The Saints offense came back down to Earth last week vs. the Eagles. I thought they were overly conservative and didn’t attack through the air. They take on a solid Falcon defense without starting center Erik McCoy, who was placed on IR. I normally like RB Alvin Kamara, but he, too, is dealing with a rib and a hip pointer injury. He will most likely play even though he isn’t practicing, but all it takes is a shot to the ribs, and he could be out of the game. That’s a chance I don’t think I am ready to take. WR Chris Olave scored his first touchdown, but he only has 12 catches in the season, and the odds that he will break 20 fantasy points are slim. If I play anyone on the Saints, it would be WR Rashid Shaheed. He has that big play ability and is priced under 6K but all in all, I think the Saints offense will be just average going forward. Those first two weeks were Fool’s Gold vs. bad Panthers and Cowboys defenses.
The Falcons must be reeling a bit after losing a close one to the Chiefs, but I think they can bounce back here. It all starts with RB Bijan Robinson; last week, I wrote that the Eagles front could push the aging Saints defensive line, and Barkley could have a big game. Well, he was the top-scoring running back, and Bijan could have that type of game here. I think he scores 20 points minimum. WR Drake London is a nice player and is solid for seasonal leagues, but they never have that huge game you need for the receiver position when you are paying 6K plus. I would pivot to WR Darnell Mooney because, at his price, 15 -20 points can win you a tournament. Plus, he doesn’t see top coverage. TE Kyle Pitts is also in a good situation as the Saints are a bottom 5 defense vs. the tight end. My only hesitation is that he has had great matchups before and has seldom taken advantage, but maybe he starts to gel now that this will be QB Kirk Cousins’ fourth game as a starter.
Going forward, we want to target Bengals games. They should have a high-octane offense when healthy, and their defense isn’t good at all. They are going to be involved in shoot-outs along the way, making someone a million dollars. I think they can score 30 plus most weeks and this week is no exception vs. the Panthers. You can stack QB Joe Burrow with about anyone you like, as they are underpriced. WR Ja’Marr Chase will be the most popular, but WR Tee Higgins is priced under 6K and could be sneaky. Don’t forget cheap Andrei Iosivas, who has 3 touchdowns on the season. TE Mike Gesicki is a solid punt-play tight end, and a touchdown could get him into the winning lineups. My only reservation about playing a Bengal stack is because the Panther’s run defense is horrible. Could we see a ton of running backs, Zach Moss and Chase Brown? Moss scored 20 fantasy points last week, and I have him scoring a touchdown this week, making him a solid option under 6K. I think Brown looks more explosive, but he isn’t getting the volume Moss is.
As for the Panthers, what a difference QB Andy Dalton made. He was accurate and was able to get many receivers involved, namely Diontae Johnson. Johnson will once again be popular this week as he is priced under 6K, but he may be the chalk we need. WR Adam Thielen is out, and it would be difficult to see another receiver lead the team in target share. As mentioned, game flow could send this one into a high-scoring affair, and a Dalton/Johnson stack is great on paper and extremely affordable. RB Chuba Hubbard is also coming off a solid performance and is another player priced under 6K who is worth rostering, especially if you are paying up for a receiver.
The Rams had a big comeback win last week as QB Matt Stafford became a second-half gunslinger. He didn’t always complete his passes, but he created several defensive pass interference and holding penalties. Maybe it is not so good for fantasy, but it did get RB Kyren Williams in a position to score 3 touchdowns. Will Williams score 3 touchdowns this week? I would say that would be almost slim to none, but not impossible. He is their go-to player and should see 20-plus touches again this week. The Bears can be run on, but I do worry about this being a bad spot for the Rams. A West Coast team traveling to play early coming off an emotional comeback win vs. their biggest rival. Plus, they don’t have their two best receivers in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. It just sets up well for the Bears in my opinion. I am not a fan of the passing game this week, but I do like receiver Tutu Atwell to be their sneaky option. I do realize that he could have 3 catches for 30 yards, but he has had a history of popping a long touchdown, and he is being targeted.
