Week 3 Players I Hate in Fantasy Football

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Despite the team’s 2-0 start, Burrow has been just OK (461 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT). His opponent, on the other hand, has been lights out. The Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed just 351 yards passing and have three interceptions while allowing one touchdown—and they completely locked down last year’s MVP runner-up in Week 2. Others I don’t like:

• Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars: I was down on Lawrence in Week 2, and he finished with 189 yards, 0 TDs, and 1 INT. While he should fare better than that this week, I still worry about his production. The New England Patriots have given up just one touchdown on the year, though they faced Drew Lock and Aaron Rodgers in those games.
• Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: We saw the defensive vision of the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. Yes, it was against Jameis Winston, but that was because they knocked Jaxson Dart (knee) out of the game with pressure. How will Nix fare against that group?

Running Backs

Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

In two games against the Houston Texans last year, Taylor averaged 80 total yards and didn’t score a touchdown. Although Houston has struggled defensively in the early going, they’ve held running backs to 74.5 yards rushing per game and 15 yards receiving without a score. This is a challenging matchup for Taylor. Others I don’t like:

• Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Irving has been one of the few bright spots for Tampa Bay’s offense thus far, but he runs into a tough Minnesota Vikings defense that just held the Chicago Bears’ talented backfield combo to 3.5 YPC.
• Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks: Price (shoulder) is banged up, and even if he plays, we’re likely to see a bigger dose of Emmanuel Wilson and/or George Holani. Plus, the Washington Commanders have allowed just 77 combined yards per game to opposing backs this year.

Wide Receivers

Terry McLaurin/Stefon Diggs, Washington Commanders

The change from Jayden Daniels (elbow) to Marcus Mariota would be a concern regardless of matchup, but when you’re facing the Seahawks, the outlook gets even worse. Through two games, Seattle has allowed just 126 receiving yards to wideouts. Even with Diggs scoring three times this year, I’d be concerned about having either of them in my lineup. Others I don’t like:

• Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals: While you can consider Ja’Marr Chase matchup proof, I don’t feel as strongly about Higgins. No one has allowed fewer receptions to wideouts this year than Pittsburgh, and only Seattle has surrendered fewer yards.
• Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions: One of these weeks, JaMo is going to break out for a big day. I’m not sure this is the week, though. The New York Jets are tied for the third-fewest receiving yards allowed this season.
• Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals: The only pass catcher I’m trusting in Arizona right now is Trey McBride—you already know to bench Marvin Harrison Jr., aka “Mitsubishi Marv.”

Tight Ends

Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears

Fantasy owners are sour on Loveland after the consensus top-five tight end opened the season with one catch for three yards in two games combined. How much better will it get in Week 3 with quarterback uncertainty—Caleb Williams (hamstring) and Tyson Bagent (concussion) could both be unavailable—against a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has allowed just six catches for 42 yards to opposing TEs? Others I don’t like:

• Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions: LaPorta overcame a tough matchup in Week 2. He has another one this week against a Jets defense that really limited Tucker Kraft this past Sunday.

Defensive Teams

• Denver Broncos: Matthew Stafford doesn’t take sacks and rarely turns the ball over. It’s going to be an uphill climb for the Broncos to generate meaningful value.
• Los Angeles Rams: I’m not a fan of the other side of that matchup, either. The Broncos looked like they got their offense going in the second half last week, and Nix is typically careful with the football.
• Las Vegas Raiders: The Silver and Black have made big plays defensively in each of their first two games, but I’m wary of relying on them on the road—the game in Los Angeles was basically a home game—against a potent New Orleans Saints offense.