“Start, Sit & Seth” is the original column of In-Between Media, bridging feel-good lifestyle advice with redraft fantasy football analysis. Consistently following Seth Woolcock’s journey as a young creator, this series is now in its sixth season. Join him in this edition as he explains the importance of our people & his Week 3 start/sit decisions.
I peeled out of the driveway not long after 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17. It was foggy as hell; rain was coming down.
Suddenly, I questioned whether the venture was worth it.
The task at hand was roughly a three-hour drive back to one of my hometowns of Curwensville, Pa. I’d get there to sleep, wake up the next day to work remotely and then tack on another 2.5-hour drive to Pittsburgh to watch the Steelers take on the division rival Cleveland Browns. When you factor in that I’d need to work Tuesday before I venture home back across the state, it’s a three-day affair for a football game.
But was it really just for that, a football game?
Make Any Occasion THE Occasion
Regardless, I cranked the country music, queued up CBS Sports’ “Fantasy Football Today” for later in the drive and set off.
The next afternoon, when I got to the house of one of my best friends, Noah Stephens, I began remembering why I did. The laughter was infectious. The Busch Lights were cold, and spirits overall were at an all-time high.
When we arrived at Acrisure Stadium (it’ll always be Heinz to me) later that day, it was more of the same. Bags with my older brother, Austin. Catching up with my college roommate, Trace, while shooting the shit with multiple other of my home leaguemates. And, of course, sharing a pregame beer with my audio producer and friend Kyle.
The game was electric, starting with an Alex Highsmith pick-six on the first play and being sealed with a T.J. Watt scoop and score. But nothing beats those moments beforehand, soaking it all in with so many I love.
And that’s just it.
Sure, we plan events and trips for the experiences. But really, it’s about spending those moments with our people.
As we age, it becomes more and more difficult to make plans. Instead of seeing your friends almost daily while growing up, it becomes an occasion. And damn it if we don’t make it the occasion.
Fantasy football leagues are the same thing. Sure, we want to win, but this game is about more than that. And once you figure that out, it makes time with your people – win or lose – all the more special.
Alright, and here we go.
The following Week 3 start/sit selections are based on stats, trends and film research, reflecting value in Points Per Reception (PPR) Redraft Leagues.
Quarterback I’d Start in Week 3:
Jared Goff (Detroit): Despite a QB6 performance last week, Jared Goff is still being disrespected by rankers everywhere. We’ll go back to the well, as his home splits continue to be elite for fantasy purposes. The Lions’ loss of David Montgomery will also mean they must rely on their QB to get this back above .500.
The Falcons are a middling defense against the position. However, they’ve only faced Bryce Young in his first start and Jordan Love in his third. Atlanta will try to run the ball to keep it away from Detroit’s explosive offense, so expect low-to-mid QB1 numbers from Goff here again in Week 3.
Quarterback I’d Sit in Week 3:
Justin Fields (Chicago): I know it’s always tough to bench a player with as much upside as Justin Fields – especially when you drafted him so high. However, if you have him rostered, you’re likely 1-1 or 0-2, as he’s posted just 26.3 fantasy points through two starts. After a disastrous two-interception game, the former Ohio State QB has since thrown the Bears’ coaching staff under the bus and then walked those comments back. Now the Bears have placed left tackle Braxton Jones on the Injured Reserve (IR).
It’s been just about as disastrous of a start as it could have been for the Bears, and now they head to Arrowhead Stadium to battle the defending Super Bowl champions. With Chris Jones back, the Chiefs’ defense looks legit. Even without him for a game, they’ve limited QBs to the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game. If you’re starting Fields this week, you’re hoping for a long touchdown run. I just don’t know if it ever comes in Kansas City, making me want to avoid the Chicago signal caller.
Running Back I’d Start in Week 3:
Jaylen Warren (Pittsburgh): One thing was apparent Monday night in Pittsburgh: Jaylen Warren looked more dynamic than Najee Harris. The second-year undrafted free agent is second on the team in targets (12) to only George Pickens (17) and should continue to be relied upon in the passing game with Diontae Johnson on IR.
Warren has played 41% of Pittsburgh’s snaps so far, but the Raiders are a great matchup to ensure you capitalize on them. The Raiders have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing RBs (behind only Pittsburgh). In addition, they’re having trouble against receiving backs, allowing the fifth-most targets and third-most receptions to the position. Warren is an upside FLEX play and could also be considered in your Week 3 RB2 start/sit decisions.
Running Back I’d Sit in Week 3:
Dameon Pierce (Houston): The running back landscape is already getting tough with injuries piling up. Regardless, I advise sitting Dameon Pierce if possible. Houston is surprisingly bottom five in the league in rushing rate (32.5%) and has attempted the third-most passing attempts in the NFL. Unlike previous years, they’ve decided if they lose, it’ll be with an exciting brand of football.
The Texans are 31st in game script (-12.13), meaning they’re trialing more than just about anyone else. I don’t see that changing this week, as they face the Jaguars on the road. Trevor Lawrence left multiple scores on the board last week. As a result, I suspect head coach Doug Pederson will want to run up the score. This suspected game script and the Jaguars being the third-stingiest defense against the position have me nervous about playing Pierce. I’m avoiding him if I can help it.
Wide Receivers I’d Start in Week 3:
Marquise Brown (Arizona): Arizona faces Dallas in Week 3, and that might be enough to scare off fantasy managers from starting Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. However, it probably shouldn’t. Dallas just lost star cornerback Trevon Diggs to a torn ACL today in practice. That’ll dramatically shake things up for the team allowing the least fantasy points to the position this season.
In addition, the Cardinals will be trailing early and often in this one. So stopgap QB Joshua Dobbs should be looking for his No. 1 target consistently on Sunday. Expect double-digit targets for Brown and – at the least – a mid-tier WR3 finish.
Wide Receivers I’d Sit in Week 3:
Jerry Jeudy & Courtland Sutton (Denver): The last time the Broncos left Colorado was Aug. 19 for a preseason game in San Francisco. Now they’re tasked with traveling to Miami, where the humidity is forecasted for 75% – a stark difference from Denver’s usual 15-20% this time of year. That should somewhat slow down this entire Broncos offense out of the gate.
I’m especially worried about receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, as Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was their head coach until 2021. Sutton leads the team in targets (12), yet still only has an 18.1% target share. Meanwhile, Jeudy is still working back from his hamstring injury and probably won’t play anymore than 75% of snaps.
And even without Jalen Ramsey, this Miami cornerback room is deep. Xavien Howard, Kader Kohou and Eli Apple lead the way, while second-round rookie Cam Smith waits in the wings. Together, the team has limited receivers to the seventh-least amount of fantasy points. They’re also one of four teams to allow a touchdown to the position. I suspect this trend could continue on Sunday.
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And for more fantasy football and uplifting content, especially start/sit advice, you can find me on Twitter @Between_SethFF.