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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 – Wide Receivers

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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.

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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.

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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 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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

The running back position isn’t nearly as deep for the main Sunday slate in Week 12 with the Rams and Chiefs on byes and all of the Thanksgiving games added to the usual Sunday and Monday primetime contests. There are still some great options to target, though, so let’s highlight a few that stand out. 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 12 - Running Backs

Melvin Gordon III vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $8,600

Entering Week 11 as winners of five straight, the Chargers suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of the Broncos. Gordon wasn’t exactly efficient, but his 18 carries helped him finish with 69 rushing yards. However, he was heavily involved in the passing attack, catching all six of his targets for an additional 87 yards. Even though he failed to reach the end zone for the first time since Week 1, Gordon finished with at least 120 total yards for the fifth straight game.

Gordon’s struggles on the ground were a bit surprising, especially with how poorly the Broncos have defended against the run. He’ll get a chance to redeem himself Sunday against a Cardinals defense that has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game (141.5) to go along with 13 touchdowns on the ground. Gordon is certainly expensive, but don’t hesitate to pay up for him in cash contests based on his floor.

James Conner vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,800

Conner struggled to get things going on the ground early against the Jaguars on Sunday and then the Steelers were forced to throw a lot late down 16-0. They stormed back for the win, but Conner only had nine carries for 25 yards. He also hauled in six of nine targets, but only for 24 yards. This game also marked the first time since Week 4 that Conner failed to record a touchdown.

The Jaguars haven’t been as tough on opposing running backs as they have quarterbacks, but they still have a good defense, overall. Conner has an excellent opportunity to get things back on track against the Broncos, who are allowing the sixth-most rushing yards per game (127.9). The Steelers might also be able to jump out to a big lead against this far inferior opponent, which could lead to a game flow that favors Conner in the second half.

David Johnson vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,300

It took a change at offensive coordinator, but Johnson is back to being an extremely productive running back again. He only caught one of three targets for 17 yards in Week 11 against the Raiders, but he also set season highs in rushing attempts (25) and rushing yards (137). After receiving at least 20 carries just one time across the first eight weeks, he’s topped that mark in both of his last two contests.

The Cardinals still aren’t scoring a ton of points, which does limit Johnson’s upside, to an extent. It’s clear, though, that they plan for him to be heavily involved moving forward. The Chargers have only given up six rushing touchdowns this season, but they have allowed 4.6 yards-per-carry. Gordon and Conner have the potential for better overall lines since they play for better offenses that put them in more positions to score touchdowns, but Johnson’s role still makes him a safe option in DFS.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Running Backs

Nick Chubb vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,300

Early indications are that the Browns made the right choice trading Carlos Hyde to the Jaguars to open up more playing time for Chubb. Since that trade, Chubb has received at least 18 carries and recorded at least 65 rushing yards in four straight games. He exploded for 176 rushing yards and a touchdown in Week 10 against the Falcons and already has four total touchdowns since taking on an expanded role.

Chubb comes into this game out of a bye week, so he should be fresh for what is an excellent matchup against the Bengals. The Bengals have arguably the worst rushing defense in the league, allowing 153.6 yards per contest and 13 scores on the ground. Chubb’s price is climbing, but he still presents an excellent opportunity for production in this contest. If you play season-long fantasy, as well, note that this is one of two remaining games against the Bengals for Chubb.

Marlon Mack vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $5,500

Mack rebounded from a quiet performance in Week 10 against the Jaguars to rush for 61 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries versus the Titans in Week 11. The Colts struggled to run the ball with Mack out earlier this season, but he’s come on to solidify their rushing attack by averaging 78.5 yards per game. Not only is he chewing up yards on the ground, but he also has five total touchdowns across his last four games.

Mack hasn’t received a ton of carries the last two weeks, but he was on the field for at least 60 percent of the Colts offensive snaps in both contests. He’s clearly their lead back, which sets him up nicely for Sunday in a matchup against a Dolphins team that has allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (142). They’ve also struggled to put points on the board, so Mack might get a few extra carries in the second half if the Colts can jump out to an early lead.

Matt Breida vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,700

Breida was excellent against the Giants in Week 10, rushing 17 times for 101 yards and a touchdown. He also hauled in three of four targets for 31 yards and an additional score. It was just his second game of the season with at least 100 rushing yards and his four targets tied his previous season-high that he set back in Week 2. With Raheem Mostert (forearm) out for the rest of the season, Breida was also on the field for 60 percent of the 49ers offensive snaps, which was his second-highest percentage so far.

If anyone could have used a bye week, it’s Breida. He’s dealt with various injuries all season, but he should be well rested for what is a stellar matchup to target. The Bucs defense has been bad in just about every facet of the game, including being tied for the most rushing touchdowns allowed (14). They’ve also allowed 511 yards and four touchdowns through the air to opposing running backs. At this cheap price, it’s hard to pass up on Breida in tournament play.

