NFL Week 3 delivered everything from breakout stars to crushing injuries, with plenty of surprises for fantasy managers along the way. This NFL recap highlights the biggest performances and disappointments, while helping you sort through the noise for clear start/sit takeaways. Let's dive into this week's NFL reactions and fantasy fallout, with more details available on our NFL depth charts.
Packers at Browns
The Browns were shut out through three quarters before a blocked field goal and interception set up three late scoring drives. Quinshon Judkins cemented his role as the workhorse with 18 carries, 94 yards and a touchdown, making him a locked-in RB2. As expected, the passing game struggled against Green Bay's defense, with David Njoku leading with just 40 yards. Against softer matchups, the air attack should rebound.
Josh Jacobs was the Packers' workhorse, with 16 carries and nine targets. He struggled on the ground against Cleveland's elite run defense but salvaged value with five catches for 44 yards. Rookie Matthew Golden finally flashed, catching four passes for 52 yards. Outside of Jacobs and Golden, most of Green Bay's offense was smothered, but that was more about the matchup than long-term concerns.
Colts at Titans
Jonathan Taylor dominated again, rushing for 102 yards and three touchdowns in another statement win for the Colts. Daniel Jones was quiet as a game manager, but that didn't stop Michael Pittman from turning six catches into 73 yards and a score. Tyler Warren and Josh Downs had slow
NFL Week 3 delivered everything from breakout stars to crushing injuries, with plenty of surprises for fantasy managers along the way. This NFL recap highlights the biggest performances and disappointments, while helping you sort through the noise for clear start/sit takeaways. Let's dive into this week's NFL reactions and fantasy fallout, with more details available on our NFL depth charts.
Packers at Browns
The Browns were shut out through three quarters before a blocked field goal and interception set up three late scoring drives. Quinshon Judkins cemented his role as the workhorse with 18 carries, 94 yards and a touchdown, making him a locked-in RB2. As expected, the passing game struggled against Green Bay's defense, with David Njoku leading with just 40 yards. Against softer matchups, the air attack should rebound.
Josh Jacobs was the Packers' workhorse, with 16 carries and nine targets. He struggled on the ground against Cleveland's elite run defense but salvaged value with five catches for 44 yards. Rookie Matthew Golden finally flashed, catching four passes for 52 yards. Outside of Jacobs and Golden, most of Green Bay's offense was smothered, but that was more about the matchup than long-term concerns.
Colts at Titans
Jonathan Taylor dominated again, rushing for 102 yards and three touchdowns in another statement win for the Colts. Daniel Jones was quiet as a game manager, but that didn't stop Michael Pittman from turning six catches into 73 yards and a score. Tyler Warren and Josh Downs had slow days in a low-volume passing script, but no reason to worry long term. Jones isn't a locked-in QB1, but he remains a solid matchup play.
The Titans were shorthanded on the offensive line and it showed. Tony Pollard and rookie Elic Ayomanor scored, while Chig Okonkwo led with 66 yards, but the offense never found rhythm even in garbage time. Pollard's floor remains steady, while Ayomanor is worth a waiver add. Calvin Ridley, however, looks like a shaky flex until he proves otherwise.
Bengals at Vikings
Cincinnati fell behind early and never recovered, failing to capitalize even with a garbage-time script. Drew Sample caught the lone touchdown, leaving fantasy managers frustrated. Chase Brown had no running lanes, managing just 13 yards on 14 touches, and both Ja'Marr Chase (50 yards) and Tee Higgins (15 yards) were held in check. Without Joe Burrow, this offense looks very shaky. Hopefully, better matchups will improve the outlook.
The Vikings executed perfectly, riding Jordan Mason (116 yards, two TDs) in Aaron Jones' (hamstring, IR) absence. Carson Wentz only attempted 20 passes, limiting volume, though Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson still produced solid floors. Jefferson has yet to deliver a blowup game and may no longer be truly QB-proof, but he's still an automatic start as a WR2.
