Lions fantasy football matchup of Week 3

On a weekly basis, I'm going to focus on one matchup in the upcoming Detroit Lions game and elaborate on why I think that particular player (or the team's defense) would be your best pick at that respective position in fantasy football. I'll also throw in some wrinkles (i.e. some players to avoid, opposing players to look out for, rankings, etc.).

Lastly, in spirit of our sponsor FanDuel, I am going to post my weekly FanDuel team and, like Floyd Mayweather, I will only brag about the times I win money. You should do the same in the comments, where we can talk fantasy football free from ridicule. I will also try to highlight the POD FFL matchup of the week.

Last week, I thought Golden Tate was the matchup of the week. It looked like I was going to be right, too, but then the Lions stopped going to him. Tate finished with five catches for 57 yards, which isn't terrible in PPR leagues, but four of those catches came on the Lions' first two possessions, on which he had six of his eight total targets. It felt like he was going to have a monster game... and then he disappeared.

Matchup of the week: RB Reggie Bush vs. Packers

With normal caveats applying to Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, the Packers present the Lions' running game with a huge opportunity to have its biggest game of the season to date. Many fantasy pundits, including ESPN's Matthew Berry, believe it'll be three-time fumbler Joique Bell who will exploit the Packers' weakness, but I believe it will be Bush.

I wouldn't be discouraged by Bush's lack of touches outdoors against the tough Carolina Panthers defense in Week 2 or his lack of production, period. Bell might have more touches thus far (32-23), but that will change this week in a divisional showdown. Bush sees more targets indoors than he does outdoors, and don't forget what he did to the Packers on Thanksgiving last year when he carried the ball 20 times for 117 yards and a touchdown to go along with five catches for 65 yards.

The Packers are currently 31st against the run in terms of yards (176.5 yards per game) and have allowed four rushing touchdowns. According to The Football Scientist KC Joyner, this is one of six "green" matchups for Bush this season, with all of his others being yellow or red. (For what it's worth, Carolina was a yellow last week.)

Play Reggie Bush.

Sleeper: TE Eric Ebron

My last two sleepers slept and Eric Ebron was one of them (Week 1 when he produced nil). But Ebron showed signs of life in Week 2, catching three of five targets for 38 yards in what was supposed to be an even worse matchup than the New York Giants game. I'm going more off gut here since the Packers pass defense isn't as bad as its run defense, which I know isn't saying much, but it may lead to Stafford checking down enough to make the Lions' tight ends decent desperate options this week. I also think the Lions want to get their No. 10 pick involved to show home fans that he's not just another Brandon Pettigrew type. My hunch is that Ebron scores his first touchdown in the NFL this week.

POD FFL Game of Week 2:

Tate's Golden Shower (JCruize, 2-0) 96.58, U Aint got the Ansah (Jerry Mallory, 0-2) 93.86

Even with leaving Antonio Gates' three touchdowns and Ahmad Bradshaw's two on the bench, Tate's Golden Shower was able to edge out U Aint got the Ansah. There were a lot of disappointing performances on U Aint got the Ansah's roster, but when in doubt, blame the kicker (Blair Walsh, 0 points).

POD FFL Matchup of Week 3:

Fifty Shades of Slay (1-1) vs. By Levyathan's Beard (1-1)

Both teams are 1-1, and only five points separate them in total points. Slay has a lot invested in Denver vs. Seattle (Julius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders) and Philadelphia vs. Washington (Nick Foles, Darren Sproles and Pierre Garcon). This matchup will likely come down to Monday Night Football, as Levyathan's Beard has Matt Forte going up against the New York Jets.

Oh, and your fearless leader, Sean Yuille, had Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Matt Bryant on Thursday night, combining for 64.74 points, which is only a point off from his team total last week. U Aint got the Ansah, I hope you have the answer.

FanDuel:

I won again last week, bringing my two-week total to $66.80! BIG MONEY!!!

Week 3:

QB Tom Brady vs. Raiders $8,100
RB DeMarco Murray vs. Rams $8,700
RB Reggie Bush vs. Packers $7,300
WR Andre Johnson vs. Giants $7,100
WR Mike Wallace vs. Chiefs $6,500
WR Brandin Cooks vs. Vikings $6,300
TE Martellus Bennett vs. Jets $6,000
K Steven Hauschka vs. Broncos $5,200
D Saints vs. Vikings $4,600

Remaining cap: $200

Editor's Note: SB Nation's partner FanDuel is hosting a $350,000 Fantasy Football Contest for Week 3's NFL games. It's only $10 to join and first place wins $30,000. Starts Sunday, September 21st at 1pm ET. Here's the link.