Gus Edwards vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,400

The Ravens were forced to make a quarterback change last week with Joe Flacco (hip) unable to take the field. Lamar Jackson received his first career start against the Bengals, and while he didn’t do much through the air, he had 27 carries for 117 yards. The Ravens also changed things up a running back, giving Edwards carries as the game went on due to the struggles of Alex Collins. After rushing the ball just 15 times all season, Edwards exploded for 115 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

The threat of Jackson running the ball certainly makes things tough on opposing defenses. He and Edwards seemed to play off of each other well, so if Jackson does start again Sunday, Edwards could once again receive more carries Collins. There is certainly plenty of risk here since Edwards is largely an unproven commodity, but he’s priced so cheap on both sites that he won’t need to match his total from last week in order to still provide value.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Running Backs

Alex Collins vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,500

Collins was able to score an early touchdown against the Bengals but struggled again with only 18 yards on seven carries. That marked the fourth time in the last five games that he had 3.9 yards-per-carry or fewer, which was one of the reasons while the Ravens gave Edwards a chance to prove himself. With the uncertainty surrounding who will be their lead back moving forward, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to take a chance on Collins this week, especially at his price on FanDuel.

LeSean McCoy vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,200

It’s been a rough season for the Bills, but at least they were able to enjoy their bye week after drubbing the Jets 41-10. McCoy had his best performance of the year in that contest, turning 26 carries into 113 yards and two touchdowns. Don’t get too excited, though, because he had a total of 24 rushing yards across his previous three games. Even though he clearly still has something left in the tank, the Bills terrible overall offense leaves him with very little upside.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 – Quarterbacks

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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.

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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 8 – Wide Receivers

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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

Even though four teams will be on a bye for Week 8, there are still plenty of great running backs available in DFS. Let’s dig into the position to see where you can gain the edge for 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 - Running Backs

Todd Gurley vs. Green Bay Packers
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $11,000
DraftKings = $9,800

Gurley is as automatic as they come. His performance in Week 7 was a prime example of just how high his floor is. He didn’t rack up a ton of yards on the ground with 15 carries for 63 yards. His receiving yards weren’t stellar, either, catching four of five targets for 23 yards. However, he had two rushing touchdowns and one receiving score. With the Rams loaded on offense, Gurley has already been able to cash in with 14 total touchdowns.

The Rams destroyed the 49ers 39-10 last week, so it didn’t really make much sense to run Gurley into the ground during a blowout. This game figures to be more competitive against a Packers team that has far more firepower on offense. The Packers defense hasn’t been very good at stopping the run, leaving them tied for the 10th-highest yards-per-carry allowed (4.5) in the league. Gurley is crazy expensive, but he’s someone to build your lineup around in cash contests.

Kareem Hunt vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $7,100

Things were looking scary for Hunt over the first three games this season, rushing a total of 52 times for 168 yards, which equated to 3.2 yards-per-carry. He wasn’t really involved in the passing attack, either, with one reception and three total targets during that stretch. The good news is that his struggles were shortlived. After destroying the Bengals for 141 total yards and three touchdowns in Week 7, Hunt now has 595 total yards and six touchdowns across his last four contests.

The Chiefs have arguably the most explosive offense in the league, which is going to leave Hunt with plenty of opportunities to find the end zone. His nine total touchdowns this year puts him only three scores away from passing hit total from all of last season. This has the makings of another monster performance for Hunt since the Broncos have allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (148.1) to go along with eight rushing touchdowns allowed.

James Conner vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,500

Conner comes into this game with fresh legs after the Steelers had a bye in Week 7. He was hot heading into the bye, rushing for 221 yards and four touchdowns across his previous two games. He also chipped in eight receptions for 93 yards. There were some rumors about Le’Veon Bell possibly reporting to the team during their bye week, but as of Wednesday, there was still no sign of his return. That should leave Conner as their starting running back for at least one more week.

This will mark Conner’s second start of the year against the Browns. He demolished them in Week 1, rushing 31 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns while also catching five of six targets for an additional 57 yards. While those numbers might be hard to duplicate, the Browns have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (134.7) and the second-most rushing touchdowns (10). Don’t hesitate to add Conner to your entry.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Running Backs

Kerryon Johnson vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $5,300

Johnson’s usage has been frustrating. In three of the first four games, he received nine or fewer carries. The only time he had more was in Week 3 when he cashed in 16 rushing attempts for 101 yards.  The Lions have finally started to lean on him a little more over their last two games, resulting in Johnson finishing with at least 12 carries and 70 yards in both contests. It will be hard for them to justify lessening his workload Sunday considering he posted 158 yards on 19 carries last week against the Dolphins.

