Here's a breakdown of Sunday's early slate of games (click here for Part II; all times ET):
Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Line: Falcons -1 1/2 (opened as a PK)
O/U: 43 1/2 (opened at 44)
Weather: Dome
DFS players have to be content with what Falcons QB Matt Ryan has done so far - but you have to wonder if he's capable of even more. That question may be answered this week against a Dallas defense ripe for the picking. Go with Ryan in cash games as one of the safest picks of the week. ... RB Tevin Coleman may try to make a go of it despite a broken rib; his presence negates any value in the Atlanta backfield. If he can't, Devonta Freeman is worth a GPP flier. ... WR Julio Jones is a no-brainer in all formats. ... WR Roddy White was Ryan's No. 2 option in Week 1; last weekend, it was Leonard Hankerson. Who knows who will emerge this week; neither is worth more than a tournament pick. ... QB Brandon Weeden is a decent option if you're looking to save at the position; Atlanta has allowed 653 passing yards through two games. ... Avoid the RB situation altogether; it may not shake out for another several weeks. ... WRs Cole Beasley and Terrance Williams are low-ceiling options that could just easily post a zero Sunday. Avoid them. ... TE Jason Witten is banged up, but still represents Weeden's best receiver. If he plays, use him in cash-game formats as a high-floor, non-TD-dependent option.
Prediction: Falcons 27, Cowboys 17
DFS MVP: Julio Jones
Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Line: Colts -3 1/2 (opened at -3 1/2)
O/U: 46 1/2 (opened at 45)
Weather: Chance of rain, 78 F; SE wind @ 3 mph
No player is more primed for a bounce-back than Colts QB Andrew Luck, who was harangued by the New York Jets last week and has an ugly 493/3/5 line through two games. Don't be surprised if Luck makes it rain fire against the rival Titans, but limit his use to tournament play. ... RB Frank Gore has been a non-factor so far, as his touches have been limited and he has done little with the work he's been given. Stay away. ... WR T.Y. Hilton struggled through a knee injury last week, but should be the biggest beneficiary of a Luck explosion. Pair them in a GPP if you're feeling brave; the upside is immense. ... If you're looking to save money, pair Luck with Donte Moncrief, who was the best player on either team in the Monday nighter and has emerged as Luck's clear-cut No. 2. ... Titans QB Marcus Mariota is in the conversation as a tournament stud following two impressive weeks. The Colts have struggled to pressure the QB so far this season, making Mariota a great GPP option this week. ... RB Bishop Sankey can't be trusted, even at a decent price. ... WR Kendall Wright will have to deal with Colts shut-down DB Vontae Davis, limiting his ceiling. That said, Davis is banged up, so Wright remains a decent cash-game play based on receptions alone. ... TE Delanie Walker is also a target monster if he plays this week. He's a solid cash-game option.
Prediction: Colts 31, Titans 20
DFS MVP: Andrew Luck
Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Line: Browns -3 1/2 (opened at -4)
O/U: 43 1/2 (opened at 41 1/2)
Weather: Chance of rain, 70 F; SSE wind @ 7 mph
Raiders QB Derek Carr may not be an elite option, but sitting near minimum salary on some DFS sites seems a tad harsh. Carr is a great cash-game play at the helm of an Oakland offense that could surprise this week. ... The Browns have been gashed for nearly five yards per carry, which bodes well for Raiders RB Latavius Murray. He's one of the top cash-game plays of the week based on matchup and role. ... WRs Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree will find the sledding tough against a formidable Cleveland pass defense. Of the two, opt for Cooper, who has a higher floor and ceiling. ... The Browns have handed the starting QB job back to Josh McCown, who is nothing more than a punt play as a mediocre quarterback leading a mediocre offense. ... RB Isaiah Crowell had a strong showing in Week 2, and makes for an intriguing tournament play against an Oakland defense that has surrendered three rushing scores through two games. ... WR Travis Benjamin is the only pass-catcher worth rostering - and is only worth GPP consideration.
