Believe it or not, we are already a quarter of the way through the NFL season. The quarterback landscape is certainly very different since we started things off four weeks ago, which has caused significant ramifications across DFS. Let’s break things down for Week 5 and highlight some of the best players at the position to consider, as well as a couple to avoid.
Read MoreNFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 – Quarterbacks
Now that the dust has settled on the opening weekend of action in the NFL, it’s time to quickly turn the page and focus on Week 2. We have several intriguing quarterback options across the price scale, setting us up to deploy a few different strategies.
Read MoreNFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 – Quarterbacks
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
With two of the top offensive teams in the Chiefs and Rams on a bye, two of the top quarterback options won’t be available in Week 12. Add in three Thanksgiving games and primetime matchups that include the Packers and Texans and the position is thinner than usual for the main Sunday slate in DFS. Let’s examine some of the options still on the board that could help you come away with a winning entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
CASH CONTEST OPTIONS
Cam Newton vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $6,200
Newton doesn’t always rack up a ton of passing yards, but he posted a season-high 357 yards through the air during Sunday’s loss to the Lions. He also had three passing touchdowns, which helped make up for his season-low two rushing yards. Known for his ability to pad his stats on the ground, Newton has actually only carried the ball a total of four times across his last two contests. He had 21 carries over two games before that stretch.
After laying an egg Week 1 against the Cowboys, Newton has thrown at least two touchdown passes in nine straight games. He’s only two away from his entire mark in 2017. Add in his four rushing touchdowns and he has a tremendously high floor. The Seahawks started out the year defending the pass well, but they’be shown some holes of late, allowing 878 yards and six touchdowns through the air across their last three games.
Andrew Luck vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $6,400
The Colts came away with their fourth straight victory in Week 11 to even their record at 5-5. Luck picked apart the Titans, completing 23 of 29 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns. The Colts have been blowing out opponents during their recent winning streak, which has somewhat put a damper on Luck’s yardage totals. However, he posted a completion percentage of at least 71 percent and thrown at least three touchdowns in each of the four games.
After sitting out all of 2017, the fact that Luck has 29 touchdowns across his first 10 games is incredibly impressive. He has been a bit turnover prone with nine interceptions, but he has only thrown one pick across his last four games. The Dolphins have 15 interceptions compared to 18 touchdown passes allowed this season, but this still isn’t a situation to shy away from using Luck. If the Colts are going to continue to be successful, it will be on the strength of his throwing arm.
Russell Wilson vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $5,600
The Seahawks have been able to get a few extra days of rest after completing a comeback win against the Packers on Thursday Night Football. Russell threw for 225 yards in that game and has only topped 250 passing yards in a game one time this season. In fact, he’s still looking for his first 300-yard performance. However, he logged two touchdowns in that contest and has now thrown for at least two scores in every game but one this year.
The only negative with Wilson is that the Seahawks run-heavy scheme is going to limit his passing attempts. On the plus side, he’s made the most of his opportunities by posting a 66.2 percent completion percentage that is the second-highest mark of his career. The Panthers have allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns (23) in the league, leaving Wilson with an excellent opportunity for another multi-touchdown performance.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Jameis Winston vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,000
The Bucs are a mess. After starting out the season 3-2, they’ve now lost four consecutive games. They haven’t been able to settle on a starting quarterback, which is one of the big reasons for their struggles. Ryan Fitzpatrick started Sunday against the Giants but was pulled after throwing three interceptions. Winston, who previously lost the starting job due to his own interception issues, came on in relief and threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns.
With how poorly Fitzpatrick has played the last two weeks, Winston will get the starting nod in Week 12. Interceptions will continue to be a concern, but he’s shown plenty of potential when on the field. This is also a favorable matchup for him considering the 49ers only have two interceptions all season. Ironically, the only team with fewer is the Bucs with just one pick. The 49ers have also allowed 21 passing touchdowns, which is tied for the sixth-most in the league.
Baker Mayfield vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $5,500
The last time we saw Mayfield on the field was in Week 10 against the Falcons. The Browns pulled off the upset win in large part because of an excellent performance from running back Nick Chubb. Mayfield was only required to throw the ball 20 times due to their success on the ground, but he completed 17 of those passes for 216 yards and a career-high three touchdowns.
After getting their bye in Week 11, the Browns enter this game well rested and ready to take on a Bengals team that has allowed the second-most passing yards per game (296). Mayfield has thrown at least two touchdown passes in four straight games and completed at least 67.7 percent of his passes in three of those contests, so don’t be surprised if he takes advantage of the Bengals’ porous secondary Sunday.
Nick Mullens vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,400
The 49ers were on a bye in Week 11 after suffering a loss to the Giants in Week 10. Mullens had a largely disappointing performance, throwing for 250 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. However, the Giants aren’t as bad defensively as their 3-7 record might lead you to believe. They’ve only allowed 14 passing touchdowns all season, which is tied for the fourth-fewest in the league. They’ve also recorded 10 interceptions.
Mullens retained the starting quarterback job despite his struggles in that game and is now set for an excellent matchup against the Bucs. The Giants have been terrible offensively for most of the season but hung 38 points on the Bucs in Week 11. The Bucs are tied for the most touchdown passes allowed (25) and have just the one interception that I mentioned earlier, making Mullens an intriguing option to consider in tournament play.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Andy Dalton vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $5,300
Dalton didn’t play well during a Week 11 loss to the Bengals, completing only 52.8 percent of his passes for 211 yards. He sorely missed A.J. Green (toe), but he might get him back on the field Sunday. Green’s return would certainly help Dalton, but Dalton has thrown for more than 248 yards only once in his last six contests. With nine touchdowns across that six-game stretch, he hasn’t provided a ton of value. The Browns have 13 interceptions compared to just 16 touchdown passes allowed, making Dalton a very risky play.
