Tom Brady’s appearance in the Raiders’ coach’s box during the Raiders-Chargers game sparked a nuanced debate about potential conflicts of interest given his minority ownership and FOX analyst duties. The NFL cleared him, noting no rule violation, but the optics linger as Brady prepares to call Cowboys-Bears for Fox on Sunday.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer downplayed concerns, joking that everybody has access to playbooks and that he’ll talk football with anyone. Bears coach Ben Johnson echoed a similar stance, while the upcoming MNF tilt between the Raiders and Cowboys on Nov. 17 adds a fresh narrative layer for fantasy managers to parse—whether such cross-team access quietly influences preparation or remains surface-level chatter.

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.

Tom Brady's FOX color work for Cowboys–Bears in Week 3 has critics buzzing because of his minority Raiders stake. The NFL says no policy blocks the arrangement and Bears and Cowboys coaches treat it as normal cross-team exposure, with Brady limited to broadcast duties rather than coaching or play-calling. The chatter centers on potential information flow, but the league emphasizes rules around electronics and sideline systems. For fantasy readers, the takeaway is narrative, not on-field impact—Dak Prescott and Dallas' offense remain the focal point.

Brady's presence in the booth won't derail on-field production, and coaches downplay disruption risks. The storyline could influence how bettors view Dallas and Raiders in coming weeks, but Week 3’s game plans stay typical. The broader context includes NFL stance on ownership in the booth and the practical limits of in-game access, keeping Week 3 in play for fantasy lineups and betting angles.

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.