Geno Smith struggled in Week 2, finishing with an 0-11 mark on passes of 10+ yards and three interceptions as the Raiders fell to the Chargers 20-9. The offense, led by a slow-starting Chip Kelly game plan, stalled in the red zone (1-7) and left fantasy managers questioning Smith’s ceiling after a hot opener in New England. Ashton Jeanty showed flashes but couldn’t spark a consistent ground attack.

The home crowd, Brady in the box and Carroll’s birthday spectacle added narrative spice, while Khalil Mack and Maxx Crosby anchored the defense and Daniel Carlson delivered a 54-yard FG. Herbert and the Chargers closed strong, leaving Las Vegas with more questions than answers about offense and play-calling. Next up, a Bears visit that will test the Raiders’ consistency at Allegiant.

Key fantasy takeaways: bench/limit Geno until he resets, monitor Crosby’s disruptive upside, and keep an eye on the red-zone usage of Bowers and the offense as a whole. Herbert remains a strong fantasy start, with the Chargers’ defense capable of supporting streaming options in tougher matchups.

Week 3 in the AFC West features a tight Denver at Los Angeles showdown with a 2.5-point road line and a 45.5 total, highlighting a split in momentum between the teams. Denver arrives off a sloppy offensive showing and shaky defense, while Los Angeles comes off a convincing win at Las Vegas and appears to be peaking early in 2025. Division familiarity suggests another close, grind-it-out bout where Denver must bring their A-game to stay in range.

Teair Tart’s Week 2 actions draw the spotlight back to a Chargers defense already under scrutiny. After Week 1's $12,000 fine for slapping Travis Kelce, Tart again popped a late shove on Geno Smith that drew no flag, triggering audible outrage from Raiders fans at Allegiant Stadium. With potential league review looming, fantasy managers weigh Tart's risk-reward in IDP formats and the Chargers' knack for pressure in upcoming games.

The incident also tests officiating consistency and could influence defensive rotation if penalties trend up. Managers should monitor Tart's disciplinary trajectory and how it affects his tackle and sack upside as the schedule tightens.

Herbert is guiding a pass-heavy Chargers attack, signaling an evolution under Harbaugh away from the old-school run-first trope. The offense aims to maximize Herbert’s arm with a sharper skill corps and a more versatile backfield.

In the MNF win over the Raiders, the Chargers leaned into the aerial game with 27 pass attempts to 26 rushes, Herbert delivering 242 yards and 2 TDs. Johnston, Hampton, and Harris give Herbert more route-running and reliability, while Mack’s health and Perryman’s status loom as potential swing factors in a crowded AFC race.

Week 3’s fantasy defense slate centers on streaming value and clear starts, led by Green Bay, Seattle, Buffalo, and Indianapolis in Tier 1 with favorable matchups and strong pressure outputs. Expect continued sack-heavy games from these units, plus solid floor from the Falcons, Buccaneers, and Chiefs. Tier 2 adds Vikings, Texans, and Cardinals in matchups that carry swing potential if pass rush and turnover luck align. Tier 3 brings Commanders, Steelers, and Eagles in sturdy, mix-and-match starts. Tier 4-6 caution managers to seek safer streams or deeper-league plays and exploit waiver opportunities.

Key Week 3 takeaways: target defenses with high sack rates and favorable implied game scripts, especially when facing rookie QBs or O-lines with documented struggles. Watch injury reports and quarterback status closely, as even small changes can swing a D/ST’s Week 3 upside. This guide emphasizes tiered rankings, waiver adds, and start/sit decisions to help fantasy managers optimize lineups and shave points off potential losses.