NFL Weekly Grind Down: Week Three
Welcome to the RotoGrinders Weekly NFL Grind Down Article. There’s no better place to start your research for NFL action in the week ahead than the Grind Down. Each week, we break down every game in an effort to better prepare you when building your daily fantasy lineups.
The analysis should point you in the right direction, but it is still up to you to decipher the information and make your own selections. Use this article to help you gain a better understanding of the matchups for the coming week and build from there. We have everything you could possibly need on our Daily Research console for you to be a successful daily fantasy player!
Note: Any Fantasy Point Average Listed Uses FanDuel Scoring. For more info on FanDuel’s NFL Scoring System, check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel Review
Kansas City at Philadelphia
| Kansas City Chiefs | Philadelphia Eagles | |||||||||
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| Thurs – 8:25PM ET | Lincoln Financial Field | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 3 | 50.5 | 23.75 | -3 | 50.5 | 26.75 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Off. | 22.5 | 16 | 27 | 8 | Off. | 31.5 | 3 | 10 | 2 | |
| Def. | 9.0 | 2 | 7 | 2 | Def. | 30.0 | 28 | 31 | 19 | |
| Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | |
| Smith | 20.02 | 20.02 | 27 | 25.71 | Vick | 29.47 | 29.47 | 1 | 10.05 | |
| Charles | 18.90 | 18.90 | 12 | 15.40 | McCoy | 22.30 | 22.30 | 6 | 12.35 | |
| Bowe | 9.30 | 9.30 | 32 | 49.80 | Jackson | 24.85 | 24.85 | 7 | 22.25 | |
| Fasano | 2.70 | 2.70 | 19 | 11.95 | Celek | 6.30 | 6.30 | 9 | 6.85 | |
Philadelphia
- This Eagles offense is fun to watch but it’s starting to feel like the Coors Field effect in baseball. When the Eagles play, you know points are going to be scored. The Chiefs are only allowing 10 points to opposing QB’s through the first two weeks, but one of those weeks was against Blaine Gabbert so that doesn’t count for much. I think Michael Vick and the Eagles are in for another big week. You probably can’t expect Vick to score 30 again, but I think he can top 20 fantasy points. Rating = 8
- Lesean McCoy has 366 yards from scrimmage through the first two weeks, anyone that thought this offense wasn’t going to produce has been quieted rather quickly. McCoy is ranked right up there with the other top RB’s this week. This is one of the few Thursday games that you will want to have players from. Rating = 8
- Desean Jackson already has 9 plays over 20 yards this season. He is Vick’s favorite target and defenses are really having a tough time keeping Jackson in front of them. He’s really the only WR worth taking this week, but he’s a solid option once again.
- The Eagles are using their TE’s more as blockers than they are as receivers. There are plenty of other TE options out there this week. I would focus on the big three of the Eagles and avoid the rest. Rating = 2
Kansas City
- Alex Smith typically has very little upside because most of his throws are short passes and little dump offs, but you have to like the matchup against this Eagles defense who has given up big games to both RGIII and Phillip Rivers. If Smith is still priced in that lower tier of QB’s, I think he makes a solid value play and I think you can handcuff him with Bowe which we will get to. Rating = 6
- The Eagles are currently ranked 12th against the run, but that’s more because they were ahead by a lot in Week 1 and they got into a shootout in Week 2. Jamaal Charles hasn’t produced huge yardage from scrimmage, but he has scored a TD each week and is getting a lot of dump offs from Smith. Against the Eagles, everyone is in play. Rating = 7
- This usually isn’t the case, but you could make an argument to take 5-6 players from this Thursday game. While I don’t quite recommend that, there should be plenty of fantasy points to go around in this game. I really like Dwayne Bowe this week.
