If this NFL season could be described in one word, it would be “odd,” and Week 3 would be one of the main reasons why. This week, five teams turned to backup quarterbacks as a result of injuries sidelining their starters. Defensive and special teams stole the spotlight from struggling offenses. Previously struggling teams are swapping places with now-struggling contenders.
No starter, no problem?
The Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers all earned victories this week without their starting quarterbacks. Carson Wentz, Marcus Mariota and Mac Jones looked comfortable on the field, whereas Bengals quarterback Jake Browning could barely control one of the best wide receiver rooms in football and was swallowed up by the Vikings’ defense.
It’s a concerning sight for Bengals fans — a team that looked promising until Joe Burrow underwent surgery for turf toe last week. Browning was able to lead the Bengals to victory after Burrow left the game against the Jaguars, but he still threw three interceptions and, this week, gave up two more, including one that was returned 87 yards for a touchdown.
Tyrod Taylor was the other backup quarterback to start this week, doing so for Justin Fields, who suffered a concussion in Week 2. Taylor threw for 197 yards, two touchdowns and an interception and also led the Jets in rushing yards with 48, but a wilder sequence of events attributed to the 29-27 loss against the Buccaneers.
The Jets’ situation is less concerning than the Bengals’, who should be worried about how long they’ll be winning games without Burrow at the helm. They face the Denver Broncos this week before back-to-back showdowns against two NFC North squads, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, who currently allow the least points per game in the league.
A special time for special teams
When offenses weren’t at their best, defense and special teams stepped in. Eight different teams had at least one defensive touchdown, and the Vikings had two of them. The nine total defensive touchdowns are the most in a week since Week 12 of the 2020 season.
The Vikings’ defense/special teams scored 32 fantasy points this week, according to ESPN Fantasy. Twelve teams had 10 or more fantasy points, all of them winning their matchup.
The most wild statistic of all is the four blocked kicks that all occurred in the last 30 minutes of Sunday’s slate of games. The Browns, Jets and Eagles all blocked field goal attempts (the Eagles twice), which is the most in a single day since 1991. Safe to say, if you had one of these 12 defense/special teams on your fantasy team, it most likely boosted you to a win — unless you had a Bengals player on your lineup.
Contenders or pretenders?
Two surprising teams that have gained recognition across the league are the Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Chargers.
Both teams won their first three games of the season, with the Colts beating their opponents by an average of 15.7 points per game and the Chargers defeating each AFC West opponent to start the season. But are these teams able to compete in the long run?
According to ESPN’s 2025 Strength of Schedule rankings released before the season began, the Chargers’ schedule ranked 12th and the Colts’ schedule ranked 25th in difficulty of their 2025 opponents, based on their records from 2024.
Each of the Chargers’ opponents are now 1-2, and the only team that the Colts have played so far with a win is the Broncos (they’ll visit the 2-1 Los Angeles Rams next week). So would you count either of these teams out to make a playoff push?
You shouldn’t. For the Colts, Jonathan Taylor looks to be in his prime. He’s averaging 112.7 rushing yards per game, the most in the NFL. Daniel Jones has already found a home in Indianapolis since leaving the New York Giants and is averaging 272 passing yards per game, the third-most in the NFL, with three passing touchdowns and three rushing. Young receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce paired with rookie tight end Tyler Warren are proving to be a lethal and balanced combination. The Colts are contenders.
For the Chargers, their first scare was against the Broncos when they trailed 20-13 early in the fourth quarter and put together two last-minute drives to win 23-20. With a struggling Kansas City team and wavering Denver one, the Chargers will be the favorite to win the AFC West as long as NFL-leading passer Justin Herbert continues slinging the pigskin. The Chargers are contenders.
Week 4 Predictions: Who should you start and sit?
With injuries continuing to plague many NFL teams, fantasy managers are forced to make tough decisions. Once-star players are not playing at their best, and new talents are arising. Here is who you should start and sit for Week 4.
