September 22, 2016

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.

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests for Week 3. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!

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