Week 3 of the 2018 Fantasy Footballs Season flew by, which featured the arrival of some special rookie performances, key injuries, and lots of highlights! Here’s hoping that you are looking at more than just the bottom line of stats and box scores.
If you look between the lines and beyond the stats, what do your eyes tell you? Each week carries its own bit of valuable information. For example, how to set your lineup each week, when it’s time to improve or when it’s time to cut someone loose before it’s too late. The following are observations by Ernie Estrella, on the week that was, and how they affect the weeks yet to come.
Here is What I Learned in Week 3 of the 2018 Fantasy Football Season.
1. Rinse (in tears) and (fantasy) spin
The 2018 fantasy football season suffered its first big in-season injury with Jimmy Garoppolo injuring his left knee seriously on a non-contact play. We’ll probably get a confirmation of how serious it is Monday, but the team is fearing the worst – torn ACL. C.J. Beathard will take over the team. There should be a few options left at quarterback in the waiver wire, Garoppolo owners, but they’re likely going to be streamers like Andy Dalton or Alex Smith.
Other key injuries, including major ones on the defensive side include:
• Falcons S Ricard Allen – Torn Achilles’ – This is the second safety Atlanta has lose for the year, joining Keanu Neal. Unless the Falcons are able to trade for Earl Thomas or pick up Eric Reid in free agency. Until then, start your tight ends and receivers against the Falcons.
• Rams high-priced cornerback duo of Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters are expected to miss this Thursday night matchup against the Vikings, on the short turnaround. Talib is diagnosed with a sprained ankle as he left the locker room in crutches and a boot on his left ankle. Meanwhile, Peters left the game before halftime and was also seen with a leg boot with a similar injury. – Look for Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen to have big games, that is, if Kirk Cousins can bounce back.
• Broncos CB Tramaine Brock left Sunday’s game against the Ravens with a groin injury and did not return. Rookie Isaac Yiadom is the current replacement, who Joe Flacco picked on the rest of the game. Look for No. 2 receivers going up against Yiadom to cash in until Brock is back to full strength.
• 49ers CB Richard Sherman made some nice plays against Tyreek Hill early, but unfortunately missed most of the game with a calf/heel injury. Opposing quarterbacks and receivers are going to test this injury all season long.
• Want to know one reason why the Bills smoked the Vikings in Week 3? CB Trae Waynes left the game early with an ankle injury and his replacement rookie Mike Hughes did not fill the hole adequately.
• Giants TE Evan Engram – left Sunday’s game against the Texans with a knee injury and did not return. Tests will be performed Monday on the severity.
• The Saints’ nickel cornerback Patrick Robinson could be missing time after injuring his ankle and needing to be carted off. Robinson was a key acquisition in the offseason and the secondary has already been blasted in the first three weeks, allowing nearly 350 yards passing per game and 10 touchdowns.
• Browns QB Tyrod Taylor suffered a concussion when he was sacked and landed on his head. He had been largely ineffective and in heavy pursuit the entire time he was on the field. Taylor is in concussion protocol but has already lost his starting job to Baker Mayfield.
