Sunday's Week 3 slate includes a meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil between the Cowboys and Ravens with a 53.5-point total. We're back again with tips and advice to keep you in the win column for Week 3, or help you get there after a wacky Week 2.
The Week 3 FanDuel NFL main slate begins Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT and features 13 games. This list excludes teams playing/played on Thursday (Falcons-Packers), Sunday Night Football (Rams-Broncos) and Monday Night Football (Eagles-Bears).
The players you want to target for guaranteed prize pool (GPP) contests should offer a decent amount of upside, but it's also important to identify chalk plays that can represent the foundation of your roster. We'll discuss the best choices for cash games and give you plenty of options for fielding GPP rosters. For cash games, play the best chalk and, when in doubt, follow ownership, which you can get an idea of from our NFL DFS optimizer.
Keep in mind that FanDuel DFS football contests use full-point PPR scoring. NFL DFS lineups on FanDuel consist of one QB, two RBs, three WRs, one TE, one FLEX (RB/WR/TE) and one D/ST unit.
Note: All prices listed come from FanDuel, but most of the logic can be applied to other sites across the DFS industry. Discussion is limited to players from the "main slate" of games kicking off at 1 p.m., 4:05 p.m. and 4:25 p.m. EDT on Sunday. The strategy below is meant for large-field tournaments, where payouts typically are limited to ~20 percent of lineups, with the majority concentrated at the very top.
The Games
| Over/Under | Road Team | Road Implied Total | Home Team | Home Implied Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | Kansas City Chiefs | 28.25 | Miami Dolphins | 17.75 |
| 38.5 | Tennessee Titans | 17.25 | New York Giants | 20.25 |
| 46.5 | New England Patriots | 21.75 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 24.75 |
| 40.5 | Seattle Seahawks | 24 | Washington Commanders | 16.5 |
| 42.5 | Cincinnati Bengals | 23 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 19.5 |
| 42.5 | Carolina Panthers | 22.5 | Cleveland Browns | 20 |
| 50.5 | Los Angeles Chargers | 21.5 | Buffalo Bills | 29 |
| 48 | New York Jets | 20.75 | Detroit Lions | 27.25 |
| 42.5 | Houston Texans | 22.5 | Indianapolis Colts | 20 |
| 48.5 | Arizona Cardinals | 20 | San Francisco 49ers | 28.5 |
| 42.5 | Minnesota Vikings | 22 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 20.5 |
| 43.5 | Las Vegas Raiders | 20.25 | New Orleans Saints | 23.25 |
| 53.5 | Baltimore Ravens | 28.5 | Dallas Cowboys | 25 |
Point-Per-Dollar Value
These are the players with the best projections relative to their salaries — good plays both for cash games and large-field tournaments. While we don't want GPP lineups to look like cash-game lineups top to bottom, there's nothing wrong with using a few chalky plays.
QB Lamar Jackson, BAL vs. DAL ($8,600): Jackson stumbled a bit during Baltimore's loss to the Saints after a stellar season opener, throwing for 235 yards (21-for-31) with one TD and one INT while rushing four times for 34 yards. The two-time NFL MVP draws a favorable matchup versus a Cowboys defense that ranks 28th in fantasy points allowed (25.0) to QBs and has surrendered the most rushing yards (126) to the position through two games.
RB Kenneth Walker, KC at MIA ($8,300): Through two weeks of play, Walker has handled 47 of the 57 carries by Chiefs running backs. The former Seahawk and Super Bowl champion has amassed 369 yards from scrimmage on 56 total touches as the unquestioned leader out of the backfield. Miami's defense ranks 31st in fantasy points (34.1) and dead last in receiving yards (115) and TDs (three) allowed to RBs. Walker should absolutely feast despite the possibility of Kansas City playing from ahead most of the afternoon.
WR Chris Olave, NO vs. LV ($8,100): Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($9,200) is another great option at the WR spot as the top player in terms of PPD value, but I'll discuss him a bit later. Olave has posted an 18-268-1 receiving line on 23 targets as the No. 1 receiver on a vastly improved Saints' offense. The Raiders are fourth in fantasy points allowed (17.1) to the position, although they have not faced a WR of Olave's caliber to this point, and he's already established elite chemistry with QB Tyler Shough ($7,500) as his favorite target.
TE Dalton Kincaid, BUF vs. LAC ($5,700): Kincaid looks like one of the clear winners on a revamped Bills offense. Josh Allen ($9,100) remains arguably the best quarterback in the entire league, and he's finding his talented tight end with regularity. Kincaid owns a 12-225-1 receiving line on 14 targets over two outings, and there's a decent chance DJ Moore ($6,700) could either miss or be limited in Week 3 as he deals with a shoulder injury that forced him out of Buffalo's Week 2 win after 23 offensive snaps.
Other Cash-Game Options
Quarterback: Josh Allen, BUF vs. LAC ($9,100), Dak Prescott, DAL vs. BAL ($8,300), Brock Purdy, SF vs. ARI ($8,200), Tyler Shough, NO vs. LV ($7,500), Sam Darnold, SEA at WAS ($6,900), Geno Smith, NYJ at DET ($6,700)
Running Back: Jahmyr Gibbs, DET vs. NYJ ($9,200), Derrick Henry, BAL vs. DAL ($9,000), Jonathan Taylor, IND vs. HOU ($8,500), Chase Brown, CIN at PIT ($7,500), Javonte Williams, DAL vs. BAL ($7,300), Breece Hall, NYJ at DET ($7,100), Cam Skattebo, NYG vs. TEN ($6,900), Chuba Hubbard, CAR at CLE ($6,700), Aaron Jones Sr., MIN at TB ($6,200)
Wide Receiver: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA at WAS ($9,200), Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET vs. NYJ ($9,000), CeeDee Lamb, DAL vs. BAL ($8,600), Justin Jefferson, MIN at TB ($8,400), Garrett Wilson, NYJ at DET ($7,300), Parker Washington, JAX vs. NE ($7,100), Tee Higgins, CIN at PIT ($7,000), Tetairoa McMillan, CAR at CLE ($6,800), Jalen Coker, CAR at CLE ($6,200)
Tight End: Trey McBride, ARI at SF ($7,300), Dalton Schultz, HOU at IND ($5,800), Travis Kelce, KC at MIA ($5,500), Mark Andrews, BAL vs. DAL ($5,300)
D/ST: Carolina Panthers vs. CLE ($3,800), Cincinnati Bengals at PIT ($3,600), New Orleans Saints vs. LV ($3,400)
Passing Game Stacks
Stacks are the centerpiece of most tournament lineups. The strategy aims to take advantage of positive correlations between players, as stacks can also include a pass catcher from the other side of the game, hoping to take advantage of a high-scoring matchup. It rarely makes sense to use a quarterback without one or two of his pass catchers, even if the player in question scores a decent portion of his fantasy points with his legs. (Implied team totals are listed in parentheses.)
Baltimore Ravens (28.3) at Dallas Cowboys (24.8)
Ravens: We've already talked about Lamar Jackson ($8,600) against the Cowboys' 28th-ranked defense versus QBs, and he's a chalk play for me as the leader in PPD value for Week 3. Derrick Henry ($9,000) should also see a massive workload in a potential shootout down in Brazil, while Mark Andrews ($5,300) and Rashod Bateman ($5,600) offer plenty of upside with Zay Flowers ($7,500) still not practicing since he suffered a hamstring injury during Baltimore's season opener.
Cowboys: Dak Prescott ($8,300) was phenomenal in Dallas' Week 2 thrashing of the Commanders, throwing for 279 yards with four TDs and no INTs while adding 26 yards on four carries. This matchup has shootout written all over it, meaning CeeDee Lamb ($8,600), George Pickens ($7,700), Javonte Williams ($7,300) and Jake Ferguson ($5,400) should all be upgraded on the fantasy radar. Lamb is a chalk play in Week 3 after erupting for an 8-153-2 line on nine targets in his last outing.
