The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins both won in Week 1 before losing in Week 2, but the similarities end there. The Bills beat a team they weren’t supposed to in the Indianapolis Colts, then lost when they should have to the New England Patriots.
Fantasy football advice, Week 3: Who to start/sit for Bills vs. Dolphins
Both teams won in Week 1, but both lost in Week 2. The loser on Sunday falls to the bottom of the AFC East.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins beat a Washington team they were supposed to beat and then lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars when they shouldn’t have. Really, the Bills were expected to be 0-2, while the Dolphins should’ve been 2-0. Regardless, they play one another on Sunday, with the loser falling to last place in the AFC East.
Both teams have plenty of fantasy-relevant names on their injury reports. The Bills have quarterback Tyrod Taylor (chest), running back LeSean McCoy (hamstring) and wide receiver Percy Harvin (hip) all on the weekly report, though all three are expected to play on Sunday. The team’s kicker, Dan Carpenter, popped up on the report as well, but he seems good to go.
On the Dolphins side, a similar mix of players are banged up, with quarterback Ryan Tannehill (ankle), running back Lamar Miller (ankle) and tight end Jordan Cameron (groin) all listed. Just like Bufffalo, all the injured players are expected to go, though Miller in particular might be hindered.
Buffalo will head south for Sunday’s game, scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy names to consider:
BILLS
Start ‘em: It’s been a frustrating start to the season for LeSean McCoy, who has been dealing with a hamstring problem every game and has yet to put up more than 10 fantasy points in a game. Still, he’s a relatively safe option, especially as he gets further removed from his hamstring issue. ... Dan Carpenter didn’t get a lot of chances to kick in Week 2, as the Bills fell behind by a lot and had to go for two for all its late touchdowns. That won’t be a regular occurrence. ... The Bills’ defense was beaten down by the Patriots, but then that’s what the Patriots do. This defense will be fine.
Start ‘em?: Through two starts, Tyrod Taylor is averaging 20 fantasy points a game. Much of that production came in Week 2 garbage time, but it all counts. Still, against a Miami defense that is supposed to be decent, he’s not a sure thing, even if he has a high floor because of his running ability. ... After a fantasy no-show in Week 1, Sammy Watkins bounced back with a productive Week 2. That seems more representative of the player’s talent. He’s a flex play with upside. ... Charles Clay is a middling tight end, right in the big group that is just outside starting territory. He carries touchdown upside.
Sit ‘em: With McCoy getting healthier, Karlos Williams will see a bit less use, sending him down to handcuff territory. .. Percy Harvin’s numbers fell off a fair amount from Week 1 to Week 2. With Watkins producing, Harvin might not get enough targets to help consistently.
DOLPHINS
Start ‘em: In a crowded group of Miami receivers, Jarvis Landry has set himself apart from the others. He’s an every-week starter. ... Injury concerns will always be part of the Jordan Cameron equation, but he looks fine to play on Sunday despite his injury, and that makes him a starter. ... The performance of the Dolphins’ defense in Week 2 was inexplicably awful. Here’s betting that unit gets back on track.
Start ‘em?: Over the course of 2015, best bet is that Ryan Tannehill ranks just inside the tier of starting fantasy quarterbacks, but he’s susceptible to tough defenses, and this Buffalo matchup pushes him into QB2 territory. ... Andrew Franks missed his first field goal in Week 2. The Buffalo defense could force Miami to settle for field goals fairly often, though.
Sit ‘em: It’s been an awful start to the season for Lamar Miller, who isn’t even averaging three yards a carry through two games and now is dealing with an injury. Let him sit for now, and don’t start thinking about Damien Williams in the meantime. ... Rishard Matthews has been very productive through two weeks, but I for one don’t really buy it. I’ll need to see it another time or two before I move him up significantly. ... Kenny Stills, Greg Jennings and DeVante Parker combined for a grand total of zero fantasy points in Week 2. That’s not so good.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: LeSean McCoy, Dan Carpenter, Buffalo defense, Jarvis Landry, Jordan Cameron, Miami defense
Start if you’re desperate: Tyrod Taylor, Sammy Watkins, Charles Clay, Ryan Tannehill, Andrew Franks
Bench: Karlos Williams, Percy Harvin, Lamar Miller, Damien Williams, Rishard Matthews, Kenny Stills, Greg Jennings, DeVante Parker
