Week 3 NFL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets | NFL Picks Against the Spread | NFL Props | Survivor
Chris Meaney
Training camps provide our first look into NFL players and teams as we prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season. Information has been flooding our social media timelines, leaving us to determine the subsequent fantasy impact. It’s a matter of knowing which information matters, and which should be ignored.
So each day in this space, we’ll take a trip through the top news and takeaways around the league’s training camps to offer up what fantasy managers need to know as we head through draft season and into the 2024 NFL regular season.
Today, we go around the entire NFL, and give the biggest takeaway for each team after Week 1 of the 2024 preseason.
Arizona Cardinals: James Conner Stranglehold on RB1
Fantasy drafters always inflate the ADP of rookies, especially running backs. There has been considerable buzz about Florida State product Trey Benson possibly cutting into the touch workload for veteran James Conner. After Benson’s uninspiring eight rushes for 21 yards against the Saints, it’s clear that Conner’s hold on the dominant backfield touches has never been stronger. It was refreshing to see my July priors reinforced after the first preseason game.
Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr. Makes Debut
Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. started off strong against the Dolphins, completing 9-of-16 passes for 104 yards and no turnovers. He started the first five drives of the game, connecting with Chris Blair on this 41-yard pass play in the first quarter.
Baltimore Ravens: CB Nate Wiggins Passes First Test
Baltimore first-round CB Nate Wiggins played well in the preseason opener against the Eagles. He successfully defended three passes and was a highlight as Baltimore’s new preseason losing streak extended to three games. The Ravens had won a record 24 straight preseason games prior to their recent three-game losing streak.
Buffalo Bills: Post-Diggs Era Begins
Khalil Shakir (3 recs, 28 yards) and Curtis Samuel (2 recs, 23 yards) were the lone bright spots in a 33-6 thrashing by the Bears at Buffalo.
Carolina Panthers: Jonathan Mingo?
There has been a ton of buzz about how good Jonathan Mingo has looked in the preseason after a disappointing rookie season, but he did himself no favors against the Patriots. Carolina rested almost their entire list of starters, leaving Mingo with a chance to make a nice catch on a rainy New England night. This was his only target of the game:
Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams Ready to Roll
First overall pick Caleb Williams displayed a strong arm and an impressive ability to extend plays in the Bears’ 33-6 trouncing of Cincinnati. Williams was 4-of-7 for 95 yards and found DJ Moore twice and D’Andre Swift on this nifty 42-yard pitch:
Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Burton Arrives
Joe Burrow marched the Bengals right down the field with this touchdown to Tee Higgins, but the bigger news may have been a rookie wide receiver. Jermaine Burton has heard the criticisms and wanted to prove the Bengals did not make a mistake by drafting him in the third-round. Mission accomplished.
Cleveland Browns: Jameis Winston QB2
Not much from the starters in Cleveland’s 23-10 loss at Green Bay, but Jameis Winston could be the best backup quarterback in the NFL. Or at least, among the best at pregame speeches.
Dallas Cowboys: Trey Lance Impresses
Trey Lance may have solidified the backup quarterback role in Dallas, after a solid performance against the Rams. The 24-year-old former third-overall 2021 pick, passed for 188 yards and ran for 44 yards after seeing the majority of snaps in the Cowboys’ 13-12 loss at Los Angeles.
Denver Broncos: Bo Nix QB1
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix completed 15-of-21 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown in leading the Broncos on four scoring drives. It was a very impressive first start and could lead to an official Week 1 start at Seattle Sept. 8.
Detroit Lions: Hendon Hooker Injured in Debut
Hooker was the third-round pick by Detroit in last year’s draft, but he missed all of last season rehabbing an ACL injury that occurred late in 2022. The dual-threat Tennessee product flashed in the Lions first preseason game on Friday, with 34 rushing yards on just four attempts, before leaving the game with a concussion.
Green Bay Packers: Love to Wicks TD
He only attempted two passes, but Jordan Love continued his hot finish to 2023 with this beautiful 63-yard touchdown pass to Dontayvion Wicks:
Houston Texans: Stroud to Dell TD
Stroud found Tank Dell for this 34-yard touchdown against Pittsburgh. It is also worth noting that Dell only saw the field in 3-WR sets, with Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs dominating 2-WR sets.
