Fantasy owners across the nation were left pondering what it is they saw in week two. There were games that didn’t deliver (here’s looking at you New Orleans Saints and New York Giants), as well as a lot of injuries to key players. In Week two the fantasy spotlight was shining brightly on players like Kirk Cousins, Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott. While some players did not produce, we did see some very impressive performances in week two.
As we turn the page and move forward to week three in the National Football League, we take a look at players and teams that need to step up and build off their early season successes and failures. Who needs to make a statement week three? What players on your fantasy team need to step up? Who needs to prove that week two wasn’t a fluke? It’s time to find out the who and why, it’s time to turn on the fantasy spotlight for week three.
Week Three Fantasy Spotlight: Things to Watch
Melvin Gordon
The San Diego Chargers have scored 65 points through two games and should be undefeated if not for a second half meltdown week one in Kansas City. Last week in the fantasy spotlight we talked about who would step up for the injured Keenan Allen. Both Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin proved to be legit targets for Philip Rivers. However if one season ending injury was not enough, enter Danny Woodhead. The point per reception (PPR) machine tore his ACL in the blowout win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Who Steps up now?, Melvin Gordon. The second year running back is off to a great start in 2016 rushing for three touchdowns and averaging over four yards per carry. Gordon has shown great explosiveness out of the backfield and will be leaned on not only as a goal line back but as pass catching threat as well. Gordon is a RB1 this week against the Indianapolis Colts league worst run defense.
Todd Gurley
So this may look like a reprint, however its not. For the second week in a row Todd Gurley has the fantasy spotlight shining brightly on him. The Los Angeles Rams star running back has yet to get on track in 2016, averaging less than three yards per carry and 98 total rushing yards through two weeks. Gurley and the Rams travel to Tampa Bay to play the Buccaneers week three. While Gurley was a must sit in week two, he is a must start in week three. It’s getting to be make or break time for Gurley and traveling across country away from the pressures of the NFC West could be exactly what he needs to get going.
Odell Beckham Jr
Are you ready for Beckham/Norman II? Last season when Josh Norman and the Carolina Panthers played Odell Beckham Jr and the New York Giants, it was must see television. With Norman now a member of the Washington Redskins, week three brings the first of two head to head battles this season. While Norman and the Redskins struggle early on, Beckham Jr and the Giants have won two straight to start the season. With 12 catches on 19 targets through two games, Beckham Jr is off to a nice start. Many people across the league expected Norman to shadow the opposing teams number one receiver, however that has not been the case through two weeks. Should the Redskins keep Norman on one side and not follow Beckham Jr at all times, it could a long day for Washington. A stat line similar to Antonio Brown in week one is not out of the question.
Sam Bradford
What a night it was in Minnesota this past Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings opened their beautiful new stadium with a great victory against the hated Green Bay Packers. Despite the injury to All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson, the Vikings were very impressive in many aspects of the game. In addition to Peterson, the defending NFC North Champions lost quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to a torn ACL in the preseason. In what many thought was a knee jerk reaction, the Vikings traded away a 2017 first round draft pick and a 2018 conditional pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Sam Bradford. Despite sitting out week one to learn the offense, Bradford thoroughly impressed against the Packers. The former first round pick completed 71% of his passes and threw for two touchdowns. Also Bradford displayed outstanding chemistry with budding star receiver Stefon Diggs. Although Week three presents a big challenge on the road against the Carolina Panthers, Bradford is worth picking up in all fantasy formats.
Seattle Seahawks Offense
Has anyone seen the Seattle Seahawks offense? If you have please let us know. The perennial NFC powerhouse Seahawks have scored 15 points through two games to start the season. Many, including myself expected Russell Wilson to finish as the number one fantasy quarterback in 2016. While that is still not impossible, Wilson and the Seahawks need to pick up the pace fast. There are injuries as well. Wilson has been bothered by a sore ankle. Doug Baldwin had an MRI on his injured knee, which came back negative, however Seattle is taking a wait and see approach with their number one wide receiver. The running game remains a question mark as well. Thomas Rawls, expected to take over for the retired Marshawn Lynch has 25 yards on 19 carries in two games. Christine Michael has outplayed Rawls but has yet to find the end zone. Seattle returns home for an NFC West battle with the San Francisco 49ers this week. Normally this is a spot where you unleash the Seahawks skill position players on any fantasy opponent but this week you may want to watch one first.
