The NFL never stops amazing fans with incredible performances coming each week that just make your jaw drop and fantasy football owners either cringe or rejoice. Week 3 is no different and unlike Week 2, where many smaller names burst on to the scene with big games, we saw more stars emerge with a big Sunday.
Of course, there are some surprise names as well. It's the best thing about football, players you may not have expected to come through end up outperforming elite names. Now let's take a look at the top-10 scorers from Week 3.
1. Devonta Freeman, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons
Statistics: 30 carries, 141 rushing yards, five receptions, 52 receiving yards and three rushing touchdowns
Points: 37.3
We all like to drool over the big name running backs. They offer consistency and more times than not put up the big numbers, but there's always that name out of nowhere that finds a way to blow away the competition. Facing a Dallas Cowboys defense that allowed just 106 rushing yards combined in the past two games, seven coming from the Philadelphia Eagles, Freeman ripped them apart for 141 yards. Any time a running back has nearly 200 total yards it's a special day, Freeman went next level with 193 total yards and three touchdowns.
Tevin Coleman was out with a broken rib, the Falcons might just take their time with his return. Freeman played every role the Falcons asked of him; red-zone back, bowling ball and a playmaker. He almost certainly will never top this game again, but he makes a fine RB2 play for the foreseeable future.
2. Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers
Statistics: 24/35, 333 passing yards, 16 rushing yards and five touchdowns
Price: 34.92
Expect anything different? Rodgers may not rack up the passing yards like other quarterbacks, but he is a sure bet to get you three touchdowns and not throw an interception. He doesn't have star receiver Jordy Nelson, starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga and Davante Adams missed the entire game. It just doesn't matter, he is the best quarterback on the planet and can dominate every week.
3. A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Statistics: 10 receptions, 227 receiving yards and two touchdowns
Points: 34.7
Green was having a respectable game before everything changed and he put the team on his back. Late in the fourth quarter, Andy Dalton found Green down field and Green shook off tackles for the 80-yard touchdown. Just a drive later, he found Green again for a seven-yard touchdown. It took just two plays late in the fourth quarter for Green to decide the Ravens-Bengals game and change the outcome of fantasy contests anywhere.
He is among the elites at wide receiver, primarily held down by Dalton. But the Bengals' offensive line has done an excellent job protecting Dalton this season and if that keeps up, Green can become an even better fantasy receiver.
4. Steve Smith, Wide Receiver, Baltimore Ravens
Statistics: 13 receptions, 186 receiving yards and two touchdowns
Points: 30.6
Never let age define you...or at least that's the motto Smith has been playing under this season. Even at 36, Smith has still found ways to rack up 336 passing yards in his last two games and has been a big part of the Ravens involvement in shootouts against the Oakland Raiders and Bengals.
Joe Flacco really doesn't have other reliable options in situations like this, so 33 targets in the past two games shouldn't come as a surprise. Upcoming games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers could lead to very promising results.
5. Andy Dalton, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
Statistics: 20/32, 383 passing yards, four total touchdowns (one rushing) and one interception
Points: 30.32
It feels weird to be looking at Dalton as a top-five fantasy scorer, but he has earned it. He has record back-to-back three-touchdown games now and likely could have done so in Week 1, had Cincinnati not broke out to such a big, early lead. As mentioned with Green, Cincinnati has done a phenomenal job protecting Dalton, which has given him more time to look for Green, a healthy Tyler Eifert and Marvin Jones. Giovani Bernard looks like a rookie again and this offense is clicking. He makes a nice cheap play on matchups in DFS and a low-tier QB!.
6. Cam Newton, Quarterback, Carolina Panthers
Statistics: 20/31, 315 passing yards, 33 rushing yards, three total touchdowns (one rushing)
Points: 29.9
It's almost unbelievable to see what Newton is doing given he does not have a legitimate starting NFL wide receiver, the offensive line is porous and the running game has been putrid. He has put this team on his back, using his arms and legs in whatever the situation calls for. With 685 passing yards, 144 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns on the season along with an established connection to Greg Olsen, Newton can continue to carry the team and fantasy owners on his back as long as he stays healthy.
7. Joseph Randle, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys
Statistics: 14 carries, 87 receiving yards, two receptions, 18 receiving yards and three rushing touchdowns
Points: 28.5
There is definitely reason to be excited about Randle's performance, three touchdowns and over 100 total yards is a big game. He got off to a rocking start on his first two carries but as NFL.com's Matt Harmon tweeted, it's what happened after the three big carries that should stand out.
If you are counting at home, that is four total yards on his next 11 carries. Part of that can be attributed to the Falcons remembering Dallas stared Brandon Weeden at quarterback and thus stacking the box. But Dallas still has a phenomenal offensive line and even on a bad day for them, 0.36 yards per carry on those last 11 attempts is an ugly number. Randle is boom or bust, just be ready for the good times and bad if you have him.
8. Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons
Statistics: 12 receptions, 164 receiving yards and two touchdowns
Points: 28.4
Jones was already a great receiver who could put up big numbers on a weekly basis, but the Falcons addition of Kyle Shanahan to be their offensive coordinator as vaulted Jones into fantasy stardom. After posting 130-plus yards in the past two games, Jones moved around against the Dallas Cowboys and exploited their secondary in a variety of ways. He was targeted an astounding 20 times, hauling in 12 passes for two touchdown and a 160-yard burger, Shanahan embraces his number one wide receiver, always finding ways to get him the football. Jones could easily be the top fantasy receiver this season.
9. Randall Cobb, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
Statistics: Seven receptions, 91 receiving yards, 12 rushing yards and three touchdowns
Points: 28.3
Cobb was let loose in the open field by Rodgers, getting him the ball quickly and allowing Cobb to make plays. When Philip Gaines went down with a knee injury, Rodgers attacked his replacement, Tyvon Branch. With Nelson and Adams out, Cobb is far and away Rodger's favorite target and will continue to put up WR1 numbers.
10. Arizona Cardinals D/ST
Statistics: Two sacks, four interceptions, one safety, two defensive touchdowns, seven points allowed
Points: 28
It's always an exciting week when you see a defense make it on the top-10 scoring list. Arizona's defense came to play against the San Francisco 49ers and 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick gave a tremendous assist to their 28-point outing with four interceptions, including two pick-sixes. Defensive performances like this are rare, but they are proof that you don't always have to pay up for or draft the best defense, while giving up value.