I think the Bears could also be sneaky this week, mainly QB Caleb Williams. I know he has looked awful at times but maybe he is starting to get it together a little bit. It is only his fourth game, and he does have a skill set to break the slate. Fantasy players have a long history of giving up on players much too early. It’s not like the Rams are a defensive juggernaut. Plus, it is expected that WR Keenan Allen will be back, which would be a big boost. I don’t know if I want to stack the Bears, even though I think they are in a good spot. I think we can play Williams by himself and find better spend-up receivers who can win the slate. TE Cole Kmet is a solid play if Allen is out, not so much if Allen is in. I can’t play the Bear’s running game because it is just a mess right now.
Can someone pinch me? My Vikings are 3-0. Who would have expected that? Not only are they undefeated, but they have been dominant. QB Sam Darnold has been magnificent and leads the NFL in TD passes with 8 and hasn’t been asked to do much in the 4th quarter because they have had nice leads. This week projects to be much tougher as they face a good Packer defense in Lambeau. Is this the week the wheels fall off? WR Justin Jefferson will be matched with CB Jaire Alexander and doesn’t figure to go off, but he is matchup-proof at times and will be under 7% owned. I think my receiver of choice will be Jordan Addison if he plays. He matches up with CB Erik Stokes, who he should school and will be under 2% owned at a cheap price. My favorite play, though, is RB Aaron Jones. The way to attack the Packers is on the ground, and he is making his return to Green Bay. I think he wants nothing more than to score a touchdown or two and stick it to his former team.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love is a “game-time decision.” He has been limited in practice, but I think he plays. I don’t think the Packers can win with QB Malik Willis, even though Willis has been solid. Not knowing who is going to start or even how Love’s mobility is makes playing Packers in DFS almost impossible. I think RB Josh Jacobs would be my top choice, as I think the volume will be there no matter who starts at QB. Can he put up the numbers it takes to win a tournament at his price vs. this stingy defense? WR Jayden Reed has been their best receiver, but the price tag is creeping up and there are better options on the slate at his price. If Love plays, then I think Dontayvion Wicks is sneaky because he will be on the field and is cheap. He had several tournament-winning games a season ago. WR Christian Watson is a player who I never play. If he beats me, then so be it. I think we have a lower-scoring 20-13 type of game.
The Jaguar offense is a complete mess right now. QB Trevor Lawrence has been awful. There is no consistency in the passing game, but there is a little hope this week. If they can get pass protection, the Texan secondary will give up yards, but I don’t know if you can trust Lawrence. WR Christian Kirk is looking for his first touchdown. WR Brian Thomas Jr. is an excellent young receiver and would be my first choice because he can take the top off the defense. RB Travis Etienne has been an afterthought. I would like it if they would give him some quick passes. In conclusion, the Jaguars are talented, but they are so out of whack right now that you are only playing them to be ultra-contrarian. There are many better matchups on the slate.
The Texans will be without WR Tank Dell meaning a boost in production for receivers Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs. I think both can be stacked with QB C.J. Stroud who looks to get back on track in this one. What helps the Texan passing game is backs Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce are most likely out leaving Cam Akers as the most likely starter. He looked a little slow to me and I figure the Texans will push the ball downfield. The absence of Dell also means that we may have a Dalton Schultz sighting which means he could be a sneaky tight end option who has upside. Stacking the Texans means that you will have to pay down at back but there are backs like Hubbard and Harris that can get it done.
The Steelers offense has to break out sooner or later and I think they can this Sunday vs. the Colts. It’s time for QB Justin Fields to open it up and get this offense firing on all cylinders. They need to get WR George Pickens going, and if not this week, when? He has a great matchup. Open the playbook and get him 100 yards and a touchdown. RB Najee Harris is also in a great spot as the Colt’s run defense stinks. He should get an entire workload as it appears as though RB Jaylen Warren will miss with an injury. I have a strong feeling that either Pickens or Harris will end up in the winning lineups. You can play Fields, Harris, and Pickens in a stack for leverage because they are cheap enough that you can load up the rest of your lineups.
