Through two weeks of the 2020 NFL season, we may know a little about the 32 teams, but it's only a small sample size. With that in mind, it's hard to get a feel for the best fantasy football players. Someone could have had a great week, and it bumps up their numbers—but it does not make them a smart play. At the same time, benching someone because of one or two bad weeks might not be smart either.
So who should be in your starting lineups in Week 3? We're looking at quarterbacks right now and trying to figure that out.
*Additionally, here are ClutchPoints’ start 'em sit 'em recommendations at running back and wide receiver*
Before we get into it, a quick disclaimer. We are not going to be telling you to start any elite fantasy football quarterbacks. If you have Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, etc., obviously start them. Hopefully you don't need someone to tell you why.
Here are the start ’em sit ’em quarterbacks in your lineups for Week 3 of fantasy football:
QBs to Start in Week 3
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert made his surprise first career start for the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs. This happened because the slated starter, Tyrod Taylor, suffered an injury during the pregame.
No, Herbert was not perfect, but he was pretty incredible. In fact, Herbert is one of the reasons the game even went into overtime.
The quarterback went 22 for 33 for 311 yards and one touchdown (one interception). Meanwhile, he ran for another 18 yards and an extra touchdown on the ground.
Now Week 3 is confusing because there is a slight chance Herbert is not starting, but for now he's set to go and he should be in your starting lineup unless you have one of the elite quarterbacks of the NFL.
Herbert and the Chargers are facing off with the Carolina Panthers. To be more specific, a Carolina team that has allowed 65 points in two weeks. Both games saw them allow more than 30 points to their opponents.
Neither game saw the quarterback go off, but they both had decent enough games, and Herbert's extra ability to scramble makes him dangerous and racks up points in fantasy football.
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
Okay, let's be honest. Things have not gone great for Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions so far this year. They are 0-2 and the quarterback has looked a little off in his game. However, they were a drop away from winning Week 1, and we all know that not many can get hot like Stafford.
Things are not going to get much easier for Detroit in Week 3. In fact, the Arizona Cardinals look extremely dangerous. Unsurprisingly, the Lions are coming into the game as underdogs in this contest.
However, Arizona's defense has some flaws. They have a number of great players, but can be prone to giving up gaudy offensive numbers. With an offense that can score so quickly, the Cardinals' defense might be on the field quite a bit.
One thing you can't do is give Stafford a lot of chances, he will burn you. More importantly, he might have star wide receiver Kenny Golladay back this week.
A potential shootout and his star receiver back? You have to start Stafford in that scenario in fantasy football.
Gardner Minshew, Jacksonville Jaguars
Gardner Minshew is really making the Jacksonville Jaguars think. Do they really want to tank and go after Trevor Lawrence? It seems like Minshew might be the answer.
Through two games, he has completed 75.4 percent of his passes for 512 yards and six touchdowns, compared to just two interceptions.
Those are pretty massive numbers. He's thrown three touchdowns in both games so far this year. Although he had two interceptions last week, Minshew threw for 339 yards—the second most in his career.
Now Jacksonville is facing off with the Miami Dolphins. Not exactly a frightening team, Miami spent all of Week 1 getting run over by Cam Newton and all of Week 2 having Josh Allen throw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns against them.
Minshew has looked great so far this year and now he has an incredibly favorable matchup. He seems like a must-start if you have him.
Other fantasy football QBs to start: Bengals' Joe Burrow, Eagles' Carson Wentz, Bears' Mitchell Trubisky, Colts' Phillip Rivers
QBs to Sit in Week 3
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield is not off to a great start in 2020 for the Cleveland Browns, and that is particularly discouraging considering how 2019 went for him. Mayfield had a solid Week 2, but it was nothing special—and it was against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Overall, he has just 408 yards and three touchdowns (two interceptions) in two games. Those are not exactly exciting numbers.
Now in Week 3, he is squaring off with the Washington Football Team. Washington has a few problems, but their defensive front seven is not one of them. Sure, the secondary needs a little work—but they've looked better than expected this year. That front seven has already done a great job terrorizing quarterbacks. Rookie Chase Young has impressed wildly as well, already racking up 2.5 sacks in two games.
Mayfield is going to get very little time in the pocket, which tends to lead to him making a number of mistakes. He could be in for a long day against Washington—and it's probably best to stay away from Mayfield this week if you can.
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Jared Goff is better than he was in 2019. That was a simply disastrous year for the Los Angeles Rams' quarterback. However, don't let Week 2 fool you either. Yes, Goff is a very good quarterback, but Philadelphia also has a very bad defense. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills' (Goff's Week 3 opponent) defense is deadly.
Goff will likely still be able to do some damage against them; however, expecting another three-touchdown performance is bold. He will give you a little something if you decide to start him. Buffalo will bring much more pressure and coverage at a much better rate, though.
All three of Goff's touchdowns in Week 2 were to tight end Tyler Higbee. On those three touchdown catches, Higbee barely had any defender in his sights.
It is hard to imagine Buffalo falling into that category. They are not going to be giving any easy throws to anyone. So while Goff's stock rose in Week 2, it still might be smart to sit him in Week 3.
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins has been dreadful this year. But he's still Cousins. He is still getting paid a ton of money and a lot of people still view him favorably.
The Minnesota Vikings have another tough matchup, though. So, if you for some reason are tempted to start their quarterback—don't.
Cousins is better than how he is playing. With that in mind, he is due for a big breakout game that reminds everyone he is a good quarterback. It probably won't come at the expense of the Tennessee Titans, though.
Cousins has thrown for 372 yards and two touchdowns in two games so far. Meanwhile, he has four interceptions and a 58.8 completion percentage. Oh, and Tennessee has already proven they can force turnovers in 2020.
Cousins will likely rebound at some point and be a pretty reliable starter at quarterback. But for now, he is an untouchable in fantasy football. He should be nowhere near your starting lineup—especially with a matchup against the Titans looming.
Other fantasy football QBs to sit: Giants' Daniel Jones, Texans' Deshaun Watson, Buccaneers' Tom Brady
*Additionally, here are ClutchPoints’ start 'em sit 'em recommendations at running back and wide receiver*
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