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Fantasy Football: Top 10 Sleepers for Week 3

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:24 p.m. ET

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Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

As Fantasy Football owners head to Week 3 action, running backs are entering very favorable matchups that should reap many benefits.

Last week, many fantasy football stars didn’t do too well in their Week 2 matchups and are back to reestablishing the basic fundamentals that made them great in the first place. Many offensive coordinators will take a step back and more than likely go back to what works heading into Week 3 of the regular season.

Expect to see offensive coordinators resort to their ground game to put their quarterbacks in better situations. Fantasy owners should look at all the solid running backs ready to pound the rock and do whatever it takes to keep those chains moving.

This week will prove that some familiar names can get the job done while unlikely sleepers will rise to the occasion. Remember everyone, don’t let a name fool you, these favorable matchups will be exploited by these sleeper picks straight to victory.

Keep an eye on these top 10 fantasy football sleeper picks heading into Week 3 action.

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10. Quincy Enunwa, WR — New York Jets

Last week in a huge Week 2 matchup, wide receiver Quincy Enunwa of the New York Jets delivered a big performance which resulted in victory. He totaled 92 receiving yards on six receptions, good for 15.33 yards per catch.

Enunwa came through in the clutch and made key first downs which helped the Jets finally defeat their AFC East rival Buffalo Bills ever since head coach Todd Bowles came into town last year.

This week, Enunwa faces the Kansas City Chiefs who don’t exactly have the kind of defensive secondary to brag about. Their defensive line is a different story, which means quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will be airing it out in this matchup.

Since all eyes will be on his partners in crime Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, Enunwa will thrive in his No. 3 role and score at least a touchdown or two in Week 3.

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) carries the ball in the third quarter of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

9. Tevin Coleman, RB — Atlanta Falcons

As the Atlanta Falcons prepare for their Week 3 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, running back Tevin Coleman is entering a favorable matchup. Considering how bad the Saints’ defense is when stopping the run, expect to see Coleman get the majority of reps on offense.

Last week against the Oakland Raiders, Coleman put on a clinic. He totaled 12 carries for 46 yards and added a touchdown. Being a quality dual-threat running back, Coleman also totaled 25 receiving yards on two receptions and found the end zone that way, also.

Could Coleman be another touchdown-producing machine in Week 3? More than likely given how bad the Saints’ defense as a whole has been, the answer is a definitive yes. Moreover, Coleman looks to have taken the No. 1 duties from Devonta Freeman in Atlanta.

Fantasy owners should start Coleman as their RB1 or at the very least, use him as a FLEX option. Coleman is ready to once again shine in Week 3.

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

8. Joe Flacco, QB — Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are heading to Jacksonville to face a Jaguars team that is trying to establish their identity this season. Problem is, they haven’t been able to contain quarterbacks at all so far in 2016.

Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Philip Rivers had their way with the Jaguars’ defense to the point where they are 0-2 so far this season. It’s not enough to hit the panic button just yet, but quarterback Joe Flacco should also continue the pattern and dissect it yet again this week.

The Jaguars’ defense have allowed seven total touchdowns to quarterbacks the first two games of the year and, well, Flacco will join the club. Expect to see him put up a huge performance and score at least two to three touchdowns despite a lackluster receiving corps.

This is the perfect game to bounce back from and put the Jaguars at 0-3 as they have a lot of work ahead of them despite receiving major hype this past offseason. Fantasy owners should easily make Flacco their QB1 this week.

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7. Jay Ajayi, RB — Miami Dolphins

Could the Miami Dolphins be entering a more favorable matchup this week as they welcome the Cleveland Browns to Hard Rock Stadium? The Browns are heading towards a downward spiral quite fast this season due to injuries, a lack of execution, and just poor talent all across the board.

It’s unfortunate since new head coach Hue Jackson has his work cut out for him but there is a strong possibility that the Dolphins will finally get their first win of the season against the Browns.

Running back Jay Ajayi is ready to step up and deliver in the wake of Arian Foster being sidelined due to injury. It’s a huge opportunity to prove he’s starting material and well, should be able to put the Browns away early in this Week 3 matchup.

Ajayi is an RB2 fantasy option at this point in time if your other running backs have tough opponents this week. If you’re looking for a FLEX option, Ajayi might be your guy since the Dolphins know to beat the Browns means establishing the run throughout this game. He could get a touchdown or two in goal-line situations.

Sep 18, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and Redskins head coach Jay Gruden (R) walk off the field after their game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field. The Cowboys won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

6. Kirk Cousins, QB — Washington Redskins

Quarterback Kirk Cousins hasn’t been looking good at all so far this season with the Washington Redskins. At 0-2 so far this year, Cousins needs a big game bad before he gets benched for not playing at the level he did all of 2015.

The Redskins head to MetLife Stadium to take on their NFC East rival New York Giants in what should be a great game. New York is 2-0, but their defensive secondary leaves much to the imagination.