Case Keenum vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $4.700
The Broncos sure miss Peyton Manning. They’ve struggled to find a productive quarterback since his retirement, but they had hoped to finally solidify the position with the addition of Keenum. However, Keenum has not been able to build on his strong 2017 campaign with the Vikings, throwing 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with his new squad. The Steelers have allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards per game (227), so stay far, far away from Keenum.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 – Quarterbacks
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
We’re back up to six teams on a bye for Week 11, but at least this will be the last week that more than two teams will be on a bye. The Packers, Chiefs, Rams, and, Seahawks all play primetime games, making the main Sunday slate in DFS even more thin at quarterback. Let’s dive into the position to see where value can still be found. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
CASH CONTEST OPTIONS
Cam Newton vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $6,200
The Panthers were blown out on the road Thursday night, but at least they get some extra rest for Week 11. Newton completed 79.3 percent of his passes in that contest, but for only 193 yards. The Steelers also bottled him up on the ground, holding him to 10 yards on two carries. Newton was able to somewhat salvage his line with two touchdown passes, which marked his eighth straight game with at least two scores through the air.
Being the road team on Thursday night is tough, let alone having to face the Steelers. Newton and the Panthers get a much easier matchup this week against the Lions, even though it’s also on the road. The Lions have done a good job limiting passing yards, but they’ve given up 19 touchdowns through the air. They’ve also had troubles forcing turnovers with just three interceptions. The passing yards still might not be great for Newton in this contest, but his touchdown upside still leaves him as a good option in cash contests.
Drew Brees vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $6,500
The Saints demolished the Bengals 55-14 in Week 10. It’s no surprise that Brees was spectacular, completing 22 of 25 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns. He even chipped in a rushing touchdown, giving him a great overall line despite not playing the entire fourth quarter due to the lopsided score.
While that game wasn’t close, this should be a much more competitive matchup against the Eagles. Brees could be lined up for a big performance with the Eagles allowing the 10th-most passing yards per game (266). It won’t help their cause that they just lost cornerback Ronald Darby to a torn ACL, either. This game being played at home also favors Brees. In four games at the Superdome, Brees has 12 touchdown passes and is averaging 347.8 yards per game. Across five games on the road, he has nine touchdowns and is averaging 242 yards.
Carson Wentz vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $6,300
In one of the more surprising games of Week 10, the Eagles lost at home to the Cowboys. Wentz played well in the defeat, throwing for 360 yards and two touchdowns. He did throw an interception, but it was only his third of the season. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering he only threw seven picks across 13 games last year.
One noticeable improvement for Wentz this season has been his completion percentage. After completing 60.2 percent of his passes last year, that mark stands at 71 percent through seven games. That’s helped his passing yards per game jump to 306.9 compared to 253.5 last year. The Saints have allowed the second-most passing yards per game (296), leaving Wentz with the potential for another great performance Sunday.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Deshaun Watson vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $5,700
The Texans squeaked out a close two-point win over the Broncos in Week 9. Then, they were able to enjoy the victory during their bye in Week 10. Watson hasn’t been able to keep up his crazy touchdown rate from his rookie season, but he’s still posted 17 passing touchdowns across nine games. He’s even increased his passing yards per game from 242.7 last season to 265.4 this year.
The loss of Will Fuller to a torn ACL could have been a big blow to Watson’s value, but the Broncos helped mitigate that by adding Demaryius Thomas in a deal with the Broncos. The Texans bye certainly came at the right time since Thomas will now have had extra time to familiarize himself their offense and develop a rapport with Watson. If you want to beat the Redskins, the way to do that is through the air. They are allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game (90.9), but the eighth-most passing yards per contest (270).
Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $5,600
What an odd performance from Fitzpatrick against the Redskins in Week 10. He completed 70.7 percent of his passes for 406 yards, so he should have finished with a monster stat line. However, he failed to record a single touchdown and was picked off twice. Across the previous three games in which Fitzpatrick finished with at least 400 yards this season, he had a total of 11 touchdown passes.
The goods news for Fitzpatrick is that he’s held onto the starting quarterback job for at least another week. With how poorly their defense has played, he’s going to continue to be forced to throw a lot to try and keep pace in games. The Giants defense has certainly been better than their offense, but they traded away a couple of key players in Damon Harrison and Eli Apple. Don’t expect Fitzpatrick to be shut out on touchdowns again in this contest, leaving him as a tournament play with upside.
Eli Manning vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,200
The Giants finally put another game in the win column with a defeat of the 49ers on Monday night. Manning wasn’t particularly sharp despite the victory, completing 61.3 percent of his passes for just 188 yards. However, he made up for it by recording a season-high three touchdown passes. That was even more shocking when you consider he had eight touchdown passes all year entering Week 10.
Manning will get another chance to shine against the Bucs, who have allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (292). This could be another one of Manning’s better touchdown performances of the season, as well, with the Bucs allowing the most touchdown passes through the air (23) in the league. It’s hard to trust Manning at this stage of his career, but he’s priced so cheap that he might be worth taking a chance on in tournament play.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Ben Roethlisberger vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – TIAA Bank Field
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $5,800
Roethlisberger destroyed the Panthers in Week 10, throwing for 328 yards and five touchdowns. He failed to complete just three passes all game and didn’t throw an interception for the third time in his last four contests. It’s hard to be too down on him coming off of a stat line like that, but the Jaguars have allowed the fewest passing yards per game (201) and have given up only 12 passing touchdowns. Roethlisberger’s price on DraftKings is reasonable, but he’s awfully risky at his price on FanDuel based on this matchup.
Andy Dalton vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $5,000
Simply put, Dalton was a disaster against the Saints. He really missed having his start receiver in A.J. Green (toe), finishing with just 153 passing yards and one touchdown. The Saints also picked him off twice, which was just the second time all season that Dalton has thrown at least two interceptions in a game. Dalton got off to a hot start, but he now has 229 passing yards or fewer in three of his last four contests. The Ravens have one of the best pass defenses in the league, so stay far, far away from Dalton with Green set to miss Week 11.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 10 – Quarterbacks
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
After a brutal Week 9 where six teams were on a bye, things get a little better in Week 10 with only four teams getting the added time off. Let’s examine some quarterbacks to target and avoid as you craft your DFS lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
CASH CONTEST OPTIONS
Patrick Mahomes vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $9,800
DraftKings = $7,200
To no surprise, the Chiefs beat the Browns soundly in Week 9. Another obvious outcome of that game was Mahomes having a strong performance. He certainly didn’t disappoint, throwing for 365 yards and three touchdowns. Although that marked five consecutive games with an interception, he also has four straight games with at least three touchdowns.
