Week 3 DraftKings.com DFS NFL GPP & Cash Game Plays for September 24, 2017
Week 3 NFL is upon us and everyone is looking to cash in on the big money at DraftKings. Every week, we’ll bring you our top DFS NFL picks at each position, separating them into Cash Game and GPP plays.
Cash game options generally come with less risk and a more stable floor, while the best GPP plays can come with tons of risk and upside. Taking a chance on players with high ceilings and low floors is a good way to separate from a large tournament field.
As with any DFS sport, the advice below is relevant for fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than they are in real life due to matchup, price, game flow, etc. This is important when constructing a roster. And if you’re looking for new ways to play DFS, be sure and give BOOM Fantasy and DRAFT a try!
In DFS NFL, predicting game flow can be vital towards success. Teams that are heavily favored and come through with a comfortable win will be far more likely to lean on their running game, while two teams with poor defenses and high-powered offenses could pay off by getting into a shootout. Later in the season, especially, weather will play a key factor in NFL games, so make sure to check the forecast for each Sunday.
Targeting games with high Over/Under lines is an effective strategy for GPP formats. In DFS NFL, you can not only stack players on the same team, but use WRs and QBs from the opposition as correlation plays in the hopes that a particular game turns into a shootout and provides heavy production on both sides of the ball.
In general, GPP plays are high-risk, high-reward prospects that can fizzle out and leave you empty handed. That said, if you want to win the big money, you have to take big chances and sometimes that means fading a safer choice for a risky play with more upside.
Week 3 DFS NFL Quarterbacks for Cash Games
Derek Carr @ WAS ($6.5k DraftKings)
Two weeks into the season, Derek Carr and Co. have scored nearly double the points of their opponents (71-36), with Carr logging two sufficient outings. The Raiders enter this week as 3.5-point road favorites to beat the Redskins at FedExField, and it’s hard to believe Washington won’t manage to keep this close. That should allow for more opportunities to throw, and in 2016, in games where he had at least 35 attempts, Carr averaged 21.6 DraftKings points per game. After 28 and 32 attempts in weeks 1 and 2, respectively, the Raiders gunslinger is primed to let a bit loose against a somewhat-game Washington team.
Ben Roethlisberger @ CHI ($6.2k DraftKings)
One could argue that the Steelers have the top two position players in the league. One could also argue that the Chicago Bears are in no position to stop anyone, let alone the guy who spends a lot of time passing to those aforementioned “top two position players.” This game could get out of hand quickly, but with Le’Veon Bell’s early struggles and Chicago’s clear weather forecast for Sunday, Roethlisberger should have himself a fine cash-game-worthy performance. Oh, and if fading Big Ben on the road is still a thing, all the more reason to capitalize in this spot.
Matthew Stafford vs. ATL ($6.2k DraftKings)
Stafford, initially, felt like a tournament option in this spot, what with the imminent blowout threat against Atlanta’s high-powered offense adds some definitive risk. What if the Lions fall well behind early and the game is basically over by halftime? That said, he’d be forced into a massive amount of pass attempts which could bode well for us. On the other hand, what if the game stays close, as Vegas thinks it will (Falcons -3 on the road)? Stafford has looked like the best version of himself, and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to build on it against the Falcons tenacious scoring abilities.
Week 2 DFS NFL Quarterbacks for GPPs
Kirk Cousins vs. OAK ($6.1K DraftKings)
This very well could’ve been Carr, who has terrific upside this week, but Cousins makes it because he spent the first two weeks working through some issues and bad breaks, and now has a home matchup against a team that will force him to throw. He should be very low-owned (given recent outings) in the game with the highest total on the slate, and I never expect Chris Thompson to score two touchdowns in a game again. Understand the risk, but make no mistake: Washington needs Cousins to control this game in order to have a chance, and I’m guessing he knows it.
Carson Wentz vs. NYG ($5.9k DraftKings)
Week 3 of 2016 was Wentz’s best on the season (24 DK points), and his average this season is slightly higher than that through two games. In fact, he only scored more than 20 fantasy points once last year, a number he’s already eclipsed this season in both weeks. The Giants have an intimidating defense, but injuries, coupled with a short week, give reason enough to think Wentz can put together a strong performance. It also seems like a good week to get Darren Sproles going in the passing game.
Cam Newton vs. NO ($6.6k DraftKings)
There is almost nothing to love about what’s going on with Cam Newton… He’s getting hit a lot, he just lost his top weapon in Greg Olsen, and he put up a dud the last time he played the Saints. That said, I expect ownership to be extremely low for a matchup where the Panthers are favored by six points at home. Now, Newton’s output is somewhat contingent on Drew Brees getting the Saints on the board several times. As the third highest game total to open, I expect that to happen, pushing Carolina into more passing plays.
Sign up today with our exclusive bonus code and receive 5 free entries at DraftKings