This is the perfect game for Cousins to bounce back from and deliver a two or even three touchdown performance. Don’t let their record fool you; the Giants are nowhere near a dominant team and have been rather sloppy so far this season.

Fantasy owners should take a risk this week and start Cousins despite his poor track record. He will play some lights out football since he knows the writing is on the wall that if he has another bad game, he might very well be benched sooner than later for not getting the job done.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

5. Eddie Lacy, RB — Green Bay Packers

Unfortunately for running back Eddie Lacy, he has yet to score a touchdown this season. The Green Bay Packers haven’t exactly started out red hot right out the gates but as always, everyone needs to relax and take things one week at a time.

This week, Lacy prepares for another NFC North clash against the Detroit Lions in what should be a very favorable matchup. Their run defense isn’t good at all and this is the perfect game for Lacy to put up monster numbers even though he’s been relatively quiet at the start of the year.

So far this season, Lacy has only totaled 111 rushing yards, 26 attempts, and again, zero touchdowns. Fantasy owners should throw Lacy into their starting lineups as he’ll have plenty of highlights this week.

Lacy has lost weight this offseason and is using it as motivation to return to form against a team that won’t have any answers for him. He’s an easy start heading into Week 3.

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4. Tyrell Williams, WR — San Diego Chargers

Devastating injuries have hit the San Diego Chargers as of late but it’s not letting Rivers use it as an excuse to not deliver. He’s made the most of his receiving options and will look to make wide receiver Tyrell Williams his go-to target this week as the Chargers hit the road to face the Indianapolis Colts.

Last week against the Jaguars, Williams totaled 61 receiving yards, three receptions, and a touchdown. His route-running was efficient and he was a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners in Week 2.

This week, Williams should be used as a FLEX option since he’ll be looked at in the red zone to come through in the clutch. Rivers is a patented gunslinger who will certainly have a field day against the Colts’ defensive secondary that hasn’t been effective at all this season.

If owners have Rivers as their QB1, Williams would be the perfect compliment to him as both will have huge games against the Colts straight to their second win of the season.

Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Colts 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

3. Frank Gore, RB — Indianapolis Colts

The Colts offense hasn’t exactly been playing superb as of late. It’ll take at least another few weeks before quarterback Andrew Luck returns to premier form. Unfortunately for Gore, they welcome the Chargers to Lucas Oil Stadium.

They won’t have any answers for the Chargers but that doesn’t mean it’ll be a complete blowout. Running back Frank Gore could be used in a unique way to at least have a fighting chance at beating them.

The Colts’ gameplan should involve using Gore as a dual-threat receiving option considering how bad the Chargers’ defense is when trying to stop receiving options out of the backfield. They have allowed too many receptions to opposing running backs this season and since the NFL is a copycat league, expect the Colts to incorporate this strategy on offense.

Last week against the Denver Broncos, Gore totaled 19 receiving yards on three receptions and a touchdown. Sure, he hasn’t been an effective running back at all this season with the Colts, but this could be the game that has him get favorable mismatches and do some nice damage as a receiving option. Fantasy owners should use him as a FLEX option as he should easily score a receiving touchdown or two in this matchup.

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. LeGarrette Blount, RB — New England Patriots

Could two weeks go by any faster? The New England Patriots are in dire need of their franchise quarterback, Tom Brady, to finally return under center after serving his four-game suspension. For at least the next two weeks, however, running back LeGarrette Blount will be a difference-maker for a Patriots’ offense looking to continue their momentum.

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett will do his very best to keep the Patriots on their win streak so expect to see them look to use their rushing attack as a big way to beat the Houston Texans. It should be a real test for this team as they prepare for their Week 3 Thursday Night Football matchup.

So far in just two games this season, Blount has totaled 193 rushing yards, 51 attempts, and two touchdowns. If the Patriots plan to beat the Texans this week, it’ll come down to Blount beating them on the ground.

The Texans’ run defense hasn’t been good at all as fantasy owners should easily start Blount this week. He has the skill-set to really push the envelope for the Patriots and also alleviate the pressure off of Brissett.

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1. Matt Ryan, QB — Atlanta Falcons

Many thought this season that quarterback Matt Ryan would regress due to his offense dealing with injuries and a lack of focus. The Atlanta Falcons, however, have fielded a solid offense capable of going toe-to-toe with any team in front of them.

So far this season, Ryan has turned into one of the best quarterbacks playing today. In just two games, he’s totaled 730 passing yards, 53 completions, five touchdowns, and one interception.

As the Falcons hit the road to face the Saints, they will more than likely completely dominate them straight to their second win of the season. Ryan has been red hot and the Falcons’ offense has been clicking on all cylinders.

Start Ryan this week as he will continue to play exceptionally well and silence his critics yet again as it’s no fluke. The Saints’ defensive secondary will easily be picked apart with ease and precision by Ryan.

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