Week 3 FanDuel.com DFS NFL Quarterback GPP Plays & Picks
Week 3 NFL is upon us and everyone is looking to cash in on the big money at FanDuel. 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
Tom Brady vs. HOU ($9.4k FanDuel)
Even with 90 percent of his receiving options banged up or inactive, in Brady we trust. The GOAT quickly bounced back in the easiest matchup possible (@NO) after struggling in one of the toughest (@KC). He should keep rolling this Sunday against a Texans franchise that tries to be like the Patriots, but as last years’ 24-0 spanking confirms, Belichick is still Bill O’Brien’s daddy. Houston’s pass defense is weakened by the loss of LCB A.J. Bouye and great LB Brian Cushing is out indefinitely, leaving the middle of the field open for Gronk, who is not expected to miss any time with his mild groin injury. Brady also has a bevy of weapons out of the backfield and the benefit of intricate play design that can allow him to rack up yards at home.
Derek Carr @ WAS ($8.4k FanDuel)
When choosing a QB for cash games, you want to consider how the passer fares under pressure. With Carr, you almost never see any panic or big mistakes from the young MVP candidate, as he absorbed just 16 sacks over 15 games behind Oakland’s elite offensive line last year. Washington ranked 24th in DVOA pass defense last year while giving up the seventh-most passing TDs (29), and the Raiders offense has only become more deadly with Jalen Richard coming out of the backfield and Jared Cook streaking down the seams.
Carson Wentz vs. NYG ($7.7k FanDuel)
So far this season, Wentz is 2-for-2 in terms of producing great statistical lines, which is hardly a coincidence considering the Eagles are averaging just 20.5 rush attempts per game (seventh-fewest in NFL) during that span. His numbers fell off a cliff at the end of his rookie season due in part to the suspension of difference-making tackle Lane Johnson, so now that Wentz is getting time to throw he’s been able to carve up defenses, even the capable Chiefs secondary. This week he faces a Giants team that ranks 21st in DVOA pass defense with top CB Janoris Jenkins (ankle) missing their last game and the Giants offense is leaving that unit out to dry by failing to sustain drives with any consistency.
Week 3 DFS NFL Quarterbacks for GPPs
Cam Newton vs. NO ($8.1k FanDuel)
From an optics standpoint, Newton has been nothing short of awful this year. Yet you can hope that his struggles are more due to rust than any kind of lingering physical effects from offseason shoulder surgery. He told the media that he was unhappy (obviously) with his modest performance in a 9-3 win last Sunday and indicated that he can do better. If you’ll recall, Cam started with 11 TDs and 8 INT through the first 7 games of his MVP campaign back in 2015 before finding a tremendous rhythm and that could occur sooner than later with the league-worst Saints defense on tap at home in Week 3. New Orleans has coughed up the most FPPG to opposing QBs by far through 2 games, failed to account for a single turnover, and often struggles outdoors, so this is a plus spot for Newton to silence the doubters if able.
Kirk Cousins vs. OAK ($7.6k FanDuel)
Even though he’s at home this week, Cousins seems like a riskier play than Derek Carr in a H2H matchup given the personnel surrounding each passer. That said, Sunday night’s game has the highest Over/Under (54) by far for Week 3 and there is definite shootout potential in Washington. Oakland ranked 25th in DVOA pass defense last year and is in the same spot through 2 games this season, coughing up big plays to the pathetic Jets offense last Sunday, so this is a good spot for Terrelle Pryor Sr. to potentially make an impact for Washington and for Cousins to put the team on his back with early-down back Rob Kelley (ribs) likely inactive.
Trevor Siemian @ BUF ($7.4k FanDuel)
Who leads the NFL in TD passes through two weeks? It is in fact the pride of Northwestern, Mr. Siemian, who is proving that a sharp and prepared mind can be more crucial towards success in the NFL than pure physical talent. He made an incredible read to thread the ball in for Emmanuel Sanders first TD in Week 2 and benefitted from team dominance the rest of the way in a 42-17 win over Dallas, finishing with 231 passing yards and 4 TDs along with a pair of turnovers. That’s the mixed bag you’ll get from a young QB, but facing a Bills defense that gave up 29 TD passes and the fifth-most pass plays of 40+ yards (14) last year – while losing difference-making DT Marcell Dareus (ankle) last week – is certainly a plus spot for Siemian.
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