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.
*At the time of this writing, there are still a number of injury situations that have yet to be resolved.
**All player prices referenced are from FanDuel.
Bears @ Titans (46.5 O/U)
I don’t want to stack this game because I don’t believe Ryan Tannehill’s ($7,400) ceiling against this Bears’ defense is particularly high. However, I’m willing to play AJ Brown ($7,600) or Derrick Henry ($8,900). Both players are capable of making explosive plays and scoring multiple TDs.
With so many good QBs on the slate, you shouldn’t be building your lineup around Nick Foles. However, if you do choose to play Derrick Henry, you can run it back with Allen Robinson ($6,900) or Darnell Mooney ($5,500).
Broncos @ Falcons (50 O/U)
I believe every Falcons game has shootout potential, so I’m interested in pieces on both sides here. Drew Lock ($7,200) is a bit more expensive than I’d like, but you can stack him with Noah Fant ($5,800) and Jerry Jeudy ($5,700), who are both fairly cheap. You can also play Melvin Gordon ($6,600) and hope that he steals a couple of TDs.
However, I prefer Matt Ryan ($7,600) and the Falcons’ side. Julio Jones ($8,200) is an excellent play whether or not Calvin Ridley ($8,000) suits up, and Hayden Hurst ($5,600) is a nice double-stack option.
Giants @ Washington (43 O/U)
This game is a dud, which means the Washington D/ST ($4,700) and Giants D/ST ($4,100) are in play. Terry McLaurin ($7,200) is a great play, as usual. Antonio Gibson ($6,200) is still underpriced. Okay, let’s move on.
Lions @ Vikings (52.5 O/U)
Coming off a 4-TD performance, Dalvin Cook ($9,300) is going to be a very popular play this week. In this matchup, the chalk is probably warranted. However, Adam Thielen ($7,700) and Justin Jefferson ($6,800) can offer you great leverage over the Dalvin Cook rosters. If either of them has a big game at Cook’s expense, you’ll have an advantage over a large percentage of the field.
The other side of this game is just frustrating. Matthew Stafford ($7,500) was placed on the COVID-19 list on Wednesday, but he hasn’t been officially ruled out for Sunday. If he does play, Marvin Jones ($6,100) and TJ Hockenson ($6,000) will be in play as run backs. They will operate as the primary pass-catchers in Kenny Golladay’s absence.
Panthers @ Chiefs (52.5 O/U)
As usual, all of the Chiefs are good plays. However, if you try to jam in Patrick Mahomes ($9,300) with Tyreek Hill ($8,300) and Travis Kelce ($8,000), you’ll find yourself out of salary in a hurry. Instead, you’ll probably have to settle for just one–I prefer Kelce–in your Mahomes stacks. Clyde Edwards-Helaire ($7,000) is also in a smash spot against the Panthers’ 29th-ranked run defense, and he might come in with low ownership after a couple poor performances.
Teddy Bridgewater ($7,300) doesn’t quite have the same ceiling as Patrick Mahomes, but he is much more stackable. You can easily afford to play him with DJ Moore ($7,000) and Robby Anderson ($6,600), who have accounted for roughly 80% of Carolina’s air yards this season. I also couldn’t blame you for playing Christian McCaffrey ($9,500) in his first game back, though it can take a few weeks to fully round back into form after a high-ankle sprain.
Ravens @ Colts (48 O/U)
Lamar Jackson ($8,100) has not been the elite fantasy option that he was in 2019. However, as the 6th-most expensive QB on the slate, I think he deserves some consideration in tournaments. He probably won’t be highly owned in this tough matchup against the Colts, but he’s always a threat to rush for 100 yards and 2 TDs. You can stack him with either Mark Andrews ($6,600) or Marquise Brown ($5,800), though I prefer the latter.
The real problem with stacking Lamar is choosing a Colt to run it back with. There aren’t any great options, but Trey Burton ($5,500), Michael Pittman ($5,100), and Marcus Johnson ($4,900) are all cheap dart-throws.
Seahawks @ Bills (55 O/U)
The Seahawks have gotten into shootouts with essentially every team they’ve faced this season, so this is a great game to stack. Russell Wilson ($9,000), DK Metcalf ($8,100), and Tyler Lockett ($7,400) are going to be highly-owned, but you can still play them as long as you get creative with the rest of your lineup. Now that Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde are ruled out, you can also play DeeJay Dallas ($5,100), who is a great value.
However, I think I prefer to stack the Buffalo side here. Josh Allen ($8,200) is a little cheaper than Russ, and he’ll garner less ownership. Stefon Diggs ($7,600) is the safest stacking option, but Cole Beasley ($5,300) and John Brown ($5,500) are cheaper contrarian picks. Buffalo has been incredibly susceptible to slot receivers this season, so Lockett is my preferred run-back in this game.
Texans @ Jaguars (50.5 O/U)
As long as the Texans are on the slate, stacking Deshaun Watson ($8,300) with Will Fuller ($7,100) will be a good idea. Fuller has scored a TD in five straight games, and he’s got a nice matchup against Jacksonville’s secondary this week. Brandin Cooks ($6,100) has seen 9, 9, and 12 targets over the past three games, and I like him a lot here, as well.
With Jake Luton set to start at QB for the Jaguars, we have no idea what to expect from the pass-catchers. If you want to stack Watson, my preferred run back is DJ Chark ($6,400). Laviska Shenault ($5,400) and Keelan Cole ($5,200) are cheaper, and Luton could easily latch on to any one of them. James Robinson ($7,300) might actually be the best option on this team, as he’s been highly involved in all phases of the game.
Raiders @ Chargers (51.5 O/U)
Justin Herbert ($7,900) has thrown 3+ TD passes in four straight games. I don’t know how long he can keep that up, but I’m content to keep stacking up this Chargers’ offense in the meantime. Keenan Allen ($7,500) is averaging an absurd 13 targets in games he starts and finishes with Justin Herbert, which makes him a value at just about any price. Mike Williams ($6,200) has been highly volatile this season, but he makes big plays and scores touchdowns, so he’s a great tournament option. I also love Justin Jackson ($5,900) this week. If the passing TDs come down and Jackson punches in a couple scores on the ground, you’ll have a ton of leverage over those that roster Herbert.
We’ve really only seen two Raiders receive consistent volume this season: Josh Jacobs ($7,700) and Darren Waller ($6,400). I’m expecting the Chargers to get ahead here, so I prefer Waller in that game script. You can also look at Henry Ruggs ($5,700). He’s been extremely efficient on a per-target basis, and he’s dirt cheap. I won’t be surprised if he catches two deep TDs one of these weeks.
Dolphins @ Cardinals (49 O/U)
With each passing week, it becomes more expensive to stack Kyler Murray ($8,600) with DeAndre Hopkins ($8,800). They’re still strong options, but I think I prefer Chase Edmonds ($6,700) at his price. He should operate as a bell-cow in Kenyan Drake’s absence, and he’s got a great matchup against the Dolphins, who rank 26th in PPG allowed to RBs.
For the Dolphins, I like Preston Williams ($5,100) as a run back. He saw more targets than DeVante Parker ($6,300) in Tua Tagovailoa’s debut, and he’s significantly cheaper. However, Parker and Mike Gesicki ($5,300) are viable options, as well. With Myles Gaskin and Matt Breida ruled out, I want nothing to do with this Miami backfield.
Steelers @ Cowboys (42 O/U)
Ezekiel Elliott is battling a hamstring injury, and we’re going to see either Garrett Gilbert or Cooper Rush under center. Oh, and the Cowboys face the Steelers, one of the league’s best defenses. Please don’t play any Cowboys this week.
On the other side of the ball, you have to consider James Conner ($8,200). He’s scored a rushing TD in five of seven games this season, and he should see plenty of work in a positive game script. Maybe the Steelers will pull him if they build a big enough lead, but it won’t matter if he’s already racked up 100 yards and a couple scores. I also like the price tag on Diontae Johnson ($6,000), but you have to worry about passing volume in this game.
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