[sc name=”Author Ian Rosen”]
Unfortunately for us fantasy football lovers, I expect the historically low scoring to continue in Week 3. These matchup slates present challenges for studs such as Mike Evans, Jordy Nelson, Amari Cooper, Dez Bryant, LeSean McCoy, Melvin Gordon and many more players. There are some great matchups that must be capitalized on this week in order to outlast the scoring trend. Let’s get to it.
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My favorite stacks
Matthew Stafford and Golden Tate (DET) — Two undefeated teams with incredibly potent offenses scream high scoring to me. Golden Tate averaged 8.4 targets per game last season, and avoids the best corner on the Falcons roster, Desmond Trufant. Look for him to have a very high usage rate in the slot this week and for Stafford to pick apart the Vic Beasley-less defense at home.
Kirk Cousins and Terelle Pryor (WAS) — Let me preface this by saying that this is only a stack that should be used in tournaments due to its risk. That being said, Oakland sucks at guarding the wide receiver position, and Kirk Cousins should have no problem picking apart this secondary. The ownership will be quite low on this stack, and if it returns value, you will be in an excellent position to make some moolah.
Drew Brees and Michael Thomas (NO) — This is another stack that has low ownership potential due to the relatively poor start the season for Thomas. The Panthers will put up points at home versus the Saints’ “defense”, which will require Brees to throw the ball a ton. I can easily see close to 45 pass attempts for Brees and over 100 yards and a touchdown for Thomas.
QBs that I like
Tom Brady (NE) — The Patriots are favored by 14 points. Houston’s defense is very banged up and Brady is coming off of a 400-yard 3-TD plus week. This is like taking candy from a baby.
Projection: 260 YD, 2 TD
Cam Newton (CAR) — He’s playing the Saints at home, and this game has an implied total of 46.5 points. I think he has himself the best game of 2017 by far.
Projection: 250 total, YD 2 TD
RBs that I like
Derrick Henry (TEN) — With Demarco Murray likely to miss this game, Henry seizes the workhorse position for this week. Even if Murray plays, he will be nowhere near 100 percent, and Henry should still get close to 20 touches. That being said, Henry is coming off of his best game in his young career, and the Seahawks just allowed 124 yards rushing to Carlos Hyde at home. Look for Henry to get 20+ touches and prove why he should have an increased role in that backfield.
Projection: 85 YD, 1 TD
Tahir Cohen (CHI) — It’s about time we give this man some well-deserved respect. While I do believe that this game could be closer than a lot of people think, which would theoretically favor a bell-cow back like Howard, Glennon’s favorite target in the passing game seems to be Cohen. The Bears are coming off of getting annihilated by the Bucs and will return with a vengeance at home this weekend. How fat that will get them, who knows?
Projection: 8 REC, 88 YD, 1 TD
WRs that I like
A.J Green (CIN) — He’s pissed! He is essentially demanding more targets his way from Andy Dalton. This is very encouraging for fantasy players, as he has already received 18 targets through his first two games. I expect the Packers to put up points this week and at least 12 targets for Green against an improving but still mediocre secondary.
Projection: 7 REC, 120 YD, 1 TD
Devin Funchess (CAR) — In a game where Cam should attempt over 35 passes, and Greg Olsen is not playing, someone needs to step up, and it will be Funchess. I think Funchess has a pretty good chance to outperform Kelvin Benjamin this week due to the increased coverage that Benjamin might see.
Projection: 5 REC, 86 YD, 1 TD
TEs that I like
Jack Doyle (IND) — Fire him up wherever you can because he’s about to have a day. The Browns have now allowed 14 receptions, 135 yards and two touchdowns to a combined duo of Jesse James and Benjamin Watson. Not only is Dolye more talented, but Brissett leans on him a lot due to his inexperience and unfamiliarity in the offense.
Projection: 8 REC, 88 YD
Hunter Henry (LAR) — Everyone take a moment to congratulate Antonio Gates on his remarkable accomplishment. Done? Well, Gates is. We all know that Henry is the better talent at this point and now that Gates has finally reached that insane milestone, it’s Henry time. Also, he has a great matchup at home versus an Eric Berry-less Chiefs.
Projection: 7 REC, 62 YD
DSTs that I like
Patriots — Looks like the nuke won’t be exploded this week as Hopkins is primed to face Malcolm Butler all day. Watson is very prone to making mistakes due to his unfamiliarity and inexperience in the offense, and Lamar Miller will have trouble capitalizing on the Pats’ weak spot, their defensive line, because he sucks and the Patriots will most likely stack the box. Someone who could have a nice game for himself could be Donte Foreman but that’s about it.
Projection: 12 points
Broncos — Tyrod Taylor has really sucked over the past two weeks, and the only relatively bright spot of the Bills has been LeSean McCoy, who just got shut down by the Panthers front seven last week. Meet the much better Broncos front seven and you get an offensive lapse.
Projection: 13 points
Good luck to everyone this week!
Ian Rosen will be contributing DFS/DraftKings advice to 5thDownFantasy.com this season. Check out his blog at fancavelive.com for more football and other sports posts.
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