DFS Alerts
Pay Up for This WR in Week 3
Still looking for their first offensive touchdown on 2017, A.J. Green and the Bengals head to Green Bay leaky Green Bay defense that ranked 28th in pass defense DVOA against opposing #1 wide receivers last year and was torched for 5-108 by Julio Jones in Week 2. While many of your opponents will be searching for a reason not to play Green in a game the Bengals should be playing from behind, keep in mind that the superstar receiver is one year removed from averaging 10 targets and 96.4 yards per game. Fade him at your own peril.
Versatile RB with Dream Matchup
If you’re looking to exploit the NFL’s worst defense in Week 3, consider taking rookie Christian McCaffrey, who will look to breakout after two mediocre performances to begin the year. Not your prototypical “change of pace” running back, McCaffrey’s exceptional ability in the passing game affords him more opportunities as one of the league’s most dynamic all around talents. The Saints are coming of a 2016 season in which they ranked dead last in pass defense DVOA against opposing running backs and little has changed early this season; entering Week 3 with 19 catches and 185 receiving yards allowed to RBs. With Cam Newton struggling and Greg Olsen injured, expect McCaffrey to get plenty of opportunities to pay off his manageable price tag this week.
Can This RB Keep Rolling?
Currently leading the NFL in fantasy points through the first two weeks of the season, rookie phenom Kareem Hunt should once again play a pivotal role in Week 3 against division rival Los Angeles. A matchup against an improved Chargers defense may seem risky, but they have allowed the fifth most rushing yards this year without the services of run stuffing MLB Denzel Perryman and rank 28th in yards per attempt in the second level. This bodes well for Hunt, whose offensive line ranks first in second level yards per attempt early this season, creating opportunities to showcase his explosiveness as a rusher in addition to his involvement in the passing game.
Expect This Struggling QB to Break Out
After two mediocre performances to open the year, Cousins should get plenty of chances to redeem himself against an overachieving Raiders defense that ranked 30th in adjusted sack rate and 25th in pass defense DVOA in 2016. With question marks surrounding Washington’s already suspect running game, this should create a favorable pace in this game that is conducive to passing, giving Cousins the potential for a monster performance as this week’s “late night hammer.”
Saints CB Marshon Lattimore (concussion) didn't practice Thursday, Sterling Moore (pectoral) limited
Lattimore hasn’t practiced all week as he remains in the concussion protocol. Moore was originally expected to miss a few weeks, his return to a limited practice today indicates he has a shot to play this weekend. While the Saints pass defense has been atrocious as a whole, rookie cornerback Lattimore has been a bright spot. He currently ranks 18th with an 82.0 coverage grade from PFF among 103 qualifiers and opposing quarterbacks have only targeted him seven times in coverage. Receivers have caught five of those balls for 58 scoreless yards while his teammates P.J. Williams and De’Vante Harris have given up 10/13/182/1 and 6/7/110/1 lines, respectively. There’s a good chance Lattimore will shadow Benjamin this week if he plays, which would provide comparative advantages – and more opportunities – for Devin Funchess and Russell Shepard, who would match up with the weaker corners. Last week, Brandin Cooks struggled in Lattimore’s coverage, only catching one ball against the corner, and finished with a disappointing 2/4/37/0 line. If Lattimore is sidelined, it’s a huge boost for Benjamin. New Orleans promoted Moore to their third cornerback spot ahead of Harris in Week 2. Although Moore wasn’t great across his 32 snaps against the Patriots, earning a 48.1 pass coverage grade from PFF, he was better than Harris, who’s currently dead last with a 33.9.
Other tagged players: Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess
Jermaine Gresham (ribs) expected to play Week 3
He sat out last weekend but appears all set for their upcoming matchup with the Cowboys. The tight end pulled in three catches for 15 yards in their first game and doesn’t appear to be a strong fantasy asset. Dallas has been weak at the corner position and they’re banged up. Quarterback Carson Palmer should continue to favor his receivers when attacking through the air.
Colts CB Quincy Wilson (knee) didn't practice Thursday
It’s his second missed practice in a row. With Vontae Davis (groin) looking questionable for this weekend, the Colts may have to go further into their bench. After only logging 17 snaps in Week 1, Wilson was elevated to the second cornerback spot and started against the Cardinals. In that game alone, he allowed 171 receiving yards, which is more than all but two cornerbacks have given up all season. The rookie’s coverage was targeted ten times by Carson Palmer and receivers caught six passes, including a 45-yard touchdown grab by J.J. Nelson. This week, if Davis sits and Wilson starts again, Wilson will match up with Kenny Britt the most. Britt has struggled out of the gates, posting a disappointing 2/5/15/0 line, but with Corey Coleman sidelined, someone needs to step up for the Browns. In that scenario, Britt could potentially become a very high-risk GPP pivot option off of Rashard Higgins based on the very favorable matchup with the rookie CB. Head coach Hue Jackson challenged him to improve his performance and he could have a great spot to deliver.
