By Jared Leonard
Week 3 Features some terrific match-ups that could produce some high scoring games both in fantasy and reality. Here are my top DFS plays for week 3.
Quarterbacks
Matt Stafford– He’s not Aaron Rodgers but he’s a damn good QB and the Falcons D gave up 346 yards to Rodgers and the Packers last week (With Jordy out on first drive and Cobb injured later). This game should have a lot of points on the board, as it has the second highest total this week.
Cam Newton– He’s playing against the Saints D, enough said.
Derek Carr– Washington and Oakland have the highest game total this week. Carr doesn’t throw for a ton of yards, but with Cooper and Crabtree and a bad Washington D, you can expect at least 225 yards and 2 passing TD’s.
Kirk Cousins– Again, highest game total. This game will be a shootout and Cousins is going to have to throw the ball to keep Washington in the game.
Phil Rivers– I love this guy, one of my favorite players in the NFL. He loves slinging the ball and has a lot of talent around him to do so. With no Eric Berry in that secondary, KC D is weak against the pass.
Running Backs
Jay Ajayi– The Jets run D is terrible and Ajayi should get 20+ carries. This equals huge game for Ajayi, as long as Miami doesn’t turn this thing into a blowout.
Le’Veon Bell– After a training camp holdout, Bell has had a slow start. In week one he had only 13 total touches, but last week he carried the ball 27 times and had 4 receptions for 31 total touches. The Steelers are going to keep relying on him heavily (especially on the road) and the Lev Bell we know, will start to come to form.
Isaiah Crowell– Colts Run D is fraudulent and the Browns have one of the best O-Lines in football. The Browns should have a lead in this game and rely on the run a lot.
Theo Riddick– Playing Atlanta! See Tarik Cohen week one and Ty Montgomery week 2. Huge PPR stats coming this week for Riddick.
Ameer Abdullah– Playing Atlanta! See week one against Chicago. Both RB’s put up fantasy points.
Jonathan Stewart– Playing New Orleans! Do I need any other reason? Will get 15+ touches, plus goal line duties.
Wide Recievers
A.J. Green– Playing against a mediocre GB secondary. Also, pulled a Keyshawn Johnson and basically said give me the damn ball after last weeks game. Expect AJ to get the damn ball.
Golden Tate– Lions will need to put points on the board to stay in this game. Tate should see at least 10 targets in this matchup.
Keenan Allen– This guy is matchup proof and he has a great QB getting him the ball. When he’s healthy, he’s a top 10 WR in the NFL. I see Phil Rivers throwing the ball a lot in this game and that means Allen will get his targets.
Oakland WR’s– I like both Cooper and Crabtree in this matchup. Again, highest game total this week. Just have to be cautious, one could greatly out produce the other.
Kelvin Benjamin– Just keep picking on that Saints D.
Miami WR’s– The Jets D is terrible. Both Parker and Landry showed up on the injury report for this week, but should play. All their points could come in the first half of this game, especially if it quickly becomes a blowout.
Terrell Pryor– Read Kirk Cousins above. This is the week Pryor bounces back.
Tight Ends
* I typically go cheap at TE.
Jack Doyle– Had 8 targets last week and Brissett looks comfortable throwing Doyle the ball. Should have a solid game against Cleveland, who struggles to cover the TE.
Zach Ertz– Check out what Witten did week 1 and Ebron did week 2. The Giants can’t cover the TE. Plus, Ertz is turing into a top 5 TE in the NFL.
Eric Ebron– Love his matchup this week against Atlanta. Detroit will throw the ball a lot more this week to keep up with Atlanta.
Hunter Henry– No Eric Berry = struggles for the KC D against the TE.
Evan Engram– Manning has not looked great but has targeted the rookie TE 12 times through 2 games. Plus, Marshall looks like he’s done and Beckham isn’t 100%, Eli is trusting his TE more each week.
Jared Cook– Playing in the game with the highest expected total, and the Skins have been torched by the TE in both games this year.
Defense
Green Bay– The Bungles look terrible on offense and haven’t scored a TD yet this season.
Philly– Eli and the Giants offense look like McAdoo’s face. Look for Philly to eat that o-line alive.
Tampa Bay– No Bradford = ugly offense for the Vikes.
Tennessee– Seattle has looked bad offensively and are traveling across country to play a 1pm game, don’t see things getting any better for the O this week.
Carolina– This is my sleeper D for the week. They are at home against the Saints. The Saints offense doesn’t look strong and aren’t very good on the road, especially on real grass. People will be afraid to play Carolina, but don’t be.