Week 3 Starts

Here are 5 guys with the best fantasy matchups this week and why they need to start … in two minutes or less.

QB: Mac Jones (SF) vs. ARI

Mac casually stepped in and went 26-of-39 for 279 yards and three touchdowns, showing he can steer Kyle Shanahan’s attack without derailing the rhythm. But this offense is banged up and still missing George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk, which can tighten the target tree. So this is a matchup and environment bet: Arizona has already surrendered the 5th-most passing yards on the most attempts through two weeks… exactly the spot where Jones can repeat the efficient, take-what’s-there formula. Start him in Week 3.

WR: George Pickens (DAL) @ CHI

After a quiet debut (3 on 4 for 30 yards with a drawn 34-yard DPI that set up a score), Pickens jumped to nine targets and cashed a late TD in Week 2, showing clear chemistry with Dak, even though the volume still leaned toward CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson. But the Bears just got blasted 52–21 and, more importantly, their secondary was lit up for four receiving touchdowns by Detroit’s top wideouts. So with Pickens working the deeper shots while Lamb pulls the underneath attention, you’re playing for a classic spike week in a plus matchup. Get him in your lineup. 

WR: Michael Pittman (IND) @ TEN

Pittman’s season opened with 6 receptions on 8 targets for 80 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, but his Week 2 usage skewed short. He tied for third on the team in targets and his longest catch was just 12 yards, which can make the box score look streaky. So against a Titans team that’s 0–2 while Cam Ward works through early growing pains (19-of-33 for 175 yards and a TD in Week 2), you lean on Pittman’s proven Week 1 chemistry with Daniel Jones and start him with confidence.

RB: Jordan Mason (MIN) vs. CIN

Mason is shaping up as a must-start this week. Aaron Jones left Week 2 with a hamstring injury, but even before that, Mason was already getting more early-down work. So now he’s in line for even more touches. The Bengals’ defense just lost Joe Burrow for at least six weeks, so their offense is likely to slow down and keep their defense on the field, giving Mason extra volume opportunities. Minnesota’s revamped offensive line is finally a strength, and Mason has been trusted in goal-to-go situations, so he’s a strong bet to convert that workload into fantasy points.

TE: Juwan Johnson (NO) @ SEA

Johnson is giving you real, bankable volume: 21 targets through two weeks (13-125-1) while again finishing near the top in team looks in Week 2. But the real edge here is the matchup. Seattle surrendered two tight end touchdowns in Week 1 and then a combined 7-58 to Steelers TEs in Week 2, so you lean into Johnson’s usage against a defense that’s been coughing up TE production and start him with confidence in Week 3.

So that’s the list. 5 players to put into lineups if you have them on your roster… as promised, in 2 minutes or less.

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See you tomorrow,

-Joe