Week 3 of the preseason is here; it is again time to saddle up to DFS and attack the defenses. Week 3 preseason games are the last games before teams have to cut their rosters down to 53. The preseason is a time for teams to fix their perceived mistakes and make their NFL rosters as solid as possible. It is also a time to get acquainted with NFL DFS before the season starts. That is why knowing what defenses you can attack every week is important.
The difference between preseason and in-season betting for DFS is player projection, correlation, and ownership are hard to predict when you don’t know who is playing or for how long. But we will give it a try. These NFL games are the last precursor to the real thing. But for your NFL DFS sanity, remember, the most important thing is money management.
4 NFL Defenses to Attack Week 3 Preseason
Stats from footballdatabase.com
Miami Dolphins v Jacksonville Jaguars, Jaguars -7, 40.5 o/u
Head coach Doug Pederson has stated that he wants the starters to play two quarters in this game. “Our starters need some time together on the field. If they can play two quarters, I’d love to get a two-minute drive if we could.”
There is only one reason to attack the Dolphins’ defense this game: the Jaguars are expected to play their starters for a half of the game, and the Jaguars are seven-point favorites at home. However, in the very small sample size we have, the Dolphins are giving up the second-fewest passing yards per game (139.5), the second-fewest rushing yards per game (67), and the second-fewest points per game (11).
Arizona Cardinals v Minnesota Vikings, Vikings -1.5, 37.5 o/u
If you missed it, the Cardinals traded safety Isaiah Simmons to the New York Giants.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1694721437356167482?s=20
It was mentioned earlier that the Cardinals will be a defense to attack throughout the season. And the Cardinals are doing their best to make that proclamation come true. Yes, it is only two games into the preseason, and the Cardinals are 1-1 (thank you, Denver Broncos for that one). But the Cardinals also allow the most passing yards (593) and the second most points per game (27.5).
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens has thrown for 151 and 139 yards, respectively. This is a home game for the Vikings and a chance for Mullens to solidify that backup quarterback position.
Attack the Cardinals passing game with Mullens.
Los Angeles Chargers v San Francisco 49ers, 49ers -7.5, 37.7 o/u
The 49ers defense is giving up the third-most points per game and the fifth-most rushing yards per game. This might be a good thing for the Chargers. Until now, the Chargers have only played one quarterback, Easton Stick all preseason. In his two games, Stick has two interceptions, five sacks, and one passing touchdown. What he does have, however, is nine rushing attempts, 75 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns in those two games.
That is completely valid if you feel a little queasy about putting Stick out there. Try some Elijah Dotson. Running back Dotson has six rushing attempts in their two games. In the first game NFL game of the preseason, he had 21 yards. Last week against the Los Angeles Rams (who are giving up the second most rushing yards per game), Dotson rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown. That is worth tackling the 49ers defense through the run game.
Las Vegas Raiders v Dallas Cowboys, Raiders -4.5, 38.5 o/u
There appears to be a clear winner for preseason glory: Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell. In his two preseason games, O’Connell is 6-of-36 (not great, I know, but hang on) for 304 passing yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1694439365244600719?s=20
This week, the Raiders will play the Cowboys, who yield the fifth-most passing yards a game (243). In preseason game two, Seattle’s quarterback Drew Lock torched them for 119 yards, and Holton Ahlers threw 61 yards, while Geno Smith added 46 yards on a 5-for-6 passing day.
The question is, who are you going to stack with O’Connell? Last week, wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson’s 12 targets were the most, but he was highly inefficient, only catching five passes for 55 yards. He did, however, have a touchdown.
Attack the Cowboys’ defense with O’Connell and complete the stack with Wilkerson or Keelan Cole.
Football season is upon us. See me here and on Twitter @gladysLtyler. And for your NFL content all season, it is all happening at Razzball.com.