Indianapolis Colts: Richardson Returns
The dynamic dual-threat quarterback tantalized fantasy drafters in his four-game sample from last season, which made his return a positive for Colts fans. While he struggled with accuracy, Richardson certainly has time to continue improving before the season begins.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Lawrence to Etienne TD
The reports of Jacksonville’s red zone struggles in practice should be tempered after Trevor Lawrence led the Jaguars on a opening-series touchdown drive against Kansas City:
Kansas City Chiefs: Marquise Brown Injury
We did not escape Week 1 of the preseason without major injuries, headlined by Marquise Brown. The 27-year-old wideout suffered a dislocation of his sternoclavicular shoulder and was released from the hospital Sunday morning. His status for Week 1 is very much in jeopardy.
Las Vegas Raiders: Minshew vs. O’Connell
Both quarterbacks played well for the Raiders, failing to provide any clarity in the Las Vegas quarterback competitions. Minshew led the Raiders on this touchdown drive, while O’Connell connected on 7-of-9 passes for 76 yards.
Los Angeles Chargers: Easton Stick Unimpressive
The need for Justin Herbert to get healthy was evident in the Chargers’ 16-3 loss to Seattle. Backup quarterback Easton Stick completed just 5-of-13 passes for 31 yards and an interception.
Los Angeles Rams: Stetson Bennett Throws 4 Interceptions
It was a rough day for quarterback Stetson Bennett, who saw all the Rams snaps at quarterback but threw four interceptions. Bennett stepped away from football last year, but is needed for the Rams while Jimmy Garoppolo is suspended during the first two games of the season. Bennett did connect on the game-winning touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter.
Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Wright Touchdown
The rich get richer, as speedy rookie running back Jaylen Wright found the end zone in the second quarter for Miami:
Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy Shines
The rookie quarterback shook off an early interception to throw two touchdown passes in the Vikings 24-23 victory over the Raiders. It was a strong start for McCarthy, who is battling Sam Darnold for the starting quarterback job.
New England Patriots: Joe Milton Excites Fan Base
Not much from the starters in the Patriots’ rain-soaked 17-3 win over the Panthers, but sixth-round pick Joe Milton did connect on this last fourth-quarter touchdown pass.
New Orleans Saints: Rattler Leads Comeback
New Orleans rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler led the winning drive in the final minute, leading the Saints to a 16-14 preseason victory over Arizona.
New York Giants: Gray 2 TDs
Second-year running back Eric Gray posted two touchdowns in the Giants 14-3 victory over Detroit. Gray is battling rookie Tyrone Tracy for the RB2 role behind Devin Singletary.
New York Jets: Braelon Allen Impresses
Could Braelon Allen be fantasy relevant in his rookie season, even with Breece Hall as the clear RB1? He certainly impressed in his debut against the Commanders.
Philadelphia Eagles: Kenny Pickett Leads for QB2 Role
Kenny Pickett went 14-of-22 with a touchdown pass to rookie running back Will Shipley. Pickett is battling Tanner McKee for the QB2 role behind Jalen Hurts.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Fields Roller Coaster
We saw the full Justin Fields Experience Friday night with great throws and critical mistakes in Pittsburgh’s 20-12 loss to the Texans.
San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Mason RB2?
Jordan Mason impressed for San Francisco with 34 yards on six carries and a touchdown in the 49ers 17-13 loss to Tennessee. Mason is battling Elijah Mitchell for the RB2 role in San Francisco.
Seattle Seahawks: Sam Howell Leads 2 Scoring Drives
Backup Seattle quarterback Sam Howell led the Seahawks on two scoring drives in their 16-3 victory over the Chargers. He threw for 130 yards and this touchdown to tight end Brady Russell.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucky Irving Scores
Rookie running back Bucky Irving had a nice debut for Tampa Bay, posting 28 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
Tennessee Titans: Tony Pollard Fully Healthy
It looks like Tony Pollard’s explosiveness has returned with Tennessee. Pollard fractured his left leg and suffered an ankle sprain in January of 2022, which seemed to linger for most of last season.
Washington Commanders: Ben Sinnott Impresses
Veteran Zach Ertz is the lead tight end in Washington, but he may not be able to hold off rookie Ben Sinnott for long. Sinnott led the Commanders with three receptions and 54 yards in the 20-17 loss to the Jets.
