This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Quarterback
Carson Wentz, PHI at DET ($7,500) – Wentz comes into the week as a mid-priced option who has had an extra week to prepare for this game. Had Jordan Mathews not dropped an easy touchdown against the Bears, Wentz would have at least 19 fantasy points in each of his first three games. This week it's a great matchup against the Lions who as a team have given up the second-most fantasy points at 24.3 per game. Detroit should be able to score points at home and if they can keep it close, Wentz should be throwing in the fourth quarter, something he hasn't had to do a lot of this season.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ at PIT ($6,900) – There are several better options near this price for cash games but in GPPs Fitzpatrick is an excellent play. He's going to have a small ownership number in any GPP due to the nine interceptions he's thrown the last two games. However, Fitzpatrick was often excellent last season and with the Steelers' ability to put up points he should be throwing a lot in this one. A stack of Fitzpatrick/Brandon Marshall/Quincy Enunwa would make for a good contrarian play with most flocking to the Pittsburgh side of the ball.
Running Back
Terrance West BAL vs WAS ($6,400) – West had three subpar games before last week when he was entrusted as the lead back and scored 17.3 fantasy points. Kenneth Dixon will be in the
Quarterback
Carson Wentz, PHI at DET ($7,500) – Wentz comes into the week as a mid-priced option who has had an extra week to prepare for this game. Had Jordan Mathews not dropped an easy touchdown against the Bears, Wentz would have at least 19 fantasy points in each of his first three games. This week it's a great matchup against the Lions who as a team have given up the second-most fantasy points at 24.3 per game. Detroit should be able to score points at home and if they can keep it close, Wentz should be throwing in the fourth quarter, something he hasn't had to do a lot of this season.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ at PIT ($6,900) – There are several better options near this price for cash games but in GPPs Fitzpatrick is an excellent play. He's going to have a small ownership number in any GPP due to the nine interceptions he's thrown the last two games. However, Fitzpatrick was often excellent last season and with the Steelers' ability to put up points he should be throwing a lot in this one. A stack of Fitzpatrick/Brandon Marshall/Quincy Enunwa would make for a good contrarian play with most flocking to the Pittsburgh side of the ball.
Running Back
Terrance West BAL vs WAS ($6,400) – West had three subpar games before last week when he was entrusted as the lead back and scored 17.3 fantasy points. Kenneth Dixon will be in the mix but he should be eased back in as the pass-catching back and not steal too many touches from West. This is as good of a matchup as a running back can have with New Orleans on a bye and Washington giving up 24.3 fantasy points to opposing running backs (second worst to the Saints). West should be in line for around another 20 carries.
DeAndre Washington, OAK vs SD ($4,700) – Washington is going to be the chalkiest plays this week after it was reported that Latavius Murray would be doubtful this week Thursday night. At just over the minimum price, he should be in line for at least 15-plus touches against a San Diego defense missing Manti T'eo. Washington is capable of catching passes out of the backfield and it helps that the Chargers have given up the third most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
Wide Receiver
Eddie Royal, CHI at IND ($5,700) – Most DFS owners probably don't realize that Royal had shown some consistency before his outburst last week with 13.2 and 13.7 fantasy points the first two weeks. He should see time opposite Alshon Jeffery as the No.2 wide receiver with Kevin White out but should also see time in the slot when Josh Bellamy is on the field. This is a plus matchup against the Colts who are 25th in the league against the pass. Using teammate Brian Hoyer (still $6,000) along with either Zack Miller or Alshon Jeffery would be a cheap and creative stack to use in GPPs.
Travis Benjamin, SD at OAK ($6,500) – Benjamin has only had one big week (Week 2) but been consistently targeted averaging eight per game. This game has the highest over/under total at 50 so there should be plenty of scoring on both sides. Many DFS owners will be influenced by recency bias and use Dontrelle Inman but it's Benjamin who has the most big-play upside out of the San Diego wide receivers. On defense the Raiders have surrendered the third most fantasy points to wide receivers (29 per game) fueled by giving up the most receiving yards (858).
Tight End
Zach Ertz, PHI at DET ($5,600) – Death, taxes and in DFS -- using whoever the tight end facing the Lions is. Detroit has given up the second most fantasy points to opposing tight ends largely as a result of allowing six touchdowns to the position. The aforementioned Carson Wentz is playing at an elite level and it's easy to forget Ertz went 73-833-6 last season with less talent under center throwing him the ball. Besides the cheap price there will likely be a low ownership here with Ertz making his return from a injury.
Kicker
Sebastian Janikowski, OAK vs SD ($4,800) – As stated earlier this game has the highest over/under of the week and the Raiders are favored. Sea-Bass is home plus the weather in Oakland shouldn't be any issue. Janikowski also has the confidence of his coaches of his coaches to try field goals at almost any spot on San Diego's side of the field.
Defense
L.A. Rams vs BUF ($4,700) – This seems like a good week to spend up a little on the defense with so many mediocre matchups. Since a dismal performance Week 1 in San Francisco, the Ram have scored 11, 12 and 17 points over their last three games despite tough matchups. This week should be easier as the Bills have to travel across the country and play the late game. This game has the lowest over/under total of the week with the Rams favored, suggesting the Bills will have a tough time scoring in this one.
