The Herd with Colin Cowherd: FantasyPros — The Biggest Fantasy Football Questions For Each Team in Week 3 (Ep. 1720)
Release date: September 21, 2025
Summary Compiled By: Expert Podcast Summarizer

Episode Overview

This week’s FantasyPros episode, hosted by Ryan Wormley alongside Derek Brown (DBro) and Pat Fitzmaurice (Fitz), dives deep into the biggest fantasy football questions for each NFL team heading into Week 3. The crew breaks down matchups, debates start-sit decisions, and discusses team trends, addressing player usage, injuries, and potential breakouts. Using up-to-date expert rankings and market trends, the team provides actionable insights for managers aiming to outmaneuver their leagues.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Falcons at Panthers: Pitts vs. McMillan [02:10-06:13]

• Primary Debate: Who scores higher at their position this week: Kyle Pitts (TE, ATL) or Tet McMillan (WR, CAR)?
  • Fitz: Favors Pitts (TE) for top-10 potential, citing Panthers’ vulnerability to TEs and Pitts’ improved usage.
  • Notable Quote: "Pitts already has 11 catches... but I do think he’s a top 10 tight end this week." — Fitz [02:57]
  • DBro: Agrees, highlighting Pitts’ full-time role and Carolina’s tendency to deploy single-high coverages, where Pitts excels.
  • Notable Quote: "Kyle Pitts week. Saddle up. Let’s go." — Dbro [04:03]
• On McMillan: Both rank him as WR16; note possible bump if A.J. Terrell (CB) misses game, but volume still not elite.

2. Packers at Browns: Can GB Offense Survive Injuries? [06:13–12:24]

• Packers’ Side: Early injuries (Jaden Reed, Tucker Kraft) threaten passing game depth.
  • Fitz: Sees a likely low-scoring game, hesitant about GB offense against strong Cleveland D.
  • DBro: More optimistic; believes Matt LaFleur should open passing volume for Jordan Love, given Love’s strong efficiency metrics and Cleveland’s pass D allowing TDs.
  • Concerns: Josh Jacobs’ tough matchup in run game.
  • Quote: "If I'm LaFleur... we need to lean into the passing game and put more on the shoulders of Jordan Love..." — Dbro [09:11]
• Outcome Prediction: Both hesitant on Browns offense; see Packers as likely to outperform spread despite absences.

3. Texans at Jaguars: Who Bounces Back? [16:33-20:44]

• Collins vs. Thomas Jr.:
  • Both WRs have disappointed; Dbro prefers Nico Collins for volume, wary of Brian Thomas Jr.'s shadowed matchup vs. Stingley.
  • Rankings Insight: Collins fringe WR1 (ECR 8), Thomas Jr. a low WR1 (ECR 11), but likely to move down.
  • Notable Quote: "I'm probably going to revisit the primer... the vibes in Jacksonville are bad and Derek Stingley is freaking awesome." — Dbro [17:08]
• Start/Sit: Both recommend starting Nico Collins over Zay Flowers; debates persist on Adams/Evans/AJ Brown versus BTJ.
• QBs:
  • Dbro leans Trevor Lawrence (vs. underwhelming Texans pass D); Fitz prefers C.J. Stroud, noting stellar past performances against Jacksonville.

4. Bengals at Vikings: Better Backup Offense? [21:14-24:41]

• Wentz (MIN) vs. Browning (CIN):
  • Fitz sides with Minnesota and Wentz, citing home field and coaching; expects pressure to rattle Jake Browning.
  • Dbro is skeptical Wentz can overcome MIN’s O-line issues, picks Browning for supporting cast and past production.
  • Defensive Factor: Brian Flores’ blitzing vs. CIN’s offense could be key.

5. Steelers at Patriots: Is PIT a Defense to Target? [25:57-28:37]

• DBro: Shocked by the drop-off despite talent; now willing to start players against Steelers’ D.
  • "They’ve forgotten how to play defense... the beginning of the end of Mike Tomlin?" — Dbro [25:57]
• Fitz: Still has faith PIT will rebound, not a true 'target' defense all season; injuries are the root cause.

6. Patriots Backfield: Ramondre vs. Travion [28:15-30:43]

• DBro: Rhamondre Stevenson owns backfield (RB19 in his ranks); Henderson (RB36) is still a backup.
  • Stevenson’s efficiency and workload highlighted.
• Fitz: More bullish on Henderson’s pass-catching role, not fully trusting Stevenson’s grip on value.

7. Rams at Eagles: Betting Angle & Prop Analysis [30:43-33:43]

• Spread: Both Fitz and Dbro agree the lines are sharp (Eagles -3.5, total 44.5); Fitz would lean Eagles, over; Dbro likes Rams as live underdog, over.
• Props:
  • Fitz: Considers Tyler Higby under yards
  • Dbro: A.J. Brown over 61.5 receiving yards; expects eruption game given coverage scheme.
  • Memorable Banter: Fitz & Dbro riff on the A.J. Brown vs. Emmanuel Forbes mismatch.

8. Jets at Buccaneers (post-Fields): Hall & Wilson Stock [34:22-35:40]

• Both: See Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson as "play as you would" options; Tyrod Taylor fills in reliably at QB.
  • Wilson (WR12–14), Hall (RB18–20).

9. Colts Offensive Confidence Scale [36:16-39:10]

• For Week 3: Fitz (6/10), Dbro (7-8/10) given matchup flexibility and O-line protection.
• Rest of Season: Fitz (2/10), Dbro (4–5/10), both skeptical due to upcoming tough schedule and Daniel Jones’ limitations; only confident in Michael Pittman and Tyler Warren as pass catchers.

