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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 15 – WR, TE, DEF/ST

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

We’ve already discussed some of the top plays at quarterback and running back for Week 15 in DFS, so now let’s dive into the rest of the positions and target some of the best options to consider. 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.

WIDE RECEIVERS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 15 - WR, TE, DEF/ST

JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $8,000

Smith-Schuster came away with another monster performance last week against the Raiders, catching eight of 12 targets for 130 yards and two touchdowns. With opposing defenses focusing their efforts on Antonio Brown, Smith-Schuster has been able to record seven games with at least 100 receiving yards this season. In fact, he has 91 receptions and 1,234 yards compared to 86 receptions and 1,063 yards for Brown. However, Brown has the edge in touchdowns with 12 compared to six for Smith-Schuster. This could be a high-scoring game against a Patriots offense that finally has a healthy complement of skill players, leaving Smith-Schuster with a high floor once again.

Tyler Boyd vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,700

It’s hard to get too excited about the Bengals’ passing attack with both Andy Dalton (thumb) and A.J. Green (foot) on the shelf. Jeff Driskel hasn’t exactly played well since taking over for Dalton, throwing for 406 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception over two games. Boyd hasn’t been able to find his way into the end zone, but he has been active with nine catches for 149 on 14 targets during that stretch. This is a favorable matchup against a Raiders defense that has allowed the most passing touchdowns (31) in the league, making Boyd a viable option despite Driskel’s lackluster play.

Robert Foster vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,300

The Bills were already extremely thin at wide receiver when they decided to release both Kelvin Benjamin and Andre Holmes. Zay Jones is now their top receiver, but Foster also has a much larger role. He logged 96 percent of the Bills’ offensive snaps in Week 14, catching seven of eight targets for 104 yards. Actually, that marked the third time in the last four games where he racked up at least 94 yards. Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen isn’t a very accurate passer, but the amount of targets that Foster should receive makes him a viable cheap option in tournament play.

Jordy Nelson vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,200

Nelson seems to be over his battle with a knee injury, logging at least 90 percent of the Raiders’ offensive snaps in each of their last three games. He couldn’t get much going against a tough Ravens defense in Week 12, but he’s amassed 16 receptions for 145 yards across his last two games. With the Raiders short on talent after trading away Amari Cooper, Nelson received 18 targets during their last two contests. The Bengals allow the fourth-most passing yards per game (274) in the league, leaving Nelson as an intriguing cost-effective option for your entry.

TIGHT ENDS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 15 - WR, TE, DEF/ST

Rob Gronkowski vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $5,800

When Gronkowski is healthy, his upside is off the charts. The problem is, that’s been a rare occurrence this season. The good news for the Patriots is that he’s healthy right now and might be peaking at the time of the year when it matters the most. He made quick work of the Dolphins last week, catching all eight of his targets for 107 yards and one touchdown. That was his first 100-yard game since Week 1. Although he only has three touchdowns this season, two of them have come in the last three weeks. The Steelers have allowed 853 yards and seven touchdowns to tight ends, potentially setting up Gronkowski for another dominant performance.

Jared Cook vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,600

With the Raiders short on options at wide receiver, Cook has become one of the main weapons in their passing game. He’s already set career-highs in receptions (61), receiving yards (825) and touchdowns (six) with three games still to go. His last two games have been especially productive, catching 14 of 18 targets for 216 yards and a touchdown. Opposing tight ends have racked up 771 yards and seven touchdowns against the Bengals this year, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down Cook.

C.J. Uzomah vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $3,600

Uzomah hasn’t been overly productive with Driskel at the helm the last two weeks, catching eight of 10 targets for 70 yards. However, of all the healthy skill players that the Bengals have left, Uzomah being on the field for 85 percent of their offensive snaps is the second-highest mark on the team behind Boyd. The Raiders have been the worst team in football at defending tight ends, allowing 961 yards and nine touchdowns to the position. At this cheap price, Uzomah’s high snap rate makes him an intriguing tournament option.

DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 15 - WR, TE, DEF/ST

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – TIAA Bank Field
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $3,400

If you play in season-long fantasy, the demise of the Jaguars’ defense should serve as a reminder to never pay up for defenses early in drafts. They’ve regressed significantly after being one of the most stout units in the league last year, including allowing 30 points to the Titans in Week 14 and 24 points to the Bills in Week 12. Their sacks are down significantly and they haven’t been forcing a lot of turnovers, either. Despite all of that, they are still a great option in Week 15 against a Redskins team that has been decimated by injuries to the quarterback position. It’s to the point where Josh Johnson will start this game. To put that into perspective, prior to his relief effort of Mark Sanchez in Week 14, Johnson hadn’t thrown a pass in the NFL since 2011.

New York Giants vs. Tennessee Titans
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $2,600

The Giants are coming on strong down the stretch, but it might be a case of too little, too late for their playoff chances. Not only are they scoring more points, but their defense has 10 sacks, five interceptions, a fumble recovery and two touchdowns across their last two games. That came against a Bears team starting Chase Daniels at quarterback and the aforementioned dumpster fire that is the Redskins’ quarterback situation, but at least they took care of business. The Titans offense isn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut, either, averaging just 19.3 points per game, leaving the Giants a viable option in tournament play.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 15 – QB & RB

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

Week 15 brings a bit of an odd schedule in the NFL with two games being played on Saturday. That leaves fewer options to choose from for the main Sunday slate in DFS, but there are still plenty of great players available. Let’s highlight some quarterbacks and running backs that could help you finish the day a winner. 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.

QUARTERBACKS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 15 - QB & RB

Ben Roethlisberger vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $6,600

Roethlisberger injured his ribs last week against the Raiders but was able to return late in the game. Considering he was on the sidelines for a good chunk of the contest, his 282 passing yards and two touchdowns resulted in a pretty good performance. All indications right now are that he plans to take the field in this matchup against the Patriots. Roethlisberger is averaging more passing yards per game on the road this year, but he has 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions across seven road games compared to 16 touchdowns and four interceptions over six games at home. The Patriots have allowed 26 touchdowns through the air, potentially setting up Roethlisberger for another meaty stat line.

Russell Wilson vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $6,700

What a disaster of a performance from Wilson against the Vikings in Week 14. He completed only 10 of 20 passes for 72 yards and one interception. The Seahawks run the ball a ton, which does somewhat limit Wilson’s upside. He’s been able to provide value in DFS mostly based on his ability to provide touchdowns, throwing for at least two scores in all but two games this season. Look for him to get back on track in Week 15 against a bad 49ers’ secondary that is tied for the third-most passing touchdowns allowed (28) in the league and has recorded just two interceptions.

Josh Allen vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $5,800

Allen did not have a good passing game in Week 14 against the Jets, completing 18 of 36 passes for 206 yards and two interceptions. He failed to throw for a touchdown yet again and only has five across nine games. However, he continued to do damage with his legs, rushing nine times for 101 yards and a touchdown. Across his last three games, Allen has 335 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. His lack of talent at wide receiver and overall inexperience may continue to leave him with lackluster passing stats, but his ability to accumulate yards on the ground makes him someone to consider in tournament play.

Derek Carr vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,400

The Raiders pulled out a shocking win against the Steelers last week and Carr was one of the main reasons for their success. He finished with 322 passing yards and two touchdowns, leaving him with eight touchdowns and no interceptions across his last four games. That’s pretty impressive considering two of those games were against the Ravens and Cardinals. He’ll face a much easier task in Week 15 against the Bengals, who have allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (274) to go along with 27 passing touchdowns. At his cheap price on both sites, he might be worth considering despite the lack of playmakers around him.

RUNNING BACKS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 15 - QB & RB

Ezekiel Elliott vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $9,000

The Cowboys earned a huge divisional win against the Eagles in Week 14. It’s no surprise that Elliott played well in the victory, rushing 28 times for 113 yards. Not only that, but he caught 12 of his season-high 13 targets for an additional 79 yards. He’s become a significant weapon in the Cowboys’ passing attack this season, receiving 81 targets through 13 games. That gives him immense upside considering he has gained at least 100 yards on the ground in seven games this year, as well. The Colts have been one of the better teams against the run, but facing Elliott is a completely different animal. He still makes for a safe option in cash contests.

Joe Mixon vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,100

With Andy Dalton (thumb) and A.J. Green (foot) out for the year, the Bengals offense is a shell of its former self. They turned to Mixon to lead their attack in Week 14, giving him a season-high 26 carries. He certainly didn’t disappoint with 111 yards and a touchdown. With fewer weapons to catch passes for the Bengals, Mixon also hauled in five of his six targets for 27 yards. He’s rushed for at least 82 yards in each of the last three games and should get all the work he can handle again in Week 15. That’s great news since the Raiders allow the second-most rushing yards per game (144.5).

Doug Martin vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $4,700

To say Martin was inefficient last week against the Steelers would be an understatement. He was heavily involved with 16 carries but turned them into just 32 yards. Luckily, he somewhat salvaged his performance with a touchdown. The silver lining here was the significant workload that he received and the fact that his touchdown marked his third score across the last three games. The Raiders should continue to give him the bulk of the carries Sunday, which could lead him to a valuable performance since the Bengals have allowed the most rushing yards per game (148.1) and second-most rushing touchdowns (17).

Dalvin Cook vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – U.S. Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,500

The Vikings offense was awful against the Seahawks on Monday, scoring just seven points. That leaves them with 17 total points over their last two games. Cook was one of the few players who had a respectable performance in Week 15, accumulating 83 total yards and a touchdown. It was also encouraging to see him on the field for 77 percent of the Vikings’ offensive snaps compared to just 20 percent for Latavious Murray. The Dolphins are tied for the third-most rushing yards allowed per game (139.5), leaving Cook as an excellent target in tournament play, especially based on his price on FanDuel.

Jeff Wilson Jr. vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $4,600

Wilson was plenty involved in Week 14 filling in for the injured Matt Breida (ankle), logging 86 percent of the 49ers’ offensive snaps. He only had two targets thrown his way, but he did carry the ball 23 times for 90 yards. Breida has battled various injuries throughout the season and his status for Week 15 is still very much in doubt. If he is unable to play, Wilson would likely again handle the bulk of the work in the 49ers’ backfield. The Seahawks don’t give up a ton of yards on the ground, overall, but they do allow five yards-per-carry, which is tied for the third-most in the league.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 – Wide Receivers

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

The Chiefs and Rams being on byes take away some of the top wide receivers for Week 12, but there are still some great options that stand out at the position in DFS. Let’s highlight a few across the price scale that are worth considering. 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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Wide Receivers

Antonio Brown vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $8,700

The Steelers were down 16-0 against the Jaguars on Sunday but stormed back for a big win on the road. Brown wasn’t exactly efficient by catching five of 13 targets, but he turned in a season-high 117 receiving yards and a touchdown. The yardage total is especially impressive when you consider how well the Jaguars have defended against the pass this season. They’ve allowed just 14 passing touchdowns, as well.

The Broncos aren’t exactly a pushover, either, but they have given up 18 touchdowns through the air. Brown not only leads the Steelers with 109 targets but that mark also ranks third in the entire league. Add in his 11 touchdown receptions and he has one of the highest floors of any receiver in DFS, especially during a week with Tyreek Hill and the Rams receivers unavailable.

Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $8,800

The Giants regrouped during their bye week and have now won two straight games for the first time since December of 2016. They scored at least 27 points in both wins with Beckham leading the charge for their receiver group. After catching four passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns in Week 10, Beckham followed that up with four receptions for 74 yards and another touchdown in Week 11.

Likely the biggest reason for the Giants offensive explosion has been their opponents. They faced the 49ers and Bucs, who have combined to allow 46 touchdown passes. The Eagles overall numbers aren’t nearly as bad, but their secondary is decimated right now by injuries. That led the Saints to score 48 points against them in Week 11. Eli Manning is no Drew Brees and this game is at home for the Eagles, but this is a matchup where Beckham could feast.

Mike Evans vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,700

The Bucs were in catch-up mode against the Giants last week, which helped Evans put up some big numbers during the second half. He finished the game with six catches for 120 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. The Bucs will be making yet another quarterback change for this contest, but Evans certainly has a long-standing relationship with Jameis Winston, so don’t expect it to negatively impact his value.

The thing you love about Evans is that you know he’s going to have plenty of opportunities to produce. Not only is he the Bucs top wide receiver, but their defense gives up a ton of points. This requires their offense to throw a lot to try and keep pace. This is a matchup to exploit against a 49ers secondary that has allowed 21 touchdown passes and recorded just two interceptions all season.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Wide Receivers

Tyler Boyd vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $6,000

Boyd was the Bengals primary pass catcher again in Week 11 with A.J. Green (toe) on the sidelines. He received 11 targets in that contest, marking his second-highest total of the season. However, he wasn’t able to cash in on his opportunity, catching just four passes for 71 yards. He also failed to score a touchdown for the second straight week, which is somewhat surprising since Green missed both of those contests.

Green will likely return for Week 12, which might actually be a good thing for Boyd. He’ll no longer be the focal point of the opposing team’s defense, setting him up with a better chance to shine against lesser cornerbacks. The Browns do have 13 interceptions this year, but they’ve also allowed the third-most passing yards per game (288). While not a completely safe option at this price, Boyd could be in line for a bounce-back performance.

Doug Baldwin vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Bank of American Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,100

Baldwin is going to need to make a late push if he’s going to get at least 100 targets for the fourth straight season. Injuries left him to start off slowly, but he’s finally showing signs of turning things around with some improved health. He had his best performance of the year in Week 11, catching seven of 10 targets for 52 yards and a touchdown. That marked the first time he’s received double-digit targets in a game and his first touchdown.

If Baldwin really is past his injury issues, he could be in for a monster finish. One of the more encouraging stats from his Week 11 performance is that he received three red zone targets. The Panthers haven’t given up a ton of yards through the air, but they have allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns (23). This might be the time to take advantage by putting Baldwin in your lineup before his price starts to climb.

Larry Fitzgerald vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,000

Is there anyone happier than Larry Fitzgerald that the Cardinals made a change at offensive coordinator? Other than David Johnson, probably not. In three games since Byron Leftwich took over, Fitzgerald has compiled 26 targets, 16 receptions, 175 yards, and three touchdowns. Across his first seven games, he had a total of 41 targets, 26 receptions, 255 yards, and one touchdown.

It should be noted that his increased production could also be a product of an easier schedule. He has played the 49ers, Chiefs, and Raiders across his last three contests, none of which defend the pass well. Facing the Chargers won’t be as easy with them allowing 15 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions. With that being said, Fitzgerald should still see enough volume to at least be worth considering in tournament play.

Marquise Goodwin vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,600

There are few people who were as high as I was on Goodwin heading into this season. He was coming off of a great 2017 campaign and looked poised to break out with Jimmy Garopplo at quarterback. However, injuries hit the 49ers early and often, the most significant of which was losing Garoppolo to a torn ACL. Goodwin has battled plenty of his own injury concerns, leaving him with just 17 catches for 339 yards.

If you’re looking for a silver lining with Goodwin, he does have four touchdown receptions. He also caught four passes for 69 yards against the Giants in Week 10 and has now had the benefit of a bye week to rest up. If there was ever a game for him to break out, this is it. The Bucs have allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game (282) and are tied for the most touchdown passes allowed (25), making Goodwin an extremely appealing option at this price.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $7,100

This is more about Allen’s matchup than anything else. He’s playing really well right now with touchdowns in back-to-back games and he has 87 targets already. However, the Cardinals boast a strong secondary that contains star cornerback Patrick Peterson. They’ve allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (218), making Allen a risky option at this price. I’d much rather roll with Mike Evans if you looking for someone in a similar price range as Allen.

Golden Tate vs. New York Giants
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $4,800

After barely playing in Week 10 against the Cowboys, Tate was on the field for 71 percent of the Eagles offensive snaps in Week 11. He didn’t put up a great performance, though, with five catches for 48 yards on eight targets. The Eagles are still working him into their offense, but even in the best case scenario, he’s likely their third receiving option behind Zach Ertz and Alshon Jeffery. His price on DraftKings isn’t terrible, but he seems like a reach based on his price on FanDuel.

NFL 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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Quarterbacks

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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Quarterbacks

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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Quarterbacks

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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - Quarterbacks

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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - Quarterbacks

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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - Quarterbacks

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 – Wide Receivers

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

With the Vikings and Texans on byes and the Steelers and Giants both playing in prime time games, a lot of the top talent at wide receiver won’t be available for the main slate in DFS for Week 10. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players to target, and some to possibly avoid, as you create 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 10 - Wide Receivers

Michael Thomas vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $8,100

Thomas got off to a blistering start this season with at least 10 targets and 10 receptions in each of his first three games. During that stretch, he had a total of 398 yards and three touchdowns. His production dropped off significantly starting in Week 4 but he rebounded to post 211 yards and a touchdown Sunday in a shootout against the Rams. It’s no coincidence that he received 15 targets, which were his most in a game since Week 4.

The Saints have a great running back duo of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, which could limit Thomas’ production from time to time if the Saints take a run-heavy approach. This could end up being a blowout against a far inferior Bengals team, but don’t shy away from Thomas just because there could be a lot of run calls in the second half. The Bengals allow the most passing yards per game (319) in the league, making Thomas a great option in cash games.

Keenan Allen vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,100

Although Allen hasn’t been as productive as he was last year, it was going to be hard to duplicate the 159 targets that he received in 2017. The good news is he still has 66 targets through eight games, 10 of which came in Week 9 against the Seahawks. Normally a good defense against the pass, the Seahawks allowed Allen to rack up six receptions for 124 yards.

One area of disappointment for Allen has been his lack of touchdowns. He found his way into the end zone in Week 1 but hasn’t scored since. That’s a significant stat for someone who had six touchdowns last year. This could be the week he breaks that streak, though, with the Raiders tied for the second-most passing touchdowns allowed (19) in the league. In their first meeting this season, Allen was plenty involved with eight catches on nine targets for 90 yards.

Tyler Boyd vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $7,500

The Bengals found themselves in a high-scoring affair with the Bucs in Week 7, leaving Boyd with a team-high 10 targets. He sure made the most of his opportunities, catching nine passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. After posting 225 total receiving yards across 10 games last year, Boyd already has three games with at least 100 receiving yards this season.

Boyd had already worked his way into a significant role, but he’s now the Bengals top wide receiver with A.J. Green (toe) out for at least two games. Even with Boyd’s emergence, Green is still leading the team with 76 targets, so that’s a lot to make up for. This Bengals might also be forced to throw a ton to keep up with the Saints high-powered offense, potentially setting up Boyd for another monster day.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 10 - Wide Receivers

Mike Evans vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,000

The Bucs scored 28 points against the Panthers in Week 9 and Evans received 10 targets. He must have dominated, right? Unfortunately for his sake, and for the sake of everyone who played him in DFS, Evans actually had a disastrous performance with one catch for 16 yards. That marked the first time this season that Evans has finished with fewer than five receptions and 58 yards in a game.

Don’t overact to one fluky performance. The fact that Evans received 10 targets is the key takeaway. Across the first four games in which Evans received at least 10 targets this year, he averaged 7.3 receptions and 125.6 yards. He scored three total touchdowns in those games, as well. The Redskins have been great against the run this year, but their pass defense is suspect. Both sites dropped Evans’ price tag after last week’s dud, leaving a prime opportunity to take advantage of for your entry.

Cooper Kupp vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,400

Kupp had sat out the previous two games due to a knee injury, but he was able to take the field Sunday against the Saints. He certainly wasn’t eased back into action as he was on the field for every one of the Rams offensive plays. Even with so many weapons around him, Kupp had another valuable performance with five receptions on six targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. Although he’s only played in seven games, Kupp has already set a new career-high with six touchdowns.

It was great to see Kupp at full go in his first game back. He’s had a couple of games this season where he’s had to leave early due to injury, one of them was against these same Seahawks in Week 5 due to a concussion. Despite only playing 55 percent of the snaps in that contest, Kupp still finished with six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. At this very reasonable price, Kupp is a great option to consider.

Larry Fitzgerald vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,400

The Cardinals offense has been horrible for most of the year, which has really put a cap on Fitzgerald’s upside. After receiving at least 145 targets in three straight seasons, Fitzgerald only had 41 targets across his first seven games. The Cardinals mercifully fired offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, which immediately provided positive results for Fitzgerald. In his first game with Byron Leftwich at the helm of their offense, Fitzgerald had eight receptions on 12 targets for 102 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers.

With a bye in Week 9, the Cardinals had even more time to get their new offense up to speed. Leftwich has already stated that he wanted to get Fitzgerald and David Johnson more involved, so don’t be surprised if you see dramatically better production from both players over the second half. Week 10 stands out as an opportunity for Fitzgerald to shine against a Chiefs defense that has allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game (303).

Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,000

The Packers seemed pretty well set at wide receiver heading into the year with the trio of Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, and Geronimo Allison. As a result, Valdes-Scantling was relegated to a very limited role out of the gate. After injuries started to mount, the Packers had no choice but to turn to their young receiver for production. Not only has he held his own, but Valdes-Scantling has shined in his added playing time with at least 101 receiving yards in two of his last three games.

Valdes-Scantling was already pressing for more snaps, but he has a secure role now with Allison being placed on IR earlier this week. Cobb might carry more name recognition, but Valdes-Scantling could be the Packers number two wide receiver for the rest of the year. With Aaron Rodgers throwing him passes, he’s hard to pass up in tournament play at this cheap price.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 10 - Wide Receivers

T.Y. Hilton vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $5,700

The Colts scored 42 points against the Raiders in their last game Week 8, but Hilton was pretty quiet with only one catch on five targets for 34 yards. That marked the fourth time in his six games that Hilton has finished with 50 or fewer receiving yards. The Jaguars defense hasn’t been as formidable this year, but they’ve still allowed the fewest passing yards per game (190). They’ve only allowed nine touchdown passes, as well, leaving Hilton as a very risky option.

Randall Cobb vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $4,900

Cobb started out the season with 142 yards against the Bears in Week 1, but he has a total of 116 yards across four games since. If it wasn’t for the injury to Allison, there was an argument to be made for Valdes-Scantling to receive more playing time over Cobb. Cobb should be on the field plenty moving forward, but he might not get a ton of passes thrown his way with all of the other options that Rodgers has. If you want to take a chance on a cheap Packers receiver, Cobb is not the one you want.

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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 10 - Quarterbacks

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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 10 - Quarterbacks

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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 10 - Quarterbacks

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 – Wide Receivers

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

A lot of the top stars at wide receiver won’t be available for the main Sunday slate in DFS for Week 8. Adam Thielen, Julio Jones, Keenan Allen, Michael Thomas, and DeAndre Hopkins are among the players who are either on a bye or playing in prime time games. That being said, there is still plenty of talent available across the price scale.  Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players to target, and some to possibly avoid, as you create 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Wide Receivers

Antonio Brown vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,500

Brown received a season-low six targets in Week 6, but he hauled in five of them for 105 yards and a touchdown. That marked Brown’s second consecutive game with at least 100 receiving yards and the fifth time in six contests that he found his way into the end zone. With six total touchdowns this season, he is only three scores away from matching his mark from all of last season. Even with being on a bye last week, Brown’s 72 targets rank sixth-most in the league.

Brown was able to take advantage of the Browns during their first meeting in Week 1, catching nine of 16 targets for 93 yards and a touchdown. The Browns have only allowed nine touchdown passes while generating 11 interceptions, but they have allowed the seventh-most passing yards per game (279). This game being played at home does work in Brown’s favor since his quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has historically played better at Heinz Field. While Roethlisberger has posted similar yardage totals at home and on the road this year, he has seven touchdowns and two interceptions in three home games compared to five touchdowns and four interceptions in three road contests.

A.J. Green vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,000

Even with the Bengals’ offensive struggles in Week 7, Green still put up great numbers. He received a season-high 14 targets, converting them into seven receptions for 117 yards. That marked Green’s third straight game with at least 10 targets and the fourth time this season that he has finished with at least 85 yards. However, he did fail to reach the end zone for the third straight week.

While it is a bit concerning that Green has struggled to score touchdowns lately, he did record five of them across his first four games. He’s also finished with at least eight touchdowns in every season of his career in which he has played all 16 games. This is a prime matchup for him to find his way into the end zone again with the Bucs allowing the most passing touchdowns (18) in the league despite already having their bye week.

Tyreek Hill vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $8,600

Hill didn’t have a great performance yardage wise last week, catching seven passes for 68 yards. His 9.7 yards-per-reception was his second-lowest mark of the season. On the bright side, he still had 10 targets, marking the third time in the last four games that he had at least that many. Also, he scored a touchdown to bring his total to seven for the year, matching his mark from all of 2017.

The Chiefs offense leaves most of their skill players with significant upside with Hill maybe having the highest ceiling of them all. His 15.5 yards-per-reception rank him inside the top 20 in the league and his seven touchdown receptions are more than any other player. The Broncos have been much better at defending against the pass than the run this season, but Hill still has a high enough floor in this potent offense to be worth considering in cash contests.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Wide Receivers

Emmanuel Sanders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,500

The addition of Case Keenum at quarterback hasn’t exactly gone as well as the Broncos had hoped for, but he’s certainly provided a significant boost for Sanders. Last year, Sanders caught 47 of 92 targets for 555 yards and two touchdowns across 12 games. Through seven games this season, he has 46 receptions on 61 targets for 601 yards and three touchdowns. He had just a 51.5% catch rate last year, but that mark stands at 75.4% this season.

Sanders did leave their Week 7 game after injuring his ankle, but he’s had extra time to recover with that game being played on Thursday. All indications are that he should be able to play Sunday and the Broncos will certainly need him to try and keep pace with the Chiefs offense. The Chiefs defense did play much better against the Bengals. but they’ve still allowed the second-most passing yards per game (317).

Tyler Boyd vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $6,700

Boyd was one of the main players to suffer from the Bengals 10-point performance last week, catching three of four targets for just 27 yards. It was the first time this year he received less than five targets in a game and his three receptions were also his fewest since Week 1. He’s been a bit boom-or-bust, posting two 100-yard performances, but also recording three contests with fewer than 50 yards.

The Bengals continue to be short on pass-catching options with Tyler Eifert out for the season and John Ross unlikely to play in this game. That should be great news for Boyd because not only do the Bucs give up a ton of touchdowns, but they’ve also allowed the most passing yards per game (328). Boyd has been on the field for at least 93% of the team’s offensive snaps the last two weeks, so don’t be surprised if he has one of his best performances of the season Sunday.

Christian Kirk vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,500

The Cardinals offense is a disaster. They’ve scored fewer than 20 points in all but one game this season, which finally led to the firing of offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. Byron Leftwich now takes over the offensive reins, so it might take a couple of games to see how his play calling shakes out. That being said, it can’t be any worse than things were under McCoy’s tenure.

One player who has played fairly well despite the team’s struggles in Kirk, who has been on the field for 74% of their offensive snaps this season. He’s finished with at least 57 receiving yards in four of his last five games and has received at least five targets in five of his last six. Their offensive futility has resulted in him scoring only one touchdown, but that score did come against these same 49ers in Week 5. The 49ers defense has allowed 16 touchdown passes and recorded just one interception, so this looks like an opportunity to take a chance on Kirk in tournament play.

Jordy Nelson vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,700

This season has been a lost cause for the Raiders. The team traded away their best defensive player in Khalil Mack just before the start of the year and now they have dealt Amari Cooper to the Cowboys. Add in the fact that Marshawn Lynch was just placed on IR and this offense is severely lacking playmakers.

One of the last men left standing is Nelson. Outside of his 173-yard performance in Week 3, Nelson hasn’t finished with more than 50 receiving yards in another game this year. The good news is that he does have three touchdowns and he was tied with Cooper with 31 targets, so he could be even more involved moving forward. The Colts have been scoring in bunches of late, so the Raiders might need to lean on Nelson and the passing game to keep pace.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Wide Receivers

Sammy Watkins vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $4,600

Watkins is coming off one of his better performances of the season in Week 7, catching four of seven targets for 74 yards. He has upside, but he also is very inconsistent, finishing with 21 yards or fewer three separate times. Hill and Travis Kelce are the clear top receiving options for the Chiefs, with both having at least 60 targets compared to Watkins’ 40. His price on DraftKings is somewhat reasonable based on his inconsistencies, but he’s still risky. Considering Boyd is close to the same price as Watkins on FanDuel, it might be prudent to avoid him all together there.

Marvin Jones Jr. vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,800

The Lions have three talented wide receivers, but they use a ton of three-receiver sets, helping Jones be on the field for 98% of their offensive snaps. With that being said, Jones’ 37 targets are third behind Golden Tate (57) and Kenny Golladay (43). Jones is only averaging 45 receiving yards per game, as a result, which is a far cry from his career-high 68.8 yards per game last year. The Seahawks have allowed the third-fewest receiving yards per game (206), leaving Jones with very little 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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Quarterbacks

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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Quarterbacks

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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Quarterbacks

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 – Wide Receivers

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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The Giants, Chiefs, and Packers all won’t be part of the main slate for DFS in Week 6, but there are still plenty of great wide receiver options to help you bring home some money. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players to target, and some to possibly avoid, as you create 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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6 - Wide Receivers

A.J. Green vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,000

Green topped 100 receiving yards for the first time this season during Week 5, hauling in six of 10 targets for 112 yards. Although his yardage totals haven’t always been great, Green has received at least eight targets in all five contests. This is nothing new for Green considering he has never received fewer than 100 targets in a season during his career. That’s especially impressive since he has played 13 or fewer games in a season twice.

The Bengals offense has been much improved, which has helped Green record five touchdowns. While he only had 12 total touchdowns the last two seasons, Green had recorded at least 10 scores in three of the previous four campaigns before that stretch. The Steelers have allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (296) and are tied for the most passing touchdowns allowed (13), leaving Green with a high floor Sunday.

Adam Thielen vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – U.S. Bank Stadium
FanDuel – $8,600
DraftKings = $8,500

Simply put, Thielen is a target machine. His 66 targets are tied for the league lead with Antonio Brown and his 47 receptions are more than any other player. The problem for Thielen last year was that he received plenty of passes thrown his way, but he was only able to convert them into three touchdowns. He’s already matched that mark this season to go along with at least 105 yards in each contest.

There are few sure things in DFS, but Thielen has one of the highest floors of any receiver in the league. The Vikings offense has been explosive with Kirk Cousins at the helm, resulting in them attempting the third-most passes in the league. The Vikings might get up big in this game against the inferior Cardinals, but Thielen will still get plenty of opportunities to provide value.

Julio Jones vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $7,900

The drought continues for Jones. He has failed to find the end zone this season and has scored just three touchdowns total since the start of the 2017 season. He had his worst performance of the year in Week 5, catching five of nine targets for 62 yards. On the bright side, it was the fourth time this season that Jones has received at least nine targets.

Jones’ lack of touchdowns might scare some people away from using him at this price. However, this is a stellar matchup against the Bucs. They have allowed the most passing yards per game (358) and are tied with the Steelers for the most touchdown passes allowed (13) despite only playing four games. When these two teams met in Atlanta last year, Jones exploded for 12 catches on 15 targets for 253 yards and two touchdowns. This is as good an opportunity as any for Jones to find the end zone.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6 - Wide Receivers

Tyler Boyd vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $6,000

Boyd was flying high heading into Week 5 against the Dolphins having posted at least 91 receiving yards in three straight games. He was heavily involved with seven targets, but he was only able to turn that into four catches for 44 yards. He also failed to score a touchdown for the second straight week against a Dolphins defense that has only allowed six scores through the air all season.

Although his results last week were a disappointment, it was encouraging to see him receive so many targets. He and Green are actually tied for the team lead with 43 targets each. After them, the next two players with the most targets are both injured in Giovani Bernard (21) and Tyler Eifert (19). With how poorly the Steelers defense has played against the pass this season, there is plenty of room for both Green and Boyd to be productive Sunday.

Mohamed Sanu vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,800

The sexy names in the Falcons wide receiver corp are Jones and emerging rookie Calvin Ridley. While they might grab all the headlines, don’t sleep on Sanu. He had another big game last week against the Steelers with 73 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. It marked the second time in the last three weeks that Sanu found the end zone and the fourth time in five games that he has received at least six targets.

Sanu has been on the field for 81% of the Falcons offensive plays this season, which is second-highest on the team only to tight end Austin Hooper. By comparison, Ridley has only been on the field 61% of the time. Ridley might have the highest touchdown upside and Jones may receive more targets, but Sanu can provide value in his own right. Considering how cheap he is on both sites, he could be a great option against the porous Bucs secondary.

Keke Coutee vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – NRG Stadium
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,600

The Texans have two excellent wide receivers in DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller. Both are having great seasons with quarterback Deshaun Watson back from a torn ACL. Another player who is starting to emerge for the Texans is Coutee, who missed the first three games due to a hamstring injury. He debuted in style Week 4 against the Colts, catching 11 of 15 targets for 109 yards. He followed that up with six catches on seven targets for 51 yards and a touchdown Week 5.

Can Coutee keep up this kind of production playing alongside two other great receivers? Well, working in his favor is the fact that the Texans run a lot of three-receiver sets. That has resulted in Coutee being on the field for 82% of the teams offensive plays since his return. His upside isn’t nearly as high as that of Hopkins or Fuller, but it doesn’t have to be for him to be a viable option in tournament play at this price.

Chester Rogers vs. New York Jets
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,500

The Colts were extremely thin on pass-catching options for Week 5 with both T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle out due to injury. Rogers was heavily involved, as a result, catching eight of 11 targets for 66 yards. Doyle was out for Week 4, too, and Hilton was also injured during that game, which helped Rogers catch eight of 11 targets for 85 yards.

Injuries will be a problem for the Colts again for Week 6 with both Hilton and Doyle unlikely to play. Eric Ebron has helped make up for the loss of Doyle, but the Colts wide receiver trio of Rogers, Ryan Grant, and Zach Pascal are left to fill the significant void created by Hilton’s absence. Rogers hasn’t shown to have big-play upside, but 22 targets across two games in certainly encouraging for his potential output Sunday.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6 - Wide Receivers

Allen Robinson vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,700

The Bears badly needed to add talent at wide receiver during the offseason, resulting in Robinson being their prized acquisition. He posted 10 catches on 14 targets in Week 2, but only accumulated 83 yards. He has yet to top 100 receiving yards in a game this season and has finished with 61 or fewer receiving yards in three of four contests. The Dolphins have done a great job keeping opposing receivers out of the end zone, leaving Robinson with little upside.

Corey Davis vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – Nissan Stadium
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,800

Davis followed up his monster performance Week 4 against the Eagles with just four catches on six targets for 49 yards last week against the Bills. Considering he has 62 receiving yards or fewer in four of five games, that game against the Eagles is more of an outlier than anything else. The Ravens have allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (215), so don’t expect Davis to be overly productive.