Streaming Quarterbacks: Week 3 Targets

Sep 18, 2018

We’re closing out a week where five (!) quarterbacks scored over 30 fantasy points. Looking back on Week 2’s recommendations, the average score across the picks was 19.9 points, which would rank as the QB12 for Week 2. While we #TrustTheProcess, let’s look ahead to Week 3.

This is the last week for 2017’s Schedule-Adjusted Fantasy Points Allowed (aFPA). We can still use it as an initial guide, but adjustments to what we’ve seen so far have to be made to anchor the picks. As always, the other guidelines include:

Only quarterbacks with no more than a 40 percent ownership in Yahoo leagues considered.
Ancillary metrics and game conditions (e.g. defensive ranking, weather) will be factored into the analysis.
Positive matchups for all pass-catchers to be considered.
4for4 rankings should always be consulted for league-specific decisions.

Key Defensive Injuries from Week 2:

Jadeveon Clowney, Texans (Back, Elbow) – It’s worth monitoring his status as Mike Vrable and the Titans found a way to beat both of the Texans' special teams and defense without multiple offensive linemen and Marcus Mariota.

Darius Slay, Lions (Concussion) – The 49ers had already scored 30 points by the time Slay exited the game, but Slay is one of their best defenders with ‘Angry Tom Brady’ coming to Detroit in Week 3.

Kevin King, Packers (Groin) – The Packers’ nickel corner was already having a tough time against Adam Theilen, but this just makes it worse. Green Bay hosts Washington in Week 3, so there might be a mismatch in the interior depending on King’s availability.

Top Streaming Picks

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs Steelers

The obvious choice, right? But first, let’s look at this contest from a few angles. Primarily, the opposing defense. Pittsburgh did just give up six passing touchdowns to the Chiefs in Week 2. The Steelers entered the season with a 14.8 aFPA and has only gotten worse after 23.6 and 38.8 QB fantasy performances in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively. The second angle is how they’ve been beaten. Both Cleveland and Kansas City could deploy personnel capable of gaining separation in all areas of the field. Tampa Bay presents a similar problem to Pittsburgh with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and O.J. Howard. Tampa has opened with an implied team total of 26.25, making Fitzpatrick a preferred streaming target.

Fitzpatrick is available in 77 percent of Yahoo leagues.