Fantasy Football Recap: Week 3
From an Andy Dalton legacy game to other floating quarterbacks like Justin Fields, Malik Willis, and Sam Darnold remaining undefeated, week 3 came with no shortage of stunners.. As the 2024 NFL season begins to take its shape, we reflect on the fantasy impact of each matchup. The following point total mentions refer to a 4-point passing TD, standard PPR format.
Steelers 20 Chargers 10
In a tightly contested game that found the Chargers up 10-7 at the half, Justin Fields (18.4 PTS) led the Steelers offense to 13 unanswered points in the victory. The fourth-year quarterback out of Ohio St. tossed a season-high 245 yards, and his main target was Calvin Austin III (19.5 PTS). Justin Herbert, whose status was questionable heading into game day, left in the fourth quarter. Quentin Johnston (12.4 PTS) scored his third touchdown in the last two weeks, but the Steelers remain unbeaten.
Vikings 34 Texans 7
We might as well start referring to the Vikings’ signal caller as “September Sam” because Sam Darnold’s breakout play has spanned across the first three weeks now. Leading the league in passing touchdowns with eight, Darnold tossed four TD for a season-high 23.24 PTS. Justin Jefferson (20.1 PTS) had a typical day at the office, while Aaron Jones (25.8 PTS) logged 148 all-purpose yards. Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins both registered double digit targets for the Texans. While Houston outgained Minnesota 296-274, the Vikings won the turnover battle 2-0 to improve to 3-0 on the young campaign.
Eagles 15 Saints 12
This was an ugly battle. The Saints were heading into the final quarter with a slim 3-0 lead, but Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (33.6 PTS) broke off a pair of TDs on rushes for 65 yards and four yards to seal the deal. Barkley now has five total scores in just three weeks. Tight end Dallas Goedert (27 PTS) led all receivers with 10 receptions on 11 targets for 170 yards. Chris Olave (20.6 PTS) led the Saints’ receiving room, while Rashid Shaheed was blanked despite seeing five targets. While the Eagles lost the turnover battle 2-1, they have momentum heading into their week 4 date with Tampa Bay.
Broncos 26 Buccaneers 7
The Broncos came into this game as touchdown underdogs, but they didn’t look like it after going up 14-0 through the first 13 minutes of play. While rookie quarterback Bo Nix is still in search of his first passing touchdown, he ran one in and threw seven completions for 68 yards to Courtland Sutton. Baker Mayfield (8.52 PTS) tossed just 163 passing yards and couldn’t push the ball down the field with consistency. Meanwhile, Bucky Irving (9 rushes, 70 yards) looked much more efficient than Rachaad White (6 rushes, 17 yards) out of Tampa’s backfield.
Packers 30 Titans 14
Malik Willis’ legacy may end after two weeks of play, but he surely cherished every bit of it. Throwing for a career-high 202 yards, Willis registered a passing and rushing touchdown while leading the Packers’ ground game as well. Emanuel Wilson (16.5 PTS) scored Green Bay’s other touchdown on a 30-yard catch and run. Titans’ quarterback Will Levis (13.6 PTS) turned the ball over three more times, including on a pick six to Jaire Alexander. Green Bay has now gone 2-0 without their cornerstone, Jordan Love, on the field.
Giants 21 Browns 15
After dropping the first two contests of the year, the Giants snapped out of their skid behind a pair of receiving touchdowns from Malik Nabers (27.8 PTS). Both quarterbacks dazzled with a pair of passing touchdowns, but Deshaun Watson lost a pair of fumbles that ultimately cost Cleveland the game. The Giants’ defense is now allowing just 18 points per game across the last two weeks.
Colts 21 Bears 16
In a game that came with five total turnovers, the Colts narrowly won the battle 3-2 to grab their first win of the season. Jonathan Taylor (26.5 PTS) led all fantasy scorers in this one, as he steadied Indianapolis’ offense at 4.8 yards per carry. Caleb Williams (17.32 PTS) looked more confident, but his franchise rookie record 363 passing yards was overshadowed by his three turnovers. The Bears’ run game still appeared lackluster, as they took 28 rushes for just 63 yards against a Colts squad that was last in the league for rushing yards given up coming in.
Panthers 36 Raiders 22
Andy Dalton (24.56 PTS) turned back the clock a good 10 years, as he became the only quarterback to throw for 300+ yards and three touchdowns in a game so far this season. The red rifle looked calm, cool, and collected leading a Panthers offense that accumulated 437 yards in total. Diontae Johnson (26.2 PTS) and Chuba Hubbard (27.9 PTS) both enjoyed breakout performances. Meanwhile, Tre Tucker (22.6 PTS) led all Raiders in fantasy production for week 3.
Seahawks 24 Dolphins 3
As many expected, the Dolphins offense looked like a shell of their usual selves without Tua Tagovailoa. Backup Skylar Thompson managed to throw for just 107 yards, while DK Metcalf (20.4 PTS) and the Seahawks offense built a 14-point lead in the first quarter that proved insurmountable. Metcalf’s 71-yard TD reception to conclude the opening quarter was the highlight in this one.
Ravens 28 Cowboys 25
While the Ravens will gladly take a road victory to get into the win column in 2024, this one didn’t come without the theatrics. Derek Henry (29.4 PTS) broke out for 151 rushing yards on the ground, while Lamar Jackson threw the ball on just 15 of Baltimore’s 60 plays. The Cowboys, in comeback mode from the moment they were down 21-6 going into the half, threw the ball 51 times. Dallas tight end Jake Ferguson (15.5 PTS) led all receivers in targets, receptions and yards as America’s team came up short.
Lions 20 Cardinals 13
In a nailbiter where Jared Goff’s legs iced away that game on the final drive, the Lions used almost 37 minutes of possession to dictate this outcome. Amon-Ra St. Brown (20.5 PTS) looked more like himself, while running backs David Montgomery (21.2 PTS) and Jahmyr Gibbs (16.3 PTS) combined for 188 yards on the ground. Marvin Harrison Jr. (17.4 PTS) was the main glimmer of hope on the Cardinals’ offense. The rookie now has three TDs in the last two weeks.
Rams 27 49ers 24
Bruised, battered, and seemingly out of the hunt before it even started. Those are all words many would have used to describe the touchdown underdog Rams coming into an NFC West matchup where they were missing star receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Instead, the headline surrounds how Los Angeles came back from being down 21-7 in the third quarter. Kyren Williams (31.6 PTS) scored all three touchdowns to lead his team to its first win in 2024.
Chiefs 22 Falcons 17
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs pulled out the primetime win in a matchup that saw just 12 total points in the second half. Rashee Rice (29.0 PTS) looks like the real deal, as he now paces the NFL in receptions (24) and is second in receiving yards (288). Drake London (18.7 PTS) led the Falcons receivers, but Atlanta’s 3.2 yards per carry was indicative of their inability to get the run game going all night long.
With week 3 giving us a greater idea of the 2024 data, look out for patterns and new storylines that build during a new season. Some of the best performers of this season may even be a free agent in most leagues. Stay tuned for our week 4 recap next Monday.
