Dan's DFS picks for NFL Week 3

Well, that was brutal.

If you didn't catch my Week 2 DFS GPP picks column, consider yourself fortunate. I had a bad week.

It just goes to show you can't trust the Philadelphia Eagles, my favorite team (I'm having trouble remembering why I root for them, though). I went with a Sam Bradford–Jordan Matthews–Zach Ertz triple stack, hoping that the Eagles' vaunted offensive attack would run circles around the Dallas Cowboys' defense. And it's not like I was alone – Vegas had the Eagles' team total at 30.5, the highest of all NFL teams.

Of course, the Eagles lost 20-10 on Sunday, as Bradford threw for just 224 yards and two interceptions. He did have a touchdown pass to Matthews, who finished with a respectable six catches for 80 yards, but it wasn't enough. Ertz, meanwhile, had just 17 yards receiving.

If there's one silver lining to my picks last week, it's that Odell Beckham, Jr. went off against the Falcons for seven catches, 146 yards and a touchdown. But that's about the best I did in Week 2.

We're at it again in Week 3. Ladies and gentlemen, it can't get any worse.

For a full explanation of the differences between DraftKings and FanDuel scoring, read this blog post by Daily Fantasy Sports 101.

Quarterback: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (DK: $6,800; FD: $7,900)

Newton hasn't been amazing in his first two starts of the season, throwing for less than 200 yards in each game, but he's been good enough to lead the Panthers to two victories. And last week, against a terrific Texans defense, Newton threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed for 76 yards and a TD. That's a fantastic day for a fantasy quarterback.

This week the Panthers take on the abysmal New Orleans Saints in North Carolina, where Newton should be able to run all over the Saints' pathetic defense. He could easily have 200 yards passing, 100 yards rushing and three TDs in this game, and it's unlikely he'll have a bad game, fantasy-wise – he's really the only offensive weapon on his entire team. For his listed prices on both sites, that's an incredible value.

Running Back (DK): Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs ($7,400)

Charles had both an excellent game and quite possibly the most disappointing game of his career in Week 2's Thursday night showdown against the Broncos. He rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown but lost two key fumbles, including one on a possession late in the game, which allowed Denver to score the winning touchdown.

Charles and the Chiefs will be back at it in Week 3 with a vengeance, and they face the Packers in Green Bay. The Packers are a powerhouse team, but are susceptible to giving up big plays in both the running and screen games – and that's where Charles earns his paycheck. Look for Charles to be the focal point in a Chiefs' offensive game plan designed to grind out game clock in order to keep Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers off the field.

Running Back (FD): Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings ($8,900)

If anyone was doubting whether or not Peterson would be able to return to full prowess after missing nearly the entire 2014 season, they're not doubting him anymore. AP ran for 134 yards and had 58 yards receiving in a big victory over the division rival Detroit Lions in Week 2.

This week, Minnesota takes on San Diego in Minneapolis. The Chargers have given up 122 rushing yards per game to some fairly mediocre running backs, so one can only imagine how they'll fare against Peterson. Expect Peterson to take most of the workload in this game and eclipse 100 yards yet again.

Wide Receiver (DK): Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars ($5,200)

The Jaguars have been impressive so far in their 1-1 start, including a big victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. This week, however, they are 13.5-point dogs against the Patriots in New England.

That's not necessarily a bad thing for Allen Robinson's fantasy status, though. Robinson, who caught six balls for 155 yards and two touchdowns last week, will undoubtedly have plenty of opportunities to make catches in Week 3 as the Jags try to come from behind a major deficit against the Pats. They'll be garbage time fantasy points, sure. But they'll be there.

Wide Receiver (FD): Brandon Marshall, New York Jets ($7,400)

A big, tall, athletic wide receiver against the Eagles' pathetic secondary? Where do I sign up?

Marshall has already caught 13 balls for 163 yards so far this season, including his 101-yard performance against the Colts on Monday night. At home this week against the Eagles, I expect Marshall to be targeted every time the Jets reach the red zone. Put a touchdown in the bank for him, in fact. I'm calling it now.

Tight End: Gavin Escobar, Dallas Cowboys (DK: $2,600; FD: $4,500)

In case you've missed it, the Cowboys, despite being 2-0 to start the season, are completely depleted. Star wide receiver Dez Bryant left the team's Week 1 game with a foot injury and may miss the entire season. Quarterback Tony Romo broke his collarbone in Week 2 and will be out for 6-8 weeks. And tight end Jason Witten was banged up at the end of the game against the Eagles.

That means Escobar, an athletic, pass-catching tight end, is somehow now the best option in the Cowboys' passing attack. He'll be catching balls from backup quarterback Brandon Weeden, who isn't exactly known for his accuracy, but Escobar should have plenty of opportunities to make plays against a below-average Atlanta Falcons defense in Week 3. At his listed prices, he's a steal.

Defense: Houston Texans (DK: $3,200; FD: $5,000)

I picked the Texans last week and they didn't work out for me, as Houston gave up 24 points to a depleted Carolina offense. This week, though, the Texans return home where they host rookie quarterback Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Despite their early season struggles, Houston still boasts the best pass rushing attack in the NFL, headlined by J.J. Watt. I predict Watt will take it upon himself to give the rookie a warm welcome to Houston this week, and will make Winston's life miserable every time he drops back to pass. That should bode well for the Texans' defense as a whole.