Another downside when it comes to Johnson is that he’s not very involved in the passing game, receiving more than three targets in only one game so far. He also has to deal with LeGarrette Blount stealing some of the goalline work. The Seahawks defense has been very good against the pass, but they’ve allowed the ninth-most rushing yards per game (120.7). Johnson is certainly not a safe option, but this matchup leaves him with upside.

Marlon Mack vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,400

The Colts sure missed Mack at the beginning of this season. Injuries have limited him to just three games, but he’s healthy now and running away with the starting job in their backfield. He’s coming off of his best performance in what was a blowout win over the Bills in Week 7 when he had 126 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

The Colts racing out to a big lead helped Mack in terms of the game flow last week. There is a chance this game could play out in a similar fashion with the Raiders losing two key parts of their offense in Amari Cooper and Marshawn Lynch. Nyheim Hines limits Mack’s involvement in the passing game, but with the Raiders allowing the sixth-most rushing yards per game (131.8), Mack is worth considering for your entry.

Phillip Lindsay vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,200

The Broncos offense hasn’t been good, but that didn’t stop them from hanging 45 points on the Cardinals last week. Lindsay didn’t blow the roof off in that game, but he had a strong performance by turning 14 carries into 90 yards and a touchdown. Although he has to split carries with Royce Freeman, Lindsay has still provided value in large part because he is averaging 5.8 yards-per-carry. Freeman, on the other hand, is averaging 4.4 yards-per-carry.

Freeman injured his ankle last week and his status is still up in the air for Sunday. If he is unable to play, Lindsay is likely to see a significant increase in volume. That could lead to a stellar stat line with the Chiefs allowing the third-most yards-per-carry (5.2). In their first meeting this season, Lindsay had 12 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Raheem Mostert vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $3,800

The 49ers backfield looked so promising heading into this season after they signed Jerick McKinnon. However, he tore his ACL before playing in a regular season game, leaving Matt Breida and Alfred Morris to lead the position. Breida has played well, but he’s been battling injuries of late. Morris has been largely ineffective with just 3.6 yards-per-carry, which has opened up an opportunity for Mostert. He’s made the most of his chance, so far, with 146 yards on 19 carries across their last two games.

Breida re-aggravated his ankle injury in Week 7, resulting in him leaving the game early with just five carries. His status is still uncertain for Week 8, but it might be prudent for the 49ers to rest him since this is an injury he’s dealt with before. If Breida doesn’t play, Mostert could receive the bulk of the carries. At this cheap price, he’d make for an excellent play against a Cardinals team that has allowed the most rushing yards per game (148.3) and the most rushing touchdowns (12).

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Running Backs

Alex Collins vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $4,600

Collins looked primed for a big campaign this year after grabbing hold of the Ravens starting running back job last year. He didn’t take over as the regular starter until Week 6 last season, but he finished with an average of 4.6 yards-per-carry. While efficiency was his strong suit, the opposite has been the case for him this year with just 3.6 yards-per-carry. Javorius Allen is their preferred option when they get close to the end zone, which significantly limits Collins’ upside. This is not a great matchup with the Panthers allowing the ninth-fewest rushing yards per game (95) so it might be best to avoid Collins.

Isaiah Crowell vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $3,700

Crowell has had two big games this season. His first was in Week 1 when he turned 10 carries into 102 yards and two touchdowns. The other was a 15-carry, 219-yard, one touchdown performance in Week 5 against the Broncos. However, he has a total of 138 rushing yards over his other five games. The Bears have allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game (87.5) and have still not given up a score on the ground, making Crowell way too risky of an option in Week 8.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6 – TE/DEF/ST

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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

If you thought the tight end was position was thin in previous weeks, buckle up for the Week 6 schedule. The Eagles, Chiefs, and Patriots all won’t play during the main slate in DFS, leaving the position lacking the majority of the usual top options.  Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or 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 6 - TE/DEF/ST

Eric Ebron vs. New York Jets
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,400

With Jack Doyle out with an injury, it’s been the Ebron show in Indianapolis. He had a monster performance Week 5 against the Patriots, catching nine of 15 targets for 105 yards and two touchdowns. It marked the third straight week that Ebron has received at least 10 targets and the fourth time in five games that he has scored at least one touchdown. The yardage total was a bit out of character for him, though, considering he hadn’t posted more than 51 yards in any of his previous three contests.

Not only is Doyle likely to sit out again Sunday, but so is the Colts top wide receiver in T.Y. Hilton. Ebron should again get all the targets he can handle and be one of their main weapons when they get into the red zone. He now has 12 red zone targets this season, which is double Hilton’s mark of six that is second-highest on the team. The Jets have defended tight ends well this season, but Ebron should still get enough targets to provide a high floor. He did sit out practice both Wednesday and Thursday to rest a few injuries, but there has been no indication that he won’t play at this time.

