Start/Sit Hub Week 3

Happy week 3 of the 2025 NFL season! Welcome back to my weekly Start/Sit Hub! Mike here, providing you with information that can help you win your fantasy league week in and week out.

Week 3 is kicking off Thursday night with a matchup between the 2-0 Buffalo Bills and the 0-2 Miami Dolphins. 2 teams that seem like they could not be farther apart in how they have started the season. Bills are favored by 12.5 with an over/under point total of 49.5. I think James Cook and De’Von Achane are in for big nights. My prediction is a Buffalo win by a score of 34-16.

I am here every week during the fantasy football season with start and sit suggestions that can impact your team each week. My decisions as always include obvious and not so obvious picks. I would also like to clarify that my sit suggestions are based on the assumption you have or can add a player that has a better chance at success. Good luck this week and continue to check out my weekly articles.

TNF START/SIT

Start – James Cook – James Cook has been cooking to start the season with the Bills. Week 1 he cooked Baltimore with 102 total yards and a rushing score and then went and cooked the Jets for 135 total yards and 2 TDs. Now he gets the Miami Dolphins who allowed the Colts to rush for 156 team yards and then allowed Rhamondre Stevenson to gain 142 total yards. Cook should have a field day on Thursday against a struggling Miami team.

Sit – Tyreek Hill – it pains me to put the cheetah in a sit spot but there are few players that are highly owned on these teams that I would feel comfortable sitting. Hill has been visibly frustrated with Tua and the Dolphins offense through 2 weeks. He did eclipse 100 receiving yards in week 2 which is great, but the Buffalo defense is the best defense they have seen so far. Sit at your own risk because of his high ceiling, but he is outside my top 25 WRs this week.  

TNF has concluded and Sunday/Monday are coming soon, Last night we saw the Bills beat the Dolphins by a score of 31-21. Kincaid, Cook, and Allen were just too much for the struggling Dolphins, although Miami did cover. Bills will try to continue to roll when they play the Saints next while the Dolphins will have the Jets next. Next weeks TNF game is between the Cardinals and the Seahawks in Arizona.

Some of the games I am looking forward to most in week 3 are the Rams/Eagles, the Broncos/Chargers, and the Lions/Ravens. Can Barkley continue to destroy the Rams? Will the Broncos or the Chargers defense prevail? And a MNF matchup you will not want to miss. Enjoy your football weekend and good luck!

START OF THE WEEK

Start – Caleb Williams – Williams gets the Cowboys this week who have allowed the Eagles and the Giants to move the ball at will. Yes, the Giants. Caleb has effectively rushed this season, and his passing game has shown improvement. If he can limit mistakes and turnovers Caleb could have a big day in Chicago.

Rams @ Eagles

Start – Saquon Barkley – If you took notice to Barkleys insane season last year this should come to no surprise. Specifically, against the Rams last season he just went off. They met once in the regular season and once in the postseason in which the eagles won both games. Barkley ran for 4 TDs that were all longer than 60 yards and rushed for over 200 yards in both games. If it is no broke do not fix it.

Sit – Tank Bigsby – Tank has yet to make a mark for the Eagles since his trade after week 1. It is difficult to do so when Barkley is RB1 and he has surrounding talent at RB including AJ Dillon and Will Shipley. Low expectations for him this week and moving forward until we see some involvement,

Bengals @ Vikings

Start – Jordan Mason – Mason should get a hefty workload this week for 3 reasons. 1. Cincinnatis defense is suspect, especially in the rush defense. 2. Carson Wentz is QB1 this week and will rely on Mason heavily to keep drives going. And finally, 3. Aaron Jones is on IR, so Mason is undoubtedly RB1 until further notice. Fire him up.

Sit – Jake Browning – Jake came into the game in Week 2 and actually played well for fantasy if you do not look at the 3 interceptions. He rushed for 1 TD and threw 2 TDs. This week he has the Vikings defense in Minnesota which is a tougher task than the Jags in Cinci. He is outside my top 20 QBs this week.

