It is week three, and while there are still some statistical anomalies, there are definitely some patterns emerging.
So let’s see who is hot and who is ice cold in terms of Fantasy Football.
QUARTERBACK
HOT
TEDDY BRIDGEWATER, DENVER BRONCOS
It isn’t only that the Broncos will be playing the New York Jets this week. This is all about Bridgewater. Bridgewater is currently second in the NFL in completion percentage 77.1%. He is tied for ninth in yards per attempt, 8.5.
In the Broncos’ week two victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bridgewater finished the game with a 125.6 passer rating. In week one against the New York Giants, his passer rating was 115.7.
Meanwhile, rookie Mac Jones completed 22-of-30 passes for 186 yards against the Jets defense in Week two. Sam Darnold had 279 passing yards and one touchdown against the Jets in week one.
Consider Bridgewater Muy Caliente!
COLD
JAMEIS WINSTON, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The Saints will travel to New England to play the Patriots. The Patriots’ defense has just destroyed rookie Zach Wilson for four sacks and four interceptions.
Now it is clear that Winston is no longer a rookie, and some of last week’s shenanigans could be attributed to half of the coaching staff out with Covid. But….it is Winston, and we know what he is capable of…both good and bad. Last week the bad was four sacks, two interceptions, 22 passing attempts, and 11 completions.
The pattern for Winston is emerging. Although he threw for five touchdowns in week one, he only attempted 20 passes with 14 completions.
Is Winston on a pitch count? Can he be trusted against a Belichick defense that already has accumulated five interceptions and six sacks in two weeks? The answer, of course, is obvious.
Winston is ice cold in week three.
WIDE RECEIVERS
HOT
DEVONTA SMITH, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The Eagles will play the Dallas Cowboys on MNF. The Cowboys’ defense has allowed the second-most fantasy points to the wide receiver position so far this season.
Smith is working with a 25.5% target share, and the results have been spotty. He has eight receptions, 87 yards, and one touchdown through two weeks. Playing against a Cowboys’ team that has given up 294 yards per game to wide receivers and five touchdowns should help improve those stats.
COLD
ANTONIO BROWN, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
***After this writing, it was announced that Brown will miss Sunday’s game on the COVID list. He did not travel with the team.
Brown started off hot. In week one against the Cowboys, as mentioned above, he had five receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown on seven targets. But then week two happened. And while quarterback Tom Brady threw for five touchdowns, Brown was not the recipient of any. He finished the game with one reception and 17 yards on three targets.
The Buccaneers will meet the Los Angeles Rams, who have given up the second-fewest fantasy points to the wide receiver position.
RUNNING BACK
HOT
TY’SON WILLIAMS, BALTIMORE RAVENS
We all know the Ravens are going to run the ball. Williams (almost literally the last man standing) has 22 rushing attempts in two games for 142 yards and a 6.5 yards per carry average. He has been on the field for 48.1% snap share and has had four red-zone touches.
Now what makes him hot is that the Ravens will play the Detroit Lions. The Lions just surrendered four touchdowns to Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones. And in week one, they gave up two rushing touchdowns and 131 rushing yards to the San Francisco Niners’ rushers.
COLD
JAMES ROBINSON, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
The Jaguars are sort of a hot mess right now. They will now play the Arizona Cardinals, who held Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook out of the end zone.
Robinson is cold this week.
TIGHT END
HOT
ROB GRONKOWSKI, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
It looks like Gronk has found his football pants. He is currently TE2 in fantasy football. He has been targeted 13 times for 12 receptions, 129 yards, and four touchdowns in the last two weeks. In a game against a formidable defense, he may be the only hot commodity on the receiving side for the Buccaneers.
COLD
MARK ANDREWS, BALTIMORE RAVENS
In a shallow tight-end pool, Andrews was swimming towards the top, and now he is slowly sinking towards the bottom. While this is a good match-up (and let’s face it, your options at this position are limited), Andrews has not eclipsed 60 receiving yards or sniffed the red zone.
He is lukewarm this week. In a match-up, he should smash.
CONCLUSION
We all want to be surrounded by hotness. Unfortunately, in the fantasy world, it is week-to-week. Keep up.
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