There might not be any other quarterback who is more automatic than Mahomes from a DFS perspective. He has a ton of talent around him and plays within a great offensive scheme. What shouldn’t go unnoticed with all the passing yards and touchdowns is that Mahomes has even posted a completion percentage of at least 70.6 percent over three straight games. The Cardinals have been one of the better teams at defending the pass in the league, but facing Mahomes on the road is a whole different story.
Drew Brees vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $6,300
The highlight matchup of Week 9 was the Saints taking on the undefeated Rams. It certainly was an offensive shootout with the Saints ultimately dealing the Rams their first loss. Brees had one of his best performances of the year, throwing for 346 yards and four touchdowns. He didn’t throw an interception, either, and has only thrown one pick all season.
Brees’ stellar stat line came on the heels of a dud in Week 8 against the Vikings when he threw for 120 yards and one touchdown. He might have games from time to time where the Saints heavy use of the run limits his upside, but that wasn’t exactly a great matchup against a Vikings team that is only allowing 233 passing yards per game. With the Bengals allowing the most passing yards per game (319), expect this to be an opportunity that Brees exploits.
Philip Rivers vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $6,000
Rivers faced a tough Seahawks defense in Week 9 that had allowed 10 touchdown passes all season. They did a good job limiting Rivers to 228 passing yards, but he still salvaged his performance with two touchdowns. Rivers has been extremely consistent in that department, recording at least two touchdowns in every game this year.
Things get much easier for Rivers in Week 10 against a Raiders team that was just lit up by the 49ers with Nick Mullins at quarterback. The Raiders have not only allowed the ninth-most passing yards per game (263), but they’ve put very little pressure on the quarterback with only seven sacks. In their first meeting this season, Rivers had 339 passing yards and two touchdowns, so don’t be surprised if he excels in their rematch.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Andy Dalton vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $5,800
The Bengals are coming off of their bye after squeaking out a 37-34 win over the Bucs in Week 8. Dalton took advantage of the Bucs porous secondary, finishing with 280 passing yards and two touchdowns. After averaging only 207.5 passing yards per game last year, Dalton has been much more productive this season with 262.8 yards per contest.
One big negative for Dalton’s prospects for Week 10 is the injury to his star receiver A.J. Green (toe), who is expected to miss at least the next two games. On the bright side, receiver John Ross (groin) is looking like he might be able to return to the field. Even without Green, Dalton has the potential to be productive against the Saints, who have allowed the second-most passing yards per game (311). The Bengals might also be forced to throw the ball a lot to keep up with the Saints offense, so don’t shy away from Dalton just because of Green’s injury.
Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $5,900
Fitzpatrick regained his starting job for Week 9 against the Panthers. The Bucs were down big early and forced to throw a lot, which played right into Fitzpatrick’s wheelhouse. He did throw two interceptions, but he also had 243 yards and four touchdowns. Across his five starts this season, he has finished with at least three touchdown passes four times.
Even though the Bucs suffered yet another loss, Fitzpatrick played well enough to remain the starting quarterback for this matchup against the Redskins. The Redskins have been stout against the run, but they’ve allowed 254 passing yards per game to go along with 15 touchdown passes. With how bad the Bucs are playing on defense, look for Fitzpatrick to have plenty of opportunities to provide value Sunday.
Baker Mayfield vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,400
The change at head coach and offensive coordinator made an immediate positive impact on Mayfield last week against the Chiefs. He finished with 297 passing yards and two touchdowns, but it should also be noted that his 69.1 percent completion percentage was the highest in any game in which he has started.
While it certainly helped that Mayfield was facing the Chiefs defense, the initial results under his new coaching staff are encouraging. He also gets another exploitable matchup against the Falcons in Week 10, who have allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (304), which is actually more than the Chiefs have allowed. The Falcons have also given up 18 touchdowns through the air, which is tied for the fourth most. If you want to take a chance on a cheap option in tournament play, Mayfield is worth considering.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Mitch Trubisky vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $5,600
As most people expected, the Bears destroyed the Bills last week. With Nathan Peterman under center for Buffalo, the Bears defense scored two touchdowns of their own. The Bears had little need to throw the ball with a big early lead, leaving Trubisky to produce season-lows in pass attempts (20) and passing yards (135). This should be a more competitive game against the Lions, but the way to beat them is on the ground, not through the air. The Lions have allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (215), but the third most rushing yards per game (142.5). Trubisky might not attempt a lot of passes in this contest, either.
Matthew Stafford vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,000
Stafford and the Lions had a disastrous performance against the Vikings in Week 9, losing 24-9. Stafford attempted 36 passes but only finished with 199 yards. Although he didn’t throw an interception, he also failed to throw a touchdown for the first time this season. The trade of Golden Tate to the Eagles certainly isn’t going to help Stafford moving forward, either. The Bears have the second-most interceptions (14) and are allowing only 237 passing yards per game, leaving Stafford with limited upside.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 – Quarterbacks
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
Bye weeks and prime time games leave the main Sunday slate in DFS for Week 8 missing some top options including Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Matt Ryan. However, there are still plenty of great players on the board. Let’s examine some quarterbacks to target and avoid as you craft your lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
CASH CONTEST OPTIONS
Patrick Mahomes vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $9,200
DraftKings = $7,000
Mahomes kept things rolling Sunday night against the Bengals, throwing for 358 yards and four touchdowns. He even chipped in a season-high 45 rushing yards on four carries. If you want to be picky, he did throw an interception for the third straight game after not throwing a pick in any of his first four contests. It’s easy to overlook the turnovers, though, since he has already thrown at least three touchdowns in a game five times and at least 300 yards in all but one contest.
There is no quarterback with a higher floor than Mahomes. He has a ton of weapons around him, making it hard for defenses to figure out who to try and stop. Even his running back Kareem Hunt has four receiving touchdowns. The Broncos haven’t been horrible defending the pass, but Mahomes is still a top option in cash contests, especially with this game being at home.
Jared Goff vs. Green Bay Packers
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $6,000
Goff failed to throw a touchdown in a game for the first time this year in Week 6, but he rebounded with two scores Sunday. He’s thrown for 201 yards and 202 yards in his last two games, respectively, in large part because he attempted 28 passes or fewer in both contests. With Todd Gurley destroying opposing defenses on the ground, the Rams don’t always need to have Goff throw a lot.
One thing to note about both of Goff’s recent performances is that they came on the road. Goff has five touchdowns across four road games this year, but he has nine touchdowns over his three home contests. His last two games also came against two bad offenses in the Broncos and 49ers. The Rams might be forced to throw more to keep up with the Packers, making Goff a viable option to consider.
Andrew Luck vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $6,300
Luck had a bizarre performance in Week 7. The Colts got up big early against the horrid Bills, leaving Luck to record season lows in pass attempts (23) and yards (156). To put that into perspective, he had thrown the ball at least 40 times in five of his first six games. However, he was still extremely productive with four touchdowns, marking the third time in the last four weeks that he had exactly that many scores.
It wouldn’t be all that surprising to see Luck attempt fewer passes in this game, as well. Marlon Mack has breathed some life into their running game, and while the Raiders aren’t nearly as bad as the Bills, they aren’t great offensively, either. It’s hard to imagine them playing any better this week with Amari Cooper traded to the Cowboys and Marshawn Lynch on IR. Their defense has allowed 13 touchdown passes and recorded just four interceptions, leaving Luck with a matchup to exploit.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Andy Dalton vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,200
Dalton and the Bengals laid an egg against the Chiefs on Sunday. Playing in Arrowhead Stadium is no easy task, but the Chiefs defense has been lit up this year. Dalton made them look excellent, completing only 15 of 29 passes for 148 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. After throwing at least two touchdowns in each of his first four games, he has four touchdowns across the last three games.
Dalton quickly gets a chance to redeem himself against a Bucs team that has allowed the most passing yards per game (328) and passing touchdowns (18) in the league. If that wasn’t bad enough, they’ve only picked off one pass. Some people might be down on Dalton after last week, but he’s still a great option in tournament play.
Jameis Winston vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,000
After posting 395 passing yards in his first start in Week 6, Winston followed that up with 365 yards in Week 7. However, he threw four touchdowns passes two weeks ago, but failed to record a touchdown through the air Sunday. He also threw two more interceptions. Luckily, he was still able to somewhat salvage his performance with 55 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
The Bucs defense is so bad that their offense has to throw a lot to keep pace with the opposing team. They also don’t run the ball well, which has led to Winston attempting at least 42 passes in both of his starts. Turnovers will likely continue to be a problem, but this a matchup to exploit since the Bengals have allowed the third-most passing yards per game (301) and are tied for the fifth-most passing touchdowns (15) allowed.
Mitch Trubisky vs. New York Jets
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $6,100
Trubisky is the quarterback of the future for the Bears, but he looked shaky with two touchdown passes and three interceptions across the first three games this year. He failed to throw for more than 220 yards in any of those contests, as well. Then, everything turned on a dime when he threw for 354 yards and six touchdown passes during a route of the Bucs in Week 4. He’s kept things rolling with 649 yards and five touchdowns across two games since.
Last year, Tribusky had four touchdowns and one interception at home compared to three touchdowns and six interceptions on the road. His favorable home splits have continued this season with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions at home compared to three touchdowns and two interceptions on the road. While he may not have as high of an upside as Dalton or Winston, Trubisky could still be extremely productive in this game.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Matthew Stafford vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $5,600
The Lions offense is built around Stafford and their passing game, but he’s attempted 48 passes over his last two games, combined. He did still throw at least two touchdown passes in both games, but he failed to accumulate more than 217 yards in either contest. Those two games are more than likely just outlier performances, but even if he throws the ball more in Week 7, that doesn’t necessarily mean you want him in your lineup. The Seahawks have allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game (206) and have more interceptions (nine) than touchdown passes allowed (eight).
Sam Darnold vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $4,500
Darnold has played well at times, but he’s largely been inconsistent. He’s had four games with one or no touchdown passes and has thrown for fewer than 200 yards four times. Turnovers have been a problem for him, as well, with 10 interceptions to go along with his 10 touchdowns. The Bears defense has been porous the last couple of weeks, but if you want to go with a cheap option at quarterback in tournament play, Darnold is not your guy.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6 – Quarterbacks
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
Quarterback depth will be somewhat tested in Week 6 if you are playing the main Sunday slate in DFS. Both the Saints and Lions are on a bye, which means no Drew Brees or Matthew Stafford. Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers all won’t be available, either, with the Chiefs and Patriots facing off Sunday night and the Packers hosting the 49ers on Monday. There is still value to be had, though, so let’s examine some quarterbacks to target and avoid as you craft your lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
CASH CONTEST OPTIONS
Ben Roethlisberger vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $6,500
The Steelers won handily over the Falcons in Week 5, limiting Roethlisberger to a season-low 29 pass attempts due to their big lead. He made the most of his opportunities, racking up 250 yards and three touchdowns. Although he did throw an interception for his third straight game, he’s also thrown at least three touchdown passes in three of his last four contests.
With the Steelers still without star running back Le’Veon Bell, Roethlisberger is averaging a career-high 332.8 passing yards per game. James Conner has had a couple of strong performances in Bell’s absence, but Roethlisberger and their receivers have shined. Roethlisberger traditionally has better numbers at home than he does on the road, but he still has a high floor in this game. He showed he can take advantage of poor defenses on the road Week 3 when he lit up the Bucs for 353 yards and three touchdowns. The Bengals haven’t played as poorly as the Bucs, but they have already allowed 10 touchdown passes.
Matt Ryan vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $6,800
Ryan departed last week’s game early with a foot injury, but that had a lot to do with the lopsided score. The Falcons didn’t have a strong offensive performance, resulting in Ryan throwing for 285 yards and a touchdown. It was the first time since Week 1 that Ryan didn’t record at least two touchdowns in a game. The good news is that he’s expected to be fine for this matchup with the Bucs.
The Bucs defense has struggled mightily to defend the pass, allowing a league-high 358 passing yards per game. Despite being on their bye during Week 5, the Bucs are still tied for the most passing touchdowns allowed (13). They only have one interception, too, providing very little resistance to opposing offenses. The Falcons have scored at least 31 points in each of their three home games this season, so look for Ryan to bounce back in a big way Sunday.
Deshaun Watson vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – NRG Stadium
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $6,400
Watson was rusty Week 1 in what was his first game back from a torn ACL, throwing for 175 yards to go along with one touchdown and one pick against the Patriots. He’s been a different quarterback since, throwing for at least 300 yards in each of his next four games. Turnovers have still been a problem with him throwing one interception in each of those contests, but he’s also chipped in eight total touchdowns.
The added value that Watson provides with his legs goes a long way towards giving him a high floor. He has at least five rushing attempts and 36 rushing yards in all five games. The Bills defense played well at home against the Titans last week, but the Titans don’t exactly have an overwhelming offense. Watson has two of the most dynamic wide receivers in the league to support him in DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, which helps with his touchdown upside.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Andy Dalton vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,300
Dalton had arguably his worst performance of the year Week 5, throwing for 248 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It was the first time he threw for less than two scores in a game and marked the second time he accumulated less than 250 yards through the air. He did only have 30 pass attempts, though, which was his fewest since Week 1.
Week 6 brings a chance for Dalton to get back on track against a Steelers defense that has allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (296) and is tied with the Bucs for the most passing touchdowns allowed (13). This has the potential to be a high-scoring game based on the Steelers explosive offense, so Dalton could be a great option in tournament play at a cheaper price than Big Ben.
Jameis Winston vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,800
Winston was reinstated from his three-game suspension and eligible to play Week 4, but he didn’t start because of the hot streak that Ryan Fitzpatrick was on. That streak ended in a hurry in that contest against the Bears, ultimately leading to Winston coming in for relief of Fitzpatrick. Winston didn’t exactly shine, either, finishing with 145 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Winston has been able to use the bye week to get ready for this game, which should leave him more prepared than he was for his relief role against the Bears. Turnovers have plagued Winston during his career and his 61.1% career completion percentage also leaves a lot to be desired. Even with that being said, he has a great wide receiver trio around him and will have to throw the ball a lot based on the Bucs defensive deficiencies. The Falcons have allowed 12 touchdown passes this year and their defense has been decimated by injuries, potentially setting up Winston for a valuable performance.
Baker Mayfield vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $5,500
Mayfield was faced with a tough task Week 5 against a Ravens defense that was playing well and getting back cornerback Jimmy Smith from suspension. His 342 passing yards were nice, but he only completed 58.1% of his passes and recorded one touchdown to go along with one interception. In both of his starts since taking over for Tyrod Taylor, Mayfield has completed less than 59% of his passes. On the plus side, he has attempted at least 40 passes in both of those contests.
Sunday brings a much easier task against the Chargers, who have allowed 270 passing yards per game compared to just 215 passing yards per game allowed by the Ravens. The Charges have also given up 11 touchdown passes while the Ravens have only allowed six. Mayfield is going to have his ups and downs throughout his rookie campaign, but he has enough upside to be worth considering at this price for Week 6.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Mitch Trubisky vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,300
The Bears had a bye week to bask in the glory of their 48-10 demolishing of the Bucs in Week 4. Trubisky’s play was the highlight of that game since he finished with 354 yards and a staggering six touchdown passes. Don’t get too excited, though, because Trubisky only had two touchdown passes in three games total before Week 4. The Dolphins secondary has given up some yards, but they have only allowed six touchdown passes and recorded a league-high 10 interceptions. Expect Trubisky to come crashing back down to Earth in this contest.
Alex Smith vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,400
How smart do the Chiefs look right now for moving on from Smith to start the Patrick Mahomes era? Smith had a fine stint with the Chiefs, but their offense was never nearly as explosive with him at the helm. The same issue has carried over with him to the Redskins, who are only averaging 20.8 points per game. Smith has failed to throw a touchdown pass in two of their four contests and only has four total scores through the air this season. He’s not expensive, but he doesn’t have enough upside to even warrant taking a chance on in tournament play.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 – Quarterbacks
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
There are only two teams on byes for Week 5, leaving plenty of options to choose from for your DFS entry. Let’s examine some quarterbacks to target and avoid as you craft your lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
CASH CONTEST OPTIONS
Ben Roethlisberger vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $6,900
Roethlisberger entered Week 4 having thrown for at least 335 yards in each of the first three games this year. He also had six touchdown passes combined over the last two weeks. While he wasn’t terrible Sunday against the Ravens, it was a subpar performance by his standards with only 274 passing yards and a touchdown. Although he finished with only a 57.5% completion percentage, his 47 pass attempts marked the third time he has attempted at least 40 passes in a game in the early going.
Week 5 brings a stellar matchup for Roethlisberger against a Falcons defense that has been decimated by injuries out of the gate. The Falcons have allowed the eighth-most passing yards per game (284) and have only recorded three interceptions. Teams have had no problems finding the end zone against them, in general, as they have allowed 30.5 points per game. This could be a high-scoring game considering the Steelers have plenty of their own defensive liabilities, leaving Roethlisberger with an extremely high floor.
Matt Ryan vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $6,600
Ryan has come out firing to start the season, averaging a career-high 329 passing yards per contest. After recording only 20 touchdown passes in 2017, he already has 10 through the first four weeks. All of those touchdowns have actually come across the last three games since he was shut out against the Eagles in Week 1. It should be noted that was also the only game that he has played on the road this season, which is where they will be playing Sunday after three straight home games.
The addition of Calvin Ridley has been a big boost for Ryan as he adds another weapon who has shown a knack for scoring touchdowns in his rookie season. Julio Jones is still looking for his first score of the year, but he has an insane 502 receiving yards already. The dynamic duo, along with the reliable Mohamed Sanu, causes plenty of problems for opposing defenses. The Steelers defense has been even worse than the Falcons, allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game (305) in the league.
Philip Rivers vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $6,700
Rivers went off for 424 passing yards Week 1 against the Chiefs, but he hasn’t topped 256 passing yards in a game since. The good news is that hasn’t stopped him from being a reliable contributor in DFS because he has thrown at least two touchdown passes in all four games this season. Turnovers have plagued him a few times in his career, but he’s only been picked off twice so far.
There are a lot of big names at the quarterback position and Rivers hasn’t had a lot of success in the playoffs, so he sometimes doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves. He has recorded at least 4,286 passing yards and 28 touchdown passes in five straight seasons and hasn’t thrown fewer than 25 touchdowns in a year since 2007. The Raiders have had a hard time generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks, so expect Rivers to come through with another valuable performance.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Andy Dalton vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $5,900
Talk about a turnaround for Dalton. He averaged only 207.5 passing yards per game last year and posted a 59.9% completion percentage that was his lowest mark since his rookie season. The first four weeks have brought completely different results as he is averaging 299.3 passing yards per game and has a 65.6% completion percentage. Although he did have one ugly four-interception performance, he has logged at least two touchdown passes in all four contests.
One of the big reasons for Dalton’s improved numbers has been the emergence of Tyler Boyd, who is finally healthy and putting up big numbers. His performance has also helped take some of the pressure off of A.J. Green as opposing defenses finally have another receiver to worry about. The Dolphins do have the most interceptions (nine) in the league, but they have also allowed the seventh-most passing yards per contest (285). I wouldn’t be surprised if Dalton throws at least one pick in this game, but he should produce enough across the board to be worth considering in tournament play.
Joe Flacco vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $5,400
The Ravens had an eye towards the future during the 2018 Draft, selecting quarterback Lamar Jackson to hopefully be their successor to Flacco. It certainly made sense for them to select a young quarterback since Flacco was coming off of a season where he averaged 196.3 passing yards per game and had 18 touchdowns compared to 13 interceptions. It should be noted, though, that Flacco didn’t exactly have great weapons around him. The addition of Michael Crabtree and a healthy John Brown have helped Flacco show he still has some gas left in the tank, resulting in him averaging 313 passing yards per game and throwing eight touchdowns across the first four weeks.
Flacco’s improved play has been one of the main reasons why the Ravens are off to a 3-1 start despite the fact that they are averaging a league-low 3.1 yards-per-carry. It’s not as if they have shied away from running the ball, either, as they are actually tied for the fourth-most rushing attempts (114). Flacco will lead his team into this road game against Browns, who have allowed the ninth-most passing yards per game (276) and just allowed Derek Carr to throw for 437 yards and four touchdowns in Week 4.
Blake Bortles vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $5,500
If you’ve rostered Bortles in DFS this season, it’s been a hit-or-miss proposition. In weeks one and three, he threw for a combined 331 yards and one touchdown. In weeks two and four, he threw for 764 yards and six touchdowns. Week 4 brought his most efficient game of the year as he completed 76.3% of his passes against the Jets, which is a sharp contrast from his 54.6% completion percentage Week 1 against the Giants.
The Jaguars will be forced to lean on Bortles more heavily again this week after Leonard Fournette reaggravated his hamstring injury and will be forced back to the sidelines. The Jaguars have a stout defense, but they face a tough task in slowing down the Chiefs’ high-powered offense. Bortles might be forced to throw the ball a lot to keep pace, especially if they can’t get their running game working without Fournette. His inconsistency certainly makes him a risky play, but I think it’s a risk worth taking based on the Chiefs allowing the second-most passing yards (329) per game.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Russell Wilson vs. Los Angeles Rams
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $5,100
Wilson came through with 298 passing yards and three touchdowns Week 1, but it’s been all downhill for him since. He hasn’t topped 200 passing yards in either of the last two weeks and failed to a throw a touchdown Sunday against the Cardinals. The Seahawks have had an inconsistent running attack and Doug Baldwin is still working his way back to being completely healthy after suffering a knee injury, which certainly hasn’t helped Wilson’s cause. The Rams are missing Aqib Talib at cornerback, but they have a ton of talent on defense, which is going to limit Wilson’s upside.
Baker Mayfield vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $5,300
Mayfield didn’t exactly have ideal conditions for the first start of his career having to play on the road on the West Coast. He came through with 295 passing yards and two touchdowns, but he also had two interceptions and lost two fumbles. There is no question that Mayfield has a ton of talent, but he’s going to have growing pains as he gets acclimated to the NFL. This is not a good matchup for him against a Ravens defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (193) and also gets cornerback Jimmy Smith back from a four-game suspension.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 4 – Quarterbacks
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Early bird special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
After three weeks of a full schedule, Week 4 brings two teams on a bye with the Redskins and the Panthers getting an early breather. The Chiefs also play on Monday, taking their high-flying offensive weapons out of the equation if you playing the main Sunday slate in DFS. However, there are still plenty of great matchups to take advantage of at the quarterback position. Let’s examine some players to target and avoid as you craft your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
CASH CONTEST OPTIONS
Aaron Rodgers vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $6,800
Last year, Rodgers threw for at least 300 yards in each of the first three games of this season. Through the first three weeks of 2018, Rodgers has yet to reach that mark. He continued to battle through a knee injury Sunday against the Redskins, throwing for 265 yards and two touchdowns. Although his yardage totals haven’t been great, he does have six touchdown passes and has yet to throw an interception.
Rodgers is certainly not going to be completely healthy again Sunday, but he could be in line for one of his best performances of the year. The Bills pulled off a miraculous upset against the Vikings last week, but that game was at home. Playing on the road in Lambeau Field is a completely different story. The Bills have allowed seven touchdown passes and recorded only one interception through the first three weeks, setting up Rodgers with a high floor in this contest.
Matt Ryan vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $6,100
Ryan’s season started with a whimper, registering 251 yards, one interception and no touchdowns Week 1 on the road against the Eagles. To say he’s bounced back well would be an understatement. In the last two games, Ryan has thrown for 646 yards, seven touchdowns and has even chipped in two rushing touchdowns. He completed just 48.8% of his passes in Week 1 but has completed 77.8% of his passes since.
Week 4 brings a third-straight home game for Ryan and the Falcons. They’ll face a Bengals defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks through the first three weeks. The Bengals didn’t exactly get lit up by Cam Newton last week, but the Panthers offense is built around their running game, which is not the case for the Falcons. Their wide receiver trio of Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Mohamed Sanu can cause a lot of problems for opposing defenses, so don’t hesitate to roll with Ryan for your entry.
Philip Rivers vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,500
Sunday’s game against the Rams wasn’t pretty for Rivers, who completed 18 of 30 passes for 226 yards. He still threw two touchdown passes and avoided being intercepted, but it wasn’t all that surprising that he didn’t have a banner day against a tough Rams defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. The two touchdown passes by Rivers were the first they had allowed this year.
Things swing back in Rivers’ favor for Week 4 against a 49ers team that is still reeling from the loss of their franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a torn in ACL. Their defense was torched in that contest, allowing Patrick Mahomes to rack up 314 yards and three touchdowns. The 49ers have now allowed eight touchdown passes and are still looking for their first interception. They will be short-handed in the secondary with Richard Sherman already ruled out due to a calf injury, potentially setting up Rivers for a productive afternoon.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Andy Dalton vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,400
Dalton provided a mixed-bag against the Panthers in Week 3. While his 352 passing yards and two touchdowns look nice, he also threw four interceptions in the Bengals first loss of the year. His yardage total was boosted by his 46 pass attempts, which marked his second consecutive week with at least 40 attempts. He threw at least 40 passes in a game only two times all of last season.
The Bengals have a much easier matchup Sunday against a Falcons defense that is missing several key players due to injury, including linebacker Deion Jones and safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen. They have allowed 731 passing yards and six passing touchdowns to quarterbacks over the last two games, leaving Dalton as an excellent option in tournament play based on his upside.
Baker Mayfield vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $5,300
The Browns finally ended their long losing streak and basically did so on the shoulders of Mayfield, who came in at quarterback after Tyrod Taylor left Thursday’s game due to a concussion. Although Mayfield didn’t throw a touchdown, he completed 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards and added some much-needed life to their offense. The Browns have already named Mayfield as the starting quarterback for Week 4, a job he should hold onto for the rest of the season, barring injury.
Playing on the road on the West Coast isn’t exactly ideal for a rookie quarterback’s first career start, but the Raiders don’t have an imposing defense. The trading of Khalil Mack has significantly hurt their pass rush as they have only three sacks through the first three weeks., which is the fewest in the NFL. Their lack of pressure has only resulted in one interception, as well. Don’t be surprised if Mayfield thrives in this game.
Ryan Tannehill vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,500
Who would have thought that heading into this AFC East matchup that the Dolphins would be 3-0 while the Patriots would be 1-2? A lot of the Dolphins success can be attributed to Tannehill, who has completed at least 71.4% of his passes and thrown at least two touchdowns in each of the first three weeks. He’s also provided some value with his legs, rushing 15 times for 74 yards.
While the Dolphins’ start has been impressive, this will be by far their toughest task of the season facing the Patriots on the road. It might not be all that bad for Tannehill and their offense, though, since the Patriots have allowed 25.7 points per game across the first three weeks. The Dolphins are finally completely healthy at wide receiver, too, with DeVante Parker returning last week. I don’t think Tannehill has as high of a ceiling as Dalton and Mayfield do, but he can still provide value at this price.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Carson Wentz vs. Tennessee Titans
Stadium – Nissan Stadium
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $5,800
Wentz made his first start of the season Sunday, completing his return from a torn ACL suffered last year. He wasn’t great, but he wasn’t awful either, throwing for 255 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It certainly didn’t help his cause that the Eagles were missing two of their top three wide receivers in Alshon Jeffery and Mike Wallace. They were also without Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles in their backfield. Ajayi and Sproles are expected to return for Week 4 and Jeffery might make his season debut, as well, which would certainly be a boost for their offense. That being said, Wentz is still coming off a long layoff, so it might be wise to spend your money elsewhere.
Derek Carr vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $5,100
The Raiders are a mess. They have led at the half in each of their first three games, but don’t have a win to show for it. Carr has posted a 76.6% completion rate and is averaging 312 passing yards per game, which would both be career-highs. However, he’s turned that into only two touchdown passes and he has five interceptions. The Browns defense has been much improved and has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. That’s especially impressive when you consider they have faced the Steelers and Saints already. Stay away from Carr when crafting your lineup.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 1 – Quarterbacks
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Early bird special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
The NFL season is finally here! Along with it comes another exciting year of daily fantasy football. We’ll be doing things a little differently as we look to help you fatten your wallet. We’ll be churning out four articles a week, including one each for quarterbacks, runnings backs, wide receivers and a combined piece for tight ends and defenses/special teams.
In each article, we’ll highlight some players that work for cash or GPP contents. We’ll also highlight some players to avoid as your craft your lineup. Also, don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
CASH CONTEST OPTIONS
Tom Brady vs. Houston Texans
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $7,200
Brady had another stellar campaign in 2017, finishing with 4,577 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. It marked the sixth time in the last seven seasons that he finished with at least 4,100 yards with the only time he didn’t reach that plateau being the 2016 season when he played only 12 games due to a suspension. He also threw just eight interceptions, marking his fourth-straight season with less than 10 picks.