The Colts need to break out, too, and in my game theory, it may be better to play QB Anthony Richardson and bring it back with Steeler players. Richardson needs to get it going with his legs to get around the Steeler pass rush. If he can find his way to 50-plus yards and a score, then I think we can have a total game stack. I just don’t know who to pair with Richardson. WR Michael Pittman is their best receiver, but the hook-up has just not been there, and he will see Joey Porter in coverage. I think WR Josh Downs could be the sneakiest in the slot. WR Alec Pierce is the homerun threat and doesn’t see a ton of volume. I have very little interest in Jonathan Taylor as the Steelers do have a solid run defense, plus the Colts don’t throw him the football. He is an excellent pass-catching back, and I don’t know what the problem is over there. Maybe he will see some dump-offs if the Steeler pass rush is getting to Richardson, but I can’t pay for Taylor when there are other solid backs on the slate.
The Broncos will be easy to cover here. They are a pass on all accounts. Their running game stinks, and I do not like their receivers compared to the Jets’ secondary. I do think QB Bo Nix is improving, but this is just too much to ask for.
The Jets should run the ball down the Bronco’s throat with Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. Hall is an obvious choice to finish in the top 5 in running back scoring. Allen could be sneaky like he was in week 2 with 19 points, but highly unlikely. Hall is the play here. WR Garrett Wilson is the fade, as he will be covered by CB Patrick Surtain, who may be the best corner in football. WR Allen Lazard remains cheap and has 3 touchdowns. Remember that QB Aaron Rodgers loves him and will always try to keep him involved. TE Ty Conklin may be my favorite play on the board. He is cheap and is building a bond with Rodgers.
The Eagles would be in a great spot here vs. a mediocre Tampa defense that boasts a below-average secondary. Unfortunately, receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are both likely to miss the game due to injury. Britain Covey was placed on IR which leaves the Eagles with Jahan Dotson, Johhny Wilson, and Parris Campbell at receiver. It’s not a very exciting group to get behind. I think it has to be another week of 25 touches for Saquon Barkley, as he is looking like the best back in the NFL right now. He took over the game last week, and he could do the same this week. Don’t be alarmed if Tampa’s run-stopping DT Veta Vea plays; Barkley is going to get his touches, and that Eagle offensive line can still push Tampa around. TE Dallas Goedert had a huge week last week; he is playable, but don’t expect the same results vs. Tampa, who is a top 5 defense vs. the tight end. Those 30 points won’t be there. Look for 10 points, maybe 16, if he can score a touchdown.
The Buccaneers must do what the Saints were unwilling to do. Attack the Eagles secondary early and often. QB Baker Mayfield should get the ball to his top-tier wideouts in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, making them solid stack options. Don’t worry about them being limited in practice. I think they just want to keep them fresh for Sunday. Both could have 100 yards and a touchdown. RB Bucky Irving has been getting a ton of love because he has more explosion than RB Rachaad White but Irving is dealing with a hamstring injury. White could be extremely sneaky because his ownership is going to be under 5%. This could be the game where he has 5 plus catches and scores.
The Commanders are coming off a short week after beating the Bengals in a shootout. QB Jayden Daniels can break the slate with his running ability and may have more confidence after throwing for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns. This game has the highest total on the board, and I think Daniels should reach 20-plus points. WR Terry McLaurin and TE Zach Ertz would be the stacking options, with McLaurin being the top option. RB Brian Robinson Jr. has a good matchup vs. a soft Cardinal run defense, but he hasn’t added much to the passing game. He is going to have to have 100-plus yards and a touchdown to take down a tournament.
