Week 2 was a disaster for quarterbacks, with injuries across the board that will shake up start or sit decisions for fantasy football in Week 3.
The most notable was Giants QB Jaxson Dart suffering a knee injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the season. Bears QB Caleb Williams (hamstring) and Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (elbow) also suffered injuries that will keep them out of action.
With QB injuries taking a toll on fantasy managers, let’s break down our NFL Week 3 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em battle between Broncos QB Bo Nix and Texans QB C.J. Stroud for your fantasy football picks this week, including PrizePicks projections.
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Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 3: Bo Nix or C.J. Stroud?
Who is the better pick out of this NFL Week 3 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em dilemma: Broncos QB Bo Nix or Texans QB CJ Stroud?
Start or Sit Bo Nix in Week 3?
Bo Nix PrizePicks Projections: 214.5 Pass Yards, 16.5 Rush Yards, 16.5 Fantasy Score
- Nix was held in check during a 31-10 loss to the Chiefs in Week 1, throwing for 131 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. He helped the Broncos bounce back with a 20-13 win over the Jaguars in Week 2, recording 288 passing yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT.
- The third-year quarterback completed 71.0% of his passes in Week 2, up from 60.7% in Week 1.
- Nix finally utilized prized offseason acquisition WR Jaylen Waddle, who turned 10 targets into 8 receptions for 138 yards against the Jaguars.
- The Broncos might be forced to rely on their passing game more in Week 3 against the Rams with Broncos RB RJ Harvey (hamstring), RB J.K. Dobbins (hamstring), and RB Jonah Coleman (ankle) battling injuries.
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Start or Sit C.J. Stroud in Week 3?
C.J. Stroud PrizePicks Projections: 234.5 Pass Yards, 11.5 Rush Yards, 1.5 Pass TDs (Demon)
- Stroud recorded at least 274 passing yards in both of his first two games of the season. He reached that threshold just two times all last season.
- According to PFF, Stroud has an average depth of target of 9.2 yards across two games. That’s an improvement over his aDOT of 8.5 yards last season that ranked 19th among 43 QBs
- The Texans have been involved in high-scoring games, leaving Stroud to lead the league in dropbacks and pass attempts in the early going.
- Although Texans WR Nico Collins (hamstring) sat out last week, Texans TE Dalton Schultz stepped up to catch 12 of 14 targets for 140 yards during a 20-6 loss to the Bengals, who are notably terrible at defending TEs.
- Collins missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, which doesn't bode well for his playing status in Week 3.
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Week 3 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Start C.J. Stroud
A discouraging early stat for Nix is his average depth of target of 7.4 yards, 24th among 33 quarterbacks, per PFF. That’s close to his aDOT of 8.0 yards last season, which ranked 26th among 43 QBs.
Week 3 also brings a bad matchup against the Rams. After a poor showing during an odd Week 1 matchup against the 49ers in Australia, the Rams responded by limiting the Giants to 6 points in Week 2.
They are currently sixth in dropback EPA/play allowed, according to RBSDM. They also finished sixth in that category last year.
Stroud and the Texans have a much easier matchup against the Colts, who allowed 41 points to the Ravens in Week 1 and 33 points to the Chiefs in Week 2. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson threw for 324 yards and had 2 total TDs against them, while Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes registered 382 yards and 3 TDs.
The Colts were only 17th in dropback EPA/play allowed last year, and it hasn’t helped their cause this season that they are allowing 9.8 yards per pass attempt. Colts CB Charvarius Ward left last week’s game with a groin injury, so if he is out this week, their secondary could be in even worse shape.
It would certainly help Stroud’s cause if Collins returns, but he still racked up passing yards without him last week. He has a much better matchup than Nix, giving him a higher fantasy ceiling in Week 3.
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Nix helped the Broncos level their record at 1-1 last week, but he could struggle to be productive during a difficult Week 3 matchup vs. the Rams. Stroud has a much easier matchup against the Colts, who have been picked apart through the air over their first two games.
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