The NFL DFS main slate for Week 3 features some potentially high-scoring matchups (Rams-Cardinals, Lions-Vikings, Bills-Dolphins all have early over/unders over 50) and another marquee battle of legendary quarterbacks (Packers-Buccaneers). We’re stacking one of those games and fading the rest in our Week 3 FanDuel lineup, instead focusing on one-off picks from other games who we hope will provide value.
It’s a somewhat risky strategy, but as we all know, trends can change in a hurry in the NFL. What looks like a high-scoring game before kickoff can ultimately be a lower-scoring battle (and vice/versa). Let’s hope we’re right so we can cash in our tournaments.
Before we break down our picks, here are the most notable scoring rules for FanDuel contests: four-point passing TDs and half-point PPR.
WEEK 3 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | Yahoo
FanDuel Picks Week 3: NFL DFS lineup for GPP tournaments
Sunday main slate, $60,000 budget
QB Matthew Stafford, Rams @ Cardinals ($7,700). This is more about the Cardinals’ porous pass defense than it is about Stafford, who’s going to throw an INT or two but also finish with 250-plus yards and a couple TDs. Against Arizona, who’s already allowed seven passing TDs, his ceiling is raised, but in order to really get value from him, you need to stack him with Cooper Kupp.
RB Antonio Gibson, Commanders vs. Eagles ($6,700). Gibson has been a steady producer through two weeks, and even though he disappointed from a total yards standpoint last week, he’ll once again get the bulk of Washington’s RB touches this week. The Commanders’ offense looks like it will continue to move the ball one way or another, and the Eagles’ defense is not exactly a “shutdown” unit. At RB18 pricing, Gibson is a relative steal.
RB Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Titans ($6,500). Jacobs hasn’t done much this year, but this is another “value” RB who gets by far the most touches on his team. Jacobs is coming off a 19-carry game, and he should once again get 15-plus touches against a suspect Titans’ run defense. We’ll need a touchdown for him to really pay off, but after going scoreless in the first two games, he’s in a good spot to break that drought on a team that doesn’t have much trouble getting in scoring position.
UPDATE: With Jacobs (illness) “questionable,” we’re pivoting to James Robinson ($6,600), who should get 15-plus touches against a decent-but-vulnerable Chargers’ run defense.
WR Cooper Kupp, Rams @ Cardinals ($9,800). Yes, the price is high, but Kupp is worth every penny. With 24 catches, 236 yards, and three TDs through two games, Kupp is automatic points. Against Arizona, the sky is the limit.
WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
WR Marquise Brown, Cardinals vs. Rams ($7,000). Since we clearly expect the Rams to light up the scoreboard, why not grab the top receiver from the other side? Hollywood has seen 17 targets through weeks, and even though he’s managed just 111 yards and one score, we know he’s always “one play away” from breaking a big one. The Cardinals should have to throw a lot to keep up with L.A., so we’ll take our chances.
WR DK Metcalf, Seahawks vs. Falcons ($6,700). This one stands out because Metcalf has produced little this year, but keep in mind he had a 54-yard reception called back on a questionable “illegal man downfield” penalty last week. He’s still a major big-play and TD threat, and with many owners likely fading him, especially after Tyler Lockett clearly outshined him, we’re fine taking a chance in a favorable matchup. The Falcons have struggled against both Saints’ and Rams’ wide receivers this year, so consider Metcalf our “boom-or-bust” tournament special. It’s rare you get a top talent to fill that role.
WEEK 3 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
TE Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Cardinals ($5,700). Higbee has seen 11 and nine targets, respectively, in the first two games, proving he’s a major part of the Rams’ passing game. With just 110 yards and no TDs, his stats don’t match the workload, but it’s only a matter of time before he dents the end zone. The Cardinals have faced elite TEs in Travis Kelce and Darren Waller so far, so their struggles against the position aren’t surprising, but Higbee still TE1 upside at TE6 pricing.
FLEX Jakobi Meyers, Patriots vs. Ravens ($6,200). Meyers is probably a better pick on DraftKings where it’s full-point PPR, but we love him here, too. Not only is he going to see steady targets (19 through two games), but against Baltimore, he also should pile up yards. The Ravens were roasted by the Dolphins last week, and while Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are unique players, it’s still a carryover from last year when Baltimore couldn’t defend the pass (second-most WR fantasy points allowed). This is the second receiver with a shaky QB in our lineup, but sometimes you have to take those chances in tournaments.
UPDATE: If Meyers (knee) can’t go, we’re simply pivoting to Nelson Agholor ($5,900), who would become New England’s No. 1 receiver.
DEF Bengals @ Jets ($3,600). We don’t care how competent he’s looked this year — we don’t trust Joe Flacco. Cincinnati disappointed last week in a similar matchup against Cooper Rush, but we needed to save money on our D/ST. The Bengals have the most upside given the matchup, so here’s hoping for a big play or two.
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