Kyle Rudolph vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – U.S. Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,400

There is no question that Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen are the main offensive weapons in the Vikings passing attack. The two have combined for 121 targets and 84 receptions. That being said, the Vikings have been one of the most pass-heavy teams in the league. Rudolph hasn’t had any eye-popping performances yet, but he does have at least five targets and at least five receptions in four straight games.

His worst yardage total came in Week 1 when he only caught one pass for 11 yards, but that one reception was for a touchdown.  He’s finished with at least 41 yards in all four games since and has significant touchdown upside. Ebron might have the highest floor of any tight end this week, but Rudolph has also been a steady contributor who is worth considering in cash games.

Chicago Bears vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $3,300

The Bears defense comes into this game well rested after a bye week. They had a very impressive performance Week 4 against a Bucs offense that entered the game firing on all cylinders, holding them to 10 points. Not only did they force four sacks, but they also recorded three interceptions. The Bears have posted at least four sacks and one interception in each of their four contests so far.

The Dolphins started the season 3-0, but have come back to reality with losses in both of their last two games. They scored a combined 24 points in those matchups as Ryan Tannehill threw only one touchdown compared to two interceptions. With the way the Bears are able to put pressure on the quarterback, this game could be a nightmare for the Dolphins.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6 - TE/DEF/ST

David Njoku vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $3,800

Njoku continued to show a good relationship with Baker Mayfield during Week 5 in a win over the Ravens. The Ravens have a strong defense, but Njoku was able to catch six of 11 targets for a season-high 69 yards. Njoku is still looking for his first touchdown of the season, but he’s clearly established himself as one of the top pass-catchers in the Browns offense by receiving at least seven targets in four of five games.

Njoku has been on the field for 83% of the Browns offensive plays, which is second on the team only to Jarvis Landry (92%). His 34 targets are also second to Landry and just ahead of Antonio Callaway (30). The Browns offense is more explosive with Mayfield at quarterback, which should lead to added opportunities for Njoku again Sunday.

Vance McDonald vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,400

McDonald laid an egg last week in what looked like a chance to shine against a bad Falcons secondary. He finished with one reception on two targets for six yards after receiving at least three targets in each of his first three games. The Steelers were up big after three quarters, which led to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to attempt a season-low 29 passes. He had averaged 46.5 pass attempts across his first four games.

On a positive note, McDonald was on the field for 61% of the Steelers offensive plays last week, which was actually higher than his season average of 54%. Some people may be wary of playing him this week after his poor stat line, but don’t overlook him in tournament play. He still carries upside and can help with your budget at this cheap price.

Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $2,600

The Bengals scored 27 points against the Dolphins last week, but they were aided by two defensive scores. The Dolphins defense didn’t play all that poorly and their special teams provided a punt return for a touchdown. With yet another interception, the Dolphins have at least one pick in each game this year and lead the league with 10 overall.

The Dolphins have done a good job keeping opposing teams out of the end zone, although they haven’t exactly faced a bunch of offensive juggernauts with some of their opponents including the Titans, Jets, and Raiders. The Bears may have exploded for 48 points in Week 4, but quarterback Mitch Trubisky had two touchdowns and three interceptions over the first three weeks. Both defenses in this game could be strong plays with the Dolphins being the more cost-effective option to consider in tournament play.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6 - TE/DEF/ST

Greg Olsen vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Olsen reinjured his foot in the first game of the season and hasn’t played since. He’s decided to put off surgery in an attempt to play again this year and is trending in the right direction to return for Week 6. As one of their top pass-catching options, his return would be a welcome sight for the Panthers’ offense. However, it’s unclear how much he’ll be able to play in this contest and how effective he’ll be in his first game in over a month. It might be best to take a wait and see approach with Olsen before rostering him in DFS.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $2,700

The Chargers had by far their best defensive showing of the season last week by holding the Raiders to 10 points. They had allowed an average of 30 points over their first four games. They have faced two great offenses in the Chiefs and Rams, but their other three games this year have come against poor offensive teams in the Bills, 49ers, and Raiders. The Browns now have a more explosive element to their offense with Mayfield and they have a few talented options around him, so it wouldn’t be all that surprising for them to have a strong showing this week. I’d particularly stay away from the Chargers based on their FanDuel price, but they might be best to avoid on both sites.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6 – Quarterbacks

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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Quarterback depth will be somewhat tested in Week 6 if you are playing the main Sunday slate in DFS. Both the Saints and Lions are on a bye, which means no Drew Brees or Matthew Stafford. Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers all won’t be available, either, with the Chiefs and Patriots facing off Sunday night and the Packers hosting the 49ers on Monday. There is still value to be had, though, so let’s examine some quarterbacks to target and avoid as you craft your lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6 - Quarterbacks

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $6,500

The Steelers won handily over the Falcons in Week 5, limiting Roethlisberger to a season-low 29 pass attempts due to their big lead. He made the most of his opportunities, racking up 250 yards and three touchdowns. Although he did throw an interception for his third straight game, he’s also thrown at least three touchdown passes in three of his last four contests.

With the Steelers still without star running back Le’Veon Bell, Roethlisberger is averaging a career-high 332.8 passing yards per game. James Conner has had a couple of strong performances in Bell’s absence, but Roethlisberger and their receivers have shined. Roethlisberger traditionally has better numbers at home than he does on the road, but he still has a high floor in this game. He showed he can take advantage of poor defenses on the road Week 3 when he lit up the Bucs for 353 yards and three touchdowns. The Bengals haven’t played as poorly as the Bucs, but they have already allowed 10 touchdown passes.

Matt Ryan vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $6,800

Ryan departed last week’s game early with a foot injury, but that had a lot to do with the lopsided score. The Falcons didn’t have a strong offensive performance, resulting in Ryan throwing for 285 yards and a touchdown. It was the first time since Week 1 that Ryan didn’t record at least two touchdowns in a game. The good news is that he’s expected to be fine for this matchup with the Bucs.

The Bucs defense has struggled mightily to defend the pass, allowing a league-high 358 passing yards per game. Despite being on their bye during Week 5, the Bucs are still tied for the most passing touchdowns allowed (13). They only have one interception, too, providing very little resistance to opposing offenses. The Falcons have scored at least 31 points in each of their three home games this season, so look for Ryan to bounce back in a big way Sunday.

Deshaun Watson vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – NRG Stadium
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $6,400

Watson was rusty Week 1 in what was his first game back from a torn ACL, throwing for 175 yards to go along with one touchdown and one pick against the Patriots. He’s been a different quarterback since, throwing for at least 300 yards in each of his next four games. Turnovers have still been a problem with him throwing one interception in each of those contests, but he’s also chipped in eight total touchdowns.

The added value that Watson provides with his legs goes a long way towards giving him a high floor. He has at least five rushing attempts and 36 rushing yards in all five games. The Bills defense played well at home against the Titans last week, but the Titans don’t exactly have an overwhelming offense. Watson has two of the most dynamic wide receivers in the league to support him in DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, which helps with his touchdown upside.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6 - Quarterbacks

Andy Dalton vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,300

Dalton had arguably his worst performance of the year Week 5, throwing for 248 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It was the first time he threw for less than two scores in a game and marked the second time he accumulated less than 250 yards through the air. He did only have 30 pass attempts, though, which was his fewest since Week 1.

Week 6 brings a chance for Dalton to get back on track against a Steelers defense that has allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (296) and is tied with the Bucs for the most passing touchdowns allowed (13). This has the potential to be a high-scoring game based on the Steelers explosive offense, so Dalton could be a great option in tournament play at a cheaper price than Big Ben.

Jameis Winston vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,800

Winston was reinstated from his three-game suspension and eligible to play Week 4, but he didn’t start because of the hot streak that Ryan Fitzpatrick was on. That streak ended in a hurry in that contest against the Bears, ultimately leading to Winston coming in for relief of Fitzpatrick. Winston didn’t exactly shine, either, finishing with 145 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Winston has been able to use the bye week to get ready for this game, which should leave him more prepared than he was for his relief role against the Bears. Turnovers have plagued Winston during his career and his 61.1% career completion percentage also leaves a lot to be desired. Even with that being said, he has a great wide receiver trio around him and will have to throw the ball a lot based on the Bucs defensive deficiencies. The Falcons have allowed 12 touchdown passes this year and their defense has been decimated by injuries, potentially setting up Winston for a valuable performance.

Baker Mayfield vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $5,500

Mayfield was faced with a tough task Week 5 against a Ravens defense that was playing well and getting back cornerback Jimmy Smith from suspension. His 342 passing yards were nice, but he only completed 58.1% of his passes and recorded one touchdown to go along with one interception. In both of his starts since taking over for Tyrod Taylor, Mayfield has completed less than 59% of his passes. On the plus side, he has attempted at least 40 passes in both of those contests.

Sunday brings a much easier task against the Chargers, who have allowed 270 passing yards per game compared to just 215 passing yards per game allowed by the Ravens. The Charges have also given up 11 touchdown passes while the Ravens have only allowed six. Mayfield is going to have his ups and downs throughout his rookie campaign, but he has enough upside to be worth considering at this price for Week 6.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6 - Quarterbacks

Mitch Trubisky vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,300

The Bears had a bye week to bask in the glory of their 48-10 demolishing of the Bucs in Week 4. Trubisky’s play was the highlight of that game since he finished with 354 yards and a staggering six touchdown passes. Don’t get too excited, though, because Trubisky only had two touchdown passes in three games total before Week 4. The Dolphins secondary has given up some yards, but they have only allowed six touchdown passes and recorded a league-high 10 interceptions. Expect Trubisky to come crashing back down to Earth in this contest.

Alex Smith vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,400

How smart do the Chiefs look right now for moving on from Smith to start the Patrick Mahomes era? Smith had a fine stint with the Chiefs, but their offense was never nearly as explosive with him at the helm. The same issue has carried over with him to the Redskins, who are only averaging 20.8 points per game. Smith has failed to throw a touchdown pass in two of their four contests and only has four total scores through the air this season. He’s not expensive, but he doesn’t have enough upside to even warrant taking a chance on in tournament play.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 – TE/DEF/ST

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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

It seems like every week another tight end is lost to a significant injury. Week 4 was no different as Tyler Eifert went down for the season with an ankle injury. This might be the thinnest the tight end position has been in a long time, but there are still options out there for Week 5 that could provide significant returns. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or avoid as you create your DFS 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 5 - TE/DEF/ST

Zach Ertz vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,500

There isn’t much risk involved when you roll with Ertz in DFS. He’s received at least 10 targets in each game this year, including a season-high 14 in Week 14 even with the return of Alshon Jeffery. Although Ertz has yet to find the end zone, he has finished with at least 73 receiving yards in three of four contests.

It’s not all that surprising that Ertz still received a ton of targets in Jeffery’s first game of the season. The Eagles rely on Ertz heavily in the passing game, resulting in him getting at least 106 targets in three straight seasons. Opposing tight ends only have one touchdown against the Vikings this season, but they have allowed 246 receiving yards to the position. Two of their four games have come against the Bills and Rams, too, neither of which have a lot of talent at tight end. Expect another reliable performance from Ertz.

Jared Cook vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Cook didn’t exactly have a banner campaign in his first year with the Raiders, catching 54 of 86 targets for 688 yards. He finished the year with just two touchdowns, giving him three total scores across the last three seasons. The change at head coach has done wonders for Cook through four games this year, resulting in him posting 26 receptions on 35 targets for 370 yards and two touchdowns. After finishing with at least 100 yards in a game two times in 2017, he’s already reached that threshold twice through Week 4.

It’s certainly encouraging for Cook’s value moving forward that he has received at least 10 targets twice this season, especially since he had no more than nine in any game last year. His 74.3% catch rate is also a big improvement over his 62.8% mark in 2017. The Chargers have had no problems scoring points, so the Raiders might be forced to throw a lot to keep up, which only further adds to Cook’s upside.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $3,800

The Rams defense started out strong by allowing 13 points across the first two weeks. Their fortunes have changed since, allowing 54 points over their last two contests. One of the main reasons for their struggles of late is their injuries at cornerback. Aqib Talib is on IR with an ankle injury and Marcus Peters is battling a calf strain.

The good news for the Rams is that even with all of their issues the last two weeks, they recorded six sacks and three fumble recoveries. They still put a lot of pressure on the opposing quarterbacks, which could spell doom for Russell Wilson since he has already been sacked 16 times. The Seahawks did get Doug Baldwin back last week, but their offense still isn’t all that explosive. The Rams might not have the ceiling they would if they were healthy at cornerback, but they are one of the top defenses for Week 5.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 - TE/DEF/ST

David Njoku vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $3,400

Njoku was active in Baker Mayfield’s first career start, catching five passes for 52 yards. He finished the game with seven targets, marking the third time this season that he has received seven targets. However, he finished with a catch rate of 57.1% or lower in the first two weeks compared to 71.4% in Week 4.

The move from Tyrod Taylor to Mayfield provides a boost to the majority of the skill players on the Browns offense. Mayfield will go through some growing pains, but Taylor had never averaged more than 216.8 passing yards per game during any season of his career. This is no easy task against a tough Ravens defense, but the volume of passes that Njoku gets thrown his way at least makes him someone to consider.

Vance McDonald vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,700

After sitting out the first game of the season, McDonald has received exactly five targets in each of the Steelers three games since. He followed up his monster 112-yard performance from Week 3 with 62 yards and a season-high five receptions in Week 4. An encouraging trend is that McDonald has seen his snap percentage increase each game, topping out at 62% last week.