Start
Jordan Love (QB, GB) (Away vs. DAL)
Going into a game against historic rivals the Dallas Cowboys, it would be the incorrect decision to bench Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love.
Yes, Love may have struggled against the Browns in last week’s loss; however, facing defensive end Myles Garrett would be difficult for any quarterback. He should have a much easier time with this Dallas defense, as it’s missing former star linebacker Micah Parsons. The Cowboys’ defense has allowed 896 passing yards, which ranks in the bottom three in the league.
With 189 receiving yards between the two of them, wide receivers Matthew Golden and Romeo Doubs will be reliable to grab passes and put points on the board for the Packers. Combined with elite running back Josh Jacobs, this offense should have no problem breaking down Dallas.
Keenan Allen (WR, LAC) (Away vs. NYG)
The Los Angeles Chargers have been nothing short of dominant this season and do not seem to be slowing down any time soon.
Veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen had to step up for his team this year. Ladd McConkey, WR1 for the Chargers, is struggling this season and has yet to record a touchdown for his team. With three total touchdowns and 194 receiving yards, Allen is proving to be reliable. Herbert is emerging as a way-too-early MVP candidate, currently ranking first in total yards. A good quarterback and a good wide receiver go hand-in-hand toward the success of a team, which Los Angeles is lucky enough to have in Allen and Herbert.
The New York Giants defense is among the worst in the league, allowing 756 passing yards. Expect Allen and a talented Chargers offense to exploit this weakness and dominate in this Week 4 matchup.
Breece Hall (RB, NYJ) (Away vs. MIA)
New York Jets running back Breece Hall has not had a noteworthy season thus far, but if there was any time for him to turn it around, it’s now.
Hall is the Jets’ best offensive option, and the Miami Dolphins defense has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards this season, which will work to his advantage. Veteran offensive linemen Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson now have the support of two talented rookies in Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou and can open the necessary gaps for their running back. Hall has explosive speed and can use those gaps in the defense to rush down the field.
Monday, Sept. 28 will be Hall’s chance to finally start scoring this season.
Sit
Tee Higgins (WR, CIN) (Away vs. DEN)
The entirety of the Cincinnati Bengals offense is struggling without Burrow, who is out with a toe injury.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins has not had a stellar season himself, with just one receiving touchdown and total 104 yards. Teammate and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is the best player at his position in the league this season. Higgins will be an afterthought as a receiver for the remainder of the season, so long as Chase is healthy.
Despite the Denver Broncos having an average pass defense, Browning does not have what it takes to lead the Bengals to victory. In nearly two games, he threw five interceptions and topped out at 140 yards. Receivers need a quarterback. Even Chase will find it difficult to score in Burrow’s absence.
It would be best to go with a different receiver this week.
Dak Prescott (QB, DAL) (Home vs. GB)
The Packers’ defense outshines its offensive prowess and makes up the majority of the team’s success this season, allowing 697 total yards of gain.
In a major blow to the Cowboys offense, star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb exited the team’s Week 3 game against the Bears with an injury and is expected to miss this week. Quarterback Dak Prescott would have trouble with this defense regardless of the health of his receivers. Wide receiver George Pickens will get more targets, but he does not operate at the same level as Lamb and is frequently subject to penalties.
Prescott is a talented quarterback; however, he does not have the team surrounding him to prove this. Unfortunately, do not expect much production in his first appearance against Parsons.
Isiah Pacheco (RB, KC) (Home vs. BAL)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has all but vanished off the field this season. With 94 total yards and zero touchdowns, he’s had a slow start. As he continues to split touches with fellow running back Kareem Hunt, expect this trend to continue as the season progresses. The Chiefs are a pass-heavy offense with just 175 rushing yards between their running backs.
Pacheco will further cease to be targeted with wide receiver Xavier Worthy on track to return to action following his Week 1 injury. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has taken to running the ball himself, will be looking to get passes off to lessen the burden on him. The Baltimore Ravens currently have the second-most passing yards allowed, which means Worthy will see plenty of targets.
