Each week, theScore's DFS experts tackle the biggest questions of the week. Here are three of the most significant issues of Week 3:
Is there any DFS value left in Big D?
James Bisson: Barely. Jason Witten is the only player worth a look at this point, since we just don't know how the Dallas offense is going to operate under backup QB Brandon Weeden. Witten looked like his old self through the first two weeks of the season, and should be a viable cash-game option moving forward as one of Weeden's top options.
Esten McLaren: The Cowboys should only be considered GPP options for now. TEs Witten and Gavin Escobar and WR Cole Beasley represent QB Weeden’s safety nets, and should get most of the targets. With a likely shift to a run-heavy offense one of Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden or Lance Dunbar should emerge as a viable option in the near future.
Josh Wegman: Weeden was 7-for-7 after taking over for Tony Romo last week and he and Terrance Williams could provide an extremely cheap GPP QB/WR combo play if you're feeling risky. Weeden's biggest issue as a starter was his slow release, but Dallas has arguably the leagues best offensive line and will be facing a below average Falcons pass rush in Week 3.
Andrew Potter: Weeden's top weapon is Witten, who will receive blanket coverage with Dez Bryant out of the lineup. No running backs have received more than 41% of the snaps on offense so avoid their committee if you can. If DFS formats cared about punters, Chris Jones would be a no-brainer; Dallas will be looking at a lot of three-and-outs until Romo returns.
How will Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell fare in his return?
James Bisson: Bell is one of the most dynamic talents in the NFL - and he'll be well-rested coming into a Week 3 matchup with a surprisingly porous St. Louis Rams defense. The success of the Pittsburgh running game in his absence should bode even better for Bell, who will see 20+ touches and is a threat to score both on the ground and through the air.
Esten McLaren: Even with the success DeAngelo Williams had in the first two weeks of the season, Bell is a near-must own for Week 3. He has fresh legs and matches up with a Rams team that was scorched for 218 total yards by Washington Redskins RBs Matt Jones and Alfred Morris in Week 2. 150 total yards and two scores are certainly attainable for Bell in his debut.
Josh Wegman: In one scenario, Pittsburgh could take an early lead and rely on Bell to run out the clock for the rest of the game. In another, Pittsburgh could fail to establish a running game early on and find themselves trailing where Bell will see plenty of targets in the passing game. The point is, the best running back in the NFL will see a heavy dose of action in any regard.
Andrew Potter: Williams' two-game resurgence has been fun but this is Bells' team. He saw north of 80% of the Steelers' offensive snaps last season and will continue to receive the bulk of looks on passing-downs, short-yardage situations and in the red zone. He's a must-play against the Rams, the third-worst defense in terms of rushing yards allowed so far this season.
Which slumping star will break out in Week 3?
James Bisson: Marshawn Lynch has a pedestrian 114 rushing yards on 33 carries through the opening two weeks of the season - good for a 3.5 YPC average. That's low by his lofty standards - and is about to go way up as he and the Seahawks face an undermanned, overwhelmed Bears unit. Lynch is going to devour the Chicago run defense; pay up for him in all formats.
Esten McLaren: Through two weeks, A.J. Green's 54 yards per game pace falls well short of his career average of 80 yards per game. Though Green had a TD in Week 2, owners have been grossly disappointed up to this point. That will change against a Baltimore team that allowed both Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to post 100-plus receiving yard games last week.
Josh Wegman: LeSean McCoy has a modest 130 yards on the ground and zero touchdowns thus far. That will change this week as McCoy's hamstring continues to improve. The Cold Front should man-handle a Miami offense that has only 37 points in two games vs. Jacksonville and Washington. An early Buffalo lead could make for a Shady coming out party in the Sunshine State.
Andrew Potter: It has to be Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. Every QB plays worse when he has to play from behind and the Colts' flailing defense has given up big first-half leads in two straight weeks. Look for Luck to continue building chemistry with a healthier T.Y. Hilton and emerging star Donte Moncrief against an untested Tennessee secondary.