Steelers @ Patriots  

Start – Drake Maye – Maye has been good this season even if we only have 2 weeks sample size. He has 4 total TDs and only 1 turnover. He is averaging 250+ yards passing and 20+ yards rushing each game and now gets a Pittsburgh defense that is not playing like the Steelers most are used to. Steelers allowed 32 points to the Jets and 31 points to the Seahawks. Maye is up next.

Sit – Pat Freiermuth – Freiermuth has 6 receptions for 59 yards this season giving him an average of 3 receptions for 29.5 yards per game. 30 yards a game is not going to cut it in fantasy. Jonnu Smith has more receptions and has also scored a TD. Freiermuth is not even my top TE for Pittsburgh this week. He needs some red zone targets to stay relevant.

Colts @ Titans

Start – Tyler Warren – Keep an eye on this guy because he is questionable with a toe injury. If he suits up and plays, he is a full start for me. Warren has 7+ targets in both games this season and over 75 yards receiving in both. Titans are a bad rushing defense, but Warren still should be able to get his receiving stats and some rushing yards as well.

Sit – Cam Ward – Ward has had to play the Rams and Broncos to start his NFL career and now has Indianapolis. All 3 have shown they can be great on defense so it should be another week of Ward riding the struggle bus.

Texans @ Jaguars

Start – Brian Thomas Jr – BTJ has a rare 9-yard rushing TD and just 5 receptions this season for 60 receiving yards. The 5 receptions are concerning, but 19 targets are for sure a positive sign. I could see him playing well like Puka Nacua did against Houston in week 1.

Sit – Dalton Schultz – Schultz has 3 receptions in each of the Texans first 2 games with under 30 receiving yards in each as well. He is 2nd on the team with 9 targets; however, the Texans have not been scoring. They are averaging 14 points per game with just 2 offensive TDs so far and neither are Schultz.

Falcons @ Panthers  

Start – Tetairoa McMillan – Another rookie playing well in the NFL pass game. McMillan has 11 receptions for 168 yards this season. Only 12 WRs in the NFL have more than 19 targets through week 2. If the Panthers are competitive, it will be him doing a lot of the heavy lifting.

Sit – Michael Penix– Penix had a great week 1 in a loss, and an average at best week 2 in a win. This week he gets the Panthers. Panthers have held QBs in check so far this season allowing just 1 passing TD in each game. This game should be the Bijan Robinson show which only benefits Penix when he throws to him.

Jets @ Buccaneers

Start – Baker Mayfield – This Baker is cooking to start the year. He is averaging 190+ passing yards so far and contributing over 33 rushing yards in both his games. If that was not enticing enough, he has 5 TD passes and 0 turnovers. Jets might be in trouble because Baker is playing hot and coming off a last-minute game winning drive.

Sit – Cade Otton – After getting blanked in week 1, Cade caught 3 of his 4 targets in week 2 for 25 yards. His 7 targets through 2 games are 5th most on the Bucs alone. If Egbuka is unable to play, then Cade could get a slight boost, but not confident in him right now.

Raiders @ Commanders  

Start – Deebo Samuel – Deebo has been great for Washington to start the season. 14 receptions on 18 targets for 121 receiving yards. You can add a 19-yard TD run as well. Jayden Daniel’s is currently questionable, but even if it is Mariota at QB, I am still confident Deebo can easily contribute.

Sit – Geno Smith – Geno has looked downright bad through 2 games this season. Yes, he threw for 362 yards against the Patriots and threw a TD pass, but he also threw an INT. Then hoping to build off that in week 2 he throws for just 180 passing yards and turned the ball over 3 times and did not score. Washington does not have a great defense, but they should be able to keep Geno at bay.

