Welcome to the 2016 Fantasy Alarm Fantasy Football Game Recaps! Nobody watches more NFL football than yours truly mostly because it is impossible to do so. Each week I’ll open up my notepad to all of our Fantasy Alarm readers so that you guys can go beyond the boxscore to get the information you need to win your league.
If the first two weeks of the NFL regular season were a changing of the guard, then week three proved to be a turn back the clock day in fantasy football. So many players that had been either passed over or completely forgotten about rose from the ashes to produce strong fantasy outings this week. Players like Frank Gore, Allen Robinson and Jimmy Graham decided to show up and produce big numbers this week.
Here are the Week 3 Fantasy Football Game Recaps:
18 – Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills – 33
Fantasy Player of Game: LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills – 17-110-2 rushing
Fantasy Disappointment: Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals – 26-50, 287 yards, 4 INT passing
I spent all summer warning everybody about Carson Palmer who went on to have a horrible preseason. He was downright miserable this week and at this point is just not an every week starting fantasy QB.
David Johnson’s first TD was originally ruled down at the one foot line but after a review it was determined that he indeed did break the plane of the goal line with the football.
The Cardinals defense tried to keep them in it as Patrick Peterson made a sensational one handed interception of Tyrod Taylor late in the third quarter.
Before you applaud the Bills move of firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman, realize that they used his playbook to do EXACTLY what he would have done and that is run the ball. The Bills ran 32 times while attempting to pass just 25 times today.
LeSean McCoy is an every week fantasy starter. It’s not just about this performance but he is one of only a handful of running backs that carry the full load for their team.
17 – Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans – 10
Fantasy Player of Game: DeMarco Murray, RB, Titans – 16-114-1 rushing; 5-41 receiving
Fantasy Disappointment: Tajae Sharpe, WR, Titans – 3-48 receiving
This was the first time in my adult life that I can honestly say that the Raiders were given a game by the officials. It seemed as though everytime the Titans made a big play it was called back on them. The Raiders are always targeted unfairly by the referees so I would just consider this one reparations.
Speaking of penalties, Raiders TE Clive Walford had a touchdown reception nullified by a holding penalty on the Raiders.
Play Michael Crabtree in daily fantasy football every week until the sites finally decide that it is time to up his price. Crabtree has been in the low $6000’s all season which is an absolute steal considering the production he puts up every week.
Marcus Mariota has played as poorly as any QB in the NFL so far this season. I had as much hope for Mariota as anyone coming out of school but he is clearly limited in his growth due to the simple nature of this offense.
Andre Johnson had what would have been a game winning TD nullified because he was called for pass interference on the play. What really happened was that the defender tripped over his own feet, fell down and Mariota floated the TD pass to Johnson. It was seriously about 30 seconds AFTER the catch in the endzone that the flag appeared on the field.
24 – Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins – 30
Fantasy Player of Game: Terrelle Pryor, Browns – 3-5, 35 yards passing; 4-21-1 rushing, 8-144 receiving
Fantasy Disappointment: Kenyan Drake, RB, Dolphins – 9-37 rushing
Terrelle Pryor was the star of the show today but PLEASE don’t even think about picking him up or putting absolutely any faith in him. This is one of those once in a lifetime type of games that gets a lot of press but means nothing going forward in fantasy.
The Browns signed the wrong kicker to replace their injured kicker Patrick Murray. Cody Parkey was 3-6 on field goal attempts including missing the potential game winner in regulation. He is good as gone on Monday morning.
The Browns did the most insane thing in that they opted to kickoff to start overtime. It makes absolutely no sense to kickoff when if your offense scores a TD you win the game without the other team even touching the ball. This shows just how little faith Hue Jackson has in his offense right now.
Kenyan Drake got the start for the Dolpins and even though he didn’t come through whatsoever, it appears as though he is the guy who will receive the most snaps and touches while Arian Foster is out.
Dolphins TE Jordan Cameron was knocked out of the game due to a concussion in the second quarter.
They also lost LB Jelani Jenkins with a quad injury and LB Koa Misi with a neck injury today. This Dolphins defense that had looked so good in the first two weeks were a bit disappointing in the non fantasy sense today.
