This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Week 2 was unpredictable and full of injuries, so let's try and asses the fallout while looking for players to target in Week 3. There are a few new quarterbacks that will be starting, and figuring out the effect that those new starters will have on their teams, as well as their opponents, will help us get an edge on the competition.
Week 2: Injury Roundup
Tony Romo broke his collarbone in Sunday's win over the Eagles and will be out for the foreseeable future, leaving Brandon Weeden as the starting quarterback for the Cowboys. With Dez Bryant also sidelined with an injury, the Cowboys' offense is missing its two main components and will have to rely on its new running back committee to carry the load. Weeden has shown flashes of competence in the past two seasons when Romo was hurt, and he makes for an interesting play in Week 3 at home against the Falcons' questionable defense in what could potentially be a high-scoring affair.
Drew Brees injured his shoulder in Sunday's home loss to the Buccaneers, and he might be out for Week 3 as well. The Saints travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers, and they may be forced to start Luke McCown if Brees is unable to play. The Panthers' defense would become an elite play if McCown starts, while the rest of the Saints' offensive starters would become risky options, at best, in the outdoor affair. Keep an eye on the injury report as the week progresses to see if Brees has a chance to play Sunday.
Jay Cutler injured his hamstring in Sunday's embarrassing loss to the Cardinals and will likely miss two games. The Bears have to travel to the Northwest to take on the winless Seahawks and will be starting backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen to boot. The Seahawks defense has always been strong at home, and becomes an elite play with Clausen under center. Marshawn Lynch should also benefit, as the Seahawks should control the game from the opening kickoff and provide Lynch with plenty of carries against the Bears' suspect run defense.
Eddie Lacy injured his ankle in Sunday's victory over the Seahawks, and his status for Monday Night's matchup with Kansas City is in doubt. The Chiefs have a solid run defense, but James Starks would become a very strong play at running back if Lacy is ruled out, as Starks would become the workhorse back for the Packers' high-powered offense. Starks is coming off a very nice game against the Seahawks after replacing the injured Lacy.
Week 3: Matchups to Exploit
There are a number of potentially high-scoring games in Week 3, and plenty of injury replacements with cheap salaries to exploit. The Falcons travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys in what could turn into a high-scoring affair, as Brandon Weeden will look to fill Tony Romo's shoes as the signal caller for the Cowboys. Peyton Manning bounced back nicely in Week 2 after a poor first week, and he gets to face the struggling Lions indoors Sunday Night.
The Broncos' passing attack could be in for a big game, as their running game has struggled to start the year.
Aaron Rodgers might be missing his starting running back Monday night, leaving the Packers with no choice but to rely on its passing game to move the ball against the Chiefs' defense. Rodgers has been nearly unstoppable at home in the past and could be in for a monster game if the Chiefs can keep the game close. Don't be afraid to target multiple Packers in what could be a big offensive performance.
Week 3: Salaries to Exploit
As mentioned above, there are numerous injuries around the league, leaving a few replacements that will be taking on bigger roles Sunday. As a result, there are a few salaries worth exploiting, as talented backups will be assuming the roles of their injured teammates. Brandon Weeden and James Starks top the list with good matchups while taking on key roles. Keep an eye on the injury report throughout the week to ensure you've got the right backups.
Thursday Night Football Preview
The Redskins travel to New York to take on the Giants in Thursday night's NFC East battle. The Redskins have played surprisingly strong defense in the first two weeks of the season, but they might have trouble defending Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. in Week 3. Beckham had a big game Sunday against the Falcons, racking up 146 receiving yards and scoring a long touchdown, and he could pose problems for the Redskins' secondary. Washington's offense is also worth consideration, as Kirk Cousins has played well in the first two games behind a strong ground game, led by Alfred Morris and talented rookie Matt Jones. Thursday night's game could turn into a shootout, so don't be afraid to target players from both teams.
