Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 3 (2025)

September 18, 2025

Quincy's top fantasy football matchups for Week 3 of 2025. His favorite start 'em, sit 'em picks and predictions -- strong start/sit matchups that he loves.

Our fantasy studs were back in fine form last week. Ja'Marr Chase, Malik Nabers, and Puka Nacua were among the league's best this week. Week 1 is often a feeling-out period for NFL teams. Week 2 is when the real fun begins. With that type of excitement back for NFL fans, it is time to look ahead to Week 3.

With NFL defenses beginning to show their true colors, we can start to make accurate fantasy football predictions. We are relying less on 2024 numbers, which can be deceiving. Still, we have a couple more weeks until we know the full truth surrounding each NFL team. Adjustments will be made, and film will be watched. NFL teams are far from a finished product.

With the growing certainty surrounding NFL teams, Week 3 will bring our most confident predictions yet. Several great matchups are coming up this week despite some of the quarterback injuries we have seen around the league. Let's see who you can love and hate heading into Week 3.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups We Love

Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills
Opponent: MIA
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 31st

You never need a reason to start Allen, but this could be a ballistic week for the reigning MVP. The Dolphins' defense looks like an absolute liability through two weeks. They have been torched by Daniel Jones and Drake Maye for a combined 60.8 fantasy points.

Allen has looked great in his own right through two weeks. The only thing that could hold him back in Week 3 is the potential for the Bills to dominate Miami on the ground. Still, expect Allen to sling a couple of touchdown passes and add one or two with his legs. He is set up well for a week-winning performance.

Josh Allen a Prime Bounce-Back Candidate in Week 3 https://t.co/2gBcSrDKam

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 17, 2025

Drake Maye - New England Patriots
Opponent: PIT
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 28th

Let's run it back with one of last week's picks. Pittsburgh has emerged as an early candidate for an underperforming defense. They allowed Justin Fields to run wild in Week 1, and they were carved up by Sam Darnold in Week 2. They are not generating the pressure they are used to, and the secondary has been lacking on the back end.

Maye is coming off a fantastic performance against the Dolphins. Maye displayed a lot of good in Week 1 against the Raiders until the game got away from him. However, Maye has looked comfortable for the most part. His poise in the pocket, combined with his arm talent, is allowing him to deliver fantastic throws. He is also using his legs as a runner. Look for Maye to continue his breakout in Week 3.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations

Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: LAR
2024 Opponent Rank vs. QB: 1st

Hurts is coming off a down fantasy football performance against a quality Chiefs defense. A tush push touchdown saved what could have been a completely catastrophic fantasy day for Hurts. The Rams have proven through two weeks that their defense may be as good, if not better than the Chiefs'. That spells trouble for an Eagles offense that has not been particularly explosive through two weeks.

The Eagles as a whole do not seem as strong as they were in 2024. It has taken late mistakes by their opponents for them to squeak out wins. They are skating by the skin of their teeth after their Super Bowl victory. The offense has primarily played in plus positions where it can rest on its laurels. Week 3 may spell trouble for the Birds, and it could reveal a lot about the team moving forward.

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups We Love

Bijan Robinson - Atlanta Falcons
Opponent: at CAR
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 17th

Robinson has looked every bit the part of the No. 1 overall pick in fantasy this season. He is making opposing defenders miss at an elite level, and his work in the passing game is excellent. In Week 3, Robinson draws a matchup against one of our favorite running back targets over the last couple of seasons in the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers have clearly not fixed their issues with stopping the run. They have been one of the worst teams in history at stopping the run over the last few seasons. They have now allowed the Jaguars and Cardinals to gash them on the ground completely. We'll take arguably the league's best running back against a defense like that on any day that ends in y.

Jahmyr Gibbs / David Montgomery
Opponent: at BAL
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 28th

The Ravens have been surprisingly bad at stopping opposing running backs in 2025. Given that they have faced a quality team in the Bills and a forgettable team in the Browns, the Ravens' outlook against running backs may be taking shape as the truth.

The Lions bounced back from their Week 1 blowout at the hands of the Packers in a big way in Week 2. Both Gibbs and Montgomery had great fantasy days, which could have been even better had the Lions not been blowing out the Bears. Both players should have success against a Ravens front that looks to be shaky.

