Week 3 brings a marquee fantasy showdown: Sauce Gardner vs Mike Evans, following Gardner’s lockdown work in Week 1 and a rough Week 2 for the Jets. Evans is a career-long 1,000-yard staple, and Gardner’s matchup could shape TB’s air attack and New York’s game plan. A shutdown of Evans would elevate Jets’ coverage narrative and complicate Tampa Bay’s passing projections for fantasy rosters this week.

Pittsburgh’s first injury report of the week highlights eight players, with rookie Derrick Harmon returning to practice in a limited role and potentially easing a front that’s looked vulnerable early. His reintroduction could lift the defense as it faces New England, though workload will be tapered as he ramps up.

T.J. Watt and Darius Slay Jr. took veteran rest days, Highsmith is ruled out for the Patriots game, and Porter Jr. and Elliott are listed as questionable. Patrick Queen practiced fully, while Scharping was limited. Harmon’s return, combined with the uncertain statuses of key defenders, shapes Pittsburgh’s game plan and fantasy outlook against New England.

The note on Highsmith’s ankle and the team’s decision not to IR him offer a glimmer of optimism for a quicker-than-expected return. Context of earlier battles with Jets and Seahawks adds texture for evaluators tracking how Pittsburgh adjusts its front seven in this matchup.

Patriots fans gauge Week 3 confidence after a Week 2 win over the Dolphins that snapped a rough start. Initial optimism cooled after Week 1, but Vrabel’s first NE victory revived belief in a quicker rebuild. The Dolphins’ stumble and Seattle’s recent surge add context, while the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers era looms as a critical AFC East benchmark. Week 3 becomes a true test of offense, defense, and coaching edge for fantasy value.

Fantasy managers will watch play-calling, usage splits, and time of possession to gauge Week 3 upside for Patriots players and the surrounding matchup dynamics. The slate tightens quickly, so leverage and pace could define this young offense’s fantasy upside.

Week 3 waiver targets center on Browns rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, Steelers depth options, and Raiders speedster Dont'e Thornton Jr., with Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Brenton Strange drawing attention in deeper leagues. Calvin Austin III remains a boom-bust option for Pittsburgh, while Jerome Ford and Ollie Gordon II sit on the radar for fleshed-out timeshares. Look for usage cues, matchup stressors, and bye-week considerations to guide adds this week.

Judkins holds starter vibes but faces Green Bay’s stout defense; Austin III’s live-fire ceiling grows if Rodgers stabilizes the passing game. Sampson and Ford split roles with mixed on-field usage, while Thornton’s big-play speed makes him a stash in best-ball formats. Rodriguez could carve out value as Washington reshapes the backfield, and Strange profiles as a potential streamer at tight end in deeper leagues.