- Anthony Fasano is doubtful and I don’t think the backup will do much. Rating = 1
Tampa Bay at New England
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | New England Patriots | |||||||||
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| Sun – 1:00PM ET | Gillette Stadium | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 7 | 44.5 | 18.75 | -7 | 44.5 | 25.75 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Off. | 15.5 | 27 | 31 | 11 | Off. | 18.0 | 25 | 21 | 13 | |
| Def. | 17.0 | 8 | 18 | 12 | Def. | 15.5 | 6 | 4 | 28 | |
| Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | |
| Freeman | 9.50 | 9.50 | 6 | 11.78 | Brady | 13.66 | 13.66 | 11 | 15.41 | |
| Martin | 12.90 | 12.90 | 21 | 19.70 | Ridley | 3.30 | 3.30 | 10 | 15.25 | |
| Jackson | 14.55 | 14.55 | 5 | 19.55 | Thompkins | 5.95 | 5.95 | 2 | 14.30 | |
| Stocker | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4 | 4.45 | Gronkowski | 32 | 23.75 | |||
New England
- Tom Brady looked awfully frustrated last week. I’m sure the rain didn’t help, but he cannot be happy with his receivers. In the summer, Edelman wasn’t even a lock to make the team and now he is Brady’s number 1 option. As much faith as I have in Brady, it’s hard to take him without Gronk and/or Amendola playing. Rating = 5
- Stevan Ridley is one of my favorite plays this week. His price has dropped significantly from where it was Week 1 and the fact that he got 16 carries last week makes me think that Belichick is no longer upset with him. I think he gets his first score of the year and gets close to 100 yards from scrimmage. Rating = 6
- With all of the injuries, Julian Edelman is now Brady’s go to guy in the passing game. He had 13 catches last week and you have to think he will get close to that amount of targets again this week. The one concern here is if the Buccs put Darrelle Revis on him. This could give a small bump in value to Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson.
- I’m not going to be trusting any TE from New England until Gronkowski comes back. Rating = 1
Tampa Bay
- Josh Freeman is averaging less than 10 fantasy points per game which is really disappointing considering the year this offense had last season. I have hope that they will turn it around, but the problems between him and his coach never help. Freeman is really cheap this week though and he could be playing from behind. For his price, he’s not a bad play, but I don’t think he cracks the top 15 QB scores this week. Rating = 5
- Doug Martin has had a pretty quiet 55 touches during the first two weeks. Last week he rushed for 144 yards which was nice to see, but he still hasn’t managed to find the endzone. I think that changes this week against the Pats who are giving up close to 20 fantasy points per game to running backs. Rating = 7
- Freeman only has 335 passing yards on the season and 231 of them have been to Vincent Jackson. Clearly, Jackson is Freeman’s favorite target. If Freeman can manage to have a good week, you can expect Jackson to have one too.
- Nate Byham is the current TE for the Buccs, he has 2 reception on the season and can be ignored at this point in the season. Rating = 1
Arizona at New Orleans
| Arizona Cardinals | New Orleans Saints | |||||||||
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| Sun – 1:00PM ET | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 7.5 | 48.5 | 20.5 | -7.5 | 48.5 | 28 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Off. | 24.5 | 12 | 12 | 21 | Off. | 19.5 | 23 | 5 | 24 | |
| Def. | 24.0 | 18 | 21 | 3 | Def. | 15.5 | 6 | 8 | 27 | |
| Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | |
| Palmer | 15.40 | 15.40 | 9 | 13.98 | Brees | 18.18 | 18.18 | 21 | 19.14 | |
| Mendenhall | 11.65 | 11.65 | 16 | 17.25 | Sproles | 11.60 | 11.60 | 11 | 15.30 | |
| Fitzgerald | 14.15 | 14.15 | 9 | 24.20 | Colston | 11.80 | 11.80 | 10 | 24.85 | |
| Dray | 4.35 | 4.35 | 11 | 7.50 | Graham | 20.70 | 20.70 | 26 | 18.15 | |
New Orleans
- Drew Brees faces the Cardinals this week and while all of the Cardinals defensive rankings look favorable, they are a much better defense than they have shown in the first two weeks. Brees should be good for his 300 yards and 2 TD’s, but I think the Cardinals will make some good stops. Rating = 7
- Mark Ingram has been ruled out as of Sunday morning. This gives a bump in value to both Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas with Sproles having the better upside of the two. Rating = 6
- I’ve been wrong about Lance Moore two weeks in a row now. I keep waiting for Brees to get him more involved in the offense, but it just hasn’t happened. I’m not giving up on him yet, but I won’t be using him this week. Marques Colston has big game potential but is likely going to be guarded by Patrick Peterson who is one of the best corners in football
- Jimmy Graham is the play again this week. Brees looked his way early and often last week and I think Graham will top the hundred yard mark again this week. Rating = 9
Arizona
- The Saints defense really hasn’t looked bad through the first two weeks. They are ranked in the top half against every position which is pretty surprising. That said, if the Saints get up early, that could be good for Carson Palmer. Playing catch-up against the Saints is usually easy fantasy points for QB’s. Rating = 5
- I’m not sold on Rashard Mendenhall and if they get down big, they will likely abandon the running game. If you are going to take any Cardinals this week, I think the passing game is the way to go. Rating = 3
- Larry Fitzgerald is currently questionable heading into this game. He would make a great play if he can be healthy enough to give it a go, but it’s always a bit unnerving taking players that are nursing injuries. Monitor the situation throughout the week and be prepared to insert Andre Roberts into your lineups if Fitz can’t go.