19 – Baltimore Ravens at Jacksonville Jaguars – 17
Fantasy Player of Game: Allen Robinson, WR, Jaguars – 7-57-2 receiving
Fantasy Disappointment: Mike Wallace, WR, Ravens – 3-34 receiving
The Ravens have absolutely no running game to speak of. My preseason flier on Justin Forsett has not panned out at all but I am waiting until rookie RB Kenneth Dixon returns from injury before completely ruling out the Baltimore RB’s altogether.
Somebody somewhere is going to go out and start Steve Smith in their league next week. That person will be the example of everything not to do or be in fantasy football. Don’t be that guy.
Joe Flacco put together a string of 21 straight completions in this game before the streak ended on an awful Mike Wallace drop. Flacco was already the record holder for the Ravens but this one is going to be very hard to ever beat.
Justin Tucker had missed a field goal attempt of 57 yards just before halftime but a facemasking penalty gave the Ravens one more shot and from 15 yards closer. Tucker drilled the 42 yarder easily and as it turns out, that could have cost the Jaguars the ballgame.
Jaguars QB Blake Bortles has thrown a first quarter interception in all three games this season. He has played terribly yet his fantasy production is actually been just fine. But beware because there is only so much you can rely on in garbage time every week.
Allen Robinson’s second touchdown was originally ruled incomplete because after catching the ball, falling down, turning over and attempting to get up, Robinson lost the ball. The mere fact that this was almost not a TD is what represents everything wrong with NFL rules.
27 – Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers – 34
Fantasy Player of Game: Marvin Jones, WR, Lions – 6-205-2 receiving
Fantasy Disappointment: Theo Riddick, WR, Lions – 10-9 rushing; 7-29 receiving
The Packers were up 31-3 in this game but were completely outplayed in the second half. The Lions had a chance to tie this game up and were actually the better team outside of a quarter and a half.
I hate to say this but it is true. Marvin Jones is every bit as productive as Calvin Johnson ever was this season. I am not saying that he is a better player but the Lions are losing absolutely nothing by Calvin retiring so far.
Theo Riddick’s first crack at being a feature RB was a bust. The Packers were beat up on defense but Riddick could not break simple arm tackles by Packers linemen today. He is a great pass catcher but can’t be a guy who carries the rock on a usual basis. That will be Dwayne Washington going forward.
The Lions lost safety Tavon Wilson early on in this game with a neck injury. He did not return. TE Eric Ebron also let the game with a back injury and was in and out of the game throughout.
Aaron Rodgers was better today but go ahead and take a look at his stats minus the four TD’s. He was very pedestrian overall and two of those TD’s were receivers doing all of the work. If you are a Rodgers fan or owner and 205 yards a game is good for you, you are a low expectation fool.
Randall Cobb is just not producing right now. It is as if Aaron Rodgers has an obsession with Jordy Nelson and/or is incapable of throwing to the middle of the field. I still am optimistic that Cobb can get to the 80 catch, 1000 yards, 7 TD mark but I need to see a better Aaron Rodgers soon or I will be leaping off the ship.
The Packers defense hasn’t allowed an opening drive touchdown in 22 straight games, longest in the NFL.
The Packers lost TE Jared Cook in the second quarter due to an ankle injury and he did not return.
29 – Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals – 17
Fantasy Player of Game: Trevor Siemian, QB, Broncos 23-35, 312 yards, 4 TD’s
Fantasy Disappointment: C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos – 14-37 rushing
No, no, no 100 times NO!!!! If you think that Trevor Siemian is the answer for you at QB than you are helpless. Sure, he played very well today. In fact, I didn’t think that he had this game in him ever. But at this point he is barely even worthy of a backup or QB2 role on your fantasy team.
DeMaryius Thomas was non-existent until the fourth quarter when he was left all alone for a 55 yard TD reception. Thomas lost a fumble earlier in the game which led to a Jeremy Hill TD run. Despite the solid outing, I still have to value Emmanuel Sanders as the WR1 for the Broncos right now.
The Broncos lost safety T.J. Ward to a neck injury early on in this game. He returned but was not on the field late in the game suggesting that he may have felt ill effects from the injury.
Remember two weeks ago when all of you wanted Giovani Bernard? Remember how none of you wanted anything to do with Jeremy Hill before this game? That is the true effect of a running back by committee which is what the Bengals run. Both backs have their value but only when the game flow suits each of their strengths.
