RADIO
First off, what the hell happened in Week 2? The AFC Champion Bengals lost to the Cowboys (without Dak Prescott), the Jets climbed back to beat the Browns, and Tua Tagovailoa threw for 469 yards, yes, 469 yards, to help the Dolphins overcome a massive deficit to take down the Ravens. Even stranger, the Jaguars kept the Colts off the scoreboard while limiting Jonathan Taylor to 54 rushing yards.
Unfortunately, Week 2 also saw Trey Lance sustain a season-ending broken ankle, forcing the 49ers to turn to Jimmy Garoppolo, who was nearly traded in the offseason, to take over under center. Lance wasn't the only one banged up, as Jerry Jeudy, Dalton Schultz, Devin Duvernay, and James Conner also suffered injuries. With that said, it's time to move forward and start thinking about roster construction for Week 3.
In this article, I will be providing you with my Week 3 daily fantasy football lineup picks for FanDuel. These lineups can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. Be sure to also check out our weekly DraftKings DFS lineup picks and lots of other great NFL DFS articles and NFL DFS tools to help you win big! Also, feel free to give me a follow on Twitter @DennisMClausen. Let's get started!
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FanDuel Quarterbacks - Week 3 DFS Lineup Picks
Kirk Cousins - vs. DET ($7,600)
Cousins had an uncharacteristic outing during the Monday Night Football clash against Philadelphia. He's usually an accurate thrower. However, the Eagles' defense had his number in this one, limiting him to 58.7% passing off 46 attempts while forcing him to throw three picks.
With Week 2 in the books, Cousins will now focus on the divisional game versus Detroit. The 34-year-old has had nine meetings with the Lions throughout his career, averaging 282 yards and two touchdowns per game. Even more impressive, Cousins has only two interceptions during that span. History is on his side, so he's someone to consider
Joe Burrow - @ NYJ ($7,500)
The Bengals will take its 0-2 record to MetLife Stadium to meet the Jets. Cincinnati is undoubtedly looking to avoid going 0-3. However, if the team hopes to get into the win column, Burrow will need to turn things around. To be fair, the signal-caller can't take all the blame, as the offensive line has already allowed a league-leading 13 sacks on the year.
Cincy's offensive line was garbage last season, so naturally, moves were made to bolster Burrow's protection group heading into the year. Yet, things haven't got much better. Fortunately, the Jets' defense hasn't done an adequate job getting to the quarterback and has accrued only three sacks this season. With that in mind, the line may actually hold up for once, allowing Burrow time to connect with his receiving corps.
FanDuel Running Backs - Week 3 DFS Lineup Picks
Dalvin Cook - vs. DET ($8,300)
There are probably more than a few fantasy managers who wished they owned a time machine to travel back to August. Why? So they could draft someone other than Cook. What is wrong with this guy lately?
Cook didn't play horribly against Green Bay in Week 1, although he's had much more productive outings. However, the same can't be said for Week 2, as he ended with only 5.6 fantasy points during the Monday Night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. It's about time Cook bouncers back, and that time may come on Sunday against the Lions.
Joe Mixon - @ NYJ ($8,200)
Like nearly all his teammates, Mixon had a Subpar showing against the Cowboys. He ended the day with 9.8 fantasy points, roughly half of what he had in Week 1. Yet, a Bengals' stack may be in order against New York, a team that's worse than its record suggests.
The Jets' defense held the Ravens' rushing attack to only 3.0 yards per carry. However, after Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and Jacoby Brissett combined for 188 yards and three touchdowns off 36 carries, it appears the J-E-T-S have some work to do. With that in mind, Mixon remains one of the most dangerous fantasy backs in the league, so DFS managers shouldn't look past him on Sunday. His $8,200 rostering cost is also an added bonus.
Leonard Fournette - vs. GB ($7,200)
Fournette has been dealing with a hamstring ailment, but he should be ready for Week 3 against the Packers. The veteran has been getting some work, compiling 45 carries in the last two weeks.
The Buccaneers could be severely short-handed versus Green Bay. Mike Evans is suspended, and Chris Godwin continues to deal with a hamstring issue. Even worse, Julio Jones, Russell Gage, and Breshad Perriman aren't 100% either, so if Fournette is available, he may not only get his share of carries, but he could also be featured on the receiving end.
