NFL Fantasy Football 2025: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – Week 3
Welcome back to Fantasy Football Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – where each week we explore some of my best picks for who should be starting in fantasy managers’ lineups, and who should be sitting the week out.
Our first season-ending injury came this past week when Commanders RB Austin Ekeler went down late in the 4th quarter with a non-contact injury – most likely an Achilles rupture. The other headline injury from week 2 is Bengals superstar QB Joe Burrow, who is dealing with Grade III turf toe and may be facing surgery. Other notable injuries include Vikings RB Aaron Jones, who was placed on IR for a hamstring injury, and Jets QB Justin Fields was evaluated for a concussion after taking a hard hit against Buffalo.
Ian’s Record: 6-10
It’s been a wacky start to the season, but stick with me.
Start ’em
Justin Herbert (QB, Chargers) vs Broncos
The Chargers couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the season, already 2-0 in their division with a statement win against Kansas City in the home opener. One vibrant factor to this hot start is Herbert implementing his athleticism and getting things done with his legs – a component of QB play he had yet to utilize to this point.
While this is still a good Denver defense, it can’t go without saying that Daniel Jones just pieced them up for 300+ yards through the air and a rushing touchdown. If Herbo keeps up his new style of play – watch out.
Isiah Pacheco (RB, Chiefs) at Giants
Pacheco’s had a disappointing start to the fantasy season, but I think he’s due for a big game amidst Kansas City’s offensive concerns. Their WR room has already been whittled down because of injuries (Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals), Rashee Rice is still suspended, and players are just frustrated. However, KC still boasts one of the best offensive lines in football – all Pacheco needs is the touches.
The Giants have allowed 100+ yards rushing in both their contests thus far and are the only team that has allowed three rushing touchdowns. Andy Reid would be smart to lean a little heavier on the ground in this get-right game the Chiefs desperately need.
Rome Odunze (WR, Bears) vs Cowboys
This may be a rout game-script, but so was last week – and look what Caleb and Rome did. Odunze was his QB1’s favorite by FIVE targets, hauling in seven of his eleven for 128 yards and two scores. He was Williams’ number one target in week 1 as well with nine, so it’s becoming obvious Odunze is the go-to guy.
I definitely see Rome getting another break here as Dallas’ secondary isn’t nearly as scary as it was made out to be – they’ve surrendered the most receiving yards in the first two weeks after allowing Russell Wilson to have a prime Russell Wilson day. Cha-ching.
Dalton Kincaid (TE, Bills) vs Dolphins
The Phins can’t cover anybody. This may turn into another game where Josh Allen can kick his feet up like last week, but Miami’s offense seems to be improving and was capable of keeping the score close with Buffalo in past meetings.
Don’t get me wrong – the Bills are going to win this game – but I can clearly see Allen spreading the ball around and Kincaid finding the endzone rather than an absolute clinic on the ground like last week.
Sit ’em
Michael Penix Jr. (QB, Falcons) at Panthers
This may come as a surprise since everyone’s just about written off Carolina already, but their pass defense thus far has actually been pretty good. They’ve held both Trevor Lawrence and Kyler Murray to under 250 passing yards and didn’t allow two touchdown passes from either, and they also picked them both off.
With Jaycee Horn (2 rec, 14 yds allowed so far) and Mike Jackson (3 rec, 38 yds allowed so far) back there, this could spell a run-heavy game script – which is a much more comfortable route to take against a bad run defense with one of the best RBs in the game right now, who was just handed the ball 22 times last week.
Nick Chubb (RB, Texans) at Jaguars
I personally was excited for Chubb to find a new home and maybe get back to the havoc he was wreaking in Cleveland, but it unfortunately hasn’t panned out at all. He scored on a long run near the end of the game last week, but overall Houston’s run game has been an eye sore behind a terrible offensive line.
Jacksonville has allowed the sixth least yards per carry thus far and hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown yet. Hopefully with more time Chubb will get more comfortable/carries, but for now it’s a no.
Chris Olave (WR, Saints) at Seahawks
Overall Olave and Spencer Rattler haven’t really been clicking – the targets are there (13 in week 1, 10 in week 2), but they just can’t seem to find a rhythm.
Definitely avoid Olave if you can this week, as Seattle’s secondary has been an offensive nightmare thus far. They have four interception in two weeks and have limited their opponents to 17 points in both games.
Dallas Goedert (TE, Eagles) vs Rams
He’s hurting right now, and that Rams front seven will cause too much damage for Goedert to get open enough times to be fantasy relevant this week.
BYES: NONE
