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Fantasy Football stars and studs in Week 3: MVP contenders dominate

By Nicholas McGee

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to throw a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter in the game at CenturyLink Field on September 27, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to throw a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter in the game at CenturyLink Field on September 27, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Rex Burkhead #34 of the New England Patriots runs the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Rex Burkhead #34 of the New England Patriots runs the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Rex Burkhead – New England Patriots

After the spectacular performance from Cam Newton in the Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Patriots leaned heavily on their running backs as they cruised to a 36-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sony Michel and Burkhead delivered in a huge way for New England. Michel had 117 yards on only nine carries, a whopping average of 13 yards per attempt, but it was Burkhead who racked up the superior amount of fantasy points as he found the endzone three times.

Burkhead had 49 yards and two touchdowns on six carries and caught seven passes for a further 49 yards and another score.

He finished the game with 34.8 points in PPR scoring, with Kamara (44.7) the only running back ahead of him in that regard.

Yet any long-term enthusiasm Burkhead can be a consistent fantasy contributor should be dampened, with history telling us it is tough to rely on the New England backfield.

It is a case of too many cooks at running back for the Patriots. Trying to predict which back will get the bulk of the workload in their offense has long been a near-impossible task and that is unlikely to change in 2020.

The Patriots also have J.J. Taylor in the mix and James White will be a factor if and when he returns following the tragedy that struck his family. Considering the influence Newton has on the running game, Burkhead remains nothing more than a risky flex play in both standard and PPR leagues until he proves otherwise.

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