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Week 3 Thursday Night NFL Matchups Analysis: Start/Sit for Fantasy Football

Pierre Camus breaks down the Thursday night game for week 3 of the 2016 NFL season. He analyzes which players to start or sit for fantasy football leagues according to matchups.

It's time for the Week 3 installment of Thursday night matchups with my start/sit recommendations. This week, the Houston Texans face off against the New England Patriots. Both teams are off to a 2-0 start and hope to continue on the way to winning their respective divisions again this season. Something's gotta give...

Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down every game and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and injury information as well. Later this week, you will find parts one and two of our Week 3 NFL matchups, which should help you prepare your lineups to win this week. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL matchups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.

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Texans @ Patriots - Thursday 9/8 @ 8:25 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Will Fuller (WR, HOU) - The hype is real. Fuller hasn't just been the best rookie receiver of the young season, he has been one of the best receivers period. Expecting another 100 yard performance against a veteran team like the Pats is a bit much, but if he can get the best of the Chiefs' tough secondary, why not again this week? DeAndre Hopkins will continue to attract double teams, leaving room for Fuller to use his speed to his advantage. He can be left in starting lineups as a WR3 or flex in standard leagues until he shows signs of slowing down.

LeGarrette Blount (RB, NE) - Feed the monster. Blount put on a show against the Fins and should get even more reps in a tough defensive matchup. He won't find as many gaping holes as he did against Miami, but expect him to tote the rock plenty which makes him a threat to score. He is always a threat to reach the end zone as the only true goal-line back on the roster. Given the severe lack of quality options at RB lately, Blount has cemented himself as an every-week starter and RB2 in standard leagues.

 

Matchups We Hate

Martellus Bennett (TE, NE) - After a quiet first game with his new team, Bennett took advantage of Gronk's absence with 114 yards and a touchdown against Miami. That was with a healthy quarterback. He'll either get Jacoby Brissett or a gimpy Garoppolo this time around. Oh, and it's a distinct possibility Gronk plays. The Texans allowed just seven fantasy PPG to TE last season and a mere 2.4 in two weeks so far this season. For those reasons, he falls out of the top 10 TE rankings for this week.

Lamar Miller (RB, HOU) - Miller will end the year as one of the top running backs in the NFL, but he isn't going to go off every single game. This isn't Eric Dickerson in his prime. Miller is currently 2nd in rushing yards, but is averaging just 3.6 Y/A. The Pats have been decent against the run, allowing 162 rushing yards so far, including 89 to David Johnson in Week 1. Considering the incredible lack of depth at the RB position this season, Miller could have a disappointing game and still put up RB2 type numbers. I'm not saying don't play him, I'm saying don't expect too much.

 

Notable Players

Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, NE) - I'm not even touching this one. It's doubtful he would play, but given recent whispers of the Patriots pushing him to play through the pain and the unpredictability (read: lies) of Bill Belichick make it a fluid situation. Jimmy G has played shockingly well in two starts, but hasn't faced someone like J.J. Watt yet. If he does play, he won't be 100% and will probably not be putting the ball in the air too often. Still, never bet against the Patriots even when you doubt them the most.

Key Injuries: Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, NE) - questionable, Rob Gronkowski (TE, NE) - questionable

 




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

George Kittle

Listed as Questionable for Week 18
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Active Versus Nets
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Trending Towards Playing
Clint Capela

Steven Adams and Clint Capela Sidelined Thursday
Miles Wood

Blue Jackets Place Miles Wood on Injured Reserve
Dak Prescott

May Not Play Full Game in Week 18
Conor Garland

to Miss One Week
Egor Demin

Won't Suit Up Against Houston
Marco Rossi

to Miss at Least One Week
Ace Bailey

Still Out on Thursday Night
Tari Eason

Active on Thursday
Yegor Chinakhov

Set for Penguins Debut Thursday
Lauri Markkanen

Ruled Out on Thursday
Tanner McKee

Will Start for Eagles in Week 18
Shayne Gostisbehere

Misses Third Consecutive Game Thursday
Keyonte George

Unavailable on Thursday
Michael Porter Jr.

Out on Thursday
Auston Matthews

Returns From One-Game Absence
Josh Allen

Trending Towards Resting in Week 18
William Nylander

Remains Out Thursday
Lamar Jackson

Will Officially Return in Week 18
Tobias Harris

Won't Suit Up Against Miami
Lauri Markkanen

on the Injury Report for Thursday Night
Keyonte George

Battling an Illness, Might Miss Thursday's Game
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Won't Play on Thursday Evening
Houston Astros

Astros Sign Tatsuya Imai to Three-Year Deal
Jordan Love

Clears Concussion Protocol, Won't Start in Week 18
George Kittle

"Absolutely" Expects to Play in Week 18
Clayton Tune

to Start for Packers in Week 18
Chris Olave

Ruled Out for Week 18
Tom Wilson

Wraps Up 2025 With Gordie Howe Hat Trick
Valeri Nichushkin

Nets Second Career Hat Trick
Frank Vatrano

to Miss Six Weeks With Shoulder Injury
Conor Sheary

Noah Laba Exit With Injuries Wednesday
Brayden McNabb

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Wednesday
Miles Wood

Exits Early Wednesday
Gavin Brindley

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Michael Porter Jr.

Battling Illness, Questionable Thursday
Joel Embiid

Likely to Play Thursday
Anthony Davis

Available Thursday
Coby White

to Miss at Least One Week
Josh Giddey

to Be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas in Walking Boot After Suffering Calf Injury
Victor Wembanyama

Expects to Play Next Game After Suffering Minor Knee Injury
Davante Adams

Not Expected to Play in Week 18
Stephon Castle

Active on Wednesday
Tyler Kolek

Elevated to Available on Wednesday
Geno Smith

Won't Play in Week 18
Aaron Rodgers

Considering Playing Beyond 2025?
Sean Monahan

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Zach Werenski

Misses Fourth Straight Game Wednesday
Dougie Hamilton

Questionable Wednesday
Radko Gudas

Expected to Remain Out Wednesday
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Play in Week 18
Ilya Lyubushkin

Back From One-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Lyon

to Miss "Bit of Time"
Erik Cernak

Rejoins Lightning Lineup Wednesday
Christian McCaffrey

Trending to Play in Week 18
Jalen Hurts

Eagles Expected to Rest Jalen Hurts, Most Starters in Week 18
George Kittle

49ers Will be "Very Surprised" if George Kittle Doesn't Play on Saturday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Regular-Season Finale
CFB

Lane Kiffin Interested in Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby at LSU
CFB

Deuce Knight Officially Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Kewan Lacy Expected to Be Full-Go Against Georgia
Stefon Diggs

Facing Strangulation, Assault Charges
CFB

Chip Kelly Named Northwestern Offensive Coordinator
Riley Leonard

Will Start Against the Texans
Bijan Robinson

Explodes for 229 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns on Monday Night
CFB

Penn State Working to Hire D'Anton Lynn as Next Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Omar Cooper Expected to be Full-Go for Rose Bowl
CFB

Marcus Freeman Staying with Notre Dame for 2026 Season
CFB

Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator

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