There has been a lot of talk heading into Week 1 about the Patriots lack of wide receivers with Julian Edelman suspended. Chris Hogan will lead that unit for now, but Brady still has star tight end Rob Gronkowski at his disposal. He also has excellent pass-catching running backs in James White and Rex Burkhead. He’ll get a favorable matchup right out of the gates against a Texans defense that allowed the second-most fantasy points per game last year to opposing quarterbacks. They did add safety Tyrann Mathieu during the offseason, but their secondary is still ranked 25th by Pro Football Focus. Brady is a safe bet to have a productive Week 1.
Drew Brees vs. Tampa Bay Buccanneers
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $6,800
The Saints turned to a more run-heavy offense last season, which resulted in a down performance from Brees. He had a stellar 72% completion percentage, but his 536 pass attempts were his lowest mark since 2009. He also threw just 23 touchdown passes, breaking a streak of nine consecutive seasons with at least 30. On a positive note, he only threw eight interceptions, his fewest since 2004.
The Saints’ running game last year was led by the two-headed monster of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. Ingram will be suspended for the first four games of the season, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Saints relied a little more on the passing game to help spell Kamara. The Saints not only have star wideout Michael Thomas, but they also added Cameron Meredith to go along with Ted Ginn Jr. A healthy Ben Watson could be a sneaky valuable weapon at tight end, as well. The Buccaneers have the 31st ranked secondary according to Pro Football Focus, leaving Brees with a high floor for this contest.
Cam Newton vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $6,900
Although Newton’s 59.1% completion percentage last year was a significant improvement from 2016, it still resulted in his fourth straight season with a completion percentage under 60%. His 3,302 passing yards were his lowest total since 2014 and he threw 16 interceptions compared to 22 touchdowns. He was a tremendous weapon in the rushing attack, though, gaining a career-high 754 yards on the ground. He also finished with six rushing scores and has at least five rushing touchdowns in every season of his career.
Part of the reason for Newton’s poor passing numbers last year may have been due to his lack of weapons. Greg Olsen missed much of the season due to injury and the Panthers were very thin at wide receiver. Olsen enters this season healthy and they added Torrey Smith and rookie D.J. Moore to go along with the emerging Devin Funchess at wide receiver. While Newton might not have as high of a ceiling as Brady and Brees, his ability to run the ball gives him a high floor most weeks.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Philip Rivers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,400
Rivers is still posting big numbers as he enters his 16th season in the NFL. He finished 2017 with 4,515 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and only 10 interceptions. He also attempted at least 570 passes and had a completion percentage of at least 60% for the fourth straight season. If you play season-long fantasy, he’s one of the more underrated safe bets to provide valuable numbers at the quarterback position.
He enters this season with plenty of weapons around him. Keenan Allen has been one of the best wide receivers in the league and promising young wide receiver Mike Williams is finally healthy heading into this year, providing Rivers with another big red zone target. The Chargers lost Hunter Henry to a torn ACL, but just brought back Antonio Gates, who has developed a great relationship with Rivers over their long careers together. The Chiefs were tied for the eighth-most fantasy points allowed per game to opposing quarterbacks last year and might be even worse in 2018 after trading star cornerback Marcus Peters to the Rams.
Andy Dalton vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,800
Dalton had what may have been the worst season of his career last year. He averaged a career-low 207.5 yards per game and his 59.9% completion percentage was his worst mark since his rookie campaign. He only had 15 combined interceptions in 2015 and 2016, but he threw 12 picks last year.
The Bengals offense could be better this season with Joe Mixon looking to break out in his second season in the league. They still have star receiver A.J. Green to go with an emerging John Ross, who opened some eyes in the preseason. Don’t be surprised if they have a huge Week 1 against the Colts, who have the league’s worst secondary according to Pro Football Focus. At this cheap price, Dalton has the potential to provide significant value.
Case Keenum vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,100
Keenum earned a starting role with the Vikings last year and helped lead them into the playoffs. Although his 3,547 passing yards wasn’t off the charts, he had a 67.6% completion percentage to go along with 22 touchdown passes and just 7 interceptions. The Vikings made a big splash bringing in Kirk Cousins during the offseason, which ultimately resulted in Keenum joining the Broncos.
Keenum had two extremely talented pass catchers with the Vikings in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. He’ll see a downgrade at that position with the Broncos, but Demaryius and Emmanuel Sanders are still a formidable duo. They also drafted the very promising Courtland Sutton and should have a solid rushing attack with Royce Freeman and Devontae Booker. The “Legion of Boom” era is a thing of the past in Seattle as their secondary looks susceptible this year, especially with Earl Thomas still holding out. Even if Thomas does return to the team before this game, Keenum still has some upside in tournament play.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – U.S. Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $5,700
Jimmy Garopplo started off his career with the 49ers in style. He only played in six games, five of which were starts, but he averaged 260 yards per contest. His seven passing touchdowns weren’t great, but he had a 67.4% completion percentage and showed a glimpse of what many believe is a bright future in the NFL. However, he draws a tough matchup this week against a very stout Vikings defense that allowed the fewest points in the NFL last year. There will be plenty of weeks that you want to roll with Garoppolo for your entry, but this might not be one of them.
Patrick Mahomes II vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $6,000
The Chiefs dealt Alex Smith to the Redskins to replace Cousins, handing over the reins to Mahomes. Selected 10th overall in the 2017 draft, it was only a matter of time before Mahomes took over the starting quarterback job. He has a big arm with talented playmakers around him including Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Kareem Hunt, which should serve him well. However, he could be turnover prone and may go through some growing pains. Although cornerback Jason Verrett has already been lost for the season with a torn Achilles, the Chargers still have an extremely talented secondary and an excellent pass rush anchored by Joey Bosa. I’d much rather take a chance on someone like Dalton rather than Mahomes if you want to go with a cheap quarterback in tournament play.