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Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations – Week 7

Lineuplab.com - Win on Fanduel & Draftkings with our tools - Daily Fantasy Football

Week 7 may not have a ton of great match ups on the schedule, but it will be highlighted by a Super Bowl rematch between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons. While that should be an exciting game, hopefully the best part of your Week 7 is bringing home money playing DFS. Put your favorite daily fantasy football recommendations from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the NFL Player Lab.

**QUARTERBACKS**

Matt Ryan vs New England Patriots
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $7,500
FanDuel = $8,700

Ryan and the Falcons offense have struggled this season, resulting in a 3-2 record. Ryan has only thrown for more than 300 yards in a game once this season, which came in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. He has also thrown more than one touchdown pass in a game only once this season and has six touchdowns passes and six interceptions overall. With that being said, I still like him a lot in this contest against a Patriots defense that has allowed the most net passing yards in the NFL and is tied for the most passing touchdowns allowed. If there was ever a week for a breakout performance from Ryan, this is it.

Kirk Cousins vs Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $6,500
FanDuel = $7,500

Cousins comes into Week 7 on a hot streak as he has thrown at least two touchdowns in each of the last three games while also throwing for at least 330 yards in two of those three contests. He has nine touchdowns compared to only two interceptions this season. Not really known for his running, Cousins already has a career-high 103 rushing yards this season. Week 7 brings a match up against an Eagles defense that has allowed the fourth most net passing yards per game this season. Expect a valuable performance from Cousins Sunday.

Brett Hundley vs New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Lambeau Field
DraftKings = $5,100
FanDuel = $6,500

Hundley replaced injured star quarterback Aaron Rodgers last week against the Minnesota Vikings and struggled as he threw for 157 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. With Rodgers possibly out for the season, Hundley will get a chance to make a name for himself. While you should expect him to struggle at times, Week 7 presents an interesting opportunity against the Saints. Not only have Saints allowed the fifth most net passing yards per game, but Hundley is going to have to try and keep up with their high scoring offense. If you need a cheap quarterback, Hundley is your man.

**RUNNING BACKS**

Devonta Freeman vs New England Patriots
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $7,300
FanDuel = $7,800

I’ve already detailed how much the Patriots struggle in pass coverage, but they don’t do much better against the run either as they have allowed 4.7 yards per carry and 116 rushing yards per game. Although the Falcons offense has struggled, it hasn’t kept Freeman out of the end zone as he has five rushing touchdowns this season. This has the makings of a shootout, which could lead to plenty of scoring chances for Freeman.

Jerick McKinnon vs Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – U.S. Bank Stadium
DraftKings = $6,300
FanDuel = $7,000

McKinnon has played his way into the starting running back role over Latavius Murray as he has 164 rushing yards, 81 receiving yards and three total touchdowns over his last two games.  His role in the passing game creates extra value as he hauled in 11 catches on 12 targets over those two contests. Week 7 brings the opportunity to cash in against a Ravens defense that has allowed the third most rushing yards per game. Roll with McKinnon and enjoy the production.

Duke Johnson Jr. vs Tennessee Titans
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
DraftKings = $4,900
FanDuel = $5,500

Johnson struggled against the Houston Texans last week as he rushed for 40 yards on five carries and had three receptions for minus one yard. Don’t read too much into that though as quarterback Kevin Hogan was terrible in the contest. DeShone Kizer will start this week in place of Hogan and while Kizer has struggled too, he seems to have good chemistry with Johnson. In four games entering Week 6, Johnson had logged 21 receptions on 26 targets for 250 yards with Kizer at the helm. Use him this week, especially considering his cheap price.

**WIDE RECEIVERS**

Dez Bryant vs San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
DraftKings = $7,800
FanDuel = $8,200

Other than Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals, Bryant has received at least eight targets in each game this season. He has turned those opportunities into points as he has scored in three of the last four games. Week 7 brings a promising match up against the 49ers as they have allowed the sixth most net passing yards per game this season. A lot of elite receivers have tough match ups this week, leaving Bryant as one of the better expensive options.

Pierre Garcon vs Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
DraftKings = $5,800
FanDuel = $6,700

Although Garcon is still looking for his first touchdown of the season, he is off to a solid start with the 49ers as he has 33 receptions for 434 yards. He is a major part of their offense, evident by his 56 targets already this season. The Cowboys could be in for a big offensive performance in this game, leaving the 49ers to play catch up and throw the ball a lot. Considering the volume Garcon regularly receives, he should be very productive Sunday.

Nelson Agholor vs Washington Redskins
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $4,900
FanDuel = $5,900

Agholor is in the midst of a breakout season as he enters Week 7 with 321 receiving yards, which is only 44 yards less than his previous career high for a single season. While he doesn’t get a ton of targets, he has cashed in on his opportunities as he has a 66.7% catch percentage this season. This week brings a rematch against a Washington team that he posted six catches, 86 receiving yards and one touchdown against Week 1. Make sure to plug him into your entry at this cheap price.

Rishard Matthews vs Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
DraftKings = $5,500
FanDuel = $5,500

Matthews is not off to a great start this season as he has recorded 49 or less receiving yards in three of six games. He has also struggled to find the end zone as he only has one touchdown. All that being said, he gets to face a Browns defense that is tied for the most passing touchdowns allowed this season. Mattews has a chance to far outproduce his price point in this contest.

**TIGHT ENDS**

Jimmy Graham vs New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $4,900
FanDuel = $5,800

Graham has finally become a focal point of the Seahawks offense as he has received at least eight targets in two of the last three games. He also scored his first touchdown in the Seahawks last game against the Los Angeles Rams. This is a juicy match up for Graham Sunday against a Giants team that really struggles to defend tight ends. The Giants have allowed the most receiving yards (432) and touchdowns (7) to tight ends this season. Look for Graham to cash in on their continued struggles.

Austin Hooper vs New England Patriots
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $4,100
FanDuel = $5,000

Hooper stormed out of the gate this season with 128 receiving yards and a touchdown Week 1. However, he followed that up with 16 yards total over the next two weeks. It seems he has righted the ship with 98 yards total in the last two weeks. The Falcons are finally throwing him the ball more as he had 16 targets over the last two weeks compared to six over the first three weeks. He doesn’t cost much, making him a great option Sunday if you can’t afford to put Graham in your lineup.

**DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS**

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
DraftKings = $3,700
FanDuel = $5,400

The Jaguars defense has created a ton of havoc this season as they lead the NFL in both sacks (23) and interceptions (10). That’s fantasy gold. They get to face a Colts offense that is only averaging 19.8 points per game this season while starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett only has three passing touchdowns. The Jaguars present the best option at defense for Week 7.

New York Jets vs Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
DraftKings = $3,000
FanDuel = $4,400

The Dolphins have averaging only 12.2 points per game this season, far and away the worst in the NFL. Starting quarterback Jay Cutler only has five touchdowns compared to four interceptions this season and star running back Jay Ajayi is still looking for his first score of the season. At this price, the Jets defense provides great value for Week 7.

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations – Week 6

Lineuplab.com - Win on Fanduel & Draftkings with our tools - Daily Fantasy Football

With four teams on a bye this week and injuries mounting across the NFL, some unexpected players will be valuable options in DFS. Their names might not be flashy, but their potential to produce should not be overlooked. Put your favorite daily fantasy football recommendations from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the NFL Player Lab.

Deshaun Watson - Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Lineup Lab

**QUARTERBACKS**

Deshaun Watson vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – NRG Stadium
DraftKings = $6,700
FanDuel = $7,900

Watson has burst onto the scene this season and has established himself not only as the starting quarterback of the future for the Texans, but also a valuable fantasy option. He has already thrown for 1,072 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions to go along with 179 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Although some of his production came in garbage time last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, he still finished the game with a whopping five touchdowns. Week 6 brings a favorable matchup against the Browns who have allowed 11 passing touchdowns this season, tied for second-most in the NFL. Start Watson with confidence.

Kirk Cousins vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – FedEx Field
DraftKings = $6,800
FanDuel = $7,800

After a rough first two games this season, Cousins turned things around as he threw for 585 yards and five touchdowns combined Weeks 3 and 4. With Washington coming off of its bye week, they have had extra time to prepare for an already weak 49ers passing defense that has allowed the seventh most net passing yards in the NFL. The last two weeks, they allowed Jacoby Brissett to throw for 314 yards and Carson Palmer to throw for 357 yards. Cousins is a much better quarterback than both of them and I expect him to put up big numbers Week 6.

Josh McCown vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $5,200
FanDuel = $6,900

I never thought I’d be recommending you play McCown this season, but I’m doing just that this week. The Jets are off to a surprising 3-2 start and McCown has been a steadying veteran presence at quarterback for them. While he has helped them improve in the win column, his numbers aren’t great as he has five touchdowns compared to four interceptions through five weeks. The reason I’m inclined to give him a shot Sunday is because the Patriots have allowed the most net passing yards per game this season. The Jets may also need to throw the ball more in an effort to keep up with the Patriots offense, so go with McCown if you need a cheap quarterback for your entry.

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Kareem Hunt - Lineup Lab

**RUNNING BACKS**

Kareem Hunt vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
DraftKings = $8,200
FanDuel = $9,300

Hunt continues to be a reliable fantasy option as he has rushed for at least 100 yards in four of five games this season. While he hasn’t scored in either of his last two games, he still has four rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns on the season overall. Week 6 brings a great match up against a Steelers defense that allows the fifth most rushing yards per game in the NFL. Fellow rookie Leonard Fournette exploded for 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns last week against the Steelers, so the Steelers could be sick of seeing rookie running backs after this contest.

Marshawn Lynch vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
DraftKings = $5,000
FanDuel = $6,000

Lynch had a favorable matchup last week against the Ravens and while he only had 43 rushing yards on 12 carries, he did find the end zone for the second time this season. He has rushed for 45 yards or less in four of five games this season, but I’m rolling with him against the Chargers in Week 6. The Chargers are allowing an average of 161 rushing yards per game, most in the NFL. Did you see what the Giants did to them last week? The Giants, who have one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL, managed to come away with 152 rushing yards. That’s scary. I can’t pass up Lynch in this matchup considering his cheap price.

Andre Ellington vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – University of Phoenix Stadium
DraftKings = $5,300
FanDuel = $5,500

Ellington is clearly not a factor in the running game for the Cardinals as he only has 49 total rushing yards this season. He is a major factor in the passing attack though as he already has 257 receiving yards on 28 receptions. The last two games have been even better for Ellington as he has 18 receptions on 24 targets for 151 yards. Don’t worry about the addition of Adrian Peterson, Ellington is clearly their passing-down back. The Buccaneers have allowed the second most net passing yards per game this season, making Ellington a great option again this week at a cheap price.

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - DeAndre Hopkins - Lineuplab

**WIDE RECEIVERS**

DeAndre Hopkins vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – NRG Stadium
DraftKings = $8,100
FanDuel = $8,000

Week 5 wasn’t looking great for Hopkins, but he cashed in for two touchdowns during garbage time to finish with three scores and 52 yards on the day. Hopkins had a rough 2016 season, finishing with 78 receptions on 151 targets, 954 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He already has 35 receptions on 61 targets, 363 receiving yards and five touchdowns this season. Clearly Watson’s preferred receiving option, Hopkins has racked up at least 12 targets in four of five games this season. I’m a big fan of a Watson/Hopkins stack this week.

DeSean Jackson vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – University of Phoenix Stadium
DraftKings = $5,800
FanDuel = $6,400

Jackson has had an inconsistent start to his Buccaneers’ career, recording 39 receiving yards or less in two games while hauling in at least 84 receiving yards in the other two contests. He is coming off of his best game last week against the Patriots where he had five receptions on nine targets for 106 yards. He gets the Cardinals this week and while much is made about star cornerback Patrick Peterson, he will be matched up against Mike Evans in this game. The Cardinals have actually allowed 10 passing touchdowns this season, tied for third most in the NFL. Look for Jackson to take advantage of their other cornerbacks in this contest.

Jermaine Kearse vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $4,800
FanDuel = $6,100

Yes, I again like Kearse. It’s hard not to when he is so cheap every week. The Jets don’t have great receiving options, leaving Kearse with a prominent role each week. He had 38 yards on four receptions last week, but also reached the end zone for the third time this season. I believe the Jets are going to have to throw more than they usually do in this game, leaving Kearse with even more targets coming his way. I’m on his bandwagon again Week 6.

Marvin Jones Jr. vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
DraftKings = $4,600
FanDuel = $5,900

Jones has not put up big yardage totals this season as he has 42 yards or less in four of five games. However, he does have two touchdowns this season and has received at least six targets in two of the last three weeks. I like this matchup against the Saints who have allowed the fifth most net passing yards per game this season. The Lions might find themselves in a high scoring game on the road, meaning Jones has the potential to outproduce his price point Sunday.

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Austin Seferian Jenkins - Lineuplab.com

**TIGHT ENDS**

Austin Seferian Jenkins vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $4,300
FanDuel = $5,600

If you had told me before the start of the season I’d be recommending three Jets offensive players in a game against the Patriots, I would have told you that you were crazy. Well, I guess I’m the crazy one this week. Seferian-Jenkins is another viable fantasy option after reaching the end zone for the first time last week against the Browns. While he hasn’t hauled in more than 46 receiving yards in any of his three games this season, he has received at least six targets in a game twice. I expect him to be heavily involved Sunday.

Evan Engram vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Sports Authority Field at Mile High
DraftKings = $3,800
FanDuel = $5,300

It’s not too often that a team loses their top three receivers in one game, but that’s exactly what happened to the Giants last week against the Chargers. By the end of the game, they only had one healthy wide receiver, meaning Engram was forced to play the role of wide receiver. The Giants are plucking guys off their practice squad to fill out their receiving core for Week 6, so expect Engram to be one of their main pass-catching options. While the Broncos pass defense is tough, they have allowed 245 receiving yards on 24 receptions to tight ends this season.

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations - Denver Broncos - Lineuplab.com

**DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS**

Denver Broncos vs. New York Giants
Stadium – Sport Authority Field at Mile High
DraftKings = $4,000
FanDuel = $5,400

This is going to be one ugly game for the Giants. I already mentioned they are decimated at receiver, but now they have to face a Broncos defense that has four interceptions and 10 sacks this season. The Giants offensive line is really bad and quarterback Eli Manning can be turnover prone. They are the most expensive defense this week, but this match up is too good to pass up for the Broncos.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
DraftKings = $3,700
FanDuel = $4,900

The Ravens get to face rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky after he made his first start for the Bears last week, completing 15 of 25 passes for 128 yards, one touchdown and one interception at home against the Minnesota Vikings. He gets a tough test on the road Week 6 against a Ravens defense that has the second most interceptions in the NFL. A rookie quarterback making his first career start on the road is a great recipe for success for an opposing defense, making the Ravens a great option this week.






Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations – Week 5

Lineuplab.com - Win on Fanduel & Draftkings with our tools - Daily Fantasy Football

We have hit bye weeks, leaving less options than normal for your DFS entry. While that means less unique lineup possibilities are available, that doesn’t mean there still aren’t plenty of great options to help you come away a winner. Put your favorite daily fantasy football recommendations from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the NFL Player Lab.

**QUARTERBACKS**

Aaron Rodgers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – AT&T Stadium
DraftKings = $8,100
FanDuel = $9,500

Rodgers is off to another great start this season as he has 1,146 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. While he had his lowest yardage total with only 179 yards Week 4, he also had his highest touchdown total with four. Starting running back Ty Montgomery was injured in that game and while word at this point is that he’s going to try and play in Week 5, expect him to be limited even if he takes the field. The Cowboys have allowed eight passing touchdowns this season, tied for fourth most in the NFL. With the offense squarely on the shoulders of Rodgers yet again this week, expect him to come through with a big performance.

Carson Palmer vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $5,900
FanDuel = $7,200

Palmer isn’t off to the best of starts this season as he has five touchdowns compared to five interceptions. However, he’s actually thrown for more yards than Rodgers has (1,282). He has thrown for at east 325 yards in each of the last three games, though it did come against three poor defenses in the Indianapolis Colts, Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. He gets another favorable match up this week as the Eagles have allowed the second most net passing yards in the NFL. I think he has a relatively high floor considering how little he will cost you.

Eli Manning vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $6,100
FanDuel = $7,000

The Giants are off to a surprising 0-4 start and there has been a lot of blame placed on their offense, particularly their offensive line. While the offensive struggles were a big reason why they lost their first two games of the season, that hasn’t been the case the last two weeks. They have made some changes to their offensive line and are now getting the ball out of Manning’s hand quickly, resulting in at least 288 yards and two touchdowns for Eli in both of the last two games. They still have no running game, so it’s going to be up to Manning to help them finally get a win this week. The Chargers have allowed at least 24 points in three of their four games this season, so their defense is certainly no juggernaut. I like Manning to put up another valuable stat line this week.

**RUNNING BACKS**

Le’Veon Bell vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – Heinz Field
DraftKings = $9,500
FanDuel = $9,500

Bell is coming off of his best game of the season as he rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns to go along with four receptions and 42 receiving yards last week against the Baltimore Ravens. He only had 180 rushing yards and one touchdown through the first three weeks combined, which may have been a product of sitting out the preseason. Last week was a great sign that he is busting out of his slump and he gets a great match up this week against a Jaguars defense that has allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL. Pay up for Bell Sunday, he’ll be worth it.

Marshawn Lynch vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
DraftKings = $5,100
FanDuel = $6,100

Lynch is not off to a very good start in his return from retirement as he only has 151 rushing yards and one touchdown through four games this season. He is only averaging 3.4 yards per carry, which would be the lowest of his career. A player known for being a workhorse, Lynch has received 12 or fewer rushing attempts in three of four games this season. That should change this week though with quarterback Derek Carr out due to injury. I expect Lynch to be significantly more involved in this game, which is good news considering the Ravens have allowed the eighth most rushing yards in the NFL this season. Look for a breakout performance from Beast Mode.

Andre Ellington vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $4,600
FanDuel = $5,400

Ellington has become a very important part of the Cardinals offense with David Johnson out, especially catching passes out of the backfield. While he hasn’t rushed for more than 22 yards in any game this season, he has 14 receptions on 24 targets for 145 yards over his last two games. Johnson caught 80 passes on 120 targets last season, so having their running backs catch passes is clearly a major part of their offensive scheme. I already mentioned the Eagles struggles in pass coverage, making Ellington a great play this week at a cheap price.

**WIDE RECEIVERS**

Jordy Nelson vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – AT&T Stadium
DraftKings = $8,100
FanDuel = $8,600

Nelson entered 2017 having scored at least 13 touchdowns in each of the last two seasons that he played. He’s well on his way to reaching that mark again this season as he already has five touchdowns.  Although he hasn’t recorded more than 79 receiving yards in any game so far, you don’t need a ton of yardage to be extremely valuable when you reach the end zone as often as Nelson does. There is a chance fellow receiver Davante Adams might be out for this game due to a concussion, which would leave Nelson to shoulder even more of the offensive load. Either way, the production from a Rodgers-Nelson stack this week is too good to pass up.

Larry Fitzgerald vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $6,800
FanDuel = $6,700

Fitzgerald continues to produce as he has 276 receiving yards and two touchdowns so far this season. Even in his 14th year in the NFL, Fitzgerald is the focal point of the Cardinals receiving core and has received 41 targets this year as a result. He has received at least 100 targets in every season of his career, so this should come as no surprise. As you can tell, I like the match up for the Cardinals this week against a porous Eagles secondary. I expect another big performance from Fitzgerald in this contest.

DeVante Parker vs. Tennessee Titans
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
DraftKings = $6,600
FanDuel = $6,100

It has been an ugly start for the Dolphins offense, but that’s not because of a lack of production from Parker as he has recorded at least 69 receiving yards and eight targets in all three games this season. That’s saying something considering the Dolphins only have 548 net passing yards this entire season. The Titans secondary has struggled as they are tied for the most passing touchdowns allowed this season with 11 and have also allowed the fourth most net passing yards. He presents a solid mid-tier priced option for Week 5.

Jermaine Kearse vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
DraftKings = $4,500
FanDuel = $5,600

After getting off to a hot start this season, Kearse has slowed considerably as he only has seven receptions for 59 yards over the last two games. He laid an egg last week with only 17 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it should be noted that the Jaguars have allowed the fewest net passing yards this season. Week 5 brings a much more favorable match up against a Browns defense who has allowed the fourth most yards per pass attempt and third most passing touchdowns in the NFL. I expect Kearse to get back on track with a valuable performance Sunday.

**TIGHT ENDS**

Zach Ertz vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium = Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $6,200
FanDuel = $6,600

Ertz has been heavily involved in the Eagles offense this season as he has received at least eight targets in all four games. He has cashed in on his opportunities as he had at least 81 receiving yards in three of those four games. The Eagles made some significant changes to their receivers this off season, leaving Ertz as a player who quarterback Carson Wentz has a comfort level with from last year. Although Ertz only has one touchdown this season, the volume of targets he receives makes him another valuable option Week 5.

Hunter Henry vs. New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $3,800
FanDuel = $5,200

Henry is off to a terrible start this season as he only has nine receptions, 96 receiving yards and one touchdown through the first four games. His lack of touchdowns is surprising as he had eight touchdowns in 2016. That being said, I’m going to take a risk on playing him this week. The Giants have really struggled to cover tight ends as they have allowed 309 yards and five touchdowns against them this season. At such a cheap price, Henry makes a lot of sense for your entry.

**DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS**

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – Heinz Field
DraftKings = $3,900
FanDuel = $4,800

The Steelers defense has allowed nine points in two of the last three games and has allowed more than 20 points only one time this season. They have done a good job forcing turnovers as well as they have four interceptions and three fumble recoveries this season. Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles has been turnover prone during his career, so this could be a tough task for him on the road Sunday. In a week where I don’t think there is one defense that stands out as the obvious play, I believe the Steelers have the potential to be very productive.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
DraftKings = $2,900
FanDuel = $4,500

While I think Lynch is primed for a big game, that doesn’t mean the Ravens defense as a whole still doesn’t have value. With Carr out, EJ Manuel will be starting at quarterback. For his career, Manuel has 16 interceptions to go along with only 19 passing touchdowns. He threw an interception in relief of Carr last week against the Denver Broncos as well. The Ravens defense has nine interceptions this season, most in the NFL. That’s not a recipe for success for Manuel.

 

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 4

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations – Week 4

Lineuplab.com - Win on Fanduel & Draftkings with our tools - Daily Fantasy Football

Week 4 is upon us and this is the last full week of games before bye weeks start Week 5. That means this is your last week for a while to have a full complement of players to choose from in DFS. Put your favorite daily fantasy football recommendations from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the NFL Player Lab.

 Tom Brady - Daily Fantasy Football - NFL - Lineuplab.com

**QUARTERBACKS**

Tom Brady vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $8,000
FanDuel = $9,500

Remember when the sky was falling after Brady threw for only 267 yards and no touchdowns Week 1? Brady shook off those worries in a hurry as he has thrown for 825 yards and eight touchdowns in two games since. Yeah, that will do. While the big performance in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints was no surprise, he put up five touchdowns last week against a solid Houston Texans defense. Week 4 brings a favorable matchup against a Panthers defense who gave up three passing touchdowns last week against Drew Brees and the Saints. Brady is the most expensive quarterback of the week, but he’ll produce enough to warrant the price.

Carson Wentz vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
DraftKings = $6,600
FanDuel = $7,600

Wentz’s numbers Week 3 don’t stand out as he threw for 176 yards and one touchdown. However, it should be noted that it came against a very talented Giants secondary who have one of the best trios of cornerbacks in the NFL. He didn’t throw an interception and posted a 67.7% completion percentage, making for a solid performance all things considered. He put up big numbers the first two weeks of the season, throwing for a combined 640 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. His mobility has also been a plus as he has 14 rushing attempts for 83 yards this season. At this mid-range price, I like Wentz to put up valuable numbers against the Chargers Week 4.

Tyrod Taylor vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
DraftKings = $5,300
FanDuel = $7,100

Taylor laid an egg Week 2 against the Panthers, but threw for at least 213 yards and two touchdowns in each of the other two games this season. While his passing yards aren’t overly impressive, he adds a lot of value with his legs as he already has 24 rushes for 106 yards this season. That’s always been a big part of his game as he has posted at least 95 rushing attempts and 568 rushing yards in both of the last two seasons. I like this matchup for Taylor because he’s going to need to produce to try and keep up with the Falcons high-scoring offense. If they get down big, he could be looking at a lot of pass attempts in the second half. At this price, Taylor is worth a shot Sunday.

Kareem Hunt - Daily Fantasy Football - NFL - Lineuplab.com

**RUNNING BACKS**

Kareem Hunt vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
DraftKings = $8,500
FanDuel = $8,900

To say Hunt is off to a great start is an understatement. He has already posted 401 rushing yards, 137 receiving yards and six total touchdowns. His 8.5 yards per carry is insane and he also has caught all nine passes thrown his way. There was a lot of hype around him when Spencer Ware went down for the season, but even this start couldn’t have been expected. The Chiefs will continue to lean heavily on him Week 4 against the Redskins and I expect him to be up to the task.

Christian McCaffrey vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $6,800
FanDuel = $6,400

McCaffrey hasn’t been able to get much going on the ground the past two weeks as he only has 12 carries for 26 yards combined. He has failed to reach the end zone this season as well. However, his big value comes in the passing game as he has already received 23 targets this year. He exploded Week 3 against the Saints as he caught nine passes on 11 targets for 101 yards. The Panthers will be without tight end Greg Olsen again, meaning they need McCaffrey to continue to be a significant weapon in their passing attack. The Panthers are going to have to throw the ball a lot to keep up with the Patriots, meaning big production should be in store for McCaffrey.

Wendell Smallwood vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
DraftKings = $4,100
FanDuel = $5,300

The Eagles offense was dealt a significant blow Week 3 when Darren Sproles was lost for the season with a broken arm and a torn ACL. Smallwood posted his best game of the season, rushing 12 times for 71 yards and catching one pass for nine yards. LeGarrette Blount is clearly the team’s power back and may see an increase in rushing attempts with Sproles down, but Smallwood should be more involved as well. Blount is not much of a receiving threat out of the backfield, so Smallwood may be counted on to produce more in that area. The Chargers have allowed the second most rushing yards in the NFL this season, so I think Smallwood could be a nice value play at a very cheap price.

Odell Beckham - New York Giants - Daily Fantasy Football - NFL - Lineup Lab

**WIDE RECEIVERS**

Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
DraftKings = $8,900
FanDuel = $9,100

Beckham missed the first game of the season due to injury and was limited in Week 2 as he had only four receptions for 36 yards. His health improved for Week 3 and he cashed in big time, posting nine receptions on 13 targets for 79 yards and two touchdowns. It’s no coincidence that the Giants offense finally showed signs of life when Beckham was playing at his best. While he does a lot of questionable things when he scores or is on the sideline, his play between the lines is stellar. This is a very favorable matchup against the Buccaneers who allow the second most passing yards per game in the NFL. Beckham might be on in store for his first 100 yard game of the season Sunday.

Emmanuel Sanders vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Sports Authority Field at Mile High
DraftKings = $6,100
FanDuel = $6,900

Sanders is coming off of a solid performance Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills where he posted seven receptions for 75 yards. The key stat though is that he received 15 targets, bringing his season total up to 29 targets over three games. Sanders has received at least 136 targets and recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in three straight seasons, making him a very reliable option. He’ll take on a Raiders defense Sunday who has allowed the 10th most passing yards per game this season, so this has the makings of another valuable stat line.

DeVante Parker vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Wembley Stadium
DraftKings = $6,700
FanDuel = $6,500

Parker has developed a nice chemistry with new quarterback Jay Cutler and has received at least nine targets in both games this season. He recorded eight receptions, 76 yards and a touchdown Week 3 against the New York Jets, an impressive line considering how much the Dolphins struggled on offense in the game overall. Week 4 brings a great matchup against the Saints as they have allowed the second most passing yards in the league. I’m rolling with Parker Sunday, especially at this reasonable price.

Devin Funchess vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $5,300
FanDuel = $5,400

While the Panthers passing attack has struggled this season, Funchess has put up respectable numbers as he has 10 receptions on 18 targets for 146 yards overall. He had 371 receiving yards all of last season, so he looks to be well on his way to blowing past that mark. The Patriots have allowed the most passing yards in the NFL this season, some of which may be because teams have to throw so much to try and keep up with their offense. Expect much of the same Week 4, meaning Funchess has the potential to outproduce his price point.

Rob Gronkowski - daily fantasy football - NFL - lineuplab.com

**TIGHT ENDS**

Rob Gronkowski vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
DraftKings = $6,600
FanDuel = $8,500

Gronk is back to his old tricks after struggling Week 1 against the Chiefs when he posted only 33 receiving yards. In two weeks since, he has 205 yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots offense is firing on all cylinders right now and a healthy Gronk is a big reason for their success. Health is the only concern you should ever have with Gronk, but he’s fine heading into Week 4. Expect major production from him again against the Panthers.

Charles Clay vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
DraftKings = $3,700
FanDuel = $5,300

Clay hasn’t produced more than 53 receiving yards in a game this season, but he has scored a touchdown in two of three games. The Bills are lacking talent at wide receiver and Clay has become one of the more trusted targets for Taylor. In a game where the Bills will need to keep pace with the Falcons elite offense, they are going to need to throw the ball a lot. Considering Taylor’s comfort level with Clay, he’s a great option at this cheap price Sunday.

daily fantasy football - Jacksonville Jaguars - Lineuplab

**DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS**

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $3,600
FanDuel = $5,200

The Jaguars defense has been a bit inconsistent through the early part of the season as they allowed only seven points each in Weeks 1 and 3, but they allowed 37 points Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. They have produced a lot of turnovers though as they already have four interceptions and four fumble recoveries for the season. While the Jets put up a solid offensive performance against the Dolphins last week, the Jaguars defense is a much tougher opponent. With the Jets lack of playmakers on offense, the Jaguars are an excellent option for your lineup Sunday.

New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
DraftKings = $2,900
FanDuel = $4,300

The Giants defense was expected to be one of the better units in the league this season, but they have allowed at least 18 points in all three games this season. Surprisingly, they have allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL. Their offense has left them with some short fields and forced them to log a lot of snaps due to short drives this season, but I think the offense will play better again Week 4. Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston can be turnover prone, such as the three interceptions he threw against the Minnesota Vikings Week 3. If you need a cheap defense to fill out your lineup, I like the Giants chances to be improved this week.






Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 3

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations – Week 3

We are only two weeks into the NFL season, but the league already feels upside down. Veterans like Andy Dalton, Brandon Marshall and Adrian Peterson have been huge disappointments this season. Rookies Kareem Hunt, Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook have performed well right off the bat. What craziness can Week 3 possibly bring? Hopefully it results in some extra money in your pocket from your DFS winnings. Put your favorite daily fantasy football recommendations from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the NFL Player Lab.

 

**QUARTERBACKS**

Matt Ryan vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Ford Field
DraftKings = $7,100
FanDuel = $8,500

While he’s not off to a spectacular start, Ryan has been solid for the Falcons so far this season as he has thrown for at least 252 yards and one touchdown in both games. He has yet to throw an interception and has a 69% completion percentage. He wasn’t needed to throw the ball a lot last week against the Green Bay Packers as the Falcons got up big early and turned it over to their running game. Week 3 brings a match up against the Lions who have a solid passing attack of their own. The Lions have allowed the 10th most passing yards so far this season and that includes their game against the terrible New York Giants offense. This may be a high scoring affair, which could lead to fantasy friendly numbers from Ryan.

Cam Newton vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
DraftKings = $6,600
FanDuel = $8,100

Newton is not off to a good start this season as he only has 399 passing yards, 30 rushing yards and two passing touchdowns over the first two weeks combined. He was banged up a bit in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, but is expected to play Sunday. The tonic to cure all offensive woes is a match up against the horrid Saints defense. Through the first two weeks, the Saints defense ranks last in the NFL in passing yards allowed (777), yards per attempt (11.2) and tied for last in passing touchdowns allowed (six). Even though the Panthers will be missing star tight end Greg Olsen due to injury, you should still expect big numbers from Newton in this contest.

DeShone Kizer vs. Indianpolis Colts
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
DraftKings = $5,000
FanDuel = $6,900

Kizer got off to a hot start Week 1 as he threw for 222 yards and one touchdown while also scoring a rushing touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He did not have the same fortune Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens as he only threw for 182 yards to go along with no touchdowns and three interceptions. He missed part of the game with a migraine, but is expected to start Week 3. While it’s tough to rely on a rookie on the road, this is a favorable match up against a bad Colts secondary that has allowed the third most passing yards in the NFL this season. If you want to go cheap at quarterback, Kizer is your man.

 

**RUNNING BACKS**

Jay Ajayi vs. New York Jets
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $7,700
FanDuel = $8,200

Ajayi received a heavy work load in the Dolphins first game of the season Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers as he rushed for 122 yards on 28 carries. Although he didn’t reach the end zone, that’s the kind of volume you want out of a high-priced fantasy option. Week 3 brings a favorable match up against a bad Jets defense who has allowed both the most rushing yards (370) and rushing touchdowns (four) in the league so far. They are also allowing a whopping 5.4 yards per carry. Put Ajayi in your lineup and enjoy the ride.

Christian McCaffrey vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Bank of American Stadium
DraftKings = $6,100
FanDuel = $6,800

First glance at McCaffrey’s yardage totals don’t show anything that impressive as he only has 57 rushing yards and 72 receiving yards through two games so far. The key here though is his involvement in the offense as he has at least eight carries and at least five targets in both games. He may see an even bigger role in the offense as well going forward with Olsen out of action. Throw in the aforementioned favorable match up against the Saints and I believe McCaffrey is primed for the best game of his young career on Sunday.

Chris Thompson vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – FedEx Field
DraftKings = $4,500
FanDuel = $5,600

Thompson entered the season as the team’s pass-catching option out of the backfield, but has been a huge part of Washington’s offense as he already has two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown this season. His role in the passing attack has not disappointed as he has at least three receptions and five targets in both games this season. Starting running back Rob Kelley went down with a rib injury Week 2 and even if he does play Sunday, he may not be effective. Samaje Perine would pick up more of the slack if Kelley were to miss the game and would be an interesting play himself, but Thompson’s pass-catching abilities may be needed to keep up with the Raiders offense. Thompson is worth a shot at this price.

**WIDE RECEIVERS**

Antonio Brown vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Soldier Field
DraftKings = $9,000
FanDuel = $9,000

Brown started the season off strong Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns on the road as he had 11 receptions for 182 yards. Week 2 saw a bit of a decline against a much better Minnesota Vikings secondary as Brown finished with five receptions for 62 yards. However, the key is he received 11 targets in each of the first two games. Volume is the key to success for Brown and even though he hasn’t reached the end zone yet this season, he should get plenty of chances to do so this week. The Bears have allowed 8.6 yards per pass attempt this season, tied for fourth worst in the NFL. He’s not cheap, but I think he’ll be worth it Sunday.

Keenan Allen vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – StubHub Center
DraftKings = $7,200
FanDuel = $7,200

Allen was great Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins as he complied nine receptions for 100 yards. Clearly a favorite target of quarterback Philip Rivers, Allen has received at least 10 targets in both games so far this season. He has received at least 100 targets in both seasons of his career when he played at least 14 games, so clearly the only concern with Allen has been staying healthy. No worries there as he’s healthy heading into Week 3 and gets to face a Chiefs defense that has allowed the fourth most passing yards in the league this season. I like him again Sunday, especially at this reasonable price.

Jermaine Kearse vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $4,600
FanDuel = $5,800

Kearse put together a steady performance Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills as he posted seven receptions for 59 yards. However, he broke out in a big way Week 2 against the Oakland Raiders as he had four receptions, 64 yards and two touchdowns. While you can’t expect him to score two touchdowns every week, he clearly has a big role in a Jets offense that seriously lacks talent at wide receiver. Someone has to catch passes on a team that is likely going to throw a lot because they will be down big in games. Through two weeks, Kearse is that guy. Expect much of the same from him Sunday.

Rashard Higgins vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Lucas Oil Field
DraftKings = $4,000
FanDuel = $5,100

Browns wide out Corey Coleman was expected to have a large role in the offense this year, but broke his hand Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens. In stepped Higgins who posted seven receptions for 95 yards on a whopping 11 targets. Not bad for a guy who was on the practice squad Week 1. The Browns did bring in Kenny Britt this summer, but he has yet to make a splash with his new team. With few other options, Higgins is now primed for a big role. Considering his cheap price and favorable match up against a poor Colts defense, Higgins may be one of the best value plays of the week.

**TIGHT ENDS**

Travis Kelce vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
DraftKings = $6,000
FanDuel = $7,100

The tight end position is going to be a tough one to fill this week with several of the upper level players at the position dealing with injuries. Kelce looks to be the cream of the crop this week as he’s healthy heading into this divisional match up with the Chargers. Although he got off to a slow start with five receptions for 40 yards Week 1, he rebounded nicely Week 2 to record eight receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown. With at least seven targets in both games this season, Kelce should be heavily involved again Sunday with the potential for another big performance.

Austin Hooper vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Ford Field
DraftKings = $3,800
FanDuel = $5,400

Yes, I again like Hooper. After posting 128 yards and a touchdown Week 1, he did come crashing back down to Earth last week as he only posted two receptions for seven yards. I’m not overly concerned with that though as those types of performances happen from time to time at the tight end position. While Hooper may never see a ton of targets, he’s a threat to score a touchdown every week. He gets to face a Lions defense who allowed 49 yards and a touchdown against Evan Engram and the Giants last week. As I mentioned before, the Giants offense has been embarrassing this season. I like Hooper’s chances of being productive and reaching the end zone Sunday.

**DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS**

Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – New Era Field
DraftKings = $3,600
FanDuel = $5,100

This game might get ugly in a hurry. The Bills offense enters Week 3 ranked 22nd in total yards this season and has scored a total of 24 points. The Broncos stellar defense is off to yet another solid start as they have allowed the sixth fewest total yards through two weeks. The Bills don’t have a ton of play makers on offense while the Broncos defense is loaded with talent. Pay up for the Broncos Sunday as it would not be surprising if they kept the Bills out of the end zone in this game.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
DraftKings = $3,000
FanDuel = $4,500

Speaking of ugly, let me continue to pile on the Giants and their terrible offense. They allowed three sacks and an interception against the Dallas Cowboys Week 1 and five sacks and an interception against the Lions Week 2. Their offensive line is a wreck, leaving quarterback Eli Manning to look like he fears for his life every time he takes a snap. Things won’t get any easier against an Eagles defense that already has eight sacks this season. If you want to save money at the position, the Eagles should be your choice as they are primed for a big performance.

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations – Week 2

Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books and not only were there some surprising outcomes to games, but the fantasy landscape changed due to some significant injuries. David Johnson will be out for most of the season while Allen Robinson has been lost for the entire 2017 campaign. That’s the beauty of DFS though as you get to start over with fresh lineups each and every week. Put your favorite daily fantasy football recommendations from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the NFL Player Lab.

**QUARTERBACKS**

Tom Brady vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
DraftKings: $7,900
FanDuel: $9,200

Yes, Tom Brady laid an egg Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He finished the game with 267 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. His 44.4% completion percentage was the first time since 2013 that he had a completion percentage of less than 50% in a game. Don’t panic though, Brady hasn’t lost his touch just yet. The Chiefs have a solid defense that can do things that many other teams can’t, such as Week 2 opponent New Orleans. Did you see how badly Sam Bradford and the Minnesota Vikings carved them up? Bradford finished with 346 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and an insane 84.4% completion percentage. Brady is leaps and bounds better than Bradford and the Patriots will be out to prove their Week 1 struggles were a fluke. Expect a big performance from Brady in this contest.

Russell Wilson vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
DraftKings: $6,800
FanDuel: $8,100

Like Brady, Wilson struggled Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers as he finished with 158 passing yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. The only positive was that he rushed for 40 yards on two carries. The Seahawks offensive line struggled mightily, which could be a big concern for the team this entire season. I like this match up Sunday at home though as the Seahawks are a much better team at CenturyLink Field. While his passing yards per game averages were pretty close on the road and at home last season, the big difference was he had 13 touchdowns and three interceptions at home compared to eight touchdowns and eight interceptions on the road. Look for a rebound performance from Wilson Sunday.

Carson Palmer vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
DraftKings: $6,000
FanDuel: $7,500

As you can see, my trend this week is veteran quarterbacks are primed for bounce-back performances after Week 1 struggles. Palmer really played poorly against the Detroit Lions, throwing for 269 yards to go along with one touchdown and three interceptions. Entering 2017, he had thrown three or more interceptions in a game only once in the last three seasons combined. This is a favorable match up for him though as the Colts defense is terrible. Jared Goff tore them apart in Week 1, throwing for 306 yards and one touchdown. His 72.4% completion percentage marked the best performance of his career. Palmer and the passing attack are also going to be needed to carry more of the offensive load now with Johnson out, so he is going to see plenty of opportunities to succeed. This is a match up you want to take advantage of for Week 2.

**RUNNING BACKS**

Jay Ajayi vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
DraftKings: $6,400
FanDuel: $7,900

Ajayi and the Dolphins play their first game of the season in Week 2, giving them an advantage over a Chargers team that is coming off of a short week after playing on Monday night against the Denver Broncos. Ajayi was a monster for the Dolphins last season as he rushed for 1,272 yards and eight touchdowns over 15 games. Expect the Dolphins to lean heavily on Ajayi again this year with new quarterback Jay Cutler under center. The Chargers had a rough time with the Broncos rushing attack Monday as they allowed 140 yards on the ground. Ajayi is much better than the duo of C.J. Anderson and Jamaal Charles for Denver, so this has the makings of an excellent start to the season for him.

Terrance West vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
DraftKings: $5,100
FanDuel: $6,600

The Ravens are another team who was dealt a significant injury in Week 1 as running back Danny Woodhead is expected to be out at least a month. In what was already a fairly thin running back group, West is now the main man in Baltimore. He had a solid performance against the Cincinnati Bengals last week as he rushed for 80 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. He’s not going to catch many balls out of the backfield, but he doesn’t need to in order to have value at this price. Don’t be surprised if he reaches the end zone again in this game.

Tarik Cohen vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
DraftKings: $4,100
FanDuel: $5,400

Cohen certainly made a splash in his first NFL game as he not only finished with 66 rushing yards, but he also caught eight passes for 47 yards and a touchdown. The Bears offense was not great overall, but it certainly was no fault of Cohen’s. Although Jordan Howard will continue to start at running back, Cohen is still going to have a significant role on this team. His ability to catch passes will be crucial as the Bears have been decimated by injuries at wide receiver already. While it will be difficult to match his Week 1 performance, he will still produce enough to make him a valuable part of your lineup at this bargain price.

**WIDE RECEIVERS**

Brandin Cooks vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
DraftKings: $8,200
FanDuel: $7,900

Cooks didn’t have a huge performance Week 1, but he still posted a very respectable 88 yards on three receptions in the contest. He did receive seven targets, which was an encouraging sign in his first game with the Patriots. I already mentioned I like Brady and the Patriots to rebound in this game, but I also expect Cooks to be one of the main beneficiaries of that improvement. He’ll be highly motivated facing the team that traded him away and he’s very comfortable playing in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. A Brady-Cooks stack is primed to put up big numbers in Week 2.

Keenan Allen vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – StubHub Center
DraftKings: $5,800
FanDuel: $7,100

Allen was stuck facing the vaunted Denver secondary Week 1, which limited him to five receptions and 35 yards. However, he salvaged the outing with a touchdown and received 10 targets in the game. The key you want to look for is volume and that’s something you will get with Allen. The only concern with Allen has been his injury issues the past two seasons, but you don’t have to worry about that in DFS as he’s healthy heading into Week 2. His yardage total should be much higher against a weaker secondary Sunday.

Cooper Kupp vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
DraftKings: $4,100
FanDuel: $5,400

Kupp made a strong impression in his first NFL game Week 1 as he hauled in four receptions on six targets for 76 yards and a touchdown. The Rams have a lot more weapons on offense this season and Kupp could play a key role in their overall improvement. While his performance did come against the bad Colts defense, the Redskins secondary didn’t fair a whole lot better against the Philadelphia Eagles Week 1 either as quarterback Carson Wentz threw for 307 yards. At this price, I’m taking a chance on another solid outing from Kupp in Week 2.

Jermaine Kearse vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
DraftKings: $3,900
FanDuel: $5,400

The Jets have one of the worst wide receiving groups in the league, but they did receive a slight boost when the team traded for Kearse before the start of the season. He wasted no time being involved in the offense, recording seven receptions on nine targets for 59 yards in Week 1. The nine targets are key as he should continue to get plenty of passes thrown his way with the lack of talent on the roster. With the Jets likely to be down big against a much better Oakland team Sunday, expect Kearse to see plenty of opportunities to haul in passes as they attempt to play catch up.

**TIGHT ENDS**

Rob Gronkowski vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
DraftKings: $6,900
FanDuel: $8,100

Gronk did not play well in Week 1 as he was limited to two catches on six targets for only 33 yards. He looked a little slow on the field and may have been shaking off some rust after dealing with injuries last season. Another big factor was that he was covered by Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry who did an excellent job shadowing him throughout the game. No such worries in Week 2 though against a porous Saints secondary, look for big numbers from him in this one.

Austin Hooper vs. Green Bay Packers
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
DraftKings: $3,500
FanDuel: $5,500

Hooper made his two receptions count Week 1 against the Bears as he came away with 128 yards and a touchdown. While the yardage is certainly impressive, that’s not what you should be expecting from Hooper. His value is as a red zone target who can haul in touchdown receptions. The tight end position can be volatile, so I like going with a cheaper option in Hooper who has the ability to find the end zone more often than not.

**DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS**

Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
DraftKings: $4,000
FanDuel: $5,400

Seattle had a tough match up Week 1 on the road against the Packers, but still managed to hold them to 17 points. That’s no small feat against star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a deep wide receiver group. Sunday brings a much easier match up against quarterback Brian Hoyer and the 49ers, especially with this being a home game. If you want to pay up for a defense, the Seahawks are the one to use in Week 2.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
DraftKings: $3,700
FanDuel: $4,700

The Ravens defense was excellent Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals as they recorded four interceptions and five sacks. They were solid against the run as well as they only allowed 3.5 yards per carry. While the Browns showed signs of improvement at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, playing on the road in Baltimore will be a tough task. If you don’t want to spend the money on the Seahawks, go with Baltimore for Week 2.

 

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 1

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner*

Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations – Week 1

The long wait is finally over, the NFL is back! By now you’re likely done with your season long fantasy drafts, but that’s only the beginning. Now is the time to kick it into gear for DFS and bring home some cash. Put your favorite daily fantasy football recommendations from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the NFL Player Lab.

**QUARTERBACKS**

Matt Ryan vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Soldier Field

Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons will be looking to rebound from their crushing loss in the Super Bowl by coming out of the gates hot against the Bears. The Bears are in rebuilding mode and are going to find wins hard to come by this season. Their secondary lacks elite talent and only intercepted eight passes last year, tied for second fewest in the NFL. Ryan was a monster in 2016 as he reached career-highs in passing yards (4,944), touchdowns (38) and completion percentage (69.9%). He’s not cheap, but Ryan is going to have a big game Sunday.

Marcus Mariota vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Nissan Stadium

Mariota made solid progress during his second season in the NFL and finished last year with 3,426 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 349 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He will have even more weapons at his disposal this season as the Titans selected wide receiver Corey Davis with the fifth overall pick in the draft and also signed veteran receiver Eric Decker. Combine those two with hold overs Rishard Matthews and tight end Delanie Walker and Mariota could be primed to take his game to the next level. The Raiders have a potent offense as well, so this game could be a high scoring affair. Mariota should produce big stats at a mid-tier price in this contest.

Jared Goff vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Goff’s rookie campaign was one to forget as he threw for 1,089 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions in seven starts. The Rams took measures to upgrade their offense this for season by bringing in wide receivers Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp. If you are playing in a tournament, Goff is a cheap option who might be worth a shot Sunday as he gets a favorable match up against a bad Colts secondary who will be missing their best cornerback in Vontae Davis due to injury. The Colts also allowed 27 passing touchdowns and only recorded eight interceptions in 2016.

**RUNNING BACKS**

LeSean McCoy vs. New York Jets
Stadium – New Era Field

McCoy is coming off of another excellent season with the Bills as he rushed for 1,267 yards to go along with 13 rushing touchdowns. He was also a threat in the passing game, hauling in 50 receptions for 356 yards and one touchdown. The Bills don’t have much depth behind McCoy, so expect him to see a heavy work load again this year. McCoy gets a favorable opponent Week 1 in the Jets as they just traded away stellar defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson. He was also excellent at home last season as he rushed for 102.9 yards per game at home compared to 68.4 yards per game on the road. Even more staggering is that 11 of his 13 rushing touchdowns came at New Era Field. Start McCoy and enjoy the production.

Christian McCaffrey vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium

The Panthers drafted McCaffrey eighth overall and he has certainly brought excitement and high expectations to their offense. The Panthers lacked explosiveness on offense last year, so a player with McCaffrey’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield and overall explosiveness are certainly a welcomed addition. The 49ers allowed 2,654 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns last season, both the worst in the NFL. The price is right to take a shot on McCaffrey even in his first game in the league.

Bilal Powell vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – New Era Field

Although running back Matt Forte has the more impressive career resume, Powell is on the rise while Forte is in the midst of the twilight of his career. Powell is coming off the best season of his career in 2016 when he posted 722 rushing yards, 388 receiving yards and five total touchdowns. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry last season compared to only 3.7 yards per carry for Forte. While the two are expected to split carries, don’t be surprised if Powell sees more action Sunday. He won’t cost much, making him a nice value play.

**WIDE RECEIVERS**

Julio Jones vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Soldier Field

Jones was limited to 14 games last season, but he still put up big numbers as he finished with 83 receptions, 1,409 yards and six touchdowns. He is clearly Ryan’s favorite receiver as he saw at least seven targets 11 times last year. That volume is excellent, especially when you consider Jones averaged a whopping 17.0 yards per receptions last season. A Ryan-Jones stack will be costly in Week 1, but they could put up elite numbers.

Brandon Marshall vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – AT&T Stadium

Marshall joins the New York Giants after a down year with the Jets as he recorded only 59 receptions for 788 yards and three touchdowns. I’m largely throwing that out the window though as the Jets had some of the worst quarterback play in the league. Marshall now gets Eli Manning throwing passes his way who is a major upgrade even at this stage of Manning’s career. Manning has not had big receiver like Marshall since the days of Plaxico Burress, who was one of his favorite targets. Marshall has three inches on the tallest member of the Cowboys’ secondary, so defending him is going to be a problem. He is a mid-tier price option who has the potential for a big performance.

Pierre Garcon vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium

While he didn’t get a ton of publicity, Garcon had a productive season with the Washington Redskins last year as he hauled in 79 receptions for 1,041 yards and three touchdowns. It marked the second time in his career that he posted at least 1,000 receiving yards and the first time since he had 1,346 yards in 2013. New 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was on the Redskins staff in 2013, something that should not go unnoticed. With the 49ers lacking talent at the receiver position, expect Garcon to get a ton of targets. Even if he struggles to find the end zone, the volume alone makes Garcon a solid play in Week 1, especially considering his price.

Kevin White vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium Soldier Field

The Bears were dealt a crushing blow in the preseason when they lost receiver Cameron Meredith for the year with a knee injury. Already lacking talent at receiver, White is now the best option they have. White was limited to only four games last season due to injury, finishing with 19 receptions for 187 yards. He’s healthy heading into the season, which is all that matters for DFS in Week 1. With the Bears likely to be down big in this game, they should have to throw the ball a lot, meaning White could put up big numbers even at a bargain basement price.

**TIGHT ENDS**

Greg Olsen vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium

If you look up the word consistent in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of Olsen. Olsen has started all 16 games and received at least 100 targets in each of the last five seasons, posting at least 1,000 receiving yards in three straight seasons. Although the Panthers brought in McCaffrey, they still don’t have a strong wide receiver group. Olsen also torched the 49ers last season as he had 5 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. Roll with him again Sunday.

Austin Hooper vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Soldier Field

All aboard, this is your captain on the Austin Hooper hype train. I’m a big fan of him heading into this season as he will be taking over as the starting tight end for the Falcons. Their tight ends combined for 10 touchdowns last season, so their is some upside for Hooper. I’ve already mentioned I like the Falcons offense in this game, so giving Hooper a shot at his dirt cheap price is something I’m willing to do. I wouldn’t be surprised if he finds the end zone in this game.

**DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS**

Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – NRG Stadium

This almost seems too easy. The Texans enter this season with one of the better defenses in the league as they only allowed 301.3 yards per game in 2016, the fewest in the NFL. In step the Jaguars with Blake Bortles “winning” the quarterback job over Chad Henne in the preseason. Bortles was awful on the road against the Texans last season, throwing for only 92 yards to go along with one interception and no touchdowns. While he might not be that bad again, the Texans should still be able to put the clamps on Jacksonville.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

The Rams luck out (sorry, I couldn’t resist) in Week 1 against the Colts as quarterback Andrew Luck will miss the game due to injury. In steps Scott Tolzien who has two touchdowns compared to seven interceptions over his career. He made one start against the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, finishing with 205 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. It’s going to be hard for the Colts to score with Tolzien at the helm, making the Rams an interesting option at a cheap price.