10. Raiders at Commanders: Is it Time to Panic on A. Genti? [39:52-41:55]

• Both: Not panicking (3/10 scale for Fitz). Usage still solid; offensive line and schedule should improve.
  • Matchup Call: Both prefer Jordan Mason over Genti this week.

11. Broncos at Chargers: Players to Exceed Expectations [42:17-44:57]

• Denver: Fitz picks Courtland Sutton for bounce-back; Dbro likes Troy Franklin as a possible benefactor against 2-high looks.
• Chargers: Both settle on Keenan Allen as the clear target against favorable matchups; QJ to see tough coverage.

12. Saints at Seahawks: Walker vs. Charbonnet [45:35-48:20]

• Charbonnet Injured: If out, expect Ken Walker to shoulder bulk of load; Dbro and Fitz would rank him as an RB1 (Walker ECR surges to top 10–16 range).

13. Cowboys at Bears: Is Odunze for Real? [48:43-54:10]

• Fitz: Skeptical to declare Rome Odunze a fantasy alpha, citing likely regression in target split with DJ Moore.
• DBro: Ranks Odunze at WR18, a bit below consensus, but leans strongly into DJ Moore’s upside for Week 3.
  • Betting Action: Backs Moore’s receptions and yards prop.
  • DJ Moore’s metrics vs. too-high coverage suggest an eruption game.

14. Cardinals at 49ers: Pearsall vs. Jennings, MHJ Skepticism [54:30-57:22]

• Fitz: Slightly prefers Ricky Pearsall if Jennings is limited.
• DBro: Takes Jennings if healthy, otherwise leans Pearsall.
• Marvin Harrison Jr.:
  • Both suggest ECR over-rates him significantly. Dbro laments his minimal target share and efficiency.

15. Chiefs at Giants (SNF): Will KC’s Offense Recover? [57:34-61:22]

• DBro: Sees "look better" game for KC against Giants but nowhere near "get right." Questions run game, WR depth, and overall explosiveness.
• Line Analysis: Both prefer Giants to cover +6, with Dbro tempted by the Giants moneyline.
  • Notable Quotes: "Patrick Mahomes scrambling. That’s it." — Fitz [59:13]

16. Lions at Ravens (MNF): Game of the Week Shootout? [62:16-65:14]

• Projected Total: 52.5 points — both expect OVER, possibly by a wide margin.
  • DBro Fades: Mark Andrews, due to lack of involvement and tough matchup vs. DET.
  • Fitz Fades: Derrick Henry, points to his rough slate and personal bias.
  • Handicap: Both lean Ravens to cover at home, especially with Lamar’s home & primetime record.
  • Humor: Playful banter on Lamar’s "postseason narrative."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Kyle Pitts week. Saddle up. Let's go." — Dbro, hyping Pitts as a lockdown tight end start [04:03]
• "They've forgotten how to play defense. Like, is this... the beginning of the end of Mike Tomlin?" — Dbro on the shocking downfall of PIT defense [25:57]
• "I don't want to say this is a get right game for KC. This is maybe a ‘look better’ game, but get right? I don't know when that happens." — Dbro expressing KC skepticism [57:43]
• "Patrick Mahomes scrambling. That's it." — Fitz summarizing KC’s offense [59:13]
• "If you went and traded for [Ken Walker] after people freaked out in week one, congrats." — Fitz, on Walker’s bounce-back [47:58]
• "Just asking questions." — Dbro teasingly needles Wormly over Lamar’s playoff record [64:34]
• On betting the Giants vs. Chiefs: "I'll take Giants money line. Maybe I'm crazy, but I'll take the money line." — Dbro [60:43]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Pitts vs. McMillan: 02:10–06:13
• Packers injuries & projections: 06:13–12:24
• Texans & Jaguars WR/QB debates: 16:33–20:44
• Bengals/Vikings QB support vs. matchup: 21:14–24:41
• Steelers defense under fire: 25:57–28:37
• Patriots RB split: 28:15–30:43
• Rams vs. Eagles betting/props: 30:43–33:43
• Jets post-Fields analysis: 34:22–35:40
• Colts confidence scale: 36:16–39:10
• Raiders panic meter: 39:52–41:55
• Broncos/Chargers matchups: 42:17–44:57
• Saints/Seahawks RB workloads: 45:35–48:20
• Cowboys/Bears WR analysis: 48:43–54:10
• Cardinals/49ers WR3 debate: 54:30–57:22
• Chiefs/Giants SNF preview: 57:34–61:22
• Lions/Ravens MNF preview: 62:16–65:14

Summary Takeaways

• Week 3 is loaded with start-sit dilemmas, injury-related pivots, and clarity emerging on player usage—particularly among WRs and RBs.
• Despite some surprising early trends (e.g., the Steelers’ defensive collapse, Chiefs’ offensive woes), the hosts urge measured adjustments and avoid overreactions.
• Several matchups offer betting value on props and spreads, notably with A.J. Brown, DJ Moore, and underdog lines like Giants +6.
• Monday Night’s Lions-Ravens clash is the fantasy must-watch of the week—expect offensive fireworks and a high-scoring affair.

Fantasy managers are encouraged to stay plugged in on injuries, trust the volume for studs (even when frustrated), and keep chasing plus matchups as the small sample size settles in.

For further lineup-specific or waiver wire advice, hit up the FantasyPros crew on Discord or social media. Good luck in Week 3!