Fantasy: Week 3 Rankings - Analysis
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Over the last two seasons, theScore's Justin Boone has finished in the top 10 in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition, and this year he's second overall after two weeks. Follow the links to see his rankings for Week 3.
A final rankings update will be available on Sunday morning.
Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE | DST | K
Quarterbacks
| Rank | Player | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drew Brees - NO | vs. Min |
| 2 | Aaron Rodgers - GB | at Det |
| 3 | Matthew Stafford - DET | vs. GB |
| 4 | Andrew Luck - IND | at Jac |
| 5 | Nick Foles - PHI | vs. Was |
| 6 | Peyton Manning - DEN | at Sea |
| 7 | Matt Ryan - ATL | vs. TB |
| 8 | Jay Cutler - CHI | at NYJ |
| 9 | Tom Brady - NE | vs. Oak |
| 10 | Russell Wilson - SEA | vs. Den |
| 11 | Cam Newton - CAR | vs. Pit |
| 12 | Philip Rivers - SD | at Buf |
| 13 | Colin Kaepernick - SF | at Ari |
| 14 | Tony Romo - DAL | at StL |
| 15 | Ryan Tannehill - MIA | vs. KC |
| 16 | Kirk Cousins - WAS | at Phi |
| 17 | Andy Dalton - CIN | vs. Ten |
| 18 | Geno Smith - NYJ | vs. Chi |
| 19 | Alex Smith - KC | at Mia |
| 20 | Jake Locker - TEN | at Cin |
| 21 | Josh McCown - TB | at Atl |
| 22 | EJ Manuel - BUF | vs. SD |
| 23 | Joe Flacco - BAL | at Cle |
| 24 | Ben Roethlisberger - PIT | at Car |
| 25 | Ryan Fitzpatrick - HOU | at NYG |
| 26 | Austin Davis - STL | vs. Dal |
| 27 | Drew Stanton - ARI | vs. SF |
| 28 | Eli Manning - NYG | vs. Hou |
| 29 | Chad Henne - JAC | vs. Ind |
| 30 | Brian Hoyer - CLE | vs. Bal |
| 31 | Matt Cassel - MIN | at NO |
| 32 | Derek Carr - OAK | at NE |
- Nick Foles isn't displaying the same command over the Eagles offense that he showed in 2013, but that hasn't stopped him from throwing for over 300 yards in each of the first two games. Expect Foles to have his best game of the season both through the air and on the ground this week, in a potential shootout against the divisional rival Redskins. In his only meeting with Washington last season, Foles ran for a season-high 47 yards and a score.
- It's rare to see Peyton Manning outside the top-5 quarterbacks, but in his defense, all the elite passers have struggled in Seattle over the last few seasons. Most quarterbacks facing Seattle at home would drop further in the rankings, like Aaron Rodgers in Week 1, who I ranked 10th and finished with 189 yards, a touchdown and a pick. However, Peyton has likely been thinking about this game for over seven months now and while the Seahawks defense will cause him problems, I don't see them shutting him down completely.
- With a great matchup against a Raiders team traveling to Foxboro, it may be surprising to see Tom Brady so low in the top 10. The Patriots are likely going to control this game from start to finish and that means a big dose of Stevan Ridley. New England put up 30 points on the Vikings last week, but Brady only had to throw the ball 21 times, resulting in 149 yards and touchdown. It's the kind of game where he might be wearing a ball cap for most of the fourth quarter.
- Jay Cutler will be helping his owners stage a Monday-night comeback when he takes on a Jets defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. While New York's defensive line remains stout, the secondary was torched by the Packers last week and now they have to deal with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
- Kirk Cousins looked really good taking over for the injured Robert Griffin III last week. Before you get too excited about Cousins' fantasy potential, just remember he did that against Jacksonville. Cousins will have some nice games this season, but he isn't going to win anyone a fantasy championship.