Packers @ Browns

Start –Tucker Kraft – Kraft has been great for Green Bay and seems to be Jordan Loves favorite pass catcher this season. He leads them in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and receivingTDs. There was a scare that his knee was injured but latest reports show he should be good to go Sunday. Follow that closely.

Sit – Joe Flacco – Just a terrible spot for Joe this week. He gets a Green Bay defense that has them thinking Super Bowl or bust. Flacco can sling the rock, but he has just 2 TD passes compared to his 3 INTs. He also does not contribute to the running game. Fading Joe heavily.

Broncos @ Chargers 

Start – Keenan Allen – Stay hot Keenan Allen! It is tough to pick starters in this game when you have 2 excellent defenses going at it. But in a tight game I could see Justin Herbert relying heavily on Allen. They have chemistry from the past and current times and can help maneuver through the Broncos defense.

Sit – Evan Engram – Evan has been a non-factor so far this season. He has 4 receptions on 6 targets for 33 yards total. Chargers have played great defense and are at home. Engram is not worth the risk when Bo Nix has targeted 3 players more often and spreads the ball around.

Saints @ Seahawks

Start – Kenneth Walker – Walker was outplayed in week 1 by Charbonnet, but in week 2 Walker made a statement rushing for a TD with 105 yards. He also caught a pass for an added 13 yards Charbonnet is questionable with a foot injury, so Walker is the healthiest RB and has a great matchup against a New Orleans defense that has not jelled.

Sit – Spencer Rattler – I know you most likely wouldn’t be starting Rattler but if you were considering it you can stop. Seahawks have been excellent defending WRs and good defending QBs. I expect Kamara to get a lot of work.

Cardinals @ 49ers

Start – Jauan Jennings – Jennings is questionable again this week, but he has been all season and has played. Particularly in week 2 he played with Mac Jones who targeted him 10 times. He caught 5 of those for 89 yards and a receiving TD. Jennings should get targeted heavily again this week at home to keep Jones going after his 3 TD performance.

Sit – Trey Benson – Benson has not been playing bad at all. He is in this sit spot simply because he is taking on the 49ers in San Francisco and Benson is still 2nd on the depth chart. He is not a terrible play, I just think there are at least 35 other RBs I would rather start.

Cowboys @ Bears 

Start – Caleb Williams – SEE START OF THE WEEK TOP OF PAGE

Sit – Jaydon Blue – Who? Blue has been inactive so far this season despite preseason hype that he could be Dallas RB1 sooner than later. Not the case. Javonte Williams has 3 TDs and Miles Sanders also has a TD. Even when Blue is activated to play, he will have competition for even the RB2 role.

Chiefs @ Giants

Start – Patrick Mahomes – Patrick and the Chiefs can not lose to the Giants and start 0-3, could they? I am not counting on it; I am assuming the Chiefs are tired of the doubts and will want to make a statement against the Giants. Mahomes should have Xavier Worthy back for this game and Mahomes has been running wild. A rushing TD in both games and 123 total rushing yards.

Sit – Tyrone Tracy – It is usually hard to rush on the Chiefs, and it is even harder if you lose your top spot on the depth chart. Tracy has not lost it just yet, but he was certainly outplayed by rookie Cam Skattebo in week 2. Both RBs are not in an ideal matchup but I would prefer Cam over Tyrone.

Lions @ Ravens (MNF)

Start – Sam LaPorta – Why pick LaPorta when there are so many stars to choose from? Well Sam has looked better each week, and the Ravens have struggled to contain TEs through 2 weeks. They allowed Kincaid to score a TD and combined with Knox and Hawes they totaled 97 yards. Then against the Browns they allowed Njoku and Fannin to total 88 receiving yards. Let’s see if LaPorta can continue the trend of TE success against Baltimore.

Sit – Either D/ST – This game has so much offensive star power in it. I would not want to be a defense in this matchup. The over/under point total is the highest of the week at 53.5 and for good reason. Let us all bench these defenses and hopefully watch the fireworks fly.