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Week 3 Fantasy Football Bold Predictions

Week 3 Fantasy Football Bold Predictions

I’ve got to admit, when I began writing this article two weeks ago, I didn’t expect anywhere near the success I’ve found so far. These are bold predictions, after all, which I consider being any take that the general public would give no better than 10:1 odds of happening. In Week 1, we came close on 6 of 8. Here were some of the calls and their respective results from Week 2:

Le’Veon Bell, Ezekiel Elliott, Melvin Gordon and LeSean McCoy all finish outside the top 5 RBs this week

–Result: Bell #22, Elliott #51, Gordon #11, McCoy #39

Ty Montgomery is a top 3 RB this week

–Result: RB #3 with 110 total yards and 2 TD

Trevor Siemian is a top 5 QB this week

–Result: QB #3 with 231 yards and 4 TD

Rob Gronkowski outscores all WRs this week

–Result: #5 among WR/TE despite playing just 61% of snaps (injury)

Of course, there were a few flops as well. Hopefully we can raise the bar even further this week. Here is what I have for you.

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#8 Samaje Perine is a top 10 RB this week

After Perine got 0 offensive snaps in Week 1, Rob Kelley started off Week 2 with a bang but exited with a core injury. Perine took over and finished the game with 21 carries. He wasn’t particularly efficient, but the volume is notable, and especially intriguing with his athletic profile giving him serious potential. In this offense, he has multi-touchdown upside every week, so long as he is the head dog, and it looks like it may be the case this week with Kelley listed as questionable to play.
Final Prediction: 16 rushes, 89 yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 10 yards

#7 Terrelle Pryor is a top 5 WR

After seeing a load of targets in the first week, Pryor was neutralized by Trumaine Johnson in Week 2. This week, he goes up against an abysmal pass defense in a home game against Oakland. With Jordan Reed banged up, we could be looking at the NFL’s leader in targets for Week 3 in Pryor. He has big-play upside as we saw last year in that dreadful Browns offense. Now that he is playing with a much better quarterback, the sky is the limit in matchups like these.
Final Prediction: 8 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD

#6 Wendell Smallwood is a top 5 Waiver Wire add next week

Smallwood has just 7 carries on the season for 8 rushing yards, but it is what we saw in the preseason that is noteworthy. He was praised by the entire staff as the Eagles’ top backfield weapon, but he was playing through an injury and getting back into the flow of things during the first two weeks. It isn’t that he will have a huge game against the Giants, but after doubling LeGarrette Blount‘s snaps in Week 2, he could emerge even further this week that it becomes clear we have a starting running back sitting on the waiver wire of our leagues.
Final Prediction: 12 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 24 yards

#5 Andy Dalton is a top 5 QB

The Bengals signal caller has 363 yards and 0 touchdowns in 2 games–but wait, those games weren’t from this year–they were in his two most difficult matchups from last season. So when you see the 394 yards and 0 touchdowns he put up to start this season against Baltimore and Houston, it shouldn’t put you in a panic. This is a quality quarterback, and has been throughout his career, going up against one of the worst secondaries in football. Even with the offensive line struggles, he is due for a big performance.
Final Prediction: 345 yards, 2 TD, 16 rush yards

#4 Devin Funchess is a top 15 WR

When Greg Olsen was knocked out of the game with a broken foot, we started to see the breakout we’ve been crossing our fingers on. Funchess saw 6 targets and went for 68 yards on them. He was more efficient than #1 receiver, Kelvin Benjamin last year, and now that he should see a much increased target share, big numbers could follow. It starts this week against a lousy Saints secondary, so plug him into your flex position and watch the big dog snag a touchdown or two.
Final Prediction: 5 receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD

#3 Keenan Allen is a top 3 WR

As Mike Tagliere pointed out in his incredible weekly primer, Allen has the easiest matchup on the field against backup slot cornerback, Phillip Gaines. The Chiefs have two strong corners, but neither of them comes inside, so Allen should feast. The Chargers’ offensive line needs some work too, so the Chiefs should get plenty of pressure on Phillip Rivers, forcing countless dump-offs to his always open man.
Final Prediction: 12 receptions, 143 yards, 1 TD

#2 Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a top 5 TE

When the 6’6″, 258 pound athletic freak was drafted out of the University of Washington, everyone was waiting for this moment: Where he was healthy, clean, and in an offensive situation primed to make use of his unique skill-set. It finally happens this week as ASJ has his demons behind him and enters an offense with targets to give to the only athletic threat on their depth chart. What’s more is that the matchup couldn’t possibly be better for a tight end.
Final Prediction: 5 receptions, 47 yards, 1 TE

#1 Derrick Henry runs for 100 yards vs Seattle

DeMarco Murray is banged up, but even if he wasn’t he has looked entirely outmatched by Henry over the Titans last 10 games. Henry tore apart a terrific Jaguars’ defense last week for 92 yards and a TD on 14 carries even though the game script had it that they knew the run was coming. He looked like a bonafide superstar, and if Murray is out or limited this week, he could do the exact same to another one of the best defenses in football.
Final Prediction: 18 carries, 109 yards, 0 TD, 1 reception, 2 yards

**Bonus Super Duper Bold Prediction**
Jamaal Williams leads the Packers in rushing yards with no Montgomery injury. In a potential blowout, they would ease Montgomery from workhorse duties and pound the ball with the rookie. Plus, Montgomery only has 89 yards thus far despite what you might imagine with the superb overall fantasy production.

Thanks for reading and happy football season!

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