Streaming Quarterbacks: Week 3 Targets

Sep 17, 2019

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Congratulations if you made it through Week 2 without losing one of your starters to injury. The landscape of at least two divisions has been radically changed with Drew Brees out multiple weeks and Ben Roethlisberger done for the season. If those injuries brought you here, welcome! Your season’s not over. You still have a chance. It could be worse. No, really. I started both Brees and Roethlisberger in this year’s Scott Fish Bowl (2-QB league) and wound up with a total of 0.52 points for my quarterbacks. I’m fine.

Regardless, there’s no time to lament. Week 3 is upon us and we have roster decisions to make. The waiver wire will be the quickest fix for our streaming needs unless you can finesse your way into a trade. Either way, the options are viable when adjusting for the matchup. Let’s get to it.

Other Streaming Articles: TE | K | D/ST

Week 2 Review

First, let’s review last week’s picks. Most fantasy managers are just happy their quarterback finished the game. Either way, we’ll continue to track our progress as the season continues.

Josh Allen (22.2 points, QB7) – Playing against a defense that gave up 405 yards passing the week prior. The opposing offense also featured Bennie Fowler and Cody Latimer. Allen played a similar game in Week 1 but was hamstrung by turnovers. The Giants just don’t generate enough pressure to scare any passing offense giving Allen an easy path to a solid fantasy outing.

Matthew Stafford (15.1 points, QB17) – The primary concern was the pace of play for both teams as Detroit was coming off a game that went into overtime during Week 1 and the Chargers had multiple injuries. Despite Detroit passing on 51.7% of its plays (60.0% in Week 1), Stafford was still able to pass for multiple TDs which he hasn’t done in back to back games since Week 8 of 2018. The turnovers cost him a QB1 finish, but after the ‘QB Bloodbath’, we’ll take it.

Andy Dalton (18.6 points, QB10) – In 2018, Dalton averaged 6.4 fantasy points in losses of 20 points or more. He scored 18.6 in Week 2 while the Bengals were reduced to ash by the 49ers. Cincinnati still passed on 68.9% of its plays which was likely aided by game script. However, Dalton looks comfortable in the new system and the Bengals’ defense (19.7 aFPA) will likely keep them passing throughout most of the 2019 season.

Adjusted Fantasy Points Allowed

Next, let’s visit 4for4’s Schedule-Adjusted Fantasy Points Allowed ranks which will be updated weekly following Week 3. We’ll reference them for now with the understanding that the 2019 outlook is likely different than how 2018 ended for most squads. We now have two weeks of data, but it’s difficult to establish a trend without more input.

Key Defensive Injuries

Finally, we’ll review injuries along with the guidelines that will be used each week to find viable options on the waiver wire:

Only quarterbacks with no more than a 40% 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.

Antwaun Woods, Cowboys (Knee) – Dallas’ defense was already having a rough outing against Washington and now their starting defensive tackle may miss some time. Another Cowboy was blocked into the back of Woods’ knee causing the injury late into the second half. Dallas has now given up an average of 15.8 points to quarterbacks the past two weeks. That average is likely to drop as they host the tanking Dolphins in Week 3.

Pierre Desir, Colts (Knee) – Desir suffered a bone bruise early in the third quarter of the team’s rollercoaster Week 2 win over Tennessee. Indianapolis has some depth at the position while surrendering an average 18.7 points to quarterbacks. The Colts welcome in the Falcons in Week 3.

Other Notable Injuries: Vince Williams (Steelers, Hamstring), Sean Davis (Steelers, Shoulder), Anthony Chickillo (Steelers, Foot), Tim Jernigan (Eagles, Foot)