Start/Sit Decisions That Win Weeks

Every fantasy manager has that one benching regret that haunts them for an entire season. For many in 2023, it was watching Alvin Kamara, a player they avoided due to a three-game suspension and backfield competition concerns, immediately re-establish himself as a top-five RB upon his return. He averaged 20.2 points per game, trailing only Christian McCaffrey, while his preseason doubters watched from the sidelines.

💬 “What’s your toughest Week 3 start/sit call? Drop it in the comments ⬇️ and let’s debate it out.”

That’s the reality of fantasy football. Winning isn’t just about starting your stars, it’s about the razor-thin calls on your last flex or QB2. Success comes from bold, calculated start/sit choices that exploit matchups and maximize upside. Your championship isn’t decided on draft night, it’s built each week by spotting who’s ready to break out and who’s about to disappoint.

Here are the start/sit decisions that will help you win in Week 3.

3 BOLD START CALLS

1. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys (at Chicago Bears)

Throwing 43 passes per game, Dak Prescott is the engine of the Cowboys’ offense, and that volume is about to pay massive dividends. The Bears’ secondary has been eviscerated in consecutive weeks, first by J.J. McCarthy in the fourth quarter of Week 1 and then by Jared Goff, who threw for five touchdowns in a Week 2 rout. With top corner Jaylon Johnson still out, this unit remains a glaring weakness. Prescott’s high-volume, downfield passing attack is perfectly suited to exploit this matchup. He is a top-5 QB play this week.

2. Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

With Aaron Jones (hamstring) expected to miss Week 3, the backfield belongs to Jordan Mason. He’s already been the more effective runner, averaging 4.1 yards per carry on his way to 98 yards through two weeks. He now faces a Cincinnati defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to running backs. In a game where the Vikings may lean on the run with QB uncertainty, Mason is a locked-in RB2 with top-15 upside.

3. Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

The Cowboys’ defense, post-Micah Parsons, is a shell of its former self, allowing 30.5 points per game (tied for fifth-most). They just let Russell Wilson throw for 450 yards and three scores. Enter Caleb Williams and his top target, Rome Odunze. The second-year wideout leads the Bears in every major receiving category (13 catches, 165 yards, 3 TDs) and is clearly Williams’s go-to option. This matchup sets up for a shootout, making Odunze a high-end WR2 and a must-start.

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3 SIT RECOMMENDATIONS

1. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

Through two games, McCarthy has played one excellent quarter and seven quarters of atrocious football. He is consistently missing reads, overthrowing receivers, and showing zero confidence. His Week 2 stat line (11/21, 158 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT) is a major red flag, even with his rushing upside. Until he proves he can consistently support Justin Jefferson and this talented offense, he is unstartable. The Bengals’ defense is a middling matchup, but McCarthy’s current form makes him a sit in all formats.

2. David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions (at Baltimore Ravens)

A concerning trend is emerging in Detroit. Even in a 52-21 blowout of the Bears, Montgomery saw only 12 touches. With Ben Johnson gone, the new Lions’ regime appears to be shifting towards a more pass-heavy attack, consciously limiting the workload of their 28-year-old RB. A tough matchup against a stout Baltimore run defense that will be fired up at home is the final nail in the coffin. Montgomery is a low-upside flex play at best this week.

3. Stefon Diggs, WR, New England Patriots (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

While Diggs’ target share (12 through two games) is decent, the concerning issue is the nature of those targets. Drake Maye is using him almost exclusively on short-to-intermediate, low-ceiling routes. This has severely capped his fantasy upside, resulting in a pedestrian 10 catches for just 89 yards (a measly 8.9 yards per reception). The matchup this week solidifies the sit decision, as a confirmed-not-washed Jalen Ramsey likely awaits him in shadow coverage. The Steelers’ secondary is a tough unit, and until we see Diggs’ usage revert to the downfield role that made him a star, he remains a risky, low-end WR3..

UPSIDE FLEX SLEEPER

Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos

Franklin is quickly becoming Bo Nix’s favorite target, and their college chemistry is translating seamlessly to the NFL. After a quiet Week 1, he broke out in Week 2 with 8 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown on 9 targets (WR7 in PPR). He led the team in snaps, routes, and targets, establishing a clear path to sustained volume. A Week 3 matchup against the Chargers has shootout potential, making Franklin a high-upside FLEX play with WR3 floor. He is the type of calculated risk that wins weeks.

DST SLEEPER

Atlanta Falcons DST (at Carolina Panthers)

Do not let their 2024 finish (DST20) fool you. This unit exploded onto the scene in Week 2, dominating the Vikings on prime time with six sacks and three turnovers for a 21-point fantasy performance. They travel to face an 0-2 Panthers team that has allowed the third-most FPPG to defenses. Bryce Young has been sacked four times and has four turnovers in two games. The Falcons’ pass rush should feast, making them a top-tier streaming option this week.

Fantasy football is a game of margins. The difference between a win and a loss often comes down to one bold lineup call, the kind of player most people would leave on their bench. It’s about trusting the process: volume, matchup, and opportunity. That means starting players in great spots, even if they’re not household names, and sitting others who look risky due to form, usage, or matchup.

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FAQ

Q1: Who is the top QB start in Week 3?

A: Dak Prescott projects as a top-5 QB against Chicago’s weak secondary.

Q2: Should fantasy managers sit Stefon Diggs in Week 3?

A: Yes, Jalen Ramsey shadow coverage plus his low-ceiling usage makes Diggs a risky WR3.

Q3: Who is the top sleeper WR in Week 3?

A: Troy Franklin has clear volume and a shootout matchup with the Chargers.

Q4: What DST is the best sleeper for Week 3?

A: The Atlanta Falcons DST, facing Bryce Young and a turnover-prone Panthers offense.

Q5: Who is the biggest “trap” start in Week 3?

A: David Montgomery — limited touches in a pass-heavy Lions offense against Baltimore.