Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 3rd at 1:00 PM ET
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Betting Odds: DAL, -4.5, 50.5 Total on Vegas Insider
Network: FOX
Carolina Panthers
QUARTERBACK
Sam Darnold (Sit*)
If you’re in a 12-man league, you probably don’t need to start Sam Darnold. Yet, he’s an excellent streaming option should you be in the need of one. He’s compiled over 20 expected fantasy points in two of his three games, offers some rushing upside, and is seeing increased production from a clean pocket. Thus, even if his play under pressure regresses negatively, he’s still likely to continue to be someone you can stream moving forward, especially against the Cowboys. Now, this is a slow-paced offense that has relied on elite defense for time of possession, which could prove to be problematic here. Then again, that’s why you’re not starting Darnold unless you have to.
RUNNING BACKS
Chuba Hubbard (Start, RB2), Royce Freeman (Sit)
It’s going to be difficult not being able to watch Christian McCaffrey on Sundays, but that’s a reality we’ll have to deal with for the time being; McCaffrey is sidelined with a hamstring injury. As a result, you’ll see Chuba Hubbard be a priority waiver wire pickup this week, and started as an “RB2” immediately. Yes, he’s obviously not McCaffrey, but he saw over three times the snaps that Royce Freeman saw in Week 3, hinting that he’ll be a three-down back while McCaffrey is injured. For context, he had 17 expected PFF fantasy points in not even a full game in Week 3, while McCaffrey’s backup last year, Mike Davis, finished as a top-12 back.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
DJ Moore (Start, WR1), Robby Anderson (Sit), Terrace Marshall Jr. (Sit), Tommy Tremble (Sit)
Can we talk about how fantastic DJ Moore has been? He’s been given eight or more targets in every game this season, totaling 285 receiving yards during that span. With a slightly lower average depth of target (10.5) than year’s past, he’s clearly the featured receiver in this offense; Darnold often keys in on him. That’s come at the expense of Robby Anderson, who, ironically paired back with Darnold, hasn’t been able to replicate his breakout season. With an average depth of target of 18.4 yards, he’s gone back to serving as a pure deep threat, which hurts his ability to produce consistently (just 10 targets in thee games). In fact, he even saw less time in 12 personnel sets than usual, with second-round rookie Terrace Marshall Jr. playing a bigger role. The team just gave Anderson a two-year extension, so I expect them to involve him at some point, but all we can count on for now is Moore being a true “WR1”.
Dallas Cowboys
QUARTERBACKS
Dak Prescott (Start)
After an opening game against the Bucs with elite passing volume, the fantasy world was very optimistic about Dak Prescott’s fantasy outlook this week. I will note that the Cowboys have been much more run-oriented in their past two games, and Prescott’s fantasy numbers have taken a hit since; playing the slow-paced Panthers isn’t ideal. That being said, he’s averaged nine yards/attempt over his past two games, is the quarterback of an ultra-talented offense, and had nine rush attempts against the Eagles last week. If you drafted him where you likely did, the chances are you aren’t benching him.
RUNNING BACKS
Ezekiel Elliot (Start, RB1), Tony Pollard (Sit)
One of the most common debates on fantasy football Twitter has been focused around the Cowboys’ backfield: who is the better running back. At the end of the day, though, all that matters is who is getting the touches. Ezekiel Elliot has gotten over 15 rush attempts and is seeing almost all of the team’s goal-line work, which is significant for a high-scoring offense. He’s been a top-10 performer in back-to-back weeks and should be expected to continue that streak this week. Tony Pollard, meanwhile, could continue to work his way into FLEX consideration if the Cowboys continue to run the ball at a high rate, though I’d consider him more of a boom-or-bust player. For perspective, he’s had under seven expected PFF fantasy points in two of his three games.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Amari Cooper (Start, WR1), CeeDee Lamb (Start, WR1), Cedrick Wilson Jr. (Sit), Dalton Schultz (Sit), Blake Jarwin (Sit)
Less passing volume certainly has hurt Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, who have gone from leading the NFL in PFF expected fantasy points in Week 1 to not finishing as top-20 receivers since. There’s not a clear pecking order when it comes to targets in this offense, though a lot went to the tight ends and running backs on Monday night. Thus, Cooper and Lamb remain candidates to get 10+ targets in any given week, still have elite fantasy potential, and are low-end “WR1s” in any week without Michael Gallup. Meanwhile, please avoid the Dalton Schultz/Blake Jarwin split, where neither player can pull away from the other. Just enjoy the two-star receivers on this very exciting offense, and go from there!
All Stats via Pro Football Focus