Fantasy Football start 'em, sit 'em: Vikings QB Kirk Cousins poised for another stellar performance in Week 3

Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season saw several stars suffer significant injuries and gave us clarity on multiple players' fantasy outlooks. With that, here's what to do about some players who you might be unsure about plugging into your starting lineup for Week 3.

Quarterbacks

Start: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

Chargers at Vikings / 1:00 p.m. Sunday

Although the Vikings have gotten off to a troubling 0-2 start, Cousins has been phenomenal, throwing for 708 yards and six touchdowns, making him the QB1 overall on the season. Minnesota will need another strong performance from Cousins against a Chargers team that is just as desperate for a win in a game featuring two elite-level offenses and subpar defenses. 

The Chargers have struggled against opposing signal-callers, allowing the most passing yards in the NFL (712) and the second-most fantasy points per game to the position (24.1). Minnesota's defense isn't much better, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (20.6), so Los Angeles' Justin Herbert should shine, especially if RB Austin Ekeler is out. This matchup boasts the highest-scoring point total for this week's slate (54), making Cousins and nearly every other player in this game start-worthy options.

Other starts: Justin Fields, Chicago Bears; Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys; Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sit: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Rams at Bengals / 8:15 p.m. Monday 

Thought to be a set-it-and-forget-it starter, Burrow has arguably been the biggest disappointment in the NFL so far, finishing outside the top 20 fantasy quarterbacks in each of his first two games. Of course, playing through the calf injury that forced him to miss most of training camp shouldn't be overlooked. Even so, the injury is still clearly hindering his performance and was re-aggravated against Baltimore, putting his Week 3 status in question. 

Cincinnati could provide an update on Burrow's status before Sunday's games begin, but if it doesn't, you might be better off looking elsewhere for a quarterback this week since the Bengals play on Monday.

Other sits: Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers; Mac Jones, New England Patriots; Sam Howell, Washington Commanders

Running Backs

Start: Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Rams at Bengals / 8:15 p.m. Monday

The seemingly matchup-proof wide receiver Puka Nacua is the biggest name in fantasy football at the moment, yet he might not be the most exciting Ram who has unexpectedly thrived this season. After finishing as the RB9 in PPR scoring formats during Week 1, Los Angeles gave sole control of the backfield to Williams, who recorded 111 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on 20 touches against a stout San Francisco defense.

With Cam Akers having been traded to Minnesota, Williams is primed for bell-cow usage for the rest of this season, and we've already seen what he's capable of in the role. The three-down work is great, but Williams' pass-catching ability and red zone touches give him a legitimate RB1 upside. Williams ranks second among running backs in targets (11) and third in carries inside the 10-yard line (five), per Establish The Run's Mark Dankenbring. 

Other starts: Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins; Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens; Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers

Sit: Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns

Titans at Browns / 1:00 p.m. Sunday

In light of Nick Chubb's devastating leg injury, Ford should be a solid season-long play, though it's probably best to stash him on the bench this week if you have the depth to do so. The Browns are slated to face Tennessee's imposing run defense, which has been a nightmare for opposing running backs.

Through two games this season, the Titans have allowed just 98 rushing yards and the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs (5.9) and haven't given up a rushing touchdown. If the matchup wasn't troubling enough, Ford could see some touches, particularly in the receiving game, go to recently signed veteran Kareem Hunt. Browns HC Kevin Stefanski told reporters earlier this week that Hunt has "a chance" of playing on Sunday. 

Other sits: James Conner, Arizona Cardinals; Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans; Breece Hall, New York Jets

Wide Receivers

Start: Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers at Vikings / 1:00 p.m. Sunday

Since we've already touched on why Cousins is a strong play this week, Williams needs little explanation as to why he should be starting. Aside from the game's high-scoring potential, Williams is trending in the right direction following an eight-catch, 83-yard performance against Tennessee and is long overdue to score a touchdown. The 28-year-old's 18 targets this season are the fifth-most for a player without a touchdown and a must-win game is an excellent place for him to get on the board. 

Other starts: Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams; Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns; Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings

Sit: Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers

Saints at Packers / 1:00 p.m. Sunday

Despite Jordan Love looking the part of a competent quarterback and wideout Christian Watson having not yet played due to a hamstring injury, Doubs has underwhelmed, catching six passes for 56 yards across two games. A two-touchdown performance in Week 1 has been the only factor preserving his fantasy value, and it seems unlikely he'll turn things around against the Saints, regardless of whether Watson makes his season debut. 

New Orleans has given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season (eight), and wide receivers are averaging 16.6 points against the unit, the sixth-fewest. If Watson is out, Doubs will likely line up across from cornerback Marshon Lattimore, which would make the second-year receiver virtually unplayable since the four-time Pro Bowler has allowed just three receptions for 30 yards in coverage in 2023. 

Other sits: Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks; Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans; Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals

Tight Ends

Start: Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Eagles at Buccaneers / 7:15 p.m. Monday

Other starts: Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills; Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers; Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans

While the Philadelphia Eagles still have a formidable defense, the unit has surprisingly been favorable for opposing offenses. Less talent, injuries and the adjustment to DC Sean Desai's system have all attributed to the defense allowing the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (26.4) and tight ends (17.6).

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield has started off a career-defining season on a high note, and given these holes in Philadelphia's defense, Otton is a strong plug-and-play option off the waiver wire. 

Sit: Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints

Saints at Packers / 1:00 p.m. Sunday

Johnson is yet to reap the benefits of quarterback Derek Carr's arrival, ranking fourth among Saints pass catchers in targets (eight) and averaging just 24.5 yards per game. Even though Green Bay isn't necessarily the worst matchup for tight ends, its 5.3 fantasy points per game allowed to the position are the 19th-most, there are several factors working against Johnson. 

There are plenty of mouths to feed in this New Orleans offense, with wide receivers Chris Olave and Michael Thomas expected to continue serving as the focal points of the passing attack. Additionally, Carr has thrown one touchdown pass this season and hasn't proved that he can support so many pass-catchers for fantasy purposes. Johnson is a touchdown-dependent tight end, and since he's less of a priority compared to the wideouts, he is unlikely to get one this week.  

Other sits: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears; Hunter Henry, New England Patriots; Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers