RADIO
You probably have found enough articles that explain what to watch for each week. For the dynasty community however, we look at each week a little differently.
Breaking down each matchup with a dynasty focus will allow you to buy or sell players early. The key to winning long term in dynasty formats is being the first owner to spot tendencies that allow you to make the correct moves. Don't hold onto a name too long and don't buy that rookie too early. Watch each match up with a dynasty focus to plan long term success.
Here is a preview at all the NFL games for Week 3 and what dynasty owners should watch for in each contest.
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NFL Week 3 - Dynasty Analysis
Falcons at Lions
The Lions committed to running the ball more this off-season and you got a taste of that Monday night in their 24-10 win over the Giants. By the way, the Giants have one of the toughest defensive lines in football. Ameer Abdullah who is healthy and running well carried the ball 17 times for 86 yards while the Lions offense just controlled the game and let their defense smother the Giants. This week may be more difficult though. The Falcons have a fast, in your face defense that could give the Lions run game problems.
What to watch for: How many carries does Abdullah get in a game that could turn into a shootout?
Ravens at Jaguars
June 2 was as close to a holiday as you get for Jeremy Maclin owners. His value hadn’t been high since he tore his ACL and missed the 2013 season. Maclin dealt with multiple injuries in 2016 and played for an offense that didn’t utilize him to his fullest abilities. After being released, Maclin signed with the Ravens. The same Ravens that threw the ball more than any other team in 2016. Maclin seems to be building a great chemistry with Flacco. The Ravens are going to look to control this game on the ground, but there will still be opportunities for catches early.
What to watch for: Maclin continues his growth with Flacco with key catches.
Broncos and Bills
LeSean McCoy and the Bills offense looked awful last week. When you have more rushes than rush yards, it’s a rough game. McCoy floundered his was to nine rushing yards on 12 carries against the Panthers. Not only did his own quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, have more rushing yards, but even the not-so-fleet-footed Tom Brady had more rushing yards. McCoy could have a great fantasy season because he is the only option in Buffalo to make a difference. McCoy could have an awful fantasy season because he is the only option in Buffalo to make a difference. His age, lack of team around him and no guarantee where he will be playing in 2018 make him a risky dynasty option.
What to watch for: Broncos shut down the run and Shady owners press the panic button.
Steelers at Bears
Ok Le’Veon Bell owners, don’t panic yet. Bell hasn’t given you the numbers yet, but he’s getting some rust off. In 1997 Barry Sanders rushed for 2053 yards, but how many yards did he have in his first two games? The correct answer is 53. That’s it, 53 yards in his first two games and still rushed for over 2000 yards. As a life-long Lions fan, I can guarantee you the 2017 Steelers are better than the 1998 Lions. All it takes is one game for Bell to get things going and the rest is history. I wrote in the off-season about Bell and his chances to set a pretty significant record this season, and I am not wavering from that stance.
What to watch for: Bell gets back to form against a bad Bears team.
Browns at Colts
Corey Coleman is headed to the IR after breaking his hand last week. A fantasy breakout candidate for lots of owners this year, Coleman will see his second straight season disappear to injury. Keep an eye on Ricardo Louis to finally show his value to the Browns. The 2016 fourth-round pick struggled last year and was one player the Browns coaching staff challenged to step up. It’s a wide open race for someone in the receiving corps to breakout and take the targets. The Colts are bad, so someone will have a breakout performance this week. Isaiah Crowell is my number one breakout candidate, but a receiver will also need the top the list.
What to watch for: What receiver separates from the mediocre pack for the Browns?
Buccaneers at Vikings
Owners of Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook will spend another week worrying about the short-term value of their players. Sam Bradford will not suit up again in Week 3 due to a “bone bruise.” There is plenty of speculation as to what it may actually be that is keeping Bradford off the field, but one Vikings player will weather these tough times more than anyone. Kyle Rudolph finally had a breakout campaign in 2016 and owners are hoping for his production to pick back up. His targets per game resemble 2015 (4.43) more than 2016 (8.25) right now. Case Keenum is not going to step in and provide QB1 numbers, so he will need to rely on Cook and Rudolph. When quarterbacks are injured, tight ends can become the backups best friend. Rudolph is a huge target that offer better chances at high percentage passes.
What to watch for: Rudolph’s production returns to his 2016 pace.
Texans at Patriots
A little something for you Individual Defensive Player (IDP) owners out there. Right now J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus have combined for zero sacks on the season. That number may not change until Week 4, however. The Patriots might be banged up, but so is the Texans secondary with two injuries to cornerbacks. Tom Brady is one of the quickest quarterbacks in the league at getting rid of the ball, so the trio of Texans defenders may not have enough time to get in the backfield. The game plan will be get rid of the ball quick and often.
What to watch for: Texans defenders will be held in check for a third straight week.