Also Consider
Jonathan Taylor - vs. KC ($9,400)
Taylor looked horrible in Week 2, finishing with only 54 yards off nine carries. However, it's not often the 23-year-old rushes for less than 100 yards in consecutive games, so fantasy managers should give him another chance.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire - @ IND ($7,300)
Edwards-Helaire is having a quality season. He isn't always productive. However, he continues to be involved as a pass-catcher and also has 5.6 yards after contact, one of the highest marks in the league. CEH has a good chance to keep it rolling in the Chiefs' high-powered offense on Sunday.
Dameon Pierce - @ CHI ($5,800)
Pierce is a risky option in Week 3. However, he continues to get more involved. After the rookie had 11 carries in Week 1, he had 15 in Week 2. He appears to have already surpassed Rex Burkhead for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart and should continue to lead the way moving ahead.
FanDuel Wide Receivers - Week 3 DFS Lineup Picks
Cooper Kupp - @ ARI ($9,800)
There haven't many consistently reliable fantasy performers this season. Justin Jefferson looked fantastic in the season-opener. Yet, he struggled in Week 2. The same can be said for Davante Adams, who had one hell of a debut for Vegas in Week 1, and Ja'Marr Chase, who had only five catches for 54 yards in the loss to Dallas.
However, Kupp remains a guy DFS enthusiasts can depend on. Of his 29 targets throughout the first two weeks, he's brought in a league-leading 24 catches. The veteran also has three touchdowns, two of which occurred against the Falcons. With the Arizona Cardinals next on the itinerary, a team currently allowing 302 passing yards per game, Kupp is in a great spot to produce.
Ja'Marr Chase - @ NYJ ($8,500)
Speaking of Chase, will he bounce back at the Jets on Sunday? There's certainly a chance he will. If the Bengals want to avoid its third-straight loss, Joe Burrow must turn things around. But for the signal-caller to be successful, he will need his former collegiate teammate to produce.
Chase has already established himself as one of the best deep threats in the National Football League. That said, if the Jets' defense can't put the pressure on Burrow, Chase will have more than enough time to run his deep routes, which would be an ideal situation for DFS managers.
Also Consider
Justin Jefferson - vs. DET ($9,500)
Jefferson went crazy during the season-opener versus Green Bay, hauling in nine of his 11 targets for 184 yards and two touchdowns. But he disappeared on Monday night in Philadelphia. However, he's had at least seven catches and 124 yards in three of his four career meetings against the Lions. There's a good chance he'll get back on track in Week 3.
Stefon Diggs - @ MIA ($8,300)
Diggs has been on a roll this season, compiling 24 catches for 270 yards. He also has four touchdowns, with three occurring during Monday Night Football against the Tennessee Titans. At $8,300, fantasy managers can't go wrong. His outlook will get even brighter if Xavien Howard doesn't play.
Mike Williams - vs. JAC ($7,000)
Keenan Allen didn't play in Week 2 because of a hamstring injury, opening the door for Williams to catch eight balls for 113 yards and a touchdown. Allen isn't a lock to see the field against Jacksonville, but even if he does, Williams needs some consideration for DFS lineups.
Adam Thielen - vs. DET ($6,000)
Where has Thielen been all season? He's only had seven catches and hasn't even surpassed the 100-yard mark. Still, he's due for a quality game at some point soon, so this could be your guy for those who feel like taking a chance.
FanDuel Tight Ends - Week 3 DFS Lineup Picks
Travis Kelce - @ IND ($7,800)
Kelce had only five targets during the Chiefs' last game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He had only five catches in that one and was also held to 51 receiving yards. Fortunately, nobody was talking about the subpar performance, although he had to take a "spinebuster" from Derwin James for it to happen.
At the same time, Kelce's year hasn't been a complete train wreck. He has 16 targets, so with that type of attention from arguably the best quarterback in the league, Patrick Mahomes, he's bound to make something happen. Give him another chance in Week 3.
Tyler Higbee - @ ARI ($5,700)
Speaking of targets, do you know who leads the league at the tight end spot? We already know it isn't Travis Kelce. It's not Mark Andrews, either. Instead, it's Higbee, who has 20 throughout the first two games of the 2022-23 campaign.
By this point, DFS managers already know how bad the Cardinals' defense has been against opposing tight ends. However, when considering Higbee's involvement this season, he's someone to consider, especially for those looking to save some dough.
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