Fantasy football week 3: The backup quarterbacks become the stars

Week 3 of the fantasy football season saw six quarterbacks make their first start. Some of them played surprisingly well.

Daniel Jones, Mason Rudolph, Kyle Allen, Teddy Bridgewater, Luke Falk and Josh Rosen. Those are the six quarterbacks who started for their respective teams in week 3. Some of them made their first starts ever while others were starting for the first time in a while. They led to some big fantasy football performances.

It’s never a good sign for a team to have to turn to their backup quarterback. Whether it’s because of injury, poor performance or change in leadership, there’s usually a reason that player is the backup. Teams that turn to their backup are likely so far back in the standings that a change can’t hurt the team.

But, for fantasy football, having a solid backup quarterback join the player pool could change the landscape of your league. If you drafted a quarterback late or drafted Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Drew Brees or Cam Newton, the replacement options were limited. Now, with three or four new options available, you are right back in the mix of things, especially with just three weeks in the books.

Surprisingly, most of the backups played well. The big one was Jones. The sixth overall pick for the Giants got the start after Eli Manning led the team to an 0-2 start. He had 336 yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-36 passing as well as 28 rushing yards and another two scores, including the game-winning score.

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Like with most inexperienced quarterbacks, the tight end benefits. Evan Engram had six receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown. Sterling Shepard had a 100-yard game and a score. The rest of the passing weapons were quiet.

If you need a quarterback with the bye weeks starting, Jones is a solid option against Washington. He’s going to be the focus with Saquon Barkley out for a few weeks.

Allen got the start for an injured Newton. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns. Christian McCaffrey did what he does best. Greg Olsen, Curtis Samuel and DJ Moore all scored. Newton is already scheduled to miss their week 4 game against the Texans.

Houston allowed 318 yards and two touchdowns to Philip Rivers. Yes, Rivers and Allen are two different quarterbacks but that secondary could be taken advantage of.

Bridgewater threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns. With weapons like Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara, Bridgewater will be fine. I wouldn’t add him to my roster but the Saints play the Cowboys in Week 4, so he could put up close to 20 points.

Falk did not look good, but then again, neither did the Jets offense as a whole. He completed 12-of-22 passes for 98 yards and an interception. With a bye week in week 4, the Jets need to get Sam Darnold back for their game against the Eagles.

In his first start for the Steelers, Rudolph had two touchdowns, but he also had an interception and a fumble. He went 14-for-27 with 174 yards. James Conner led the team with four receptions but JuJu Smith-Schuster had three catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.

He may not have many attempts but he’ll be effective.

Rosen was serviceable for the Dolphins but not for fantasy. He went 18-for-39 and 200 yards. They have some good receivers but I wouldn’t trust them with Rosen under center.

Next. Saquon Barkley out 1-2 months with high ankle sprain. dark

Some of these teams will be fine with their backup quarterbacks taking charge while the others need their starters healthy. For fantasy football, whether you play in season-long or DFS leagues, these players have their value and won’t cost you much to pick them up.

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