Fantasy Football Winners and Losers from Preseason Week 3

Week 3 of preseason is a critical week right before the start of the regular season.

Known as the dress rehearsal week, this is a time when position battles are decided and the fantasy landscape can be altered.

This week we saw a quarterback battle really heat up with the Buffalo Bills as all three quarterback options played well.

We saw the starters play a bigger portion of these games and a lot of exciting storylines unfold.

So who are the winners and losers of this week?

Here's four of each.

Winner: Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Alex Smith did what he did best this week—he took care of the ball.

After completing 16 of 18 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns, Smith is trying to show the world he's more than just a game manager.

One of his touchdown passes went to Jeremy Maclin, who now has a touchdown reception in each of the past two weeks. This is the most action a wide receiver has seen on the Chiefs in (insert Chiefs wide receiver joke here).

While Smith may not be a consistent, weekly starting option in fantasy, he is showing he is a capable daily/streaming option down the stretch with all the weapons he has in Kansas City.

Loser: Joique Bell, RB, Detroit Lions

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

I'm as big a Joique Bell believer as anyone else, but now I'm really nervous.

After not playing in Week 3 of the preseason, Bell had to stand by and watch undrafted rookie Zach Zenner run the ball like he has a job to win (well, actually, he is fighting for a job).

With all of these lingering injuries piling up and with the emergence of Zenner and Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell may be hard-pressed not to give these guys more playing time, as they are proving they deserve it.

Bell is falling.

Winner: Zach Zenner, RB, Detroit Lions

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Unless you're an avid SPARQ score fan, you may not have known Zach Zenner previously, but you know him now.

The guy ran unbelievably ferocious en route to 85 rushing yards and a touchdown on just eight carries.

With Joique Bell being injured more often than I am (and let me tell you, I just had surgery the other day on my shoulder), Zenner has a chance to make some noise and could be that waiver-wire wonder who helps you win your league.

Keep an eye on Zenner, and if you have an extra roster spot, pick him up and wait it out.

Don't let someone else steal him!

Loser: Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Scott Audette/Associated Press

Yikes.

This was a disastrous game for the No. 1 overall pick, Jameis Winston.

It's no secret that the Cleveland Browns defense is pretty good, and it gave Winston fits Saturday night, leading to him to complete only six of 15 passes for 90 yards and a bad interception.

The interception came on a throw in which he threw off his back foot. To be somewhat fair, he was without his top wide receiver option, Mike Evans.

We've seen fellow rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota have success, but keep in mind that Winston is still a rookie and the Tampa Bay offensive line looks atrocious.

Always be cautious when starting rookie quarterbacks in fantasy football.

Winner: Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo Bills

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

I'll make my opinion known right here, right now: Tyrod Taylor should be the Buffalo Bills starting quarterback.

While all the Bills quarterbacks played well in Week 2, Taylor really stood out.

He made every throw with poise and accuracy. He completed 12 of 13 passes for 122 yards. He also utilized his rushing ability one time, but it was for 20 yards and a touchdown.

Any time you can find a rushing quarterback in fantasy football, it makes him that much more intriguing (see Tebow, Tim).

I've been saying all along, and I'll continue to say it: Taylor is about as big a sleeper as anyone.

With Rex Ryan "probably" choosing his Week 1 starter on Sunday, let's hope it's Taylor.

Don't mess this up, Rex!

Loser: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

Mike McCarn/Associated Press

In terms of statistical production, this was a tough week for Jonathan Stewart.

Against New England, he had seven carries for 12 yards, and one of those carries was for 11 yards.

While Stewart is still a good buy for fantasy this season, this was a difficult week for week for him. Truthfully, the whole Carolina Panthers offense is in a bit of disarray.

Regardless, you know Stewart's injury history, and you should handcuff him with Cameron Artis-Payne.

Winner: Sam Bradford, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Matt Ludtke/Associated Press

Holy smokes!

If I had to pick the big winner of the weekend, I'd choose Sam Bradford.

Not only was he 10-for-10 passing, but he also threw three touchdowns for just over 120 yards. He looked poised and confident and took a few hits well, which is what everyone has been paying attention to every time he stands on a football field.

As far middle-of-the-pack quarterbacks go, Bradford has one of the highest upsides and should be productive in Chip Kelly's system.

Loser: Johnny Manziel, QB, Cleveland Browns

David Richard/Associated Press

After being ruled out for the remainder of the preseason with elbow soreness and Josh McCown taking over for Week 3 of the preseason, Johnny Manziel may see his starting potential fade away.

McCown looked good while throwing two touchdowns for nearly 120 yards. He probably should be given the job.

Browns head coach Mike Pettine has said all along that it was McCown's job, but we all in some way, shape or form doubted that.

We are all hard-pressed to doubt that now, and McCown looks like he will be the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback come Week 1.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin