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Last season, the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants combined for 101 points in an epic early-November shootout. So, naturally, the rematch this season produced a whopping 29 points and one offensive touchdown. This is just the latest reminder that football is a random, unpredictable game. Any given Sunday, right?
Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., along with Drew Brees and either Brandin Cooks or Willie Snead, were popular stacks that did not pay off in daily fantasy lineups last week. Cam Newton and Kelvin Benjamin and/or Greg Olsen, however, paid off handsomely. Stacking, or pairing multiple players from the same NFL team, is a perfect way to maximize your point production, which is crucial in larger GPP (guaranteed prize pool) tournaments. Let's look at some of the top stacks for Week Three, sorted loosely by salary.
Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests for Week 3. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!
High Priced Week 3 DFS Stacks
Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Antonio Brown at Philadelphia
Big Ben was his usual productive self this past Sunday, passing for 259 yards and three touchdowns (never mind those two interceptions). Brown? Well, he was uncharacteristically mediocre, catching just four of his 11 targets for 39 yards.
Let's go ahead and chalk that performance up to the opponent (division rival Cincinnati) and weather (rain, heavy at times). We expect Brown to bounce back in a big way this Sunday against an Eagles defense lacking secondary depth. This stack won't come cheap, but there's still plenty of value to be found here.
Carolina QB Cam Newton and WR Kelvin Benjamin vs. Minnesota
That's more like it. After a subpar fantasy outing in the season opener against Denver, the reigning MVP rebounded in a major way against San Francisco. Newton finished with 353 yards and four touchdowns through the air, along with 37 rushing yards. Two of those TDs went to Benjamin, who has looked spectacular in his return from a torn ACL.
Newton, by virtue of his rushing ability, is always a viable play, but Benjamin is quickly cementing himself as the top option in the passing game. Tight end Greg Olsen also works as a stack, but Benjamin's upside is higher against the Vikings' stout defense.
New York QB Eli Manning and WR Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Washington
DFS players are still waiting for that game from ODB. You know, the one where he explodes for 150-plus yards, two touchdowns and at least one highlight-reel catch. Beckham scored in both games against the Redskins last season, so this could be the week he breaks out.
Much of the narrative this week will focus on cornerback Josh Norman lining up against Beckham, but here's the reality -- Brown and Dez Bryant have both put together 100-yard performances against the Redskins' secondary this season. Beckham should be next, and Manning will be the prime beneficiary.
Moderately Priced Week 3 DFS Stacks
Jacksonville QB Blake Bortles and WR Allen Robinson vs. Baltimore
Don't give up on Robinson just yet. Sure, his first two games have been largely underwhelming, but consider this -- he's one of just 14 players in the NFL with at least 20 targets so far this season, and of those 14 players, his nine receptions are tied for last with Tavon Austin.
This tells us that Bortles has been generally inaccurate when targeting Robinson. That trend will reverse itself, and a home matchup against a defense that just surrendered 260 yards and two touchdowns to Josh McCown could be the perfect situation to exploit.
Dallas QB Dak Prescott and WR Dez Bryant vs. Chicago
The rookie signal caller has impressed on the field, but his lack of touchdown passes has limited his fantasy appeal. Prescott did rush for a touchdown last weekend, but we expect him to find the end zone through the air this weekend against a below-average Bears defense.
Bryant, who shook off a one-catch dud in the season opener, tallied seven receptions for 102 yards against Washington. He is the obvious stack candidate, but veteran tight end Jason Witten warrants consideration as well. Chicago was just burned by backup tight end Trey Burton, so Witten could be in line for a big day.
Philadelphia QB Carson Wentz and WR Jordan Matthews vs. Pittsburgh
Wentz has been one of the biggest surprises of the season so far. In less than one month, he's gone from a No. 3 quarterback recovering from a rib fracture to the starting quarterback on an unexpected 2-0 team. He'll face the toughest test of his young career this Sunday against Pittsburgh.
Expect Wentz to come out throwing early and often as the Eagles will have to keep pace with the high-powered Steelers offense. Matthews has five more receptions and 11 more targets than any other Philadelphia player, so he should be busy again.
Bargin Week 3 DFS Stacks
Tennessee QB Marcus Mariota and WR Tajae Sharpe vs. Oakland
Mariota continues to stand out as a cheap option each week, but so far he has yet to put together a true breakout game. A home matchup against the worst pass defense in the NFL would certainly appear to be a prime opportunity to reverse that trend.
The Raiders have allowed 808 yards through the air in two games this season. No other team has allowed more than 695. Mariota should be able to exploit this matchup, and the rookie Sharpe is a solid stack. Tight end Delanie Walker is also a fine play, though his ownership will likely be high.
Minnesota QB Sam Bradford and WR Stefon Diggs at Carolina
Are we all ready to trust Bradford after one strong start? Maybe, maybe not, but Diggs is currently leading the league in receiving yards, and that can't be ignored. Diggs leads the Vikings in receptions (16) and receiving yards (285) by a wide margin, but his reasonable salary will likely make him a popular play.
San Francisco's Blaine Gabbert had success against Carolina, so it's worth taking a shot on Bradford to do the same. The Vikings will also be without running back Adrian Peterson, meaning they could lean on the passing game a bit more than usual.
