Brock Purdy adapts to life without another weapon, Derek Carr seems to be proving himself to be a top 12 quarterback, and Anthony Richardson wonders what kind of quarterback he’s going to be.

Other features: Walk back | Recipient | Tight End/Kickers/Defense

Updated on 9/20 at 5:30pm ET. Justin Herbert (ankle) moved down. Brock Purdy moved down without George Kittle.

Week 3 Quarterbacks

QB Notes: Josh Allen has attempted just 42 passes in two starts. Fantasy managers were a bit unlucky when the Bills’ Week 2 game against the Dolphins ended in a non-contest. There’s a risk that could happen Monday night against the Jags, but Allen’s legs are needed in the red zone more often than not. … Struggling as a passer, Lamar Jackson is top 10 in rushing. As the Cowboys clearly showed in Week 2, they are susceptible to big plays, whether on the ground or elsewhere. … Jalen hurts has racked up 13 carries in back-to-back starts. His legs have become even more important in the absence of AJ Brown (hamstring). He just has to make sure the Eagles don’t fall prey to the Saints’ relentless onslaught Sunday in New Orleans. Trail mode would make Hurts’ running less impactful and leave him susceptible to interceptions. … Sunday was Kyler Murray‘s biggest fantasy performance since the end of the 2021 season. He took advantage of a collapsing Rams defense. Now he gets a so-far unimpressive Lions unit for the highest-totaling game of Week 3. Murray has long had a tendency to underperform, but this is such a great spot.

Patrick Mahomes‘151 yards in Week 2 was his fewest since the Broncos injured him in Week 7 of 2019. So far, his average intended air yards of 5.1 Somehow it’s almost five feet less than last year’s already shocking number. Here’s hoping “they” don’t ruin football forever. At least the Falcons are coughing up a 75.5 completion percentage after two games. … Jayden Daniels has 10 carries in each of his first two career starts. He passes efficiently, but not explosively. His floor is set. Hopefully the ceiling is next. … Brock Purdy lost another weapon when Deebo Samuel went down (calf), but he leads the league in yards and is fifth in yards per attempt after two tough matchups. The injury-plagued Rams, who give up 10 yards per pass, are not a tough matchup. … Joe Burrow appeared to be heating up in Week 2. Now he faces the only defense allowing at least six passing scores on a young year, Washington. With Tee Higgins (hamstring) inching closer to a return, Burrow could be a rare QB ready to break the two-high safety malaise.

On Monday we explained the longer case, but the bottom line? The Saints have jumped on every bandwagon that matters. More play-action. Pre-snap motion. Designed quarterback rollouts. More first down passing. So Derek Carr is averaging an insane 11.4 yards per attempt, 1.7 more than any other passer. Week 4 opponent Philadelphia looks vulnerable to big plays. … CJ Stroud has yet to truly unleash itself this season. Now he must face what looks like another elite Brian Flores pass defense. The Vikes have not allowed a completion of more than 28 yards, and are the only team with double-digit sacks (11). … As feared, it’s a tale of two Anthony Richardsons. You probably think I’m straying too far in my ranks. As I struggle to find the right balance, I’ll be cautious against a Bears defense that allows just 5.7 yards per attempt. … It’s also the story of Geno Smiths. Without Kenneth Walker in Week 2, Seattle used the pass as an extension of the run, targeting Jaxon Smith-Njigba 16 times. KWIII’s status in Week 3 will affect Smith’s upside against a reeling Dolphins squad.

I wouldn’t necessarily say that I Roof Prescott believe amid his supporting cast woes, but there is no universe in which he attempts fewer than 30 passes against the Ravens, and 40-plus is very much achievable. In allowing 8.6 yards per attempt, the Ravens gave up just 276 yards to Gardner Minshew. … It’s been a shaky first few starts for Jared Goff. The Cardinals have poor numbers but dominated Matthew Stafford in Week 2. Goff always fares worse on foreign soil, even if it’s a dome. He does have plus weapons and a sky-high total that works in his favor. … Baker Mayfield is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes (five) and ranks second in yards per attempt (9.7). The Broncos’ strong defensive play from the second half of 2023 has carried over, but the real risk for Mayfield is that Denver can’t compete on offense, limiting the passing game. The passing total for this game hovers around 40. … Sam Darnold‘s EPA explosion is overshadowed by Derek Carr’s. The Texans aren’t a great matchup, but Darnold has the luxury of throwing to Justin Jefferson with a play-caller who knows how to make the computers happy.

Justin Velden has just one total score in two starts but continues to hint at the expected rushing upside. Unfortunately, the Chargers are another strong, disciplined defense for Week 3, limiting his overall appeal. … The Falcons opened Kirk Neven‘ use after his troubling Week 1, but his final stat line would still have been hugely disappointing had Vic Fangio not been in some of the softest zones ever during the Falcons’ game-winning drive. We don’t know if the Chiefs’ defense is as good as it was last year, but it certainly isn’t bad. … Gardner Minshew Surprisingly, the Ravens were chopped up with short passes in Week 2. It wouldn’t be a surprise if someone had a useful fantasy day against the Panthers. … The Bills are allowing 5.5 yards per attempt with zero completions longer than 24 yards. This doesn’t profile as Trevor Lawrence‘s recovery start. … I had to Caleb Williams put it on the stove a second time in Week 2 to make sure it was hot. Man, it was red hot. The Colts are certainly a better matchup than what he’s seen the first two weeks. … What exactly does he do Deshaun Watson do nowadays?

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