Scott Engel is in his 14th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com and on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. Scott finished as a top 10 player ranker in Fantasy Football Week 2 on FantasyPros.com.

The challenges are mounting for fantasy football players already after just two weeks of action. We have seen some notable quarterbacks and tight ends go down, or they are in danger of missing time. So as always, fantasy football is a constant game of adjustments and maneuvering. Those who deal best with the downs and ups of the game often survive.

After two weeks, keep your eyes on the shorter-term view, and focus mainly on winning in the next week or two. Don't get too high or low based on a two-week record.

We provide the best players to start when faced with tight lineup decisions in NFL Week 3. The analysis leans to PPR formats and players are listed in order of starting preference at their respective positions.

NFL Week 3: Running Backs To Start

START Travis Etienne: Not all fantasy players are convinced that Etienne is a must-start fantasy player again, but he has played well early on. Etienne rushed for 214 yards in the first two games, while averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Houston has been easier to run on than pass against early in the '25 campaign.

START Kenneth Walker III: The Seahawks' exciting RB displayed his best form in the Week 2 road win at Pittsburgh, displaying his cutback moves, jukes and acceleration. He rushed for 105 yards on 13 carries, including a decisive 19-yard TD run that was one of the highlights of the week in the entire league. Walker is looking healthy again, and the Saints have allowed 111.5 rushing yards per game over the first two weeks of the season. And with Zach Charbonnet listed as doubtful, there's no question who will carry the load for Seattle on Sunday.

START Jordan Mason: With Aaron Jones out, Mason is now elevated to the lead back position for the Vikings. He has run hard early in the season and can get into a good rhythm with more regular work. Running the ball effectively against Cincinnati will be important, because their offense remains possibly potent without Joe Burrow. Clock control will be important for the Vikings this week.

NFL Week 3: Wide Receivers To Start

START Jakobi Meyers: Geno Smith has taken to the top wide receiver on his new team in Las Vegas, and they already have a good on-field rapport. Meyers was targeted 22 times in the first two games, while totaling over 29 fantasy points in those outings. Smith will remain aggressive as a passer against Washington, which means more solid receiving volume for Meyers.

START Jameson Williams: The marquee matchup between the Lions and Ravens should be one of the entertaining matchups of the week. Detroit is going to trade offensive punches with Baltimore, and Williams is the Lions' prime deep threat. Expect at least one TD reception as Jared Goff takes a good number of downfield shots.

START George Pickens: CeeDee Lamb is obviously the often unstoppable featured pass-catcher for Dallas. Now, though, the Cowboys finally have a viable threat as a No. 2 WR with Pickens. I am expecting a big passing week for the Cowboys, and Pickens should be good for a TD reception. The Bears have allowed an NFL-high seven TD receptions over the first two weeks.

START Marquise Brown: In the first week of the season, Hollywood Brown led the league with 16 targets. He should be a featured part of the gameplan again this week against the Giants. The Chiefs have not started 0-2 since the 2011 season and Patrick Mahomes isn't about to let that happen. Start Brown for sure as a fantasy WR3.

NFL Week 3: Quarterbacks To Start

START Daniel Jones: Don't hesitate to start Jones this week as the Colts aim to go to 3-0 against the Titans. The Tennessee defense will be overworked, because the offense won't put up much of fight against the Colts' unit. "Indiana Jones" passed for 316 yards last week, and he always can provide upside as a runner.

START Drake Maye: Many fantasy players are in a position where they need a fill-in or streaming QB option. Maye is a suitable plug-in, especially against a Steelers passing defense that has ranked 25th in the NFL so far this season. Maye passed for two TDs and ran for another score in Week 2 vs. Miami, and he should provide at least an adequate statistical floor in the matchup vs. Pittsburgh.

NFL Week 3: Tight Ends To Start

START Jake Ferguson: Some fantasy leaguers also need to plug in a TE this week because of injury issues. Those who roster or can trade for Ferguson will have a quality starter to pop into the lineup. He was targeted 12 times in an overtime win over the Giants last week and caught nine passes. This could be the season when Ferguson solidifies himself as a regular fantasy starter.

START Kyle Pitts Sr.: The Atlanta TE is showing signs of building on the promise he has flashed at times in the past. He has been targeted 13 times in the first two games of the season and caught seven passes in the opener. Pitts can still emerge as the No. 2 pass-catcher for the Falcons and is worth streaming this week against Carolina.

NFL Week 3: Defenses to Stream

Indianapolis Colts (vs. Tennessee), Seattle Seahawks (vs. New Orleans), Atlanta Falcons (vs. Carolina), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. New York Jets).

The Seahawks lead the NFC with four interceptions and registered three sacks last week vs. Pittsburgh. They have allowed just 17 points in each of the first two weeks. Against the Seattle secondary, don't expect too much from the New Orleans passing game. Ernest Jones IV and the Seahawks front seven will be focused on containing Alvin Kamara and limiting him can lead to another good outing for the defense overall.