There are a ton of potential shootouts on the slate this week that I’m excited to discuss. In this article, I’ll be breaking down all eleven matchups, sharing my thoughts on player prices* and stacking opportunities. As you read, please note that the player names in bold are what I consider my “core” players or guys that I’m sliding into a large percentage of my lineups. Oh, and if you’re new to DFS, you should check out my DFS Tips and Tricks article here.
*All player prices referenced are from FanDuel.
Bills @ Jets (45.5 O/U)
Even after a disappointing performance in Week 6, I’m still willing to roll out Jamison Crowder ($6,300). He torched the Bills back in Week 1, and he’s recorded at least seven receptions in every game this season. I also think Breshad Perriman ($4,800) is a nice dart throw in tournaments. Returning from injury in Week 6, Perriman saw eight targets. He’s dirt-cheap and can pay off his value on just a handful of plays.
Don’t shy away from Josh Allen ($8,800) this week. He’s struggled against some tougher defenses the past couple of weeks, but he should get back on track against the lowly Jets, who seem to give up career games on a weekly basis. Stack Allen with his favorite target Stefon Diggs ($7,500) or Gabriel Davis ($4,800). Note: Davis is an especially strong play if John Brown’s knee injury forces him to miss the game.
Browns @ Bengals (50.5 O/U)
With Joe Mixon set to miss Sunday’s game, Giovani Bernard ($4,800) is a great option, particularly in cash. The Browns have allowed the third-most PPG to opposing WRs and the third-most PPG overall, so Tyler Boyd ($6,000) and Tee Higgins ($5,800) are strong plays, as well.
Kareem Hunt ($7,100) is probably the most appealing player for the Browns, although he’ll be chalky. He’s handling the vast majority of the Browns’ RB touches, and the matchup and projected game script are quite favorable. If you’re expecting a competitive game from the Bengals’ offense, though, you might consider Odell Beckham Jr. ($6,700) instead, especially with Austin Hooper out and Jarvis Landry nursing an injury.
Cowboys @ Washington (46 O/U)
This is the quarterback duel everyone has been waiting for: Kyle Allen vs. Andy Dalton. Honestly, it’s hard to get too excited about this game with those two leading at the helm of their respective offenses. Ezekiel Elliott ($9,500) is always in play for multiple TDs, but his price might be a little too steep in this relatively tough matchup. CeeDee Lamb ($6,200) is cheap enough to play in cash or tournaments, but I wouldn’t be looking to stack this offense.
On the other side of the ball, I love Terry McLaurin ($7,100) this week. The Cowboys have allowed the second-most points to opposing WRs this season, and McLaurin is the heart and soul of Washington’s passing attack. You can also look at Antonio Gibson ($5,700) if you need to save some cash at RB. Outside of a strange Week 6, Gibson has been handling most of the carries, and we’ve seen him flash plenty of upside as a receiver, as well. One of these weeks he might just put it all together.
Lions @ Falcons (55 O/U)
We should see some fireworks in this matchup. Matthew Stafford ($7,300) let us down last week in a great matchup, but I’m perfectly willing to go back to him against the Falcons, who rank 32nd in points allowed to QBs. Kenny Golladay ($7,600) is a great stacking option as the focal point of the offense, but you can also go with TJ Hockenson ($5,900) and hope for a couple of TDs. Finally, D’Andre Swift ($6,100) is a strong tournament option as well. The Falcons have allowed the most receiving yards to RBs this season, and it’s possible that we see Swift handle a large percentage of the carries after his breakout in Week 6.
On the other side, we have another great QB option in Matt Ryan ($7,800). Ryan emerged from his recent slump in Week 6 throwing for 371 yards and four TDs. In this home matchup against a poor Lions’ secondary, we could see more of the same from Ryan this week. Julio Jones ($8,300) and Calvin Ridley ($8,400) are both finally healthy, so you can stack Ryan with either of them or even both.
Packers @ Texans (57 O/U)
After a disappointing showing in Week 6, the Packers’ offense will have a great opportunity to get back on track against the Texans. Aaron Rodgers ($8,100) and Davante Adams ($8,900) could post massive numbers, especially if Aaron Jones ($8,500) is forced to miss the game. Jones, who will be a game-time decision, is a great tournament play in his own right if he does suit up. The Texans haven’t been able to stop anybody on the ground this season, allowing Derrick Henry to pile up over 250 scrimmage yards and two TDs in Week 6. If Jones misses the game, you can take a shot on Jamaal Williams ($5,000), who would be in line to handle the majority of the backfield work. Lastly, Robert Tonyan ($6,000) is a viable TE option, though he isn’t among my favorites on the slate.
Like DK Metcalf, FanDuel’s pricing hasn’t quite caught up with Will Fuller’s ($6,900) production this season. He’s a strong play with Deshaun Watson ($8,000) in what should be a negative game script for the Texans. Brandin Cooks ($5,900), who seems to have finally found his footing in this offense, is a nice option as well.
Panthers @ Saints (51 O/U)
Alvin Kamara ($9,300) is one of the safest plays in fantasy this week. He’s up against the league’s worst run defense in a game with a high projected point total, and Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are both expected to miss the contest. Fire him up in cash games and tournaments alike. Meanwhile, Tre’Quan Smith ($5,300) should operate as the team’s top receiver. He’s a nice dart throw in tournaments.
The Panthers’ offense has run through three players this season: Mike Davis ($7,700), DJ Moore ($6,600), and Robby Anderson ($6,400). Stack any combination of those players with Teddy Bridgewater ($6,800), who’s super cheap and has a nice matchup this week.
Steelers @ Titans (50.5 O/U)
The Titans are playing at an extremely high level right now, but I’m curious to see how they’ll fare against one of the league’s toughest defenses. Ryan Tannehill ($7,300) is still a fine play in tournaments, and AJ Brown ($6,800) is a great stacking option who will undoubtedly become more and more expensive as the season progresses. Derrick Henry ($8,900) is a little riskier especially at his price, but he’s always got multi-TD upside.
I’m expecting a bounce-back from Ben Roethlisberger ($7,400) in this one. Ben wasn’t asked to do much in Week 6 as the Steelers steamrolled the Browns. We should see a more competitive game environment this week, and Diontae Johnson ($5,800) is returning to the lineup. Johnson is my favorite value among the Steelers’ pass-catchers, but Chase Claypool ($6,400) is a nice option as well. However, if the Steelers are able to get out in front, James Conner ($7,200) could prove to be the best play against this beatable Titans’ run defense.
Seahawks @ Cardinals (56.5 O/U)
This game is a ton of fun to stack because it features the best quarterback. Unfortunately, the main pass-catchers are all pretty pricey, so you’ll have to go bargain hunting at other positions to really make it work. Stacking Kyler Murray ($8,400) with DeAndre Hopkins ($9,000) is about as good as it gets. We know Hopkins will command at least 30% of the targets, and Seattle is allowing the most points to opposing WRS and the second-most to QBs. You can also play Christian Kirk ($5,400) to save some cash, but you’ll be banking on deep receptions and TDs.
Russell Wilson ($8,700) is expensive, but he’s averaging an incredible 30 PPG. Stacking him with DK Metcalf ($7,300), who continues to be undervalued on FanDuel, is an incredibly attractive option. Tyler Lockett ($7,400) has been quiet for a few games, but he’s still a great play, as well. If you want to be a bit contrarian and fade Russell Wilson, you can always stack the Cardinals’ offense and run it back with Chris Carson ($7,600). Carson is having a great season, and he could see plenty of work if the Seahawks get out to a lead.
49ers @ Patriots (43.5 O/U)
Compared to some of the other Week 7 matchups, this game is just underwhelming. For the Patriots, you really only want to look at Cam Newton ($7,600) at this point. The backfield is a muddled mess, and Julian Edelman looks like a shell of his former self.
For the Niners, you can always roll out George Kittle ($7,100). However, at his price, I prefer Deebo Samuel ($5,400). You can also look to Jerick McKinnon ($5,500), who is expected to operate as the starter with Raheem Mostert on IR. However, McKinnon is a risky play with a tough matchup and JaMychal Hasty waiting in the wings.
Chiefs @ Broncos (46 O/U)
Shootouts are great for DFS. Blowouts, on the other hand, usually disappoint. While I love the Chiefs’ offense as much as the next guy, I’m worried they might get out in front too quickly and try to slow the game down. You can still shoot your shot in a tournament with Travis Kelce ($7,900), Tyreek Hill ($8,000), or Clyde Edwards-Helaire ($7,000), but I’d prefer not to play multiple Chiefs this week.
On the other side, you can look to Melvin Gordon III ($6,700) who should operate as the pass-catching back in a negative game script. However, my favorite play on the Broncos’ side is Tim Patrick ($5,500). He’s coming off back-to-back 100-yard games, and he’s still super affordable. Patrick could see some downfield targets if Denver is forced into comeback mode.
Jaguars @ Chargers (49.5 O/U)
When I saw the projected point total for this game, I was surprised that it wasn’t higher. The Chargers’ offense has been humming in recent weeks with Justin Herbert ($7,500) at the helm, and he’s set up for a huge week against this lowly Jacksonville defense. You can easily stack Herbert with some combination of Keenan Allen ($7,000), Mike Williams ($5,900), and Hunter Henry ($5,800).
Meanwhile, the Chargers’ defense has allowed even more points to opposing QBs than the Jaguars’ defense. You can fire up Gardner Minshew ($7,200) in what should be a negative game script. DJ Chark ($6,500) is my preferred stacking option coming off a 14-target game in Week 6. But Keelan Cole ($5,500) and Laviska Shenault ($5,500) are viable as well.
Thanks for reading this article! Look me up on Twitter at @fantasyfreezer if you’d like to hear more from me. I love answering fantasy questions, discussing trades, and engaging in friendly debates, so be sure to drop in and say hello.
