NFL DFS game by game breakdown: Week 3

NFL DFS: Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs

Baltimore Ravens

While it would’ve been ideal if this game would’ve been a primetime game, you can bet all eyes will be on Lamar Jackson. After tossing over 300 yards in week 1, he threw over 250 yards and ran for over 100 last season, showing off his Michael Vick-like versatility. The Chiefs defense has been one to pick on over the last few seasons as they allowed the 5th most fantasy points to quarterbacks last season. With such a high-tempo and positive game script, this could be yet another ceiling game for Jackson, who could easily end up as the QB1 this week.

He’s relied heavily on two players this season; Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown. They rank 2nd and 1st respectively when it comes to target share and have both recorded a pair of touchdowns. Brown possesses more big-play upside and thrust himself into the cash conversation in week 2. While only playing 14 snaps in week 1, he logged 51 snaps in week 2, recording 8 catches for 86 yards on 13 targets. Andrews has topped 100 yards and a touchdown in consecutive games on 18 total targets and saw a 10-snap increase from weeks 1 to 2. Both are strong plays in all formats.

While Mark Ingram typically profiles as a strong cash-game play in a run-heavy scheme and positive game script, this looks to be the opposite game environment. While the total is the highest on the slate, there’s a much higher chance Jackson airs it out rather than rely on the ground game, especially if trailing. The Chiefs did, however, allow the 3rd most fantasy points to running backs last season, so Ingram maintains some appeal in GPPs.

Cash Plays: Jackson, Brown, Andrews

GPP Plays: Ingram

Kansas City Chiefs

At this point, it’s safe to say that Patrick Mahomes is matchup proof. While the Ravens have  been a stout defense over the last year, there’s no way that they’ll stop his aerial attack. He’s always a viable QB play, but with other plays saving you some salary, there’s no dire need to go here in cash (although he is obviously viable).

Travis Kelce expectedly took advantage of the absence of Tyreek Hill, posting a 7-107-1 line on 9 targets. He clocks in as the safest receiving option on the team with the best QB-receiver rapport. The targets were rather low with the absence of Hill, but this is in large part thanks to the emergence of both Demarcus Robinson and Mecole Hardman. Robinson posted a 7-172-2 line with a ridiculous aDOT of 19.8. Hardman wasn’t too far behind in aDOT with his being 11.7 yards while posting a score. He also had a second touchdown called back due to a flag, but he sure flashed his upside. Both of these receivers have all of the ability in the world to go off, but it’s going to be difficult to pinpoint which will come through, limiting them to GPP plays against this stout secondary. Sammy Watkins seemingly disappeared after a massive Week 1, showing that this offense has too many weapons to hang your hat on just one of them every week. He’s more than viable in tournaments, but because of the lack of consistency, I wouldn’t go there in cash.

Damien Williams and LeSean McCoy both missed practice on Wednesday, so there is a chance that we could see a lot of Darwin Thompson on Sunday. He was electric in the preseason and while the Ravens have a tough front-7, he’s cheap with enough upside to warrant consideration in GPPs if the other 2 RBs are inactive

Cash Plays: Mahomes, Kelce

GPP Plays: Watkins, Robinson, Hardman, Thompson (if Williams and McCoy are OUT)