This photo of Jahmyr Gibbs 🔥

(via: IG/lionsphotog) pic.twitter.com/uQ1AFxS9aa

— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) September 16, 2025

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations

Derrick Henry - Baltimore Ravens
Opponent: DET
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 12th

The Lions have been one of the league's best at stopping the run over the last few seasons. While Henry can create special plays against any team, this game may not bring the fantasy fun we are used to from Henry. Henry is coming off a 2.3-point fantasy performance. He will fare better this week, but his lack of usage last week was concerning.

This game is projected to be competitive between two teams near the top of their respective conferences. If the Ravens happen to trail in this game, they will likely deploy a heavy dose of Justice Hill. Henry tends to dominate in blowouts where the Ravens can use him to salt the game away. He is as good a bet for a touchdown as anyone, but the Lions will do everything they can to keep his yardage under wraps.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups We Love

Justin Jefferson - Minnesota Vikings
Opponent: CIN
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 21st

Jefferson seems to be growing frustrated in Minnesota due to the struggles of young quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Well, McCarthy is going to miss several weeks, and Carson Wentz will be stepping up in his stead. Say what you will about Wentz, but he is a veteran quarterback who has been around the block. He will get Jefferson the ball.

To add to the case for Jefferson this week, he draws one of the worst defenses in the league in Week 3. The Bengals have allowed at least 271 passing yards in each of the first two weeks. Wentz could easily hit that mark in a Kevin O'Connell-led offense. If you have been waiting for Jefferson's breakout this year, look no further than Week 3.

#Vikings WR Justin Jefferson showing his leadership qualities on Monday night, always there for JJ McCarthy despite the early struggles:pic.twitter.com/pzdAUtR5OR

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 11, 2025

Kayshon Boutte - New England Patriots
Opponent: PIT
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 20th

We may finally have a Patriots wide receiver we can trust for fantasy, and no, it is not Stefon Diggs. Boutte has emerged as a preferred target for quarterback Maye. After an eight-target Week 1, Boutte only earned one target in Week 2. However, that target was in the end zone, and Boutte made a fantastic catch to reel in the ball, showcasing his talent

Pittsburgh is emerging as a defense to target for fantasy football. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp just gashed this defense in Week 2. Garrett Wilson could not be stopped in Week 1. With Maye ascending as a passer, Boutte is in a great position to succeed in Week 3.

Kayshon Boutte is a WR1 in this league RN.

He's the guy again - just like at LSU. pic.twitter.com/iDDKZpKmlb

— ZeeBee (@BellinoZee) September 14, 2025

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations

Malik Nabers - New York Giants
Opponent: KC
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 25th

Nabers just went ballistic in Week 2 as quarterback Russell Wilson found his footing in New York. However, Nabers faces a different challenge in Week 3 when the Giants host the Chiefs. The Chiefs were carved up by the Chargers in Week 1, but they rallied to stop the Eagles' passing attack in Week 2. This defense should still be great despite the offense's struggles.

Nabers will still earn plenty of targets, but the Chiefs' defensive front should swarm Wilson all game long. He should firmly remain in your lineup, just don't go expecting another week-winning performance in Week 3.

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup We Love

Sam LaPorta - Detroit Lions
Opponent: at BAL
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 32nd

Through two weeks, the Ravens have allowed big games to opposing tight ends. Early results suggest that the Ravens may be vulnerable to this position this year. LaPorta had a down week in Week 2, but he will be needed in Week 3. The Lions are likely going to need to air it out against a potent Ravens offense. That opens the door for a big game from LaPorta.

Although the Ravens boast a nice secondary, their linebacking corps is not elite. As such, LaPorta should find plenty of room to work across the middle of the field.

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations

Jake Ferguson - Dallas Cowboys
Opponent: at CHI
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 19th

Ferguson had a nice week in Week 2 against the Giants, but he could be in for tougher days against Chicago in Week 3. The Bears boast a solid passing defense, and they will make life harder on quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 3 than the Giants did this past week.

The good news is that there are plenty of options at the tight end position this season. You likely drafted Ferguson as a streaming option, and will not be forced to start him this week.

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