The Lions have been a very generous defense, allowing quarterbacks
an average 26.4 FPts/G which partially explains how they can own
a 1-2 record despite scoring the second-most points in the league
through three games (95). Geno Smith has been accurate (77.5%
completion rate) and the Lions’ haven’t picked off
any passes this season. The Seahawks running game has not been
good (240 yards at 4.0 ypa), therefore they will go to the air
to win this game behind Smith, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Dallas management has grown more confident in Cooper Rush’s ability
to handle the offense with each win and now will let him open
up the offense against a Commanders’ defense which has allowed
a league-high eight touchdown passes. Rush can be a replacement
for an injured quarterback (possibly Tua Tagovailoa or Mac Jones)
or one with an ugly matchup (see below).
Russell Wilson has too many good weapons to be stuck in 26th
place among all quarterbacks this season (15.8 FPts/G). That should
change against a Raiders’ pass defense which has allowed
25.4 FPts/G, including a pair of QB rushing touchdowns. Wilson
gets healthy here by using his legs as well as his arm.
Stafford is one of two quarterbacks, ranked in the top-20, who
has fewer touchdown passes than interceptions (4-5). He’ll
face a 49ers pass defense which has allowed just two touchdown
passes in three games and a league-low 503 passing yards (167.7
ypg). Stafford threw for less than 300 yards in both regular season
games last season and after throwing the ball just 25 times last
week in Arizona may not throw the ball enough by design to warrant
a fantasy start this weekend.
First, there are questions about his health (both back and ankle
issues) and his ability to get back onto the field for the Thursday
night game versus the Bengals. Second, Cincinnati has allowed
just 14.9 FPts/G through the first three weeks of the season though
the quality of the quarterbacks they have faced has not been elite
(Mitchell Trubisky, Cooper Rush and Joe Flacco). Still, the Bengals
have allowed just two passing touchdowns to date. The Dolphins
might try to protect their injured quarterback with a conservative
game strategy this week.
OK, no one is going to sit Patrick Mahomes in season-long leagues,
but this isn’t a great matchup for daily play. The Bucs
are allowing just 15.9 FPts/G to opposing quarterbacks. They have
held the Cowboys, Saints and Packers offenses in check and none
has scored more than 14 points against their defense.
Note: depending on path of Hurricane Ian, this game could be
changed to a later date or moved to Minnesota.