Steelers at Patriots
The Steelers ran just 49 plays, capping upside for everyone. DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin salvaged fantasy days with short scores, while Jaylen Warren's 81 scrimmage yards provided stability. Still, the ceiling for this offense feels capped in what should be too many low-volume games.
Hunter Henry owned the day for New England, posting 90 yards and two touchdowns on 11 targets while no other Patriot saw more than four looks. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson also benefited from fumbles by Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, handling 14 touches for 48 yards. If his role sticks, Henderson could carve out enhanced fantasy relevance. Don't be surprised if Stevenson fumbled his way out of a solid role.
Rams at Eagles
The Eagles fell behind 26-7 before finally opening up the offense. That sparked fantasy production for A.J. Brown (109 yards, TD), DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, though Saquon Barkley struggled on 18 inefficient carries. The concern is whether Philly reverts to its conservative tendencies despite proof the passing game can solve their issues. For now, Brown and Smith did enough to get back in the fantasy circle of trust.
The Rams again settled for too many field goals, though Davante Adams, Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams remain strong weekly plays. Blake Corum mixed in with eight carries, showing explosive flashes, but Williams still owns the backfield. Corum is more of a stash in case of injury than a true threat to Williams' workload.
Jets at Buccaneers
Tampa Bay lost Mike Evans to a hamstring injury, clouding the short-term outlook of the offense. Rookie Emeka Egbuka stepped up with six catches for 85 yards and could thrive if Evans misses time. Chris Godwin is also set to return soon. Meanwhile Bucky Irving remains a volume-based RB2 despite inefficiency (66 yards on 25 carries).
The Jets' offense was ugly until a late surge, with Tyrod Taylor offering desperation value via two passing scores and 48 rushing yards. Garrett Wilson was unstoppable again with 10 catches, 84 yards and a TD, proving once more he's quarterback-proof. Breece Hall has cooled off after Week 1, but remains a PPR RB2, and that may be his ceiling.
Raiders at Commanders
Tre Tucker exploded for 145 yards and three touchdowns, thriving in garbage time as Geno Smith scrambled under heavy pressure. Still, Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers remain safer weekly bets after solid floor performances. Rookie RB Ashton Jeanty continues to disappoint, piling up empty touches and looking like a fringe RB2.
The Commanders leaned on Chris Rodriguez, who led with 11 carries, though no back stood out. Jacory Croskey-Merritt scored a garbage-time score but remains a risky flex in a committee. Washington cruised behind its defense, and getting Jayden Daniels (knee) back would raise the ceiling for everyone.
Falcons at Panthers
Michael Penix imploded with two interceptions before being benched for Kirk Cousins, and the Falcons were never competitive. Bijan Robinson and Drake London managed double-digit PPR points, but the offense was otherwise lifeless. If Penix struggles again, Cousins could get a chance to start.
The Panthers surprisingly dropped 30 points, though Rico Dowdle was their top fantasy scorer with just 10.8 PPR. Bryce Young threw for only 121 yards but added a rushing score, while rookie Tetairoa McMillan led receivers with 48 yards on 8 targets. Chuba Hubbard remains the team's safest weekly play, with McMillan settling in as a high-floor WR2/3.
Texans at Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence flopped again, completing just half his passes against Houston's tough defense. Brian Thomas salvaged his day with a late 46-yard grab, but his season-long production is disappointing. Travis Hunter remains unstartable with minimal usage, while Travis Etienne (16 carries, TD) continues to lead the backfield. Rookie Bhayshul Tuten scored but is just a touchdown-dependent flex.
The Texans' line play is a disaster, leaving C.J. Stroud under constant duress and the run game ineffective. Nico Collins capitalized on a blown coverage for a 50-yard score and remains the lone trustworthy starter. If Christian Kirk adjusts quickly, he could emerge as a steady PPR option in a struggling offense.
Broncos at Chargers
Bo Nix continues to look like a fringe fantasy starter, throwing for only 153 yards and a touchdown. J.K. Dobbins handled lead-back duties with 83 yards and a score, while Courtland Sutton stood out as the go-to receiver with 118 yards and a touchdown. Sutton has been the clear No. 1 in two of three weeks and profiles as a reliable WR2. Rookie Troy Franklin and the rest of the passing game remain inconsistent options.