- Jim Dray is averaging 3.5 catches for about 35 yards. I think that’s what you can expect again this week. Rating = 3
San Diego at Tennessee
| San Diego Chargers | Tennessee Titans | |||||||||
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| Sun – 1:00PM ET | LP Field | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 3 | 44 | 20.5 | -3 | 44 | 23.5 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Off. | 30.5 | 4 | 11 | 15 | Off. | 20.0 | 22 | 32 | 9 | |
| Def. | 30.5 | 29 | 32 | 21 | Def. | 19.5 | 13 | 11 | 20 | |
| Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | |
| Rivers | 27.23 | 27.23 | 10 | 15.28 | Locker | 10.11 | 10.11 | 31 | 29.03 | |
| Mathews | 9.30 | 9.30 | 18 | 17.55 | Johnson | 8.60 | 8.60 | 22 | 20.15 | |
| Royal | 23.20 | 23.20 | 22 | 34.05 | Britt | 3.40 | 3.40 | 25 | 37.45 | |
| Gates | 10.15 | 10.15 | 15 | 10.75 | Walker | 6.50 | 6.50 | 28 | 19.35 | |
Tennessee
- Jake Locker has had a quiet first couple of weeks, yet the Titans have actually played pretty well. I think Locker is in for his best week thus far, even if that’s not saying much. The Chargers defense is giving up almost 30 fantasy points per game to opposing QB’s and I think Locker will play well in their home opener. Definitely a good value play if you are looking to save money. Rating = 5
- Chris Johnson has had 25 carries in each of the first two weeks. Part of that is because they had leads in both of the games, but I think the Titans are really trying to establish the run game. Even if he can get 20 carries this week, it should be plenty enough to have a good week against this Chargers defense. CJ2K is right there with Ridley as my two favorite value RB’s this week. Rating = 7
- As Locker’s production goes up, so will the production of his WR’s. There is definitely some talent in this receiving core in Kenny Britt and Kendall Wright. If either of them were to have a breakout game, this would be a good spot for it. I would take Wright over Britt, but not by much.
- Delanie Walker is a low risk, low reward play this week. I think he will get some targets, but the upside lies with Chris Johnson and the WR’s. Rating = 3
San Diego
- A lot of people wrote off Phillip Rivers before the season started, but he has looked good these first couple of weeks. He’s averaging over 300 yards and 3 TD’s per game. I’m not sure he is going to be able to find that same success this week against the Titans though. The Titans have actually played some pretty decent defense. Rating = 4
- Ryan Mathews was so close to paying off last week and then the fumble happened. He still managed to gain 77 yards from scrimmage and saw an increase in his touches from Week 1. Mathews is cheap everywhere once again so I’m sure plenty of people will be tempted to take him again. Unfortunately, I will be tempted as well. Rating = 5
- Eddie Royal has come out of nowhere this season. He has 10 catches for 114 yards and 5 TD’s through the first two weeks. It sounds like Malcom Floyd is doubtful for this game so that only bumps up Royal’s value even more. He’s still a bit of a wildcard, but he’s certainly a nice GPP play.
- Antonio Gates is healthy for the first time in years. He looked really good last week when he caught 8 balls for 124 yards. With Floyd out, I like Gates a lot this week. Rating = 7