Week 3 fantasy football is officially here, and if your lineup decisions are already giving you a headache, you’re not alone. Dave Richard just dropped his Week 3 rankings, and he’s not pulling any punches on the tough calls, especially as we gear up for the Thursday night matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Green Bay Packers. Forget your draft order, it’s all about who plays who, and some guys you thought were safe might be heading to the bench.
Penix Jr. Faces a Green Bay Gauntlet
This Thursday night game? It’s shaping up to be a rough one for the Falcons’ passing game. The Green Bay Packers defense has been bringing the heat, no joke. They’ve rolled up seven sacks already through their first two games against some pretty solid offensive lines. What’s their secret? They’re leaning hard into zone coverage and cranking up that blitz rate. That’s a huge problem for Michael Penix Jr., who already has a tendency to throw short when he sees zone. You think that’s just a coincidence? Nah, it’s a defensive scheme designed to mess with exactly what Penix Jr. does, and it means he’s a definite sit this week.
Falcons Pass-Catchers: One In, One Out
So, if Penix Jr. is a sit, what about his receivers? It’s a tale of two different situations. You absolutely need to start **Drake London**. His track record with Penix Jr. is solid gold: he’s gone for 17-plus PPR points in seven of their 12 games together. That’s consistency you can count on from a guy who just gets it done.
Then there’s **Kyle Pitts**, and man, that’s a different story. He’s a borderline sit, and honestly, you might just want to keep him on your bench. In those same 12 games with Penix Jr., Pitts has only seen more than five targets three times. He’s only hit 12-plus PPR points in four of those dozen games! The Falcons are lining him up further downfield than your average tight end, similar to how he was used in his “not-so-great year” back in 2024. While those downfield routes might look appealing on paper, they just haven’t worked out consistently with Penix Jr. in the past. Combine that with the Packers’ zone-heavy defense, and Pitts is looking like a major headache this week.
Every single matchup matters right now, especially as we navigate these early weeks. You gotta minimize the impact of the unknowns by sticking with what we *do* know. Bijan Robinson? He’s a must-start, no brainer there; get him in your lineup, period. But when it comes to players like Jordan Love (he’s a borderline starter, so keep that in mind), Christian Watson, Matthew Golden (a low-end No. 2 WR with upside), and Tucker Kraft, those are your green light starts. MarShawn Lloyd can sneak in as a low-end flex if you’re desperate. Guys like Kaleb Johnson, Chris Brooks, and Brian Robinson are solid sits that you just can’t trust this week, and don’t even think about starting those DSTs either. Trust the data, trust the matchups Dave Richard has broken down, and make those confident lineup calls before the games kick off. These early-season decisions can literally make or break your fantasy year, so no regrets!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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