QB Kyler Murray and WR Marvin Harrison Jr., are in a great spot here vs. the Commander pass defense that ranks dead last. I think they have a solid floor and can combine for 50 fantasy points, especially after not meeting expectations last week vs. the Lions. Receivers Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch are also in play with a lean toward Wilson. RB James Conner will look to reach the endzone, and he can be double-stacked with Murray with any of those receivers, but I prefer Harrison Jr. TE Trey McBride is looking like he will be out for this game. TE Elijah Higgins becomes a solid punt play at tight end.
This game has the highest projected total on the slate, and these players are cheap enough that you can do an entire game stack for leverage.
Is there anyone outside of RB Rhamondre Stevenson even remotely worth endorsing here? Speaking of Stevenson, he’s going to need 20-plus touches and a touchdown here to be DFS viable. It is possible, but it’s slim because the Patriots don’t make anyone fear the passing game. The 49ers are a team that can shut down a player they can focus on. WR DeMario Douglas would be a long-shot DFS play because he does get targeted, and the Patriots may have to pass more than they like if they fall behind. TE Hunter Henry is dinged, and the Niners are the number one defense vs. the tight end.
The 49ers jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead, but then their offense stalled. They had trouble running the ball, untimely penalties, and drops. They definitely missed TE George Kittle and WR Deebo Samuel, even though WR Jauan Jennings had the game of his life with 3 touchdowns. I expect a 49er bounce back and for RB Jordan Mason to have a good game. 100 yards rushing and a TD seems about right to me. WR Brandon Aiyuk could see a lot of CB Christian Gonzalez in coverage, meaning Jennings could be in line for another solid game. I do worry that we are chasing the points he had last week and that he will be higher-owned, but the game theory should favor him. Kittle practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, and if he plays, he could be the best TE play on the slate as he should see a bunch of targets.
The Browns offense is just ugly, but they are playing the Raiders, who just gave up a ton of yards to the Carolina Panthers. QB Deshaun Watson is popping on the DFS Hero Optimizer as the top-valued QB. If you play him, then I think you have to play WR Amari Cooper, who is coming off a 2 TD performance. He is playing his former team, so motivation could be a big factor. Doc likes RB Jerome Ford in this one, and I can see a pathway for him to 20 fantasy points, but he has to have a few catches and a touchdown. That may be a bit to ask, but not impossible. Everyone was worried about the touches RB D’Onta Foreman had two weeks ago, and then he got just 2 carries last week. We can’t predict what the coach is thinking.
The Raiders offense is also a mess. There is no consistency because the offensive line hasn’t been very good, and they can’t run the football. I fell for the Zamir White hype, and he just doesn’t look like he has that juice. Plus, he is losing touchdowns to RB Alexander Mattison. Another reason why the offense is inconsistent is because they have QB Gardner Minshew. He is the poster child for inconsistency. Still, WR Davante Adams has 20-plus point ability, even though those games are few and far between. I do think WR Jakobi Meyers has some value because he is cheap and will be low-owned. TE Brock Bowers is worth a play, even after letting everyone down last week. He is too talented.
Even though the Chiefs are 3-0, they have only one player who has been DFS-relevant. WR Rashee Rice is becoming a Super Star; he has averaged 24.6 points per game and should be a player that you play in some capacity every week. He is at a bargain still as he should be priced up with the very best receivers. Unfortunately, he is the only weapon that is going for QB Patrick Mahomes. TE Travis Kelce is seeing a ton of coverage, and rookie WR Xavier Worthy only has 6 catches on the year. Saying all that, there is going to be a week when it all comes together, and they are the top stack, but I don’t think this is the week. I am playing Rice, and that is about it from the Chiefs. Don’t even think about RB Carson Steele; he doesn’t have enough juice, and I think RB Samaje Perine will see more action and could become the number-one back after this week.
As for the Chargers offense? That is a big no thank you. The Chiefs are solid defensively and I think the Chargers are a below average offense. Don’t be fooled by WR Quentin Johnston, he has been uncovered on all 3 of his touchdowns.
