Quarterback injuries across the NFL have muddied the waters a bit heading into Week 3. Not only will those injuries impact wide receivers and tight ends on those teams, but their running backs could receive increased opportunities to contribute. Let's dig into the Sunday FanDuel NFL DFS slate and highlight some of the top players to consider.
The Games
A lot of the focus of NFL DFS picks is on individual players. Skills certainly matter, but finding game environments that are likely to promote a lot of points is a way to narrow the focus of our player pool.
| Over-Under | Road Team | Road Team Total | Home Team | Home Team Total |
| 43.5 | Falcons | 24.5 | Panthers | 19.5 |
| 41.5 | Packers | 24.5 | Browns | 16.5 |
| 43.5 | Texans | 21.5 | Jaguars | 22.5 |
| 41.5 | Bengals | 19.5 | Vikings | 22.5 |
| 44.5 | Steelers | 22.5 | Patriots | 21.5 |
| 44.5 | Rams | 20.5 | Eagles | 23.5 |
| 43.5 | Jets | 18.5 | Buccaneers | 24.5 |
| 43.5 | Colts | 23.5 | Titans | 19.5 |
| 44 | Raiders | 20.5 | Commanders | 23.5 |
| 45.5 | Broncos | 21.5 | Chargers | 23.5 |
| 41.5 | Saints | 16.5 | Seahawks | 24.5 |
| 50.5 | Cowboys | 24.5 | Bears | 24.5 |
| 45.5 | Cardinals | 21.5 | 49ers | 23.5 |
There are three games with a total below 42 points and three of at least 45. The favorites with the highest totals include the Packers, Falcons and Seahawks.
Value Options
Jordan Mason, MIN vs. CIN ($5,800): The Vikings are expected to play at least the next two games without J.J. McCarthy (ankle). When McCarthy went down before last season, they had Sam Darnold waiting in the wings. They won't have that same luxury this season with Carson Wentz now slated to start. To complicate matters, the Vikings placed Aaron Jones (hamstring) on IR this week. That should leave plenty of carries for Mason, who was given at least 20 carries in a game three times with the 49ers last year. In each of those games, he ran for at least 100 yards and a touchdown.
Tetairoa McMillan, CAR vs. ATL ($6,000): The Panthers have wasted no time getting McMillan heavily involved in their offense; he already has 19 targets through two games. In last week's loss to the Cardinals, he finished with six receptions for 100 yards. He has accounted for 22.1 percent of the Panthers' targets and has an average depth of target of 11.3 yards. With a hefty workload in hand, McMillan provides a relatively high floor given his salary.
Other Value Options
QB Sam Darnold, SEA vs. NO ($6,900)
QB Michael Penix Jr., ATL at CAR ($6,800)
RB Kenneth Walker III, SEA vs. NO ($6,600)
RB Jaylen Warren, PIT at NE ($6,200)
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, WAS vs. LV ($5,500)
WR Deebo Samuel, WAS vs. LV ($6,700)
WR George Pickens, DAL at CHI ($6,200)
WR Keenan Allen, LAC vs. DEN ($6,000)
TE Juwan Johnson, NO at SEA ($5,700)
TE Jake Ferguson, DAL at CHI ($5,200)
Stacks to Consider
Chicago Bears vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are likely to be without cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) for the second straight game. His absence was huge last week and contributed to Russell Wilson throwing for 450 yards. Both Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson finished with at least 140 receiving yards.
Looking to exploit the hole in the Cowboys' secondary this week will be the Bears, who had their doors blown off by the Lions last week. Caleb Williams ($7,100) was a bit underwhelming in the loss, throwing for 207 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. However, he has produced two touchdowns in both of the first two games this season and could see upwards of 30 pass attempts in this favorable spot. One of his best stacking partners is Rome Odunze ($6,400), who has 13 receptions for 165 yards and three touchdowns through two games. His target share has increased to 29.9 percent compared to 19.0 percent last season.
Seattle Seahawks vs. New Orleans Saints
It's a rebuilding year for the Saints, who are starting Spencer Rattler at quarterback. Their offense isn't the only unit that has issues, as the defense gave up 26 points to the Mac Jones-led 49ers last week, as the QB lit them up for 279 yards and three touchdowns. That was with George Kittle (hamstring) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) out of the lineup.
This is an opportune week to take a chance on stacking Sam Darnold ($6,900) with Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($8,000). Darnold threw for 295 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions against the Steelers last week, and through two games he's completed 67.9 percent of his passes. His go-to receiver has been Smith-Njigba, who has caught 17 of 22 targets for 227 yards. Smith-Njigba's average depth of target checks in at 11.7 yards, which is up from 8.4 yards last year.
Other Stacks to Consider
Texans – C.J. Stroud ($6,700) + Nico Collins ($7,800)
Colts – Daniel Jones ($7,500) + Tyler Warren ($5,600)
Packers – Jordan Love ($7,800) + Dontayvion Wicks ($5,700)
High-Price Heroes
Bijan Robinson, ATL at CAR ($9,500): The Panthers' still have a lot of holes in their defense. After giving up the most rushing yards per game in the league last year, they have allowed the seventh-most per game this season. They had no answers for Robinson last year, allowing 265 rushing yards and four touchdowns in two games. While Robinson will do a number on your budget, he's almost a must this week, especially in cash games.
Jonathan Taylor, IND at TEN ($8,500): The Colts are 2-0 on the strength of their rushing attack. Facing a good Broncos defense last week, Taylor ran 25 times for 165 yards. He also caught both of his targets for 50 yards and a touchdown. Through two weeks, Taylor has a broken tackle rate of 27.9 percent and has averaged 24.0 touches per game. When he faced the Titans in Week 16 last year, he ran for 218 yards and three touchdowns. That stat line will be difficult to replicate, but with plenty of carries likely coming his way, he could still thrive.
The Smash Spot
CeeDee Lamb, DAL at CHI ($8,800): Both teams will be missing part of their secondary for this matchup, as the Bears will likely be without cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson (groin) and Kyler Gordon (hamstring). Their injuries have contributed to the team allowing seven touchdown passes this season, which is the most in the league.
Being shorthanded against Lamb is a nightmare scenario for the Bears. The Cowboys' top wideout has been given at least 11 targets in both games this season, and he has an average depth of target of 12.4 yards. That combination has helped him catch 16 passes for 222 yards. Don't be surprised if he comes away with his third straight game with at least 100 receiving yards.
