Barring an impossible-to-expect tie, Week 3 of the 2015 NFL season will end with either the Cleveland Browns or Oakland Raiders over .500, at 2-1. That is thanks to the Browns beating the Tennessee Titans in Week 2, and the Raiders scoring late to beat the Cleveland Browns. The teams play each other Sunday.
Fantasy football advice, Week 3: Who to start/sit for Raiders vs. Browns
Two teams who are surprises at 1-1 face off in Week 3 looking to go over .500.
From a fantasy perspective, the teams come into Sunday’s game largely healthy. Oakland has no fantasy-relevant options on the week’s injury report, and while the Browns’ top two quarterbacks -- Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel -- were listed on the report, both should be fine for Sunday, with McCown retaking the starting job after being cleared from a Week 1 concussion.
The Browns will host the Raiders Sunday for a 1 p.m. ET game. Here’s a look at the fantasy considerations:
RAIDERS
Start ‘em: There was some fear about Latavius Murray going against Baltimore after an underwhelming Week 1, but he responded with 87 total yards and a score. He’s a fine RB2.
Start ‘em?: Games like Week 2 are why some are tantalized by Derek Carr, but he’s just too inconsistent to be anything more than a deep QB2 option. ... You might have some concern over Amari Cooper and/or Michael Crabtree with Joe Haden lined up on the opposing side, but Haden is only one man. Both receivers are fine flex options.
Sit ‘em: There was a very brief period last year when Mychal Rivera looked like a fantasy option. He’s been barely relevant in any game since then. ... Sebastian Janikowski had a huge Week 2, but history tells us he won’t keep doing that. ... The Raiders’ defense has a negative fantasy point total on the season.
BROWNS
Start ‘em: Turns out that not facing the Jets’ defense helped Isaiah Crowell, who was much better in Week 2 than Week 1. He’s a fine RB2.
Start ‘em?: The Browns’ defense put up big numbers against Tennessee in Week 2. It isn’t a great unit, but it carries upside.
Sit ‘em: There was some upside to Johnny Manziel as a starting quarterback because of his legs. Josh McCown has no such upside. ... Unless something happens to Cowell, Duke Johnson just won’t get enough looks to be a fantasy helper. ... Travis Benjamin has been a monster so far this year, but that production seems very fluky, and Andrew Hawkins, Brian Hartline, Dwayne Bowe and Gary Barnidge aren’t likely to step up to fill whatever gap Benjamin leaves. ... Travis Coons has exactly four points in each of his games so far. That seems about right.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Latavius Murray, Isaiah Crowell
Start if you’re desperate: Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Cleveland defense
Bench: Mychal Rivera, Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland defense, Josh McCown, Duke Johnson, Travis Benjamin, Andrew Hawkins, Brian Hartline, Dwayne Bowe, Gary Barnidge, Travis Coons
