This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Quarterbacks
Joe Flacco, BAL vs OAK $7,900 – In the preseason, it appeared that the receiving corps for the Ravens was one of the last ones to bank on for fantasy production with Breshad Perriman and Steve Smith both coming back from significant injuries. Smith has looked like his old self running routes on the outside while the resurrection of Dennis Pitta has helped give Flacco a target over the middle. Mike Wallace has scored twice in each of the first two games, as well, giving Flacco a nice group of receivers to work with. This week is an excellent matchup for the elite quarterback who gets the Raiders at home. On the season, the Raiders have arguably been the worst pass defense giving up 1,050 yards through the air (worst in the league) and a 9.5 YPA against (second worst).
Brock Osweiler, HOU vs TEN $7,300 – None of the starters at the cheapest prices look like they're worth punting over but Osweiler for around $1,000 more should offer good value. He'll be back home in Houston for this game with the advantage of some extra time off to prepare. Osweiler has one of the better tandems to throw to in Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins, as both of them are capable of making big plays. In addition, the offense as a whole gets a slight bump up with J.J. Watt out of action. Tennessee ranks in the middle of the league in most defensive pass
Quarterbacks
Joe Flacco, BAL vs OAK $7,900 – In the preseason, it appeared that the receiving corps for the Ravens was one of the last ones to bank on for fantasy production with Breshad Perriman and Steve Smith both coming back from significant injuries. Smith has looked like his old self running routes on the outside while the resurrection of Dennis Pitta has helped give Flacco a target over the middle. Mike Wallace has scored twice in each of the first two games, as well, giving Flacco a nice group of receivers to work with. This week is an excellent matchup for the elite quarterback who gets the Raiders at home. On the season, the Raiders have arguably been the worst pass defense giving up 1,050 yards through the air (worst in the league) and a 9.5 YPA against (second worst).
Brock Osweiler, HOU vs TEN $7,300 – None of the starters at the cheapest prices look like they're worth punting over but Osweiler for around $1,000 more should offer good value. He'll be back home in Houston for this game with the advantage of some extra time off to prepare. Osweiler has one of the better tandems to throw to in Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins, as both of them are capable of making big plays. In addition, the offense as a whole gets a slight bump up with J.J. Watt out of action. Tennessee ranks in the middle of the league in most defensive pass categories, showing they're not a unit to avoid.
Running Backs
Melvin Gordon, SD vs. NO $7,600 – This isn't exactly a cheap price for Gordon, as he's the seventh-highest priced running back on the board this week. However, he's got a great matchup against the Saints who have a short week in addition to flying across the country. New Orleans was just torched on the ground by the Falcons leading to the defense giving up 5.0 YPC (third worst) and 149.0 yards per game on the ground (worst in the league). It makes sense to have at least one -- if not more -- of the Chargers in your lineup this week with Gordon being a good place to start, especially in cash games. It's worth noting that without Danny Woodhead last week, Gordon got seven targets in the passing attack.
Jordan Howard, CHI vs DET $5,600 – It would be nice to hear from the Bears which running back will be starting Sunday, but it appears Howard should handle the bulk of the workload. He had 11.2 fantasy points (92 yards from scrimmage) in relief of the injured Jeremy Langford Sunday on only 13 touches including a nice 36-yard run. This price is too cheap to pass as your second running back this weekend provided the coaching staff gives some indication of what Howard's exact role will be.
Wide Receivers
Golden Tate, DET at CHI $6,200 – Tate is probably one of the sneakier plays in GPPs this week. He's too risky to put into cash game lineups but is going to be an afterthought in tournaments considering what his teammate Marvin Jones has done. Given the recent performance, Jones' ownership number will be through the roof everywhere even though the Bears have watched that game and are fully aware of what he did last week. The loss of Kyle Fuller for Chicago should put a weak corner on Tate and they'll probably roll the safety toward Jones' side for help. Don't be surprised if at $1,400 cheaper, Tate has a better fantasy day than Jones.
Steve Smith, BAL vs OAK $6,100 – Smith has progressively looked better this season, getting 11 targets last game which he turned into eight catches for 87 yards. Had he scored, he would have finished with 18.7 fantasy points. That first touchdown has a good chance of coming this week against a Raiders defense that's already given up seven passing touchdowns on the season. Stacking Flacco/Smith and one of the two between Mike Wallace or Dennis Pitta would be an interesting pivot from the more popular stacks this weekend.
Tight Ends
Coby Fleener, NO at SD $5,400 – This looks like the week that Jordan Reed ($7,500) should finally break out against the Cleveland Browns. Fleener offers a much cheaper option despite gaining the most passing yards (109) of anyone at the position last week. While Drew Brees plays better at home than on road, this game should still be high scoring with Fleener now being trusted and targeted more in the passing attack. It helps that the Chargers have given up the fifth most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. Hunter Henry ($4,500) is another great value if Antonio Gate is ruled out again.
Kicker
Josh Lambo, SD vs NO $4,500 – Again, this game should be full of fantasy goodness for the Chargers at home. This game has the highest over/under of the week at 54 and the Bolts are four-point favorites. Lambo always has the benefit of kicking in the San Diego weather as well so don't overthink this one.
Defense
San Francisco vs DAL, $4,200 – This is a good squad to use if this needs to be a position to punt this week. San Francisco started the season with a 16 fantasy-point effort at home before scoring seven and two the next two weeks at Carolina and Seattle. Dak Prescott has been good at taking care of the ball this season but eventually he's going to have a bad game. Also, the absence of Dez Bryant would help this matchup immensely for the 49ers.
