NFL Fantasy Pick'ems for Week 3

We’ve got another exciting NFL schedule to look forward to in Week 3! There are a limited amount of divisional contests on the docket. Still, some compelling intra-conference battles could go a long way to shaping the playoff dynamic later in the year. As usual, we’ve sifted through the myriad of player projections on the board, offering our perspective on which plays yield the best value throughout Sunday’s schedule.

This article will discuss 3-5 of my favorite pick’ems from various DFS sites like Betr, Sleeper Fantasy, PrizePicks, and Underdog Fantasy.

Don’t forget to leverage our simulations tool from our projections team to identify where the biggest edges are — and you can see more projection picks here.

Also, you can claim a $100 deposit match at Betr using Betr Picks promo code LABSMAX, and you can use Sleeper Fantasy promo code LABS1 for another $100 deposit match.

And check out our PrizePicks referral code or Underdog Fantasy promo code for more details.

Week 2 NFL Fantasy Pick’ems

Khalil Herbert Higher 8.5 Rushing Attempts

If we’ve learned one thing from the past few seasons, it’s that the Chicago Bears’ chance at victory increases when the ball is out of Justin Fields’ hands. That credo will serve them well as they try to keep pace with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. Khalil Herbert should be heavily involved from the outset, helping him exceed his rushing attempts total.

Although Fields has a tendency to take off, Herbert remains the Bears’ primary rusher. He leads the team in rush attempts and rushing yards, benchmarks that should climb even higher after Sunday’s non-conference clash.

Herbert’s fantasy ceiling has been limited by a lighter snap count over the past couple of weeks. Starters were yanked early in the season opener, but Herbert bounced back with more robust usage last week. The former sixth-round pick played over 60% of the offensive plays against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, an upward trend that should continue with D’Onta Foreman likely on the sidelines.

Chicago should emphasize the running game over the coming weeks, taking some of the pressure of Fields in the passing game. As a result, look for Herbert to take on a more prominent role on offense. We’re betting he goes higher than 8.5 rushing attempts Sunday.

Raheem Mostert Lower 15.5 Rushing Attempts

We’ve already gotten a glimpse at how good the Miami Dolphins could be this year. Miami is 2-0 to start the campaign, relying on Tua Tagovailoa and the passing game to get yards in big chunks. That could come at Raheem Mostert’s expense Sunday as the Dolphins play their first home game of the campaign.

The Dolphins already rank in the top half of the league in most passing metrics. They sit 13th in passing play percentage while calling more passing plays than all but seven teams. Consequently, passing yards percentage, completions per game, and gross passing yards per game all fall on the elite end of the spectrum.

So far, Mostert has done well to remain an integral part of the Dolphins attack. But it’s not likely he duplicates the 18 carries he had in Week 2’s win over the New England Patriots. That ties the mark for his most carries in a game since he rejoined the Dolphins last year.

Since the start of the 2022 season, Mostert is averaging 11.6 carries per game, well below the 16 needed to send him above Sunday’s total. Tagovailoa should put on a show for the home faithful, with Mostert regressing to his usual usage against the Denver Broncos.

Josh Allen Lower 6.0 Rush Attempts

After a dismal opening matchup, Josh Allen responded with one of the best QB fantasy performances in Week 2. However, the Buffalo Bills won’t need him to replicate that effort against an underwhelming Washington Commanders squad. The two-time Pro Bowler will be content to sit back and operate out of the pocket rather than trying to force things in the running game.

Moreover, Allen has been one of the highest-volume passers through the first two weeks of the season. He’s thrown at least 37 times in each of the first two contests, totaling 78 throws. Even if the Bills put more emphasis on the running game, those carries will likely come from the stable of running backs looking to assert themselves as an essential part of the offense.

Allen has mustered nine carries on the season, most of which came in the opening week of the season. In that overtime loss to the New York Jets, Allen ran for 36 yards on six carries, which wouldn’t be enough to get him over this week’s projection.

Look for Sean McDermott to insulate his quarterback rather than trotting him out against Commanders defense. With the Bills projected to be comfortably out in front, there will be no urgency for Allen to take off, helping him stay beneath his rushing attempts projection.

Isiah Pacheco Higher 1.5 Receptions

One of the hallmarks of the Chiefs offense has been their ability to incorporate different players into their offensive scheme and extract maximum value. One of the more recent inspirations is Isiah Pacheco, who emerged as the primary back last season. We’re expecting Pacheco to improve on last week’s effort and take on a more significant role against the Bears.

After coming off the bench in Week 1, Pacheco was back out with the starters last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In that contest, Pacheco added two more targets to his season haul, bumping him up to six on the year. He should see at least that many passes again this week.

The Bears defense has been one of the easiest to throw the ball against. Chicago sits in the bottom half of the league in opponent completion percentage and opponent passing yards per game, areas that Patrick Mahomes will easily exploit.

Pacheco is the bellcow for the Chiefs now. Whether he’s needed as an outlet or it’s coming on designed passing plays to him, we like him to exceed the 1.5 receptions needed to go higher than his total.

This article will discuss 3-5 of my favorite pick’ems from various DFS sites like Betr, Sleeper Fantasy, PrizePicks, and Underdog Fantasy.

Don’t forget to leverage our simulations tool from our projections team to identify where the biggest edges are — and you can see more projection picks here.

Also, you can claim a $100 deposit match at Betr using Betr Picks promo code LABSMAX, and you can use Sleeper Fantasy promo code LABS1 for another $100 deposit match.

And check out our PrizePicks referral code or Underdog Fantasy promo code for more details.