Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 3: Smartest Matchups to Exploit, Sleeper Plays and More

For fantasy football managers, it can be tough to stick with a player who isn't performing up to expectations early in the season. Especially if there's a breakout player or two on the bench making a more deserving case despite not having the same track record.

Heading into Week 3, there are players who fit into both of those groups. Can the underperformers turn it around soon? Which of the potential rising stars can actually keep it going? Those are likely the questions in many managers' minds at this time.

While pondering upcoming lineup choices, here's some early Week 3 start/sit advice that could help.

Dameon Pierce had a strong training camp and preseason, but the Texans' rookie running back hasn't carried that momentum over into the regular season. Through two games, he's rushed for 102 yards and had only two catches for 14 yards.

But there were some encouraging developments from Week 1 to Week 2. After playing only 29 percent of snaps in Houston's season-opening tie vs. the Indianapolis Colts, Pierce was on the field for 62 percent of snaps in the Texans' loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Pierce's number of touches also increased from 12 to 16.

In Week 3, Houston is going on the road to face the Chicago Bears, and it could be the perfect matchup to allow Pierce to have a breakout performance. The Bears are averaging an NFL-high 189.5 rushing yards allowed per game through two weeks.

The hype surrounding Pierce has quieted since early this month, so he's now a bit of a sleeper play for Week 3. But he's gaining valuable NFL experience and should be more comfortable in the Texans offense at this point, making a strong fantasy showing imminent. He's worthy of a flex start this week.

It may be difficult to sit Raheem Mostert this week, considering fantasy managers likely will have just picked him up off the waiver wire after his heavy involvement in the Dolphins' Week 2 win over the Baltimore Ravens. But Week 3 will not be the right time to deploy him.

This week, Miami is hosting the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills, who are off to a dominant 2-0 start. Through two games, Buffalo ranks second in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (215) and first in run defense (66 yards allowed per contest).

Mostert had only six touches in Week 1 before recording 14 in Week 2, but he only has 111 total yards and no touchdowns. Plus, it's not a sure thing that the Dolphins won't just stick with Chase Edmonds if he has the hot hand in any given week.

While Mostert has a lot of upside for more favorable matchups down the line, he shouldn't be started this week. Leave him on the bench as Miami will likely be passing the ball a lot to try to keep up with Buffalo.

Make no mistake about it: Drake London is the Falcons' clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver. And it sure seems like he's about to have a stellar rookie season.

London had five catches for 74 yards in Atlanta's season-opening loss to the New Orleans Saints. Then, he followed that up by notching eight receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown in a Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams while also getting targeted a team-high 12 times.

He has a good opportunity for another strong performance in Week 3 with the Falcons traveling to take on the Seattle Seahawks, who are allowing the ninth-most passing yards per game in the NFL thus far.

If London produces another solid fantasy output this week, then he'll solidify his status as a must-start wide receiver moving forward. Atlanta may be struggling during its 0-2 start, but London is a great asset to have on your fantasy roster.

Devin Duvernay opened the season by recording two touchdown catches in the Ravens' season-opening win over the New York Jets. Then, he returned the opening kickoff of Sunday's game vs. the Miami Dolphins for a touchdown. However, his day took a turn for the worse from there.

In that Week 2 loss, Duvernay had only two catches for 42 yards before exiting in the fourth quarter due to a concussion. That will be a situation to monitor for the 25-year-old wide receiver throughout this week.

Even if Duvernay is cleared to play on Sunday against the New England Patriots, though, he shouldn't be in fantasy lineups. He's only been targeted six times through two games, so his touchdown rate is likely to slow down.

Plus, the Pats are averaging only 197 passing yards allowed per game through two weeks. So keep Duvernay on the bench for Week 3, whether he's healthy or not.