3 Burning Questions: Week 3 (2025 Fantasy Football)

Find out the answers to the biggest burning questions for Week 3 of the 2025 fantasy football season below.

Fantasy Football Burning Questions

What to Make of the Bengals’ Offense?

The Bengals were fortunate to come out of Week 2 with a win, but suffered an even bigger loss with Joe Burrow, who is expected to miss at least three months, if not longer, with turf toe. Burrow was placed on the injured reserve (IR) list earlier this week, set to undergo surgery, and could be shut down for the season.

Barring a trade and/or free agent acquisition, Jake Browning will be the starter going forward. He played well enough to seal the deal last Sunday, completing 21 passes on 32 dropbacks (65.6% completion rate) for 241 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Browning has been a viable starter in the past, but the entire offense takes a hit, especially Ja’Marr Chase, who was the 1.01 in fantasy entering the season. He is averaging only 4.4 receptions on 6.1 targets for 58.1 yards, 0.1 touchdowns and 11.1 PPR points per game in seven career games without Burrow.

Can Kevin O’Connell Revive Carson Wentz?

The Vikings looked abysmal on Sunday, losing 22-6 at home to the Falcons, totaling 198 yards of offense. J.J. McCarthy struggled in his second-career start, playing through an ankle injury, taking six sacks with three turnovers on the night, completing 11 out of 21 dropbacks (52.4% completion rate) for 158 yards and zero touchdowns.

Post-game, it was revealed that McCarthy suffered a high-ankle sprain that will sideline him for at least two weeks. As a result, the former 2016 No. 2 overall draft pick, Carson Wentz, is set to make his first career start with Minnesota, facing a soft Bengals defense, who will also be without its starting quarterback.

Although it isn’t ideal, Wentz may actually be an upgrade for an offense that is one of only two teams averaging fewer than 230 yards (226) on the season. Minnesota ranks dead last in plays per game (47.5), expected points added (EPA) per play (-0.31) and EPA per pass (-0.52). We’ve seen worse quarterbacks thrive in Kevin O’Connell’s system, and Wentz looks to be the next man up.

Is it Time to Worry About Washington?

The Commanders didn’t look great on Thursday night, losing 27-18 to the Packers, and suffering notable injuries (late in the game) on offense. Austin Ekeler went down with a non-contact injury late in the game, tearing his Achilles tendon and putting an end to his season and possibly his career.

Although he made it through the game, Jayden Daniels also looks like he will miss time after undergoing an MRI and getting diagnosed with an MCL sprain. Per Ian Rapoport, although the injury does not appear serious, according to his sources, “the team will err on the side of caution,” putting Daniels’ status against the Raiders in doubt.

If Daniels does not suit up, Marcus Mariota will get the start. He filled in well last season, completing over 77% (77.3%) of his passes on 44 dropbacks for 364 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions.