Chargers Value
The Chargers are the first team to target on this slate. I’m not trying to pick on the Falcons (ok, yes I am), but Los Angeles has a significant advantage in the trenches. Atlanta won’t be able to generate much pressure on a red-hot Justin Herbert, and the Chargers should be able to run the ball effectively near the goal line, giving their value RB an easy path to a touchdown.
Justin Herbert ($5600), Gus Edwards ($4300), and even Quentin Johnston ($5000) are all excellent value picks. The question is, do you go with one, two, or even all three? Start your lineups with these guys and build from there if you are a ‘safe’ player.
The Boys Are BACK in Town (for Now)
Remember when the Cincinnati Bengals were left for dead? A major disappointment, right? Well, folks, I’m here to tell you that the Bengals’ season isn’t over just yet. Take a look at their schedule—forget their rough start. They still have two critical matchups with the Steelers, along with a softer stretch of games in between that they could feast on. The Bengals’ revival starts now, and if they’re going to make it happen, it’s going to be on the shoulders of Joe Burrow, throwing for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns every week to Ja’Marr Chase. Tee Higgins is the chalk play, but it’s Chase who’s should be clicked first.
Games That Are Solid, But Not GPP Winning
Eagles/Ravens
This game features two top-tier teams, with Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and the Eagles traveling to Baltimore to take on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. It’s the highest total game of the week, and both teams are coming off impressive prime-time wins. While the matchup looks enticing on paper, it’s going to be cold and potentially tough conditions in Baltimore, with the game possibly evolving into a defensive slugfest. Think 13-7 or 13-9 midway through the third quarter. Fantasy points could be hard to come by, with plenty of yards but not many touchdowns.
As for the Eagles’ backfield, I didn’t mention their RB for a reason. This is a game made for A.J. Brown to dominate, likely finishing with 7 catches, 110 yards, and—unfortunately—no touchdowns.
Cardinals/Vikings
The Denny Green Bowl—Cardinals vs. Vikings. While the famous quote doesn’t apply here, it’s worth noting that the Cardinals might be better than most of us have given them credit for. At 3-point underdogs, they’re a team that’s capable of surprising, even if they’ve been a bit inconsistent. Conventional thinking suggests this could be a high-scoring shootout, but with the way both teams are playing, I expect a more “average” game. There will be some explosive plays, but don’t count on this one being a fantasy goldmine.
My weekly tradition of saying “QB doesnt matter” is front and center this week. The core QB’s I have here listed are all viable in game stack scenarios which is the main focus for your QB-WR correlation builds. Naked Anthony Richardson? Blah, he won’t get enough possessions to do positive things. Lamar and Hurts? Logic is fine, but again, this game has empty yards and Hurts will do more through the air.
- Justin Herbert (DK: $5600, FD: $7900)
- Matthew Stafford (DK: $5800, FD: $7400)
- Joe Burrow (DK: $7000, FD: $8000)
CORE BACKS
- Bucky Irving (DK: $5300, FD: $6500) … Dude. Be lost Mr. Rachaad White truther. This is Bucky Irving’s backfield. Tampa should and probably will try to be the next team who employs a 2-RB set down the stretch as their main offense. Fine, gimme a guy who’s gonna get 15 DK FPTS for 5300 every damn day of the week.
- Alvin Kamara (DK: $7700, FD: $8300) … Tis the season for Alvin Kamara to go off. The ownership projections have him high once again but I sense there will be a shift on those who are going to shy away given that he has been average his last two games, we didn’t see the Saints last week, and the last time we did, it was Taysom week. Kamara has always done well vs the Rams & I believe the Saints will get him 6+ receptions today, which alone is a great anchor.
SECOND TIER
- Kenneth Walker (DK: $7000, FD: $8000) … Breece Hall (DK: $7500, FD: $8700) … I do not buy into using 2 RB in a single game that often and not at these prices, but one of these bozo’s is gonna have 80 and a score. Slight lean on Walker.
- Gus Edwards (DK: $4300)
GAME STACK ONLY
- Chase Brown and Kyren Williams both on teams who should put up 20+ points today, so they can get you good results, but I would lean on them more in game stacks as I am banking on their passing games doing damage first and foremost.
CORE
- JaMarr Chase (DK: $8600, FD: $9300) … Stars do not need stats or trends to justify their usage. But he did have 58 DK FPTS the last time they were in a tight divisional game which was a must win and Tee Higgins was popular.
- Quentin Johnston (DK: $5000, FD: $6200) … Go right back to Mr. Butterfingers. Such a huge gap between him and McConkey in ownership this week, while you are dealing with a secondary that allows everyone to catch everything. He’ll bounce back after a rough showing in prime time last week.
- Jordan Addison (DK: $5300, FD: $6300) … In my mind there is DEFINITELY a correlation between Hockenson returning and Addison now breaking out.
SECOND TIER
- Cooper Kupp (DK: $7400, FD: $9000) … No beef with him or Puka. Except the two of them kinda cancel each other out in terms of that ‘insane’ stat line potential. One major advantage here though is the game down in the dome as opposed to the cold weather games.
- AJ Brown (DK: $8300, FD: $8800) … If anyone matches my feeling on Chase it would be Brown.
- Michael Wilson (DK: $4200, FD: $5400)
VALUE
- Kayshon Boutte (DK: $3400)
- Tyler Boyd (DK: $3800)
- Taysom Hill (DK: $5000, FD: $7000) … Duh
- Hunter Henry (DK: $4200, FD: $5100)
- Pat Friermuth (DK: $3500, FD: $5100)
- Doesn’t matter … This is a horrible D/ST slate to really try and figure out, so I do not hate going down the bottom with a team like New England at $2500
- Houston Texans (DK: $3500, FD: $5000)
DFS CORE
QB – Justin Herbert
RB – Bucky Irving
WR – JaMarr Chase
DFS FADES – “BAD PLAYS”
- QB: None, QB doesn’t matter
- RB: Chuba Hubbard
- WR: Calvin Ridley
BEST GAME STACKS
- Rams / Saints: This is the only scenario to play Kyren Williams
- Chargers / Falcons: This is the only scenario to play Kyle…. No, no, actually, do not ever play Kyle Pitts. Thanks.
- Bengals / Steelers: This is the only scenario to play Chase Brown
BETTING CARD
Bengals -3
Rams/Saints OVER 49.5
Patriots +2.5
ANYTIME TOUCHDOWNS
- Alvin Kamara
- JaMarr Chase
- Quentin Johnston
- Kenneth Walker