Michael Carter vs Emari Demercado
Who should you start in Week 3? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 3
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Emari Demercado by 0.4 projected points (2.9 vs 2.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
Emari Demercado faces MIA, the 8th-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week. Michael Carter faces NYG, the 31st-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week.
Season-long, the model still ranks Michael Carter ahead. This is a matchup call for Week 3, not a change of heart about the rest of the year.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
This one is a coin flip. The model leans Michael Carter by 2.7 points of value over replacement (-88.1 vs -90.8), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The draft market hasn't priced this matchup yet, so treat it as a pure model call.
| Michael CarterTEN | Emari DemercadoKAN | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3 opponent | NYG | MIA | |
| Projected Week 3 points | 2.5 | 2.9 | Demercado +0.4 pts |
| Matchup rank (RB vs defense, of 32) | #31 | #8 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 48.5 | 45.8 | Carter +2.7 pts |
| Points per game | 2.9 | 2.7 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -88.1 | -90.8 | Carter +2.7 |
| Overall rank | #170 | #174 | Carter by 4 |
| Position rank | RB55 | RB58 | |
| Market ADP | - | - | |
| Typical round (12-team) | - | - | |
| Bye week | 9 | 5 |
Should I start Michael Carter or Emari Demercado in Week 3?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Emari Demercado by 0.4 projected points (2.9 vs 2.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Michael Carter or Emari Demercado in 2026 fantasy football?
Michael Carter. He projects 48.5 fantasy points with -88.1 value over replacement, vs 45.8 points and -90.8 for Emari Demercado (RB, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.