Tyler Kroft technically started this game for the Bengals but my eyes saw mostly C.J. Uzomah on the field especially in the second half. Neither of these fools are worth of a roster spot in fantasy football. I strongly doubt whether Tyler Eifert will have much impact here either when he returns from injury.
Bengals kicker Mike Nugent was banged up when he was smashed while trying to make a tackle for some odd reason during a kickoff return. He only appeared once more in the game so I would be careful of his status if indeed he is your kicker in any league.
22 – Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers – 10
Fantasy Player of Game: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings – 7-70-1 receiving
Fantasy Disappointment: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Panthers – 0-0 receiving
I don’t know how many games the Vikings can keep winning without any semblance of an offense. Sam Bradford and Stefon Diggs certainly were not the same two players that we saw on Sunday night against the Packers.
Matt Asiata got the start but it was clearly Jerick McKinnon who was the Vikings lead running back this afternoon.
I was completely wrong about Kyle Rudolph today. I thought that he would be needed to stay in and block for the majority of the game but that wound up not being the case. Rudolph is out to a terrific start but as much as I am a fan of his (Notre Dame, baby!!) I am not getting my hopes up long term.
Cam Newton rushed for a TD for the 45th time in his career. That is the most rushing touchdowns by a QB in NFL history.
Cam actually left the game temporarily due to a lower leg injury but returned just one play later. He clearly wasn’t right afterwards though but I doubt if he misses any time.
Fozzy Whittaker had a 56 yard TD reception called back because WR Kelvin Benjamin was called for holding on the play.
The Panthers lost DT Vernon Butler to a high ankle sprain in the second half and he did not return.
29 – Washington Redskins at New York Giants – 27
Fantasy Player of Game: DeSean Jackson, WR, Redskins – 5-96-1 receiving
Fantasy Disappointment: Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins – 4-56 receiving
When these two teams get together, make an appointment to be in front of your television because it is something special. This was one of the chippiest games I think that I have ever seen. The Giants in particular took cheap shot after cheap shot up and down the field all game long.
Kirk Cousins made one of the dumbest plays we will see all year today. With halftime just a 15 seconds away the Redskins decide to take one shot for the endzone before settling for a chip shot field goal attempt. However, Cousins held the football forever and scrambled around until he was eventually sacked as time ran out in the first half.
Both teams were ravaged by injuries today. The Redskins lost OG Shaun Lauvao to a calf injury, DeAngelo Hall to a knee injury, Bashaud Breeland to an ankle injury and center Kory Lichtensteiger to an ankle injury today.
DeSean Jackson also left the game for a while due to a left leg injury but he did return later on.
Giants RB Shane Vereen fumbled for the second game in a row today. If you remember, Vereen also had fumbling issues in New England where Bill Belichick benched him because of it.
The Giants had the game won on a blocked punt late in the game but another personal foul penalty nullified it and allowed the Redskins to punt away freely.
Odell Beckham Jr. is an absolute nut job. He was screaming, yelling, kicking and screaming throughout the fourth quarter and even punched the kicker net on his way off of the field today.
Giants center Weston Richburg took one of the cheapest shots I’ve seen in awhile when he blindsided Josh Norman during a downfield play today. Richburg was ejected for his actions and trust me when I say that he deserved every bit of it.
The Giants lost both Eli Apple (hamstring) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) to injuries today.
37 – Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 32
Fantasy Player of Game: Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers – 10-132-1 receiving
Fantasy Disappointment: Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers – 3-37 receiving
This game was delayed for an hour and 15 minutes due to an extreme thunderstorm that passed over the stadium late in the fourth quarter.
Todd Gurley had a very solid game and fantasy owners are certainly happy that he finally contributed like a first round pick should. But I was not as impressed to be honest with you. Gurley just doesn’t appear as fast right now or maybe he is being a little more hesitant than he was last season. My biggest fear as a Gurley owner is that he has to churn out so many touches just to come close to returning anywhere near his first round value.
Rams DE Williams Hayes was carted off with a knee injury early on in this game. He did not return.
This was a terrible week of officiating all over the NFL. At one point in the first half, the Rams had the ball on the goal line and all of a sudden the Buccaneers defenders started pointing at the offense. The ball was snapped and Todd Gurley was about to punch it in when the officials called off the play and threw a flag. The Rams got pushed back as a result and never got into the endzone on that drive.
The Buccaneers lost starting guard Kevin Pamphile in the second half due to a leg injury. He did not return.
18 – San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – 37
Fantasy Player of Game: Christine Michael, RB, Seahawks – 20-106-2 rushing
Fantasy Disappointment: Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks – 0-0 receiving
It’s just a matter of time before Colin Kaepernick is given the opportunity to start for the 49ers. Blaine Gabbert is horrendous under pressure and even senses it when none is present. I still stand by my statement this summer when I said that Kaepernick would be amazing in Chip Kelly’s offense. Something needs to happen because there just isn’t anything happening between Gabbert and these WR’s of the 49ers.
Carlos Hyde’s eight yard TD run at the end of the game broke the Seahawks record of 24 straight games without giving up a 100 yard rusher.
TE Vance McDonald was knocked out of this game early with a hip injury. McDonald had TD’s in each of the 49ers first two games. His status will be updated on Monday afternoon.
Everybody in Seattle held their collective breath when Russell Wilson had his left leg rolled up on this afternoon. The team is calling it a sprained MCL but an MRI was done late Sunday of which we should know the results here very soon
This was only Jimmy Graham’s second 100 yad receiving game since joining the Seahawks in a trade with the Saints. Graham’s TD was also his very first since September 27th, 2015.
3 – New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs – 24
Fantasy Player of Game: Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs – 6-89-1 receiving
Fantasy Disappointment: Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Jets – 20-44, 188 yards, 6 INT passing
The Jets just didn’t show up to play football today. This was easily the worst game of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s career and could wind up hurting him immensely when he hits free agency next spring.
Brandon Marshall was not limited in this game whatsoever. Do not blame this performance on his knee injury that left him questionable.
Eric Decker also was non-existent today. His one catch for 31 yards today snaps his consecutive touchdown streak at six games.
The Jets lost DE Lawrence Thomas to a foot injury and also were without Darrelle Revis for most of the second quarter due to an eye injury.
Spencer Ware should have had a TD in the third quarter of this game but after initially being ruled a TD, the play was overturned. Instead, the officials declared that the ball was falling out of his hands and thus was a turnover.
22 – San Diego at Indianapolis Colts – 26
Fantasy Player of Game: T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts – 8-174-1
Fantasy Disappointment: Dwayne Allen, TE, Colts – 3-35 receiving
What you saw here was more of the real Chargers running game than what we saw the previous two weeks. Melvin Gordon only averaged 2.2 yards per carry but was able to get into the endzone which saved his day.
So much for who fills in for Danny Woodhead. Sure, Melvin Gordon did have seven targets and four receptions today but Dexter McCluster only saw a limited action while my boy Kenneth Farrow didn’t even get on the field today.
The Chargers will be without LB Manti Te’o for the rest of the season. Te’o went down with a non-contact injury which was later revealed as a torn Achiles tendon.
The Colts are getting a ton of production out of their TE’s but the problem is that they are splitting them almost down the middle between Dwayne Allen and Jack Doyle. I was hoping for more out of Allen but at this point in time I would feel safer starting Jack Doyle.
Andrew Luck connected with WR Chester Rogers for a 70 yard TD reception in the second half but it was nullified due to a penalty.
The Colts lost two offensive linemen today in RT Joe Reitz due to a back injury and LG Jack Mewhorth.
3 – Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles – 34
Fantasy Player of Game: Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers – 12-140 receiving
Fantasy Disappointment: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Steeers – 8-21 rushing
DeAngelo Williams picked a good time to completely fall off of the cliff as he will be relegated back to being a backup to Le’Veon Bell who will be in uniform next week for the Steelers.
Markus Wheaton had three drops in this ballgame. One of these were in the back of the endzone which would have easily been a touchdown.
Steelers WR Eli Rogers left the game with a foot injury today and he did not return.
The Eagles ran the ball 30 times today but Ryan Mathews only saw two of those carries for some unapparent reason. There are whispers of an ankle injury for Mathews that got aggravated on the Eagles first drive of the game.
Carson Wentz is getting a lot of the credit for the Eagles 3-0 start but I have to say that this defense is really what has been holding it together. They remind me a lot of the Falcons from last year. Let’s just hope that they finish the season better than what Atlanta did.