Prediction: Raiders 17, Browns 14
DFS MVP: Latavius Murray
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Line: Ravens -1 (opened at -2 1/2)
O/U: 45 1/2 (opened at 44 1/2)
Weather: Chance of rain, 74 F; ENE wind @ 11 mph
Andy Dalton and Joe Flacco are a lot alike: you don't know which version you're getting week to week, and if you guess incorrectly, your DFS roster goes up in flames. Dalton has been sensational to start the year, but is a tough option to trust in hostile Baltimore. Limit him to GPP use. ... RB Jeremy Hill was benched after fumbling twice last week; at his price point, DFS players can't afford the risk of him putting the ball on the deck again and losing more touches to Giovani Bernard. ... Meanwhile, Bernard has 37 touches in two weeks and is a terrific cash-game option who will see work no matter how Hill fares. ... WR A.J. Green hasn't done enough to warrant his salary, and likely won't this week, either. ... TE Tyler Eifert will see plenty of targets, but his price has caught up to his production; spend up if you can, but don't expect a repeat of Week 1. ... Flacco isn't a recommended cash-game play - he almost never is - but could be worth GPP consideration in the Ravens' home opener. ... RB Justin Forsett has been a disappointment to date, averaging 3.8 YPC while catching just eight balls. He also played just 42 snaps last week compared to Lorenzo Taliaferro's 34. Forsett should be avoided until he regains his mojo. ... WR Steve Smith Sr. has a high floor even in this difficult matchup, making him a reasonable cash-game option.
Prediction: Bengals 23, Ravens 20
DFS MVP: Giovani Bernard
Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Line: Patriots -14 (opened at -13)
O/U: 49 (opened at 48)
Weather: Clear, 68 F; S wind @ 5 mph
Blake Bortles is our Garbage Time MVP of the Week; his Jaguars should be down early in this one, leaving Bortles to rack up the pass attempts. But here's the thing: he's plenty good enough to make those throws count, making him a terrific GPP play and possibly even a cash-game punt. ... RB T.J. Yeldon could be a sneaky tournament option against a Patriots defense surrendering 5.7 YPC so far. ... WR Allen Robinson blew up last week following a quiet season opener, and is well-positioned to do the same during the aforementioned garbage time. ... The Tom Brady Screw-You Tour continues chugging along unabated; expect at least three passing TDs this week, with the Pats not exactly known for taking their foot off the gas. ... RB Dion Lewis was the backfield player of choice in each of the first two weeks, but Bill Belichick can't be trusted from one Sunday to the next; don't trust any New England RB this week. ... WR Julian Edelman has an unreal 22 catches through two weeks, and should haul in another 10+ passes this week. He's a cash-game stud, along with TE Rob Gronkowski, who is the safest bet of any player in the league to score multiple TDs.
Prediction: Patriots 38, Jaguars 17
DFS MVP: Tom Brady
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Line: Panthers -10 (opened at -3)
O/U: 42 1/2 (opened at 45)
Weather: Rain showers, 70 F; NNE wind @ 9 mph
Saints QB Drew Brees won't suit up this week, which is probably a good thing for him; the Panthers have limited opponents to a 50% completion rate while racking up three interceptions and six sacks. Backup Luke McCown shouldn't be on anyone's DFS radar this week. ... RB Mark Ingram saw his targets dip from nine in Week 1 to three in Week 2; with C.J. Spiller in the fold, his value as a receiver takes a major hit - and he isn't a good enough runner to return value, particularly this week. ... Spiller should be avoided, as well. ... WRs Brandin Cooks, Brandon Coleman and Marques Colston will struggle to be worth their salaries; if you want a flier, try Coleman, who has the best chance of returning reasonable value but lacks upside. ... Panthers QB Cam Newton is back to being the dual-threat QB he was in his first season; fire him up as a cash-game option against a suspect New Orleans defense. ... RB Jonathan Stewart will be a workhorse if healthy, and is also worth cash-game consideration. ... The Panthers' wide receiver corps is too volatile to be used in daily fantasy. ... TE Greg Olsen saw a whopping 14 targets as Carolina vowed to use him more. He should reach double-digit targets again and is a great spin-off play if you're looking to avoid Eifert or Travis Kelce.
Prediction: Panthers 27, Saints 10
DFS MVP: Cam Newton
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Line: Jets -2 1/2 (opened as a PK)
O/U: 46 1/2 (opened at 47)
Weather: Partly cloudy, 68 F; ENE wind @ 6 mph
Eagles QB Sam Bradford had a rough go of it in Week 2 - and things don't get any easier against a Jets defense that has a 56.5% completion rate against and four interceptions. Bradford should be ignored this week. ... RB DeMarco Murray is dealing with a hamstring injury and has been dreadful even when healthy. Don't roster him anywhere. ... Darren Sproles, on the other hand, is a decent tournament option should the Eagles decide they'll need to get creative - and here's betting they do. ... WR Jordan Matthews is Bradford's go-to guy, and an every-week cash-game option as long as he remains a slight discount over the elite options. No other receivers can be trusted in this one. ... Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick isn't without his flaws, but should be able to exploit a weak Eagles secondary. He's in the mix as a QB punt with three-TD upside. ... RB Chris Ivory is a game-time decision with a quad injury; don't bother with him in Week 3. ... WR Brandon Marshall was an elite DFS play last week, and his forecast looks similar for Week 3. Snatch him up as one of the best second-tier receiving options of the week. ... Eric Decker is banged up, and may be limited even if he plays. Avoid him.