Favorite Ravens Stack: QB Jackson + RB Henry or WR Bateman + WR Lamb or RB Williams
Favorite Cowboys Stack: QB Prescott + WR Lamb or RB Williams + RB Henry or WR Bateman or TE Andrews
Detroit Lions (27.3) vs. New York Jets (20.8)
Lions: I was tempted to go with the Bills (28.5) hosting the Chargers (21.5) instead, but LA looks like a disaster right now after falling to 0-2 last week. Jared Goff ($7,900) has already thrown for 533 yards with six TDs and no INTs through two games, and Jahmyr Gibbs ($9,200) and Amon-Ra St. Brown ($9,000) have both been sensational for a Detroit squad with Super Bowl aspirations. Sam LaPorta ($6,200) has racked up an 11-100-1 receiving line on 15 targets, and he'll aim to find holes in the Jets' third-ranked defense in fantasy points allowed (4.3) to TEs.
Jets: Geno Smith ($6,700) is certainly no Josh Allen ($9,100), but the Lions rank dead last in fantasy points allowed (33.0) to QBs after being picked apart by Allen in Week 2 and Tyler Shough ($7,500), who threw for 410 yards with three TDs and two INTs in the season opener. Breece Hall ($7,100) is a bounce-back candidate following an underwhelming outing last week, while Garrett Wilson ($7,300) and Adonai Mitchell ($5,400) offer plenty of upside under the dome of Ford Field in what could be a high-scoring affair.
Favorite Lions Stack: QB Goff + RB Gibbs or WR St. Brown + WR Wilson or RB Hall
Favorite Jets Stack: QB Smith + RB Hall or WR Wilson + RB Gibbs or WR St. Brown
Other Stacks to Consider
QB Josh Allen + RB James Cook or TE Dalton Kincaid + RB Omarion Hampton
QB Brock Purdy + RB Christian McCaffrey or WR Deebo Samuel or TE George Kittle + TE Trey McBride
QB Patrick Mahomes + RB Kenneth Walker or TE Travis Kelce + RB De'Von Achane
QB Tyler Shough + WR Chris Olave or WR Devaughn Vele + RB Ashton Jeanty
QB Joe Burrow + WR Ja'Marr Chase or WR Tee Higgins + RB Jaylen Warren
QB Sam Darnold + WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba + WR Stefon Diggs or RB Rachaad White
QB Bryce Young + WR Tetairoa McMillan or WR Jalen Coker + WR Denzel Boston or TE Harold Fannin Jr.
High-Priced Heroes
QB Josh Allen, BUF vs. LAC ($9,100): I mentioned last week that I'd never doubt Allen again, so I'm going with the Bills superstar as an HPH in Week 3 after his performance on Thursday Night Football against Detroit. He was an unstoppable force in that 41-31 victory over the Lions, throwing for 248 yards with three TDs and no INTs while rushing 14 times for 69 yards and another two scores. Allen has nine total TDs through two games, and he's likely to add to that number against a reeling Chargers team that has to travel across the country for a 1:00pm EDT kickoff.
RB Jahmyr Gibbs, DET vs. NYJ ($9,200): Game script limited Gibbs to just 16 carries for 52 yards in their TNF loss to the Bills, but he made up for the inefficiency on the ground by securing six of eight targets for 61 yards and his first receiving TD of the season. Detroit will get the ball in Gibbs' hands regardless of the score and matchup, and he'll have every opportunity to exploit the Jets' third-ranked run defense in fantasy points allowed (10.6) to RBs.
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA at WAS ($9,200): Another week, another dominant showing from Smith-Njigba, who topped his 8-122-1 line in the opener with a masterful 9-155-3 line on 11 targets during Seattle's 31-7 throttling of their division rival Cardinals in Week 2. The 2025 Offensive Player of the Year should keep rolling versus the Commanders' 24th-ranked defense in fantasy points allowed (32.7) to WRs in Week 3.
TE Trey McBride, ARI at SF ($7,300): San Francisco's defense ranks first in the league, holding opposing tight ends to a putrid 3.4 fantasy points through two outings. McBride is not your typical TE, though, as he's arguably the best at his position in his fifth professional campaign. He has a 17-136-2 line on 23 targets and is coming off another solid game despite his team's lack of offensive success against the Seahawks, tallying eight catches for 41 yards and a TD. McBride accounted for almost half of Arizona's 17 completions in the loss, while no other receiver had more than two receptions. This matchup should have the Cardinals playing catch-up again, which only leans into his appeal as a chalk play for me in Week 3.
Fading the Field
Every week we see at least one or two players who are popular without the backing of a top point-per-dollar projection, but I'll never doubt the Bills' QB again. Still, it makes sense to fade a player with a strong projection, particularly when there are good alternatives at the same position and price range.
