Week 3 Fantasy Flames QB: Deshaun Watson vs. Giants

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Week 3 rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE
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Each week, the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must have started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week. Scoring thresholds (0.5 PPR) – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points (10 for shockers); WR: 11 fantasy points; TE: 10 fantasy points.

Deshaun Watson, Browns

Start pct.4% on Yahoo
Matchupvs. Giants
BetMGM lineGiants -6.5
BetMGM total38.5

Glossing over Watson’s latest off-the-field allegations — which could eventually lead to a signing bonus refund for Cleveland decision makers who should have never sold their souls in the first place — the Browns quarterback is a recommended start before the potential unplugging occurs.

The New York Miniatures are living down to expectations. Though they didn’t completely break against Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels, the repeated defensive bends left them terribly misshapen. At 0-2 and outside the top 25 in EPA per play offense and defense, the Giants solely exist for fantasy managers’ enjoyment.

They’ve conceded 8.19 passing yards per attempt, 217.0 passing yards per game and the 15th-most fantasy points to signal callers. At first glance, that level of defensive production isn’t anything to scoff at, but New York’s No. 28 dropback EPA standing suggests darker days are ahead.

Admittedly, Watson is a hollow vessel. Once a dependable QB1 even in 10-team formats, his stark deterioration is irrefutable.

Against the Cowboys and Jaguars, though, Watson amassed 418 passing/rushing yards and two total TDs. His subsequent 33.7 fantasy points ranks him a respectable QB15. Still, as his QB26 standing in adjusted completion percentage implies, he remains a rough-edged passer.

With his days in Cleveland possibly numbered, Watson adds to Brian Daboll’s incurable misery. Consider him a backend QB1 for Week 3 in 12-team leagues.

Drown your sorrows, Giants fans.

Fearless Forecast: 193 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 31 rushing yards 1 rushing TD, 22.7 fantasy points

Week 3 Bonus Flame

Sam Darnold, Vikings

Start pct.3% on Yahoo
Matchupat Texans

In Mexico’s high desert plain, the century plant thrives. It’s a succulent that blooms a 30-foot stalk of greenish-yellow flowers once in its 10-25 year existence.

The agave american is Darnold with roots. Since being selected No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, he’s taken an eternity to gain fantasy relevance. Two weeks into the 2024 season, he may have finally blossomed.

In matchups against the Giants and 49ers, the much lampooned passer totaled 476 yards and four touchdowns. Heck, in those games combined, he rushed for more yards (35) than what Patrick Mahomes and C.J. Stroud each gained on the ground in their first two contests. Currently No. 8 in QB scoring and top-10 in adjusted completion percentage (79.2%), aDOT (8.8) and passer rating (111.8), Darnold has the devil shivering with his stellar start.

Assuming Justin Jefferson is in uniform in Houston on Sunday, the well-traveled QB is a highly debatable starter in single-QB formats. I, too, can’t believe those words danced across the brain. However, giving credit where it's due, he’s done a phenomenal job standing tall in the pocket, spreading the ball around and consistently hitting his targets.

The Minnesota marksman faces a below-average Texans secondary. DeMeco Ryans' unit ranks a laudable No. 10 in pass EPA D, but it has allowed 243.0 combined yards, three total touchdowns and the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs. As long as the Vikings keep Darnold clean, he should again post surprising results.

The long game appears to finally be paying off.

Fearless Forecast: 256 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 12 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns, 21.0 fantasy points

Season record: 2-2

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