Fantasy Friday: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 3

Fantasy Manager update: Due to some issues with our server configuration, we will be testing the points calculation this coming Monday and Tuesday. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through these technical challenges. Please note that rosters are saved every week. This means you can confidently buy and sell players, knowing that your team configuration is secure.

This weekend, we will be implementing further updates based on the valuable ideas and feedback we’ve received from you. Your contributions are helping us to improve and enhance the overall experience for everyone. Together, we are creating a better and more enjoyable platform for all. Thank you for your continued support and good luck in the next game week!

With that out of the way, let me, Alex Malchow, & us take a look at some key players to consider in your lineup this week!

Start 'Em Week 2

QB Carlton Aiken Jr (2,700,000 GC)

Aiken Jr is coming off of a bye week, as him and the Mercenaries look to take on the Milano Seamen this Saturday night. Milan's defense has struggled this season to say the least, and Aiken Jr looks to be carrying the Mercenaries offense aloing with receiver Anthony Brown. If you are looking for a value play at quarterback look no futher than Aiken Jr who is very likely to add a ton of points on the ground this week, as he ran for 104 yards and one touchdown in week one against the Barcelona Dragons. At only 2.7 million GC, this Helvetic dual threat passer gives managers lots of wiggle room to add superstars at other positions. 

RB Karri Pajarinen (1,700,000 GC)

Pajarinen has been unstoppable near the goal line this season, putting up 4 touchdowns in only two games. The Finnish talent is looking for another big game this week as the Vienna Vikings take on a Wrocław team eager to get back in the win column. While the Panthers defense features AJ Wentland and other stars, the Vikings will be leaning on Pajarinen heavily this week as quarterback Ben Holmes appears to be battling through a lower body injury. With that in mind, I'm expecting for more carries and targets in Sunday's marquee matchup, as the ELF veteran ball carrier may just be the key to the game for Vienna.

WR Anthony Mahoungou (2,700,00 GC)

The French talent had a rather quiet debut with the Musketeers last week, putting up only 23 yards on 3 catches, as the day was dominated by ELF rookie Austin Mitchell. However, this week against the Frankfurt Galaxy look for Paris quarterback Zach Edwards to target Mahoungou early and often, as he will need to spread the ball around more than he did last week against an athletic Frankfurt and opportunistic defense. After feeding Mitchell last week, I expect Edwards to make an effort to get Mahoungou more involved Sunday, especially in the red zone where the 6'4 target can be utilized best, and rack up some fantasy points. 

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Sit 'Em Week 3

QB Ben Holmes (3,100,000 GC)

The newcomer to the ELF has been a reliable and exciting player to watch through two weeks action in the ELF, putting up 458 yards and six touchdowns. However, after securing the win against the rival Raiders last week, Holmes left the game late in the fourth quarter with an injury. The former CFL champion remains on the active roster, however the Vikings did sign another Austrian quarterback in Christoph Gross. To me, this signals that Holmes's injury is a concern, but fortunately not in the long run. That being said, I'm not expecting the league's third leading passer at the moment to have a big day statically against the Panthers defense. 

WR Darion Chafin (2,700,00 GC)

As many of you probably know, the Raiders Tirol parted ways with quarterback D'angelo Fulford this week, and will be playing the Barcelona Dragons with the new quarterback Kason Martin. The dynamic behind center for the Raiders makes me nervous to put any of their talented receivers in the lineup, especially Chafin, who had built some solid chemistry over the past few weeks with Fulford. I might look to add Raiders running back Tobias Bonatti in his place. 

RB Tomiwa Oyewo (3,200,000)

Oyewo is still battling through injuries and didn't play for the Munich Ravens last week in Milan. This week, the Ravens host a 0-2 Prague Lions team that would typically be a great play for the Irish talent. However, I'm still weary that Oyewo is not 100% healthy and can't trust him in the lineup this week, even against a weak Lions defense. I doubt the Ravens would rush back the proven ball carrier Sunday, as they may not need him to get the win against Prague.