hasn’t used his mobility to add value for fantasy players up to this point behind a struggling offensive line, he may eventually do so. I like Murray’s upside and believe his floor is much higher than Jimmy Garoppolo’s.

Well that does it, folks. I wish everyone who took the time to read this the best of luck in their Week 3 fantasy matchup’s. If you’d like to have your fantasy questions included in next weeks’ mailbag, be sure to email me at TheFalcoholicEvan@yahoo.com or find me on Twitter at @EvanBirchfield. Remember, when it comes to fantasy football – always go with your gut!