Offenses struggle out of the gate in the first two weeks as defenses have implemented new styles of covering two high shells to limit big plays. This new implementation has hampered DFS totals but has made us look in different directions to create leverage against our opponents and break the slate. Today, we will help you recognize the correct stacks to identify and where to build your team so you can leave the week with extra cash from winning a tournament.

Let’s start our stack attack article with our favorite games to target.

NFL DFS Stacking Advice & Picks (Week 3)

Brock Purdy (QB – SF) + Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF) + Jacob Cowing (WR – SF) + Kyren Williams (RB – LAR)

At first glance, you look at this game, and you say there are too many injuries for this game to hit its implied total of 43, let alone help us break a slate. That is where most people would be wrong and where we could create leverage on the field. The Rams’ defense has struggled in this 2024 campaign. They have allowed quarterbacks the ninth-highest amount of passing yards this season. They are tied for the third most passing touchdowns allowed this season.

The Lions and Cardinals offenses carved up this defense the first two weeks, and we expect Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan to do the same this week, especially with Jordan Mason emerging to force defenders to stay in the box to stop the run.

The 49ers will have a condensed target share this weekend as the team struggles with injuries. We know Deebo Samuel will miss the game, but George Kittle has also popped up on the radar with an injury during practice that has the world questioning whether he will play this week. If they both miss time in Week 3, it’s time for Brandon Aiyuk to step his game up. He has had a rough start to the season as he works his way into playing shape after his holdout.

However, the Rams’ defense is the medicine you need to help kickstart your 2024 season. The Rams are tied for the third most touchdowns allowed to wide receivers this season while allowing the seventh most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to the position. We watched Jameson Williams destroy this defense in Week 1 and then saw a repeat performance in Week 2 from Marvin Harrison Jr.

With Christian McCaffrey, Samuel, and possibly Kittle out, Aiyuk should steal the show. These injuries will help keep Purdy and Aiyuk’s rostership percentage low, leaving you with sneaky plays to jump up the board this weekend.

If we speak of sneaky plays due to injuries, we must talk about Jacob Cowing. Cowing was the 136th pick by the 49ers and has a chance to shine now, as the pass-catching core is missing Samuel, Kittle, and Pearsall. This string of injuries leaves only Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings. Jennings has never created anything special in the games he has filled in, but Cowing can help break a slate in one play. Cowing is a genuinely gifted route runner with rapid acceleration for a player his size. His impressive footwork creates separation from the beginning of the play and allows him to get off the line and become an instant target for his quarterback. We expect Shanahan to take advantage of this, and when combined with motion, it will create havoc for the Rams’ defense in Week 3.

Finally, let’s quickly discuss the bring-back option of Kyren Williams. You do not need to use him; however, we suggest you do. He has been inefficient this season, but now no one is left on the field from the starting lineup but him. With injuries to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, the Rams will need him to carry the workload and step up his production even against a 49ers rush defense that allows the 12th fewest FPPG this season. With that stat in mind, Williams can provide a good leverage play with a volume workload, which is beautiful from the running back position.

Saquon Barkley (RB – PHI) + Rashid Shaheed (WR – NO) + Chris Olave (WR – NO)

Volume is king from the running back position. No one has understood that like the Philadelphia Eagles, as Saquon Barkley has been carrying the Eagles’ offense on his back (or maybe quads) this season. Barkley has seen 20+ rushing attempts in both games this year and seven total targets. The Eagles offense, especially with A.J. Brown missing time, runs through this rushing attack surrounding Barkley.

It won’t be an easy matchup, as the Saints have only allowed 7.6 FPPG to the position. However, both games they played were blowouts, forcing the opponent to leave the running game behind to play catchup with the passing game. Do not avoid Barkley due to this stat; follow the volume.

If Barkley has a challenging matchup, the Saints have a juicy matchup with this Philadelphia secondary. The Eagles have allowed the fourth most receiving yards on the season so far while only being second to the Washington Commanders for touchdowns surrendered to the wide receiver position. Shaheed and Olave bring speed to the game, an aspect the Eagles’ cornerbacks have struggled with. Speed kills most of the time, but against the Eagles, you can book that they will struggle with the speed and the new high rate of motion used in the Saints’ offense.

The Eagles defense has used Cover-3 at the third highest rate in 2024 (51%). Olave has had a Top-5 target rate when facing this coverage since 2023. Shaheed also sees a 12.7% 1D/RR against Cover 3. The Saints should continue their offensive renaissance against my hometown Eagles.

Davante Adams (WR – LV) + Brock Bowers (TE – LV)

We begin with Brock Bowers, the rookie who came onto the scene and exploded for the Raiders offense. Bowers has seen eight or more targets in both matchups, and this week draws a lousy Panthers defense to face. We should expect more of the same from the rookie tight end. With the state of the tight end to start the year, now is not the time to get cute; now is the time to take the safe route with Bowers.

As for Adams, he is heading into a matchup against a team that loves to run a coverage that he rips apart weekly. The Panthers use single high safety coverage 73% of the time. Adams, against that coverage, is seeing a 48% target share with a 65% air yard share. If Andy Dalton can elevate the Panthers to league-average offense, this Raiders stack can help elevate your fantasy totals in Week 3.

Remember to read all the fantastic work here at FantasyPros, and if you need more help with your fantasy team, don’t hesitate to contact me on X at @jpep20. Good luck in Week 3!

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