Other tagged players: DeShone Kizer, Kenny Britt Stephon Anderson (concussion) had a full practice Thursday
It looks like Anderson is on track to play Week 3 after being sidelined last week with a concussion. He’ll operate as the second tight end behind Ryan Griffin and won’t have much fantasy appeal though.
Steelers DE Stephon Tuitt (biceps) practiced in full Thursday
It looks like the defensive end is on track to play Week 3 after being inactive last Sunday. Tuitt’s presence would help the Steelers pass rush. In 2016, he led their interior defenders with 46 pressures, which was 14th in the league at his position, per PFF. It’s a nice matchup for him as the Bears offensive line has allowed 34 pressures through two games, the third-most in the NFL.
Cowboys CB Orlando Scandrick (hand) expects to play Week 3
The cornerback underwent surgery to repair a broken hand last week and was ultimately unable to play in their Week 2 matchup with the Broncos. It’s apparently healing up well and he expects to suit up against the Cardinals this weekend. His presence would be an upgrade from Chidobe Awuzie, who would start in place of Scandrick if his hamstring allows it. Our WR/CB matchup tool provides J.J. Nelson the fourth-best rating this week against Awuzie. Scandrick has been relatively consisent in PFF’s grade, earning between a 75.7 and 85.3 over the past four seasons. CB Nolan Carroll is in the concussion protocol. If he plays, he’ll line up across from Jaron Brown the most. Our matchup tool gives it a favorable 22.1 rating Carroll has allowed a reception all six times he’s been targeted for 94 yards.
As reported by: Jane Slater Will This Offense Snap Out of an Early Funk?
Don’t get me wrong, Andy Dalton is strictly a long-shot GPP play, but he does deserve at least some consideration. I know the Bengals haven’t scored a single touchdown yet, but that will end this week, and the potential game script could call for Dalton to throw the ball 45 times. Green Bay will move the ball and score on this Cincinnati defense, so the Bengals will force the ball to A.J. Green and Joe Mixon behind the new offensive coordinator, and that should give Dalton the potential for a big game. It doesn’t hurt that Green Bay’s corners looked awful against Atlanta last week. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dalton was the best point-per-dollar QB this week, and I’ll be playing the him in 10% to 15% of my lineups.
Paying Up for a Tight End in Cash Games
The general consensus around the DFS industry is to pay down at tight end. While I certainly love Jack Doyle this week against the Browns, he doesn’t have the same floor or ceiling that Zack Ertz does. The eagles tight end has caught 13 of his 18 targets this season for 190 yards. He has yet to find the endzone, but that could change against a Giants’ defense that gave up lines of 7-59-1 to Jason Witten and 5-42-1 to Eric Ebron in the first two weeks of the season. We will be able to stream tight ends against New York all year, as they have good cornerbacks and a good run defense. The middle of the field is where you attack the Giants and Ertz just so happens to be one of the most talented tight ends in all of football.
Squeaky Wheels Need Grease
At the beginning of the week, I had A.J. Green pegged as a sleeper for tournaments. As we get closer to Sunday, I’m looking to lock him into my cash game lineups. Green has some big advantages over the other elite wideouts in Week 3. Julio Jones will be shadowed by Darius Slay, Antonio Brown is going up against a Vic Fangio defense that limits big plays, and Odell Beckham is dealing with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, the Bengals are large underdogs on the road against the Packers. Game flow should benefit the passing offense and after being held in check the first two weeks, Green should be able to breakout against a weak Packers’ secondary that is ranked 28th in DVOA against number one receivers this season.
Lock and Load Cash Game Running Back
We are only two weeks into the NFL season, so there is a lot that we don’t know about these teams. One statement that I feel comfortable making about the Packers is that Ty Montgomery is their workhorse running back. He still has speed and elusiveness this season, yet he’s put on some weight to help with his runs between the tackles. When looking for a running back in DFS, I want goal line work, pass-catching work, and a high snap rate. Montgomery fits the bill, as he has racked up 39 touches for over 200 yards and three touchdowns in the first two weeks of the season. The Packers are large favorites at home against the Bengals and two of their wide receivers are banged up. Until his price comes up, continue to lock Ty Montgomery into your cash game lineups.
The Sunday Night Hammer
When looking for a quarterback in DFS, I want volume, I want efficiency, and I want touchdown equity. Derek Carr provides all three in a Sunday night matchup against the Redskins. This game features the highest total (54.5 points) of the week and both teams will look to air it out. Washington has no run game to speak of, while the way to attack the Redskins is through the air — 20th in DVOA against the pass, 5th in DVOA against the run. We should get plenty of big plays in the passing game and we shouldn’t expect long drives that milk the clock. Carr has plenty of weapons at his disposal in Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, and Jared Cook and a reasonable price tag across the industry.