WR Ja'Marr Chase, CIN at PIT ($8,900): Chase rebounded from a two-catch, 12-yard stinker in the Bengals' season opener with a 7-75-2 line on nine targets in last week's win over Houston. He could still have a good showing in Week 3, but a visit to the division rival Steelers and their second-ranked defense in fantasy points allowed (12.5) to WRs presents a concern. For the price you'll have to pay, I much prefer Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($9,200), Amon-Ra St. Brown ($9,000) or CeeDee Lamb ($8,600).
The Smash Spot
TE Dalton Kincaid, BUF vs. LAC ($5,700): Kincaid stands above all tight ends in terms of point-per-dollar value at the seventh-highest salary for his position in Week 3. DJ Moore ($6,700) and Keon Coleman ($5,400), Buffalo's top two wideouts, are both questionable for Sunday's tilt against the Chargers. Kincaid posted seven catches on eight targets for 95 yards and a TD, making it consecutive weeks in which the fourth-year pro led the team in yardage.
Honorable Mentions: QB Brock Purdy ($8,200); RB David Montgomery ($6,600)
The Bargain Bin
Quarterback: Sam Darnold, SEA at WAS ($6,900), Kirk Cousins, LV at NO ($6,800), Jameis Winston, NYG vs. TEN ($6,400)
Running Back: Jaylen Warren, PIT vs. CIN ($6,300), Quinshon Judkins, CLE vs. CAR ($6,100), Jeremiyah Love, ARI at SF ($5,800), Tony Pollard, TEN at NYG ($5,700)
Wide Receiver: Jalen Coker, CAR at CLE ($6,200), Josh Downs, IND vs. HOU ($6,100), Romeo Doubs, NE at JAX ($5,800), Tre Tucker, LV at NO ($5,800), Devaughn Vele, NO vs. LV ($5,700), Denzel Boston, CLE vs. CAR ($5,600)
Tight End: Harold Fannin Jr., CLE vs. CAR ($5,300), Juwan Johnson, NO vs. LV ($5,200), Oronde Gadsden, LAC at BUF ($5,000), Michael Mayer, LV at NO ($5,000)
Injuries to Monitor
WR Zay Flowers, BAL at DAL ($7,500): Flowers is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys after practicing in a limited capacity Friday. The speedster made his first appearance on the practice field since injuring his hamstring during Baltimore's season-opening victory against the Colts. It's unclear if Flowers has a real chance to play, but if he can't or is limited, Rashod Bateman ($5,600) will receive a noticeable boost up the DFS rankings.
WR DJ Moore, BUF vs. LAC ($6,700): Moore is dealing with an AC joint sprain in his shoulder that forced him out of Buffalo's Week 2 win over the Lions. He practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, sat out Thursday's session entirely, then returned to drills while sporting a red non-contact jersey Friday. Moore is a true game-time decision leading up to Sunday's 1:00pm kickoff.
WR Keon Coleman, BUF vs. LAC ($5,400): The Bills are banged up at wide receiver, as Coleman is dealing with an ankle injury that caused him to sit out the first two practices heading into a Week 3 matchup with the Chargers. He logged a limited practice Friday, and after posting a 6-63-0 line in his last outing against the Lions, Coleman's arrow is pointing slightly up. However, managers will need to check his status 90 minutes before kickoff, along with fellow WR DJ Moore.
WR Jalen Coker, CAR at CLE ($6,200): Coker looks to be on the cusp of a full-on breakout in 2026, recording a 16-204-2 receiving line on 18 targets through two contests. He's questionable to play versus the Browns as he tends to an ankle injury he suffered in Carolina's season opener, but it hasn't stopped or slowed him down to this point. On Friday, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he expects Coker to be active, so everything seems to be on the up-and-up for the third-year receiver.
RB Jaylen Warren, PIT vs. CIN ($6,300): Following a full week of limited practice participation, Warren earned a questionable tag for Sunday's AFC North showdown against the Bengals with a shoulder ailment. However, the Steelers expect him to play, which is the opposite for backfield mate Rico Dowdle, who's already been ruled out with a toe injury. With that, Warren could be in line for his largest workload of the season.
