This article is part of our DFS NFL series.
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QB Passing Yards
Matthew Stafford, DET at PHI
I went to the well with Stafford last week, and it didn't work out so well, but I think we'd be remiss in not mentioning him here once again. He's facing a Philly defense that's allowed an average of 340 yards passing per game (good enough for next-to-last in the league). Granted, I don't like betting on Detroit, but we should see a return to better numbers against this opponent as his playmakers have a better chance of getting open.
Jimmy Garoppolo, SF vs. PIT
Betting on a dark horse is the key to hitting a bingo in this format, as the safe choice is almost always going to burn you. While I think the Niners will pound the Steelers with Matt Breida in this game, the Steelers rank 29th against the pass and Jimmy G might have more luck through the air. If there's any week where he comes out as the top dog in this category, it's this one.
QB Completions
Joe Flacco, DEN at GB
Things didn't go well in this category for me last week, as both Brees and Big Ben got injured, so I'm hoping for a better turn of events with Flacco. He dusted everyone in this category last week, and did so against the Bears, one of the stingiest defenses in the league. While he's delivered some long balls, Flacco is a methodical game manager who is more than happy to pile up yardage with short routes and screens.
Russell Wilson, SEA vs. NO
Say what you will about Teddy Bridgewater, but I'm relatively confident that the Saints will escape the next six weeks a lot better than expected. I'll grant the naysayers that you'll run into a lot of variance by going this route, but I'm counting on New Orleans to make this game competitive enough for Wilson to pile up stats. He came in third in this category last week with 29 completions.
DARKHORSE: Daniel Jones, NYG at TB
RB Rushing Yards
Ezekiel Elliott, DAL vs. MIA
This is a no-brainer pick if I've ever seen one. While Prescott has been stellar through the air this year, you have to assume that Dallas will try to put Miami out of their misery early and pound them mercilessly with Elliott. As long as they keep him in the game, he could be set up for career numbers here – I wouldn't bet against him.
David Montgomery, CHI at WAS
It's a risky pick, but I'm hoping that coach Matt Nagy is beginning to see how his team can best move forward. Stop thinking that Mitch Trubisky can carry this team, and start Montgomery over Mike Davis. If Nagy follows that path, he should be able to let his defense take over and use Montgomery on the other end of the ball. The Redskins have allowed 336 yards on the ground over the first two games.
RB Receiving Yards
Austin Ekeler, LAC at HOU
I was one yard away from getting this Bingo last week, and I still think Ekeler is the most reliable play in this category. With Hunter Henry out and Keenan Allen listed as questionable, Philip Rivers will be left with fewer options, and Ekeler has outperformed almost every expectation as the lead back. I'll keep going here weekly.
Devonta Freeman, ATL at IND
Freeman is another viable option as he became a prime target for Matt Ryan in Week 2 with 56 receiving yards. The Colts have allowed 117 yards in the air against opposing running backs, so I like Freeman as a contrarian pick over Ekeler.
WR Receiving Yards
Chris Godwin, TB vs. NYG
I anticipate Daniel Jones will make the Giants a lot more competitive in this game, and Winston will need to get the ball to Godwin early and often. He's outplayed Mike Evans in the early stages of the season and looks to be Winston's preferred receiver. The Giants are 32nd in the league against opposing wide receivers, so this is a pick you can lock in with confidence.
Odell Beckham, Jr. CLE vs. LAR
I went with another hotly-contested game here. I think both the Bucs/Giants and Browns/Rams games will be the best matchups to watch this week, and the Browns have to get the ball to their top playmaker if they hope to win. The Rams haven't looked great, but I expect them to escape their slump sooner rather than later. Their defense is stingy against wideouts (260 total yards against WR through two weeks), but this is Odell Beckham we're talking about here.
WR Receptions
D.J. Moore, CAR at ARI
It seems like every time I watch the Panthers, either Christian McCaffrey or D.J. Moore have the ball. I was certain Moore would have been the top pass-catcher last week, and I wasn't too far off. He caught nine balls, which was good enough for fifth overall in receptions. I'm surprised to see that the Cardinals aren't that bad against the pass, but we're looking for targets and receptions frequency here. Although Cam Newton is out, I think Kyle Allen will manage to find Moore on Sunday.
Kenny Golladay, DET at PHI
If I want to roll with Stafford, I might as well make a play for his top target. I think the threat of T.J. Hockenson is the limiting factor for Golladay here, but Philly's secondary should be ripe for the picking, and Stafford will be eager to go deep rather than check it down to a tight end. Golladay had eight receptions last week, so he's got the potential.
Kicker
I think this might be the toughest square of all to nail. Ideally, you want a kicker in good weather conditions with a team that gets in the red zone often but fails to seal the deal.
Zane Gonzalez, ARI vs. CAR
Gonzalez has made seven field goals so far this year and leads the league. The Cardinals certainly know how to put the ball in the end zone in the fourth quarter, but they seem to have trouble converting the rest of the time. Let's go with the top point-getter here and hope for a lot of failed red zone opportunities.
Wil Lutz, NO at SEA
I said that I think Bridgewater will fare better than most people think, but he might have trouble sealing the deal in the end zone. Lutz could be one of the Saints' most valuable commodities as they campaign on without Drew Brees. Lutz is as dependable as they come, and I think he'll be used a lot in the coming weeks.
DEFENSE
New England vs. NYJ
The Jets are turning to Luke Falk this weekend, and the Patriots are arguably the best defense in the league right now. I see the Pats capitalizing on many mistakes by the Jets in what should be a blowout.
Dallas vs. MIA
Going against Miami will be the chalk pick every week this season, and this week will be no exception. Do I have to elaborate?