This game should be a shootout based on how poorly both defenses have played. The Steelers have great weapons at wide receiver but expect McDonald to still be heavily involved. With all the injuries the Falcons have been dealt at linebacker and safety, teams can exploit the middle of the field against them. At this cheap price, McDonald has an opportunity to provide significant returns in tournament play.

Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,200

Although the Broncos lost last week, their defense didn’t play all that poorly against the potent Chiefs. They only allowed 10 points in the first half and the 27 total points that the Chiefs scored in the game marked their lowest output of the season. In fact, the Chiefs had scored at least 38 points in each of their first three contests.

The downside with the Broncos defense is that they haven’t created a turnover since forcing three in Week 1. Expect them to get back into that column Sunday against Sam Darnold, who has thrown at least one pick in three of four games. The Jets passing attack hasn’t been great, either, with Darnold throwing for fewer than 200 yards three of four weeks. If you don’t want to pay up for the Rams, the Broncos are a viable option.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 - TE/DEF/ST

Jesse James vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $3,100

James started the first two games for the Steelers, catching eight of 10 targets for 198 yards and a touchdown. However, now that McDonald is completely healthy, James has received just two targets combined across the last two games. His snap percentage has also decreased each week, bottoming out at 44% in Week 4. McDonald is the Steelers tight end you want to roll with this week, not James. McDonald is even cheaper than James on FanDuel.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $2,800

The Jaguars defense has done a good job keeping teams out of the end zone, but they have only forced three turnovers this season, two of which came in Week 1. Outside of their Week 2 matchup against the Patriots, they haven’t exactly faced offensive juggernauts in the Giants, Titans, and Jets. This will be an extremely tough test against the Chiefs, so starting their defense seems like an unnecessary risk to take, especially based on how expensive they are on FanDuel.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 – Wide Receivers

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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There were 20 wide receivers who came away with at least 100 receiving yards in Week 4, including four that had over 160 yards. There are plenty of great matchups in Week 5 to exploit, as well. 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 5 - Wide Receivers

Julio Jones vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,500

After scoring a measly three touchdowns in 2017, Jones has failed to reach the end zone across the first four games this year. The Falcons have only targeted Jones three times inside the red zone, which equates to 13.6% of their opportunities. To put that into perspective, other star receivers around the league who have received a higher percentage include Jarvis Landry (60%), Davante Adams (44.4%) and A.J. Green (36%).

The good news is that Jones has already amassed 29 receptions for 502 yards. His 46 targets are tied for fourth-most in the league. This should be a high-scoring game between two teams that have potent offenses and porous defenses. Jones might continue to struggle to score touchdowns, but with all the targets he receives, he still has a high floor in DFS.

Adam Thielen vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $7,700

Like Jones, Thielen struggled to find the end zone last year with only four scores despite hauling in 91 passes. Unlike Jones, Thielen hasn’t had similar issues this season, recording two touchdowns already. Although the Vikings have another extremely talented wide receiver in Stefon Diggs, it hasn’t stopped Thielen from leading the league with 56 targets. He hasn’t let those opportunities go to waste, posting 40 receptions for 473 yards.

Diggs might have the higher touchdown upside, but there is plenty of room within this offense for both players to be extremely productive every week. If anything, having the two of them makes it so opposing defenses can’t key in on either one of them. The Eagles defense has been stout against the run, but they are vulnerable in the passing game. Start Thielen with confidence.

JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,500

Smith-Schuster is coming off of his quietest performance of the season in Week 4, catching four passes for 60 yards. On a positive note, he did receive 11 targets in that contest and has received at least eight targets in all four games. His 49 total targets rank third in the league behind Thielen and his own teammate, Antonio Brown. Smith-Schuster’s 416 receiving yards also rank eighth, significantly ahead of Brown’s 272 yards.

Having Brown playing alongside him certainly takes some of the pressure off of Smith-Schuster. The Steelers are also still without the services of Le’Veon Bell, who catches a ton of passes out of the backfield. Based on how poorly the Steelers defense has played, they’ve had to throw the ball a lot to try and keep pace offensively. Scoring should be abundant in this contest, leaving Smith-Schuster with significant upside.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 - Wide Receivers

Tyler Boyd vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,700

The Bengals offense has been firing on all cylinders this season, scoring at least 34 points in three of four games. Andy Dalton has been a different quarterback, averaging 299.3 passing yards per game compared to 207.5 passing yards per game in 2017. One of the main beneficiaries of their offensive explosion has been Boyd, who has at least 91 receiving yards in three straight games. He received a staggering 15 targets in Week 4, hauling in 11 of them for 100 yards.

With defenses having to worry about A.J. Green, Boyd has shown he can be a viable secondary receiver. He should be even more heavily involved going forward after the Bengals lost tight end Tyler Eifert for the season due to an ankle injury. Eifert had 15 receptions on 19 targets so far this year. The Dolphins have allowed the seventh-most passing yards per game (285) heading into this matchup, making Boyd an excellent play at this reasonable price.

