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We wait all summer for Week 1. Nothing makes you question why like a 1-2, or 0-3 start to a fantasy season.
If this week felt particularly brutal, then hang with me. You're not alone. That's first and foremost. Week 3 is right around that point in the season when identities start to be forged. Teams figure out who they are, who they want to lean on, and ultimately, what they're capable of. The inverse is also true. Some data can help us identify the situations that aren't as good as we hoped. That's a prerequisite for attempting to identify the players who can still turn things around and those who can't. With that clarity, we can also recognize the strengths and weaknesses of our rosters and address them accordingly.
You may have been on the right side of the Week 3 dust-settling. It doesn't mean you can't also extract a few lessons. Is it time to sell high on a player who started hot? Maybe it's time to acquire the guy whose usage pattern suggests there are better days ahead? Comparing trends you've tracked relative to what we saw this week can be instrumental in helping you make that call.
It's always good when those realizations happen early. The stakes are never as low as they are in the infancy of a new season. There's something to learn from 0-3, and there's something to learn from 3-0. Rings aren't won in September. What you do from here is what matters most.
Have no fear. This piece aims to help you make sense of the good, the bad, and how you can apply that as you move forward. Sounds sweet, right? See? Aren't you glad you stayed with me?
Let's get to it.
Fantasy Dream: The Eagles Finally Click
Philadelphia was signing some absurdly expensive checks for individuals who weren't doing much more than intensive cardio workouts over the course of two weeks. DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown comprise one of the league's most impactful receiving duos. In fantasy land, the premium cost it's taken to roster Brown has typically been worth the investment.
A.J. Brown's Three Seasons in Philadelphia
| Season | Receptions/Game | Yards/Game | Touchdowns/Game | Half-PPR PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5.18 | 88.0 | 0.65 | 15.0 |
| 2023 | 6.24 | 85.6 | 0.41 | 13.9 |
| 2024 | 5.15 | 83.0 | 0.54 | 14.1 |
| Average | 5.52 | 85.5 | 0.53 | 14.3 |
What's unique about Brown's case is that you don't typically see receivers of his caliber play -- and really thrive -- in new offenses as regularly as he has with the Eagles. He's worked with four different play callers in as many years. Some light research would've helped you uncover that Kevin Patullo, this year's play caller, has worked on Nick Sirianni's staff in various roles since he was hired in 2021. Anyone associated with the 2023 disaster automatically instills fear in the hearts of Eagles fans. The concern that history was repeating itself through two and a half games with the first-time play caller was likely at the forefront of their minds.
Fantasy managers were there, too. The chances that Brown would justify where he was going in drafts looked worse than the Eagles' offense. Philadelphia amassed a whopping -3 passing yards in the first half against the Rams.
Something clicked at halftime. Supposedly, Patullo continued to call plays. The skepticism is rooted in the fact that it appeared to be a completely different offense. Brown was playing bully ball. Smith was his sure-handed self. Dallas Goedert caught a long touchdown over the middle. All while the Rams looked hellbent on not being shredded by Saquon Barkley again. It looked like a pick-your-poison style of offense.
It only took a 19-point deficit to turn a corner. Better late than never, right? This feels like a first-time play caller finding a groove. Logic would tell you they'll embrace more of what worked. The version of the offense in which Brown logged six catches on 10 targets, for 109 yards and a touchdown. That seems to be what the players want.
Eagles WR A.J. Brown: "Me personally, I truly believe we've got so many good players on this team and at times you can feel like we're being conservative and I don't think it should be like that...Let your killers do their thing and play fast and play aggressive. Not saying that… pic.twitter.com/1qhcO4xQ2A
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) September 21, 2025
Things don't always happen the way they should. If they do, those Brown investments might not be completely sunk.
Fantasy Nightmare: The Bengals Looked Burried
Yes, I'm aware buried only has one R. I'm trying to play on words here.
It wasn't a great start for those hoping the Bengals' offense would survive the loss of Joe Burrow. The optimist in me says the game was over before it really started, so the sample is skewed. If we're playing Devil's Advocate, Jake Browning's early pick-six to Isaiah Rodgers was why. Cincinnati was down 48-3 before Browning led a touchdown drive.
Brian Flores is making a habit of stifling opposing quarterbacks through three weeks.