Things are starting to take shape after two weeks of action in the NFL. Some players are proving to be the real deal, while others are fading into the woodwork.
Meanwhile, devastating injuries to some prominent quarterbacks will significantly impact their franchises moving forward. Here are some stud and dud predictions for NFL Week 3.
Stud: Mark Andrews, tight end, Baltimore Ravens
Throughout two games, it is plain as day that Andrews is a legit threat on the field. He has racked up a total of 220 yards and two touchdowns after catching 94 percent of his 17 targets. This is enough evidence to suggest the spoils will continue when Andrews plays the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. Kansas City has allowed 17 receptions to opposing tight ends in two games. This stat is very favorable for Andrews’ outlook.
Dud: Le’Veon Bell, running back, New York Jets
Jets fans can only wish to fast-forward through their next game, which takes Bell to New England to face a tough AFC East rival. The Patriots defense has been absolutely phenomenal, ceding just three total points in two games. We can only imagine the fits this defense is going to give to Bell and a backup quarterback-led Jets offense in Week 3. Bell can only be asked to accomplish so much in this daunting environment.
Stud: Jaylon Smith, linebacker, Dallas Cowboys
Smith is having a very productive season with 17 combined tackles already on record. And, now the young linebacker stands to stack up more savory numbers when the Cowboys host the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are red-hot trash and their struggling offense is any defender’s dream opponent. This game provides Smith an excellent opportunity to record his first sack, and quite possibly much more.
Dud: DeDe Westbrook, wide receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
Prior to the start of the season, Westbrook was hyped to dominate as the lead receiver in Jacksonville. Unfortunately, this has simply not been the case minus Nick Foles under center. Westbrook has been nothing more than an afterthought having tallied only 33 total yards on six catches since Week 1. Westbrook next faces the Tennessee Titans, whose defense has yielded only 182.5 passing yards on average per game. The Jags offense as a whole is up for a major challenge.
Stud: Peyton Barber, running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It not often that we can toot the horn of a Buccaneers running back and designate him as a stud. But, Barber has an excellent chance to shine in Week 3 against those bad news New York Giants. This is a squad that let three rushing touchdowns and 151 rushing yards slip to the Buffalo Bills last Sunday. Barber nicely found his rhythm in his last game and he is primed for an even bigger performance.
Dud: Jared Goff, quarterback, Los Angeles Rams
Goff is not exactly hitting home runs yet this season. He has just two passing touchdowns to his name and has failed to throw for at least 300 yards in either of his performances. This might not change when the Rams head to Cleveland in Week 3. The Browns defense is intense. Look for pass rusher Myles Garrett to make things very difficult for Goff, who just endured three sacks in his last game. Goff can only hope his offensive line has his back come Sunday evening.
Stud: Adam Thielen, wide receiver, Minnesota Vikings
Thielen’s fantasy owners should be thrilled at his Week 3 opponent. That would be the Oakland Raiders, who have given up the most fantasy points to the wideout position over the last two weeks. Thielen is primed to thrive considering the Raiders have allowed 682 passing yards since Week 1. Look for quarterback Kirk Cousins to take advantage too while the Raiders defense gets shredded once again.
Dud: Alvin Kamara, running back, New Orleans Saints
Painfully, the absence of Drew Brees spells gloom for Kamara. The 24-year-old running back’s production came to a screeching halt in his last game with Teddy Bridgewater primarily under center. The same could easily be the case with the Saints trek across the country to Seattle. A mismatch right out of the gate could force Bridgewater to air things out when Michael Thomas is the beneficiary rather than Kamara. Stay tuned.
Stud: Christian Kirk, wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals
Kirk’s stock is on the rise and he stands to crack the 100-yard marker again when the Panthers arrive in Arizona. The Panthers defense had no answers for stopping Tampa Bay Buccaneers No. 2 receiver Chris Godwin in its last game. Godwin piled up 121 yards and one touchdown and now it is Kirk’s turn to flourish against that sketchy secondary. Let’s just hope quarterback Kyler Murray helps contributes on his end.
Dud: Andy Dalton, quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
Week 3 is not an ideal week to be Dalton. He and the Bengals head to Buffalo to square off against a Bills defense that has yielded the sixth-fewest overall yards to its opponents so far. Plus, the Bills have allowed only 15 points on average per game. None of this bodes well for Dalton, who tends to be very mistake-prone in hostile environments.