This upcoming week in Fantasy Football, there are many important matchups that will decide how the week goes, and if what side your team ends up in in the win/loss column. Just like ESPN’s Matthew Berry, I’ve picked one player I love, and one player I hate for the upcoming matchups in week three.
Love: New York Giants Wide Receiver, Victor Cruz
As a number two receiver for the Giants, Cruz may seem like he should stay on your bench, with Eli Manning looking to his number one, Odell Beckham Jr.
There are, however, several reasons why Cruz will perform in week three. Namely, the Redskins defense. The Redskins defense is ranked 25th on ESPN against wide receivers. Not that rankings are necessarily correct, but considering they gave up 38 points to the Steelers and 27 to the Cowboys, I would say that their low ranking is fairly accurate.
It could be argued that the Redskins defense as a whole is weak, but Josh Norman, who the Redskins spent so much money on in the offseason, will shut down Cruz for minimal points. The Redskins have been putting Norman on the opposing team’s number two receiver (Cruz), they did that against both the Steelers and Cowboys, but the Redskins have reported that Norman will cover Odell Beckham Jr. this week, so Cruz will be open to tear apart the Redskins’ weak secondary.
Besides the Redskins weak defense, the Giants’ running back, Rashad Jennings is still nursing an injury, and is listed as “questionable,” so Eli Manning will be looking to pass this week and will go to Cruz.
Hate: Dallas Cowboys Quarterback, Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott may look good coming off of a big win last week, but there are several reasons why you should avoid him in your lineup this weekend.
Prescott probably looked good to you if you were watching him in games the past two weekends, but don’t let impressions fool you. He has had several good passes and drives, but he has yet to throw for a touchdown, and is therefore good for almost no fantasy points. Anytime the Cowboys are near the end zone, he hands it off to Ezekiel Elliott or Alfred Morris for the TD.
Prescott is also matched up against the Bears defense, which is ranked 11th of all defenses. While this sounds pretty average (and it really is), here’s why Dak Prescott will be good for nothing against this mediocre defense: the Bears are only mediocre because they let up so many points against, and none of those points against come from QBs. The Bears have only let up one touchdown yet this year, and it has been rushing, and the rest have been field goals. So might it be a good idea to pick up the Cowboy’s running back, or kicker? Sure. But Dak Prescott is a definite bench this week.
With this in mind, keep Victor Cruz in your lineup, keep Dak Prescott out of it, and you’ll be just fine week three.