Fantasy Sports

The Chargers, according to Popper, “wanted to bring [Johnston] along slowly.” “That plan is out the window” after the team lost Williams to an ACL injury he sustained in Week 3 against the Vikings. Popper expects Johnston to inherit the deep 50-50 balls Williams had seen in the LA offense. Without Williams, Popper said, teams will be more likely to double team Keenan Allen, who has a career day Sunday against Minnesota. Through Week 3, Johnston — a first-round draft pick — has run a route on just 29.8 percent of the Chargers’ drop backs and managed five receptions for 28 yards. Johnston should be picked up in all 12-team leagues as a volatile fantasy producer who will likely play behind Allen and Josh Palmer.

The Bengals started the game by peppering Chase on the opening drive and Burrow continued looking his way for easy completions. Chase was largely confined to short area work on a night where Burrow’s mobility was affected by a nagging calf strain, but head coach Zac Taylor was able to move him around the formation enough to get him one-on-one coverage for most of the evening. Fantasy managers have to be happy with the Week 3 production after the electric wide receiver failed to provide solid counting stats during the first two games of the season. Next up is a more forgiving matchup with the pass-funnel defense of the Titans in Week 4.

Mixon continued to play heavy snaps for the Bengals and handled all but two running back opportunities in Week 3. His first touchdown of the year masked his continued low efficiency but salvaged his fantasy day, providing the first starter-worthy fantasy week this season. Mixon’s efficiency and upside could improve as the offense improves, after the Bengals have managed just 46 points scored through three weeks. That said, fantasy managers might want to make alternate plans with a matchup with the stout run defense of the Titans on deck for Week 4.

Burrow’s limited mobility showed through in Week 3 but he managed to gut it out through a troubling calf strain to lead his team to their first victory of the season. He keyed in on alpha wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, feeding his top target 15 looks in a primarily short area attack. The inefficiency and low yards per attempt were largely to be expected considering his inability to extend plays with his legs, but fantasy managers that invested a pick in the top six rounds of fantasy drafts will surely want more than what they’ve seen to this point in the season from Burrow. Burrow was also hurt by numerous drops from Tee Higgins which could have padded his stats on the night. Next up for the Bengals is a more forgiving matchup through the air when they travel to Tennessee to face the Titans in Week 4.

Higbee maintained an elite snap rate but continued to stay in to block at a high rate to help an offensive line that struggled against the stunt blitz packages of Lou Anarumo’s swarming defense. He was able to flash his dependable hands when in a route, catching all five targets and leading the team in receiving until the final drive of the game. Fantasy managers are sure to want more considering the absence of Cooper Kupp from the lineup, but will have to make do with the adequate fantasy performance in full PPR settings in Week 3.

Nacua salvaged his fantasy outing with a 37-yard grab on the team’s final drive of the game to set up a one-yard score by Tutu Atwell. His showing was a far cry from the 35 combined targets he saw during the first two weeks of the season, but he still managed to lead the team in receiving for the third consecutive game. Nacua’s ability to shake loose over the middle of the field has been an integral piece of the offense in the absence of Cooper Kupp, the latter of whom could return as early as Week 5 against the Eagles.

Atwell’s day could have been much bigger but he was ruled to have stepped out of bounds at the two on a jet sweep in the first quarter and narrowly missed catching a second touchdown in the third quarter. His speed and joystick abilities were on full display against the Bengals, moved around the formation to generate mismatches against the swarming defense of Lou Anarumo. Atwell should remain an integral part of the offense even when Cooper Kupp makes his eventual return, which could come as early as Week 5 against the Eagles.

Opposing defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo had Sean McVay’s number in this one, holding the Rams to just one third down conversion on the evening. That led to a reduced workload for Williams as the team was forced into catchup mode for most of the night. Williams saw a hefty seven targets but dropped one and was subject to off-target throws from Stafford. He saw 100 percent of the team’s available running back opportunities for the second consecutive week, meaning better days are likely ahead for the second-year back.

The offensive line did Stafford no favors in this one as he was under constant pressure from the jump, taking six sacks and throwing two interceptions on the evening. Cincinnati came in with a game plan to erase electric rookie Puka Nacua and operate with stunt blitzes up front, a plan from defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo that held the Rams to just one third down conversion all game. The Rams converted a third down and fourth down play on their final drive of the evening which resulted in a touchdown to bring the score to within three points, but ultimately could not corral the onside kick attempt. Stafford limps into Week 4 desperate for his primary playmaker back from injury, but will have to make it one more week at minimum without Cooper Kupp. The Rams head to Indianapolis to face the Colts in Week 4.

Evans has now scored in all three of his appearances this season. That shouldn’t come as a surprise given how much Baker Mayfield favors him in the red zone. Mayfield targeted him on 3-of-6 pass attempts in the red zone including two targets from the one-yard line. The second goal line target resulted in Evans’ touchdown. Though the Bucs’ passing attack isn’t particularly potent, it revolves around Evans, keeping him in the WR2 conversion for Week 4 against the Saints.