The Chargers' passing attack kept humming, with Quentin Johnston (89 yards), Keenan Allen (65 yards, TD) and Ladd McConkey (41 yards) all producing. Rookie RB Omarion Hampton took over after Najee Harris left with an Achilles injury, rushing 19 times for 70 yards and adding 59 more as a receiver. This breakout performance positions Hampton as a borderline RB1, especially if Harris misses extended time. Check RotoWire's weekly projections to see how the workload could shift.
Saints at Seahawks
Seattle jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and coasted. Sam Darnold attempted just 18 passes but tossed two scores. He remains a superflex option only. Kenneth Walker found the end zone twice despite limited yardage, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba erupted for 96 yards and a touchdown. With Zach Charbonnet sidelined, Walker remains a locked-in RB2, but Smith-Njigba's big-play upside makes him one of the most exciting WR options in the NFL.
The Saints finally hit a wall after two home games to open the season, falling flat against Seattle's defense. Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson delivered their usual steady PPR lines, keeping them trustworthy starts. Alvin Kamara handled 19 touches but mustered only 56 yards, making him more of a volume-based RB2 unless he finds the end zone. On the road in negative game scripts, Kamara's ceiling looks capped.
Cowboys at Bears
The Bears finally broke through against a weak Dallas defense, with Caleb Williams tossing four touchdowns in his best pro performance. Coach Ben Johnson also worked rookies Luther Burden (101 yards, TD) and Colston Loveland (31 yards) into the mix, potentially signaling bigger roles ahead. Rome Odunze and DJ Moore also found the end zone, though no one else posted standout numbers. This was the confidence boost Chicago needed after a rough start. Williams and Odunze are the most trustworthy weekly lineup options.
Dallas' day unraveled when CeeDee Lamb exited early with an ankle injury. George Pickens and Jake Ferguson soaked up targets, with Pickens scoring and Ferguson catching 13 passes. Both remain high-floor weekly starters regardless of Lamb's status. Javonte Williams added 92 scrimmage yards, continuing his strong comeback season and holding steady as a top-20 RB.
Cardinals at 49ers
San Francisco's injuries piled up, with George Kittle and Brock Purdy sidelined and the offense sputtering. Christian McCaffrey was bottled up on the ground but saved his day with receiving work, as usual. Ricky Pearsall was the lone bright spot, topping 100 yards, though his role will remain volatile as reinforcements return. Despite the struggles, McCaffrey remains an elite PPR RB.
Arizona suffered a major blow with James Conner carted off due to an ankle injury, leaving Trey Benson in line for a heavy workload. Benson could quickly ascend into RB2 territory with Conner expected to miss the season. Marvin Harrison Jr. disappointed again with 44 yards on three catches, dropping a potential touchdown in the process. He looks more like a volatile WR3 until he finds consistency.
Injuries
- CeeDee Lamb left with an ankle injury.
- Mike Evans exited with a hamstring issue.
- James Conner suffered an ankle injury that is expected to be season ending.
- Terry McLaurin was sidelined by a quadriceps injury, though he may have been able to return if needed.
- Dyami Brown departed with a shoulder injury.
- Najee Harris left after injuring his Achilles.
- Alec Pierce was ruled out with a concussion.
- Noah Fant also entered concussion protocol.
- Ja'Tavion Sanders suffered an ankle injury.
- Michael Mayer was forced out with a concussion.
- Samaje Perine left with a thumb injury.
For updates on all player statuses, check the RotoWire's injury report.
Week 3 brought plenty of shakeups, from breakout rookies to veteran injuries that will reshape depth charts in the weeks ahead. Fantasy managers should stay aggressive on waivers, trust the stars who continue to deliver, and stay tuned for rapid changes across the NFL landscape. This NFL weekly recap is just the beginning of a long fantasy grind, and the smart managers will stay one step ahead.
