Fantasy Football Week 3: Top 5 quarterbacks to start

Week 2 of the NFL season provided some huge fantasy performances from quarterbacks. So, here’s the list of top 5 QBs to start for Week 3.

One word to describe quarterback fantasy football scores in Week 2? Insane. Many signal callers absolutely went off for fantasy owners.

Let me put it into perspective here. Six quarterbacks accumulated more than 30+ fantasy football points in ESPN PPR Standard scoring leagues. There were only two quarterbacks who did that in Week 1.

So, remember how well the Week 1 edition of “top 5 quarterbacks to start” did? Well, Week 2 was a different story. Only one player mentioned in last week’s article finished as a top-five scoring QB, Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes finished second behind the weekly scoring leader Ben Roethlisberger. Cam Newton finished in the top 10, while Philip Rivers and Drew Brees landed in the top 15. Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady found themselves on the outside of the top 15.

Let’s try to make up for last week and see who makes the top five quarterbacks to start in Week 3.

5. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

In the early stages of the season, Cam Newton has been a steady fantasy quarterback. He is the seventh highest scoring QB in the first two weeks.

Newton went for 27.6 fantasy points during the Carolina Panthers loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He threw for three touchdowns and 335 yards, as well as 42 rushing yards and one interception.

This week Newton and his Panthers play the Cincinnati Bengals at home. This game has the makings of a shootout. While the Bengals are 2-0, the team has relied heavily on the offense.

The Bengals defense has allowed 46 points and Newton will be the best signal caller they have lined up against this season. Not to offend Joe Flacco and Andrew Luck, but Newton has the ability to shred the Bengals defense for a huge day.

Next: 4. Ryan Fitzpatrick

4. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Can you feel the Fitzmagic? Oh yeah, former New York Jet Ryan Fitzpatrick has played himself into the fourth spot in this week’s top five. The current Tampa Bay Buccaneer has played out of his mind in the first two games of the NFL season.

Fitzpatrick has been a fantastic fill in for the suspended Jameis Winston. Just how well has Fitzpatrick played? He is the highest scoring quarterback in ESPN leagues with 72.3 points.

We have seen Fitzpatrick do this before, so it may be necessary to ride the hot hand in Week 3. Need another reason? He has torched two of the best defensive teams from 2017 so far in 2018.

Fitz now sets his sights on the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that has allowed opposing quarterbacks to go off. It may sound crazy, but Fitzpatrick is a strong play in Week 3.

Next: 3. Aaron Rodgers

3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers looked healthy during the Green Bay Packers Week 2 tie to the Minnesota Vikings. There was some initial fear that he’d be limited after leaving the Packers Week 1 game.

However, that didn’t mean Rodgers was up to his usual tricks. He limped away from Sunday’s tie with just16 fantasy points.

Not bad, but by no means up to Rodgers’ standards. It’s hard for guys like him to have two lackluster weeks back-to-back, which is why he lands number three.

The Packers play a Washington Redskins team that has held opposing QBs in check. But, much like the Bengals, the Redskins haven’t faced a signal caller like Rodgers yet.

Next: 2. Tom Brady

2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

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Yes, watching the Jacksonville Jaguars steamroll the New England Patriots was a joy to watch. The Jags dominant performance resulted in Tom Brady only racking up 16.4 fantasy points.

Brady threw for two touchdowns, but only gathered 234 yards. Of course, the Jaguars have one of, if not the best defense in the NFL. So, it wouldn’t be fair to blame Brady for the down day.

Week 3 is a completely different story for Brady and the Pats. Not because their opponent has surrendered a large amount of fantasy points. No, Brady lands number two because he and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will want to march into Detroit and run the Lions off the field.

Why? This will mark the first match up against former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Look for Brady to pick apart Patricia’s Lions.

Next: 1. Patrick Mahomes

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes was number five last week, and now the gunslinger finds himself atop Week 3’s list. He has been remarkable in the first two games of the season.

Like Fitzpatrick, there will undoubtedly be a game where Mahomes falters. But, this week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers won’t be that day.

Mahomes has thrown 10 touchdown passes in the first two games and the Chiefs offense looks deadly. Week 2 he threw for six touchdowns and 326 yards during the Chiefs back and forth win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Chiefs offense seems to be far more dynamic than it did before with Alex Smith. The up-tempo style leads to an incredible amount of big plays.