Quarterback
Daniel Jones, New York Giants (vs Detroit)
Justin Fields lit up the Lions for 147 rushing yards and two scores last week. Geno Smith had 49 yards and a score. Jalen Hurts had 90 and a score. The Lions defense can’t handle mobile quarterbacks, and that shouldn’t be lost on Brian Daboll, with Jones having a limited set of receivers and Saquon Barkley coming off of a 35-carry effort. The Lions defense is subject to a few breakdowns a game, and Jones could easily turn one into a long rushing score.
Marcus Mariota, Atlanta (vs Chicago)
Mariota has been mediocre at best as a passer, but at least the Falcons showed that they will rationally abandon the run when they fall behind last week. The Bears have been playing in shootouts since Justin Fields came alive, which could loosen the Falcons and Mariota up and create the conditions for a ceiling game from the dual-threat quarterback
Russell Wilson, Denver (vs Las Vegas)
Wilson notched two passing scores and a rushing score in the first matchup with the Raiders, and only Trevor Lawrence has failed to post multiple scores against them this year. Even Lawrence had 53 rushing yards, 235 passing yards, and a passing score in that game. Even without Jerry Jeudy, Wilson is a high-floor option this week because of the matchup.
Jacoby Brissett, Cleveland (vs Buffalo in Detroit)
Brissett wasn’t shaping up to be a very good play in the snow on the road, but with this game now moved indoors in Detroit, the passing games will be a lot more operative, and there’s a larger possibility that the Browns can’t just rely on Nick Chubb to control this game. Brissett will face a vulnerable secondary, and he could get back David Njoku.
Running Back
Isaih Pacheco, Kansas City (at Los Angeles Chargers)
Will the Chiefs continue to establish the run with Pacheco? He had 16 carries for 82 yards, and the team stuck with him through an early fumble. This week, the Chiefs face one of the softest run defenses in the league, and it also appears that the team has moved on from Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Jerick McKinnon is mainly in for passing situations, so if the Chiefs want to run the ball, Pacheco is the answer.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh (vs Cincinnati)
Warren didn’t overtake Najee Harris after the bye, as some had indicated was a possibility, but he was excellent on his touches, and he got enough work to at least be worth a desperation play. Now Harris apparently has some knee discomfort, which should create an opening for Warren to get more work against an opponent the Steelers beat back in Week 1.
Melvin Gordon, Latavius Murray, Denver (vs Las Vegas)
In the last three weeks, the Raiders have given up 163 total yards and a score to Jonathan Taylor, 126 total yards and two scores to Travis Etienne, and 158 total yards and three scores to Alvin Kamara. At least one of Gordon and Murray should hit as a flex or RB2 option in a pinch, and there’s a good chance both get into the end zone or at least in double-digit points in PPR leagues.
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