Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns 1:00 p.m. EST
The Ravens have been lighting up the sore board, and as a result, their star players have been crushing fantasy football. Unfortunately, that means we must spend up if we want to play QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry, as they are among the highest-priced players at their positions. They play a bad Brown’s football team but not a bad Brown’s defense. Offensive players are not breaking slates against them. It’s difficult for me to envision Jackson or Henry paying off at their price points, but they still should be in consideration as I think their ownership could be lower than normal, as many DFS players may have the same line of thinking. TE Mark Andrews is underpriced, as his DFS salary came out before his Monday Night 20-point game. He does have a tough matchup, but Jackson is once again looking for him in the endzone, as he has 3 touchdowns over his last two games. WR Zay Flowers is dealing with an ankle issue that he played through on Monday night. His price is creeping up, and we can find much better value on the slate. WR Rashod Bateman is coming off a 25-point game and is priced at $4,300. I expect his ownership to jump as people will be chasing the points. He is worth a look, as he has double-digits in 3 straight games. Just don’t expect that 20-point performance this week.
The Browns have a ton of value on the slate, but can they take advantage? QB Jameis Winston takes over as Deshaun Watson’s season is over. He should automatically increase receiver production across the board, making receivers Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Elijah Moore, and TE David Njoku very enticing to get into your lineups. Especially Tillman, who had 12 targets last week. But his ownership could take off because of that, leaving the leverage with Jeudy. I do raise a bit of caution as the Browns could be in third and long much of the day. The Ravens boast the best defense vs. the run, and it is going to be tough for RB Nick Chubb to get anything going. Even though the Ravens have given up the most passing yards, the Browns offensive line is horrendous, and I could see a 6 plus sack performance. Also, the Browns receivers don’t scare anyone, and this could be a “get right” game for the Raven secondary.
Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions 1:00 p.m. EST
The Titan offense is anemic right now, and it gets worse. Their strength is to run the football, but they are facing a Lions defense that excels at stopping it. RB Tony Pollard does not project well in this game, and there is a chance that RB Tajae Spears returns, cutting into his volume. Not all is lost, I know QB Mason Rudolph was underwhelming against Buffalo, but Detroit’s pass defense isn’t close to what Buffalo’s is. I think Rudolph can throw for 200-plus yards, and if he can get 2 touchdown passes in a game, they should be throwing a ton; he can score 16-plus fantasy points. Pairing him with WR Calvin Ridley would make the most sense.
The Lions have been controlling the line of scrimmage and, as a result, have been cutting through defenses like a knife through hot butter. If you look at the stats, the Titan defense ranks #1 in yards given up, but that is deceiving based on their schedule. They have played offensively inept teams at the right times. Teams like the Packers and Bills, who have solid offenses, have had no trouble moving the football. I expect the Lions to do the same, but maybe not as good as they have in recent weeks. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is always a solid play, but he is the second highest-priced receiver on the slate. 20 fantasy points at his price point will not be enough, but WR Jameson Williams is suspended, and there is a chance that St. Brown will get 10-plus targets. WR Khalif Raymond has back-to-back double-digit games and should be considered at his cheap price tag. TE Sam LaPorta underwhelmed and could also see more volume, but the Titans are good vs. the TE. Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are good backs, but I don’t think either one will break the slate here.
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans 1:00 p.m. EST
The Colts get a much-needed boost on offense with RB Jonathan Taylor back at full strength. It is a tough matchup vs. a strong Texan run defense, but he should open up the passing game. He does have a pathway to 20 fantasy points because he could catch 5 passes and score a touchdown. QB Anthony Richardson is also sneaky because of his running ability and his extremely projected low ownership. He has his full complement of receivers, mainly Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. A Colt’s stack will be extremely low-owned and worth a lineup or two for the DFS player who plays multiple lineups, as I think there is a chance for a shootout.
