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Fantasy football lineup advice: Week 3 BOOM or BUST!

By Jake VanZuiden

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Wide receiver Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams runs defended by cornerback Marshon Lattimore #23 of the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Wide receiver Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams runs defended by cornerback Marshon Lattimore #23 of the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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Fantasy Football - Bears RB David Montgomery
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 15: David Montgomery (32) of the Chicago Bears scores a touchdown as Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos and company try to stop him during the second half of Chicaco’s 16-14 win on Sunday, September 15, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

Fantasy Football Lineup Advice – Running Back

BOOM:

David Montgomery, CHI @ WSH

After an underwhelming fantasy debut where he saw just seven total touches, Montgomery actually got a deserving workload in Week 2. Against the Broncos, who allowed the 13th-fewest rushing yards in the league last season (and now have defensive guru Vic Fangio at head coach), Montgomery took 18 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown. Encouragingly, he was also utilized in the passing game (three targets) and remains someone with the skillset to be a dual-threat back.

His 3.4 yards per carry weren’t exactly ideal, but he should have more room to run against a Redskins front-seven that’s surrendered nearly 125 rushing yards per game (fourth-most in the league) over the first two weeks. The Bears’ offense has struggled to get the wheels turning after resting their starters throughout the preseason, but look for them to reverse that trend against an 0-2 Washington team that’s been pathetic at stopping RBs. This has the looks of a true breakout game from Montgomery.

Marlon Mack, IND vs. ATL

After finishing Week 1 as the league’s leading rusher (174 yards against Chargers), Mack was limited to just 51 yards on 20 carries against Tennessee. Over the first two weeks, Mack has seemingly put owners’ worries to ease regarding his value following Andrew Luck‘s retirement.  He’s been a true workhorse for an Indianapolis team that’s going to need to effectively pound the rock this season, seeing a whopping 45 carries thus far (16.9 FPPG).

This week, the Colts finally return home and get an Atlanta team coming off a big victory against the Eagles on Sunday Night Football. While the Falcons were able to suppress Philly’s deficient run-game in their last contest, they’re just two weeks removed from letting Dalvin Cook run rampant on them for 111 yards and two TDs. Against a defense that allowed 29 FPPG to RBs in 2018, Mack is poised for another big week.

BUST:

Josh Jacobs, OAK @ MIN

Jacobs has come out of the gates strong in his rookie season. In his debut against Denver, he posted 113 all-purpose yards to go along with a pair of touchdowns. He impressed yet again in Week 2, rushing 12 times for 99 yards (8.3 YPC), but his fantasy score suffered (9.9 points) from decreased volume as the Raiders turned to Jalen Richard for his receiving prowess while in comeback mode. This should concern owners, as Oakland looks like a squad that’ll be playing from behind often in 2019.

Additionally, it was announced Jacobs is currently nursing a groin injury, making his status for the team’s upcoming stop in Minnesota up in the air. While the Vikings were gashed by Aaron Jones last week, they still possess one of the best defensive units in the game against RBs and always seem to elevate their play at home. There’ll be better weeks ahead, but cards are stacked against Jacob in Week 3.

Matt Breida, SF vs. PIT

Breida enjoyed himself a solid afternoon against the Bengals, averaging over 10 YPC to give him 121 rushing yards and 14.2 fantasy points. However, don’t be fooled by these gaudy statistics heading this week, as he’s been placed in a three-way time timeshare since Tevin Coleman went down with an ankle injury. Both Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. have vultured work from Breida, as the two combined for 212 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns against Cincinnati.

He gets to face Pittsburgh this week. While this looks like a juicy matchup on the surface, the unpredictability of the 49ers’ backfield split is going to be something that’ll make it hard for Breida to put up consistent fantasy scores from week to week. So far, the Steelers have had trouble stopping opposing offenses (especially through the air), but managed to hold Chris Carson under 10 points last week. Breida’s a risky flex play at best.

Sleeper:

Jaylen Samuels, PIT @ SF

Pittsburgh may have a tougher time moving the ball without Ben Roethlisberger at the helm, but that makes a case for their offense to rely on their running backs even more. James Conner left last Sunday’s game with a knee injury, which could force more playing time for Samuels. The 49ers’ defense has been impressive to begin the season, but if Conner’s forced to miss this game, Samuels has some sneaky flex appeal.

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