The Week 3 matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Washington Commanders is shaping up to be an intriguing fantasy football test. Both teams feature emerging playmakers, and the injury to the Commanders’ rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, adds another wrinkle. Let’s dive into the fantasy outlook with recommended starts, sits, sleepers, and stat projections.
Tight Ends Brock Bowers and Zach Ertz will serve as Reliable PPR Options
Injury Watch: Remember to Sit Daniels, according to NFL Fantasy. Bo Nix, Caleb Williams, and Marcus Mariota are available in most leagues and could serve as a strong last-minute backup.
Start Em’
Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders
The Raiders are scheming touches for Bowers all over the formation: motion, screens, seam shots and he looks like a budding fantasy star. Washington’s linebackers are exploitable in coverage, giving Bowers a strong TE1 ceiling this week.
Projected Stat Line: 5 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD (15.2 PPR points)
Zach Ertz, TE, Commanders
Ertz is quietly becoming Daniels’ go-to chain mover, and with the rookie quarterback banged up, that reliance should grow. Expect Ertz to feast on short-to-intermediate routes against a Raiders defense that has already allowed production to opposing tight ends.
Projected Stat Line: 6 receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD (13.8 PPR points)
Jacory Croskey Merritt, RB, Commanders
Merritt isn’t a household fantasy name yet, but he’s carving out a role after the injury to Austin Ekeler and is proving to be a back who can work in space. Against the Raiders’ aggressive front, his burst to the edges could result in chunk gains. A sneaky flex play if you’re in need.
Projected Stat Line: 11 carries, 56 yards; 3 receptions, 21 yards (9.7 PPR points)
Sit EM’
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Raiders
Jeanty has talent, but this isn’t the matchup to roll him out. Washington’s defensive front should stack the box with other running backs mixing in. He’ll need a touchdown to be fantasy-relevant, which makes him too risky.
Projected Stat Line: 9 carries, 34 yards; 2 receptions, 13 yards (5.7 PPR points)
Sleeper Alert
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Raiders
Meyers continues to see steady target volume in PPR leagues, which makes him a reliable WR3/flex option, and this week, he has true breakout potential if Washington over-commits to Bowers and loads the box to stop Jeanty.
Projected Stat Line: 7 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD (17.3 PPR points)
Jacob Meyers ranked towards the top for anytime touchdown bets, according to CBS.com.
Bottom Line
The Raiders’ playmakers look like the better fantasy bets in this game. Start Brock Bowers and Zach Ertz confidently at tight end, plug Jacoby Croskey-Merritt in as a deeper flex, and don’t sleep on Jakobi Meyers, who could be the difference-maker in PPR formats. On the flip side, keep Ashton Jeanty on your bench until he finds his way after two tough matchups.
All stats and projections were compiled from data utilizing NFL and Yahoo Fantasy data.
