MOST INTRIGUING MATCHUPS- WEEK 3
Chicago Bears @ Cleveland Browns
I typically try to not write about teams on consecutive weeks, but I'm going to break that rule a couple times this year. This matchup is the most intriguing of the week because it’s the starting debut for rookie quarterback Justin Fields, who is taking over for the injured Andy Dalton. The Browns aren’t exactly the ideal matchup you’d like to see, but they aren’t the worst matchup. Fields adds an element to this Bears offense that hasn’t been there so far in the season, mobility. Fields isn’t going to be out there running around like Lamar Jackson or Kyler Murray, but Josh Allen could be a good comp for his play style. He will take the opportunity to run if it’s available and has no issue remaining in the pocket in order to force the ball downfield. Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney should both benefit from more accurate passing and being targeted downfield more often and more efficiently. The Browns are dealing with their own injury issues, having placed wide receiver Jarvis Landry on IR and Odell Beckham Jr. coming back for his first game of the season after suffering a torn ACL last year. The Browns game plan focuses on the run and asks Baker Mayfield to move the ball when necessary in order to limit turnovers, which he’s done for the most part. Outside of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, there aren’t any Browns I would consider starting in this matchup.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
An early season divisional matchup is a fairly important one for both teams. Both teams enter with a record of 1-1, which will see the loser of the matchup fall to 1-2 and at least 1 game back of every team in the division. The Chargers offense has struggled to turn drives into touchdowns in consecutive weeks and look to right the ship against a similarly struggling Chiefs defense. All the usual suspects for the Chargers are performing well, with Justin Herbert being the only one who hasn’t turned his on-field production into fantasy glory thus far. Jared Cook is a potential streaming option for tight end and that’s it outside of the top guys. For the Chiefs, it’s their big 3: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. Clyde Edwards-Helaire has struggled up to this point and isn’t someone I would consider a must start every week until we see some big numbers being consistently put up. This matchup, however, is more favorable than his previous two opponents so he would be locked into this week but that doesn’t carry on going forward. I expect this game to live up to the hype and scoring potential that was expected from last week’s Chargers/Cowboys matchup.