Dolphins at Jets
Smart fantasy owners will tell you that it’s a good idea to try and grab your running back handcuffs. Really smart fantasy owners will tell you it’s even more important to grab handcuffs for running backs with an injury history. So, who should Jay Ajayi owners have as his handcuff? The picture isn’t clear. Ajayi scares me, in redraft and especially in dynasty. His knee issues were well-documented coming out of Boise State and it appears those issues are surfacing. The Dolphins had Ajayi in on 64 snaps in Week 2. Damien Williams and Kenyan Drake only made it onto the field for three combined snaps. When you have a running back with a history of bad knees, you really need to do a better job of giving him a breather. Expect that in week three against a bad Jets team. The Dolphins will end up running the ball during this game and they will not want to put the miles on Ajayi in a contest that should easily tip in their favor.
What to watch for: Which RB will spell Ajayi the most and who is more effective?
Giants at Eagles
Paul Perkins was expected to be the lead back this year for the Giants, but he may be the first causality for an offense that isn’t playing well overall. Reports this week have suggested that Orleans Darkwa will get a chance at a heavier workload. Perkins and Darkwa have both seen an increase in snap counts the last two weeks, but Darkwa has been more efficient with his carries, averaging 5.2 yards per carry compared to Perkins 1.9. Expect another tough week for the Giants has they face a formidable Eagles defense that is very good at getting after the quarterback.
What to watch for: Look for Darkwa to work his way to lead back status.
Saints at Panthers
Cam Newton has not been able to get his offense going through two games this season. The rushing game is only averaging 2.9 yards per carry and Newton has been sacked six times so far. Without the running game, it will be difficult for Newton to open up the passing game and show us if his shoulder is healthy. Johnathan Stewart hasn’t been very effective, but luckily for him, Christian McCaffrey hasn’t either. Given the struggles of the Saints defense, this is as cozy a match-up as the Panthers will see to get things firing on all cylinders. This could also be the week McCaffrey finally breaks out on the ground and through the air.
What to watch for: McCaffrey takes over as lead back to help boost run game.
Seahawks at Titans
DeMarco Murray is heading into Week 3 as questionable with a hamstring injury. In the NFL, it only takes one game to lose your starting job, and Murray could be facing that now. The Titans are a well-rounded offense with a great line and good receivers. This is exactly the type of offense that allows a running back to excel, so if you have had Derrick Henry stashed on your roster, you could very well have a top running back for the rest of the season. This scenario is comparable to Jordan Howard in 2016, who took over for Jeremy Langford after two games and finished second in the league in rushing.
What to watch for: Henry will get the nod over Murray in a tough first test.
Bengals at Packers
After a rough start, the Bengals decided to move on from offensive coordinator Ken Zampese after only scoring nine points and zero touchdowns in two games. Normally I don’t believe in blaming coaches, but when you have weapons like A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert, John Ross and Joe Mixon and can’t get the ball in the end zone, you’re not utilizing your weapons appropriately. There isn’t one player to watch in this game, but instead it’s the whole Bengals offense, which includes Andy Dalton. They are letting down a lot of owners right now, but better times could be on the way. New offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, who ran a spread out offense in Miami, will help to simplify things for Dalton.
What to watch for: In a game that could become a shootout, Green and the Bengals could come alive.
Chiefs at Chargers
Through two games, Keenan Allen has stuffed the stat sheet with 14 receptions on 20 targets and 135 yards receiving. Those 20 targets tie Allen for fifth in the NFL and he looks to be fully healthy after another season ending injury in 2016. Dynasty owners were weary of Allen heading into the season, but he is quickly restoring faith in the owners, as long as they didn’t already sell him.
What to watch for: If Allen can find room in a stingy Chiefs secondary.
Raiders at Redskins
Another high-profile offense off to a slow start. The Redskins had high expectations this season, but if it weren’t for a last minute touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Ryan Grant against the Rams, they would be 0-2. Not only is the offense off to a slow start, but now they are banged up with injuries to Rob Kelley and Jordan Reed. Even though Cousins ranks 16th in passing attempts this season, he ranks 22nd in passing yards. The Redskins will likely be playing from behind against the Raiders, and with the injury to Kelley, the passing game will need to carry them. My biggest question is whether Terrelle Pryor can bounce back after an underwhelming Week 2.
What to watch for: Will Pryor continue to be Cousins top target?
Cowboys at Cardinals
Well, let’s just discuss the elephant in the room. Ezekiel Elliott is coming off a horrible match-up with the Broncos and now he’s two weeks away from learning the fate of the rest of his season. Let’s just toss in the fact that his head coach had to meet with him to talk about his lack of effort. It’s easy to say that when an athlete steps on the field, his head should be in the game, but it’s a lot harder to do. With everything going on, Elliot may not be 100% focused on the field. For dynasty owners, they may be looking for a huge performance to sell before a potential suspension is handed down.
What to watch for: A tough road game could lead to another down performance for Elliott. Field selling opportunities.