The Texans offense is led by RB Joe Mixon, and he has the second-highest running back scoring projections, according to the DFS Hero Optimizer. He is a player who I will be targeting in many of my lineups. The passing game has struggled without WR Nico Collins, but this could be a get-right game for QB C.J. Stroud vs. the Colts defense. Look for WR Stefon Diggs to stand out, as I think he will score a touchdown and break 20 points. WR Tank Dell is a little too expensive, and he hasn’t been able to get it going. TE Dalton Schultz has a great matchup and would be a good stack option as well.
Green Bay Packers at Jacksonville Jaguars 1:00 p.m. EST
QB Jordan Love and the passing game vs. the worst pass defense in football sparks a lot of interest. We just don’t know who the ball is going to. Playing him without stacking him feels like the best option. WR Romeo Doubs has been the go-to guy over the past two weeks, but receivers Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks are always in the mix. Don’t forget TE Tucker Kraft, as he has 4 touchdowns in his last three games. RB Josh Jacobs broke the 20-point barrier last week and does have a good matchup, but I think you need 25-plus points at the running back position this week.
The Jaguars are sneaky this week because they have two receiving weapons that could expose the Packers defense. WR Christian Kirk and TE Evan Engram should get open and could score huge points in another game that can shoot out. WR Brian Thomas Jr. has been excellent, but I am fading him vs. CB Jaire Alexander. QB Trevor Lawrence is cheap enough to add to the Engram/Kirk stack, but I think I would play Love and bring it back with them. With RB Travis Etienne limited, I think RB Tank Bigsby will get most of the work, and I think he can score 20 fantasy points if he reaches the end zone.
Arizona Cardinals at Miami Dolphins 1:00 p.m. EST
RB James Conner gets the job done week in and week out and should be the primary focus vs. a soft Dolphin run defense. I am avoiding the passing game altogether, as Miami boasts the number-one pass defense.
The Dolphins get QB Tua Tagovailoa back, who should place all the weapons in play. WR Tyreek Hill and RB De’Von Achane are extremely underpriced, but their ownership will be extremely high. Still, these players can break the slate against a bad Cardinal defense, and that’s why I will have several lineups with them and then try to find low ownership elsewhere. WR Jaylen Waddle has been limited but should play and is viable at his cheap price. TE Jonnu Smith is coming off a big game, but I think we will be chasing points here. I think Tua will look to his receivers and dumping it off to Achane instead.
New York Jets at New England Patriots 1:00 p.m. EST
RB Breece Hall leads all running backs in projected scoring according to the DFS Hero Optimizer. Unfortunately, the DFS Hero Optimizer projects his ownership over 30% which means I will be playing him in a limited number of lineups. I am not playing the passing game as I think the Jets may run away with this one leading to a full-fledged running attack with Hall and RB Braelen Allen.
For the Patriots, it is slim pickings, and I would focus on a few lineups with the Jet’s defense. TE Hunter Henry has been solid and would be the only consideration as rookie QB Drake Maye likes to target him. RB Rhamondre Stevenson is still priced too high in this matchup, and we can find better running backs.
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 p.m. EST
The Falcons and Buccaneers played in an overtime shootout earlier this year, and a lot of times, that result does not repeat itself in the second matchup. The problem we have is that the Buccaneers offense is severely depleted with receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans both out. The back-and-forth scoring doesn’t project in this one. Still, there is value to be found. I prefer WR Darnell Mooney over Drake London because of his price, and the Buccaneers give up a lot of yards to the opposing team’s secondary receivers. RB Bijan Robinson has averaged 25 points over his last two games, but the Buccaneers do not allow many touchdowns to opposing running backs. They had held RB Derrick Henry until he broke off some huge runs in the second half last week. But he had QB Lamar Jackson, who the Buccaneers had to account for. We won’t see that with Kirk Cousins at the helm.
The Buccaneers have a ton of value at the receiver positions. QB Baker Mayfield has to throw it to somebody. WR Jalen McMillan is going to be the player most turn to, but don’t forget about Sterling Shepard, who played with Baker in college. I think he is the sneakiest of the two to put up a 20-point game. TE Cade Otton should be considered as the DFS Hero Optimizer projects him to score 12 points, and if he scores a touchdown, he will be in winning lineups. It looks like RB Bucky Irving will miss this game, leaving RB Rachaad White in a good spot. It’s not what he does running the ball but what he does as a pass catcher. Considering that he could have 7 catches at less than 5% ownership makes him a player to consider.
Philadelphia Eagles at Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 p.m. EST
The Eagles offense has been led by RB Saquon Barkley and WR A.J. Brown, who have been outstanding. Unfortunately, both are extremely expensive and if I had to choose between the two, it’s Brown. Not to say Barkley can’t have a big game, but there are so many great running back matchups that he doesn’t have the projected value as others. Brown, on the other hand, could see 10-plus targets in a game that could have a lot of scoring, as the Bengals will be airing it out as well. QB Jalen Hurts is also interesting because I can see a 250-plus yard passing with 2 touchdowns to go along with 30 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown for 27-plus points. WR DeVonta Smith is priced too high, considering he only averages 13 points per game, but that makes him sneaky because he is going to have a huge game soon, and it could happen against the Bengals. I will definitely have him in a lineup or two that does not have Brown, as I figure if Brown doesn’t have a big game, then Smith will. TE Grant Calcaterra did nothing last week and will be overlooked. He is still dirt cheap and has a great matchup, making him a punt option at tight end.
The Bengal side is going to be low-owned, and they can be in a shootout situation here. I know the Eagle pass defense is ranked in the top 10, but I don’t think their secondary can contain the likes of receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. A Joe Burrow and Chase stack looks tasty here, as I think they connect for at least one score. Much like playing Smith in non-Brown lineups, I like Higgins in non-Chase lineups. It’s hard to imagine that pieces of both passing offenses do not show up in the winning lineups. I can’t find any real reason to play RB Chase Brown here other than extremely low ownership, but Doc does think he is sneaky, and sometimes you go with the man who runs the show.
New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers 4:00 p.m. EST
WR Chris Olave is back, but the passing game is so poor, especially with QB Spence Rattler, that I have very little interest. Rattler doesn’t look like he should be out there right now. TE Taysom Hill is also back and has a cheap price tag. It would make sense that he would be more involved in the offense, but at the same time, can you trust that he will? I think if the Saints want to stay in the game, they will need to lean on RB Alvin Kamara, much like the Cardinals relied on RB James Conner against the Chargers last Monday night. Get him running early and often. Also, a few catches would be nice. Still, what are the odds that he can break 20 points vs. a good Charger defense? I think it is slim.
Much like the Saints should rely on Kamara, the Chargers should rely on RB J.K. Dobbins. The Saints are getting run over in big chunks, and Dobbins could have a 100-yard day and a touchdown at an excellent price point. The Charger passing game is a little to be desired, and they are all banged up. Ladd McConkey and TE Will Dissly haven’t practiced, and Quentin Johnston is most likely out. Can WR Joshua Palmer get it done? He is worth a flyer as he could see most of the volume at a cheap price.
Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks 4:00 p.m. EST
At first glance at this matchup, I was thinking of a shootout but now I am not so sure. I am thinking of a lower-scoring game and a game I want to avoid for the most part. The Seattle defense is healthy, and you seen how aggressive they were last week vs. the Falcons. I know QB Josh Allen presents many different problems than Kirk Cousins can, but he still doesn’t have great weapons, even with WR Amari Cooper. I think their best bet to attack Seattle is with the running game of James Cook and Ray Davis. Unfortunately, both are difficult to play because Davis is taking away volume, and Cook is priced too high. Plus, Davis isn’t getting enough volume to play him, either. So, I think Buffalo is a pass.
Seattle may have the best option on the board in RB Kenneth Walker. He is averaging 20-plus points a game, and the Bills run defense can be gutted. He should get a ton of volume especially with it looking like WR DK Metcalf will miss the game with an MCL sprain. I am a little worried that Buffalo will stack the box with Metcalf out because receivers JSN and Tyler Lockett aren’t going to scare the Bills deep, and the Bills have a good pass defense. It’s Walker or nothing for me.
Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders 4:25 p.m. EST
The Bears didn’t play last week and may get forgotten. The key to who I want to play for the Bears depends on the Washington QB situation. If QB Jayden Daniels plays, then I want parts of the Bear passing game. If he doesn’t play, then I like the running game a little more. Let’s start with the passing game. QB Caleb Williams has thrived in great matchups over his last two games and has the weapons to do so against a bad Commander defense. WR Keenan Allen is under 6K and is priced to play, but I think WR DJ Moore gets into the spotlight. I have a feeling he scores on his way to 20-plus points. TE Cole Kmet has been in the Milli Maker winner’s circle twice and should be considered. We also shouldn’t forget about RB D’Andre Swift, as he has 20 plus points in three straight games, but Washington has improved slightly against the run vs. running backs not named Derrick Henry.
It looks like QB Jayden Daniels may miss this one, but the Commanders are still saying that there is a chance. I hope we aren’t left in limbo up to game time because my lineups will already be made. If Daniels plays, I like him naked without a stack and hope he runs for 70 yards and a touchdown or two. I’m not playing Terry McLaurin or Brian Robinson Jr., as they are priced too high, and I have too much respect for the Bear’s defense. Daniels availability also affects my DFS defense strategy because if Marcus Mariota gets the start, then I am loading my lineups with the Bear’s cheap defense. In conclusion, if Daniels plays, I play a few Bear passing stacks. If he doesn’t play, then I am playing Swift and the Bear defense.
Carolina Panthers at Denver Broncos 4:25 p.m. EST
QB Bryce Young is back, and I am avoiding the Panthers like the plague, including RB Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard’s price is too high, and I don’t know if he can reach the end zone in this matchup.
RB Javonte Williams is looking like the back we projected him to be. He is bouncing off tackles and making cuts. He also catches passes, and I think he is as close to a lock to score as anyone. His ownership is projected to be under 15%, and he will dominate my lineups. QB Bo Nix can be sneaky even though he has underwhelming weapons. The matchup is great plus he can add 50 yards rushing. His price point allows you to save at the position and spend up elsewhere. He can be in the winning lineups if he scores 20 points, which he can do. WR Courtland Sutton is the only receiver whom I would consider using, as he is in a “get right” matchup.
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders 4:25 p.m. EST
The Chiefs added receiver DeAndre Hopkins and he is going to play. I don’t know how much, but he will be on the field. His price is dirt cheap, and we haven’t seen Hopkins play with a good QB in some time now. He is worth a flyer, as we saw Amari Cooper score a TD for Buffalo on short notice. Why can’t Hopkins do the same with QB Patrick Mahomes? Speaking of Mahomes, it’s been a struggle, but he is facing the Raiders. I know he has struggled against the Raiders as of late, but this Raider defense stinks and the DFS Hero Optimizer projects him to be a top 6 scoring QB at less than 3% ownership. He may have a chip on his shoulder, as media outlets have been making it known that he has been struggling. Another player in a “get right” situation. TE Travis Kelce has also been a topic of struggling fantasy players, but it makes sense to stack him in lineups with Mahomes. I can’t get behind WR Xavier Worthy as he is still priced over 6K, living off his week 1 performance, which was a while ago. If you don’t play the passing game, then I think RB Kareem Hunt makes a ton of sense. He has averaged 20 points per game over his last two and he is getting 23 plus touches. He should score in this one, and he can be a sneaky player to stack with Mahomes, as he can catch a TD pass as well.
For the Raiders, it’s TE Brock Bowers and that is it. The Chiefs are terrible against the tight end, and Bowers is coming into his own. Can they get him his second touchdown to score over 20 points?