Prediction: Jets 27, Eagles 21
DFS MVP: Brandon Marshall
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Line: Texans -6 (opened at -7)
O/U: 41 1/2 (opened at 40 1/2)
Weather: Dome
After breaking into the NFL with a pair of home games, Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston makes his first road appearance against an angry Texans defense. Good luck, Jameis; we won't be rostering you in DFS. ... RB Doug Martin averaged 3.7 YPC on 21 attempts and lost a fumble last week; the leash may not be shorter yet, but it could be if he doesn't turn things around. This won't be the week for him to do it; he should be left alone. ... WR Mike Evans had zero catches on three targets in his return; he says the chains are off this week, but we'll believe it when we see it. ... WR Vincent Jackson could be a decent GPP option, carrying a manageable salary and a high ceiling. ... Houston QB Ryan Mallett did enough last week to earn another start, and is a solid punt option in both formats; pairing him with a receiver could be a terrific GPP strategy that would allow for big spending elsewhere. ... the running back situation is a disaster until Arian Foster returns; avoid it altogether. ... With WR DeAndre Hopkins banged up, one of Nate Washington or Cecil Shorts could be in for a big game. Favor Washington, who leads the team in catches and is more consistent than Shorts.
Prediction: Texans 24, Buccaneers 10
DFS MVP: Nate Washington
San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Line: Vikings -1 1/2 (opened at -3)
O/U: 45 1/2 (opened at 45)
Weather: Clear, 79 F; SSW wind @ 13 mph
Chargers QB Philip Rivers has had two decent weeks, but remains stuck in the mid-tier and isn't a great option on the road at Minnesota. The Vikings will almost assuredly look to control the clock, and Rivers excels in a volume offense. ... The running back situation remains murky, with rookie Melvin Gordon looking solid last week but Danny Woodhead making for the better DFS option. Woodhead is a solid cash-game play while Gordon makes for a decent GPP option. ... WR Keenan Allen's two-week tally: 15-166-0, 2-16-0. Avoid him in cash games, and seek out cheaper GPP options. ... TE Ladarius Green is dealing with more concussion symptoms, and is a risky option even if he plays. ... Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater simply isn't a great DFS option - his upside is capped, and there will always be someone more prolific at his price point. ... RB Adrian Peterson had a whopping 31 touches in Week 2 - a major overcorrection following a modest Week 1 showing; he's a stud in all formats. ... Avoid the Vikings WRs this week. ... TE Kyle Rudolph has become Bridgewater's most reliable option in the pass game, and is a solid cash-game play this week.
Prediction: Vikings 23, Chargers 20
DFS MVP: Adrian Peterson
Pittsburgh Steelers at St. Louis Rams, 1 p.m.
Line: Rams -1 (opened at -1)
O/U: 48 (opened at 47)
Weather: Dome
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger gets one of his prime targets back as RB Le'Veon Bell returns from a two-game suspension; Roethlisberger is already off to a blistering start, and won't be slowed this week. Snag him in all formats. ... Bell was the linchpin of the Steelers' offense last season, and should slide back into 20+ touches with ease. He has a top-3 floor among RBs. ... WR Antonio Brown may see a slight downturn in targets, but let's face it: he's the best receiver in football, and should be in every cash game lineup you play. ... TE Heath Miller will also see fewer throws, and his price is now in line with his early-season production; you'll find better options elsewhere. ... Rams QB Nick Foles should feast on a Steelers defense that has allowed 623 yards and six scores through the air. As near-minimum QBs go, he's the top option. ... RB Todd Gurley is expected to debut, but DFSers should wait a while before assessing his role in the offense. ... WRs Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin are decent GPP fliers, while TE Jared Cook is a sneaky-good play in all formats as one of Foles' go-to options.
Prediction: Steelers 31, Rams 24
DFS MVP: Le'Veon Bell