John Brown vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,600

Speaking of offenses who have been far more productive this season, the Ravens are averaging 30.8 points per contest. Injuries contributed to Brown appearing in only 10 games last year and he posted a dismal 38.2% catch rate when he was on the field. The Ravens added Michael Crabtree and Willie Snead to their wide receiver corps this year, but the emergence of Brown might be the biggest reason for their improved scoring output. His 50% catch rate still isn’t great, but his average of 22.5 yards per reception has helped him total 338 yards and three touchdowns.

Week 5 brings a matchup against a Browns team that has made some improvements on defense but was destroyed by Derek Carr last week for 437 yards and four touchdowns. Michael Crabtree leads the team with 36 targets, but he doesn’t have nearly the explosive upside that Brown does, averaging 10.2 yards per reception. If you plan to utilize a Ravens stack with Flacco as your quarterback, Brown is the top choice to pair with him in tournament play.

Dede Westbrook vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,700

Westbrook hasn’t had the most consistent of starts. He has posted 51 receiving yards or fewer in two of four games, but he recorded at least 82 yards in both of the other two contests. A lot of that falls on the shoulders of Blake Bortles, who threw for fewer than 180 yards in both of Westbrook’s unproductive games. The good news for Westbrook is that he leads the team with 28 targets.

The Jaguars have a great defense, but they will be tested this week by the Chiefs. If they can’t hold down Patrick Mahomes and company, the Jaguars might be forced to throw the ball more than usual. The loss of Leonard Fournette to a hamstring injury won’t help their running game, either. Westbrook doesn’t carry a lot of touchdown potential, but he should get enough passes thrown his way to be a viable option for your entry.

Jordy Nelson vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,500

Nelson’s first two games as a Raider did not go well, catching five of eight targets for 53 yards. He had his first big performance with his new team in Week 3, catching six passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. That yardage total was certainly a fluke and he came back down to Earth with 48 yards in Week 4. However, he chipped in another touchdown reception and received eight targets for the second time in as many weeks.

Amari Cooper is clearly the top wide receiver for the Raiders, but he hasn’t exactly been reliable, either. One player who has emerged as a productive part of the passing game is tight end Jared Cook, who already has 370 receiving yards after finishing with 688 yards in all of 2017. The Chargers defense hasn’t lived up to expectations so far this year, allowing 10 touchdown passes through the first four weeks. Nelson is very much a boom-or-bust option, but he’s intriguing in tournament play at this cheap price.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 - Wide Receivers

Larry Fitzgerald vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $4,700

The normally reliable Fitzgerald hasn’t been immune to the Cardinals offensive struggles, posting only 15 receptions and 141 receiving yards through four games. His streak of three straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards is very much in doubt. To make matters worse, he’s currently battling a hamstring injury. Even if he does tough it out and play Sunday, he’ still someone to stay away from when crafting your entry.

Devin Funchess vs. New York Giants
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,200

Funchess emerged as the Panthers top wide receiver last year and is off to another solid start with 14 receptions and 185 yards through three games. The loss of tight end Greg Olsen to yet another foot injury has opened up even more opportunities for Funchess to be productive. Unfortunately for Funchess, he’ll be matched up against standout cornerback Janoris Jenkins on Sunday, who helped limit Saints star receiver Michael Thomas to four catches and 47 yards last week.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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One of the top-tier DFS options at running back was lost last week as Leonard Fournette reaggravated his hamstring injury. While he will be on the sidelines for Week 5, Joe Mixon and Devonta Freeman could be making a return to their respective squads. Let’s dig into the running back position to see where you can gain the edge in DFS. 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 5 - Running Backs

Todd Gurley vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $9,100
DraftKings = $9,400

Gurley is as consistent as it comes at the running back position. He has at least 100 total yards in three of four games this season and has recorded at least one touchdown in all four. The Rams have also given him at least 17 rushing attempts in every game and he’s seen at least six targets in three of them. With a talented wide receiver trio to support the emerging Jared Goff at quarterback, defenses can’t key in on Gurley anymore.

Sunday brings an excellent matchup for Gurley as the Seahawks have allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game (122.5) and the eighth-most yards-per-carry (4.6). They also suffered a tough blow last week when star safety Earl Thomas was lost for the season due to a broken leg. This game could get out of hand in a hurry for the Seahawks as their offense has struggled, as well, which could lead to a steady dose of Gurley in the second half. Don’t hesitate to pay up to get him into your entry.

Melvin Gordon vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $8,600

Gordon hasn’t received more than 15 rushing attempts in a game this season, but he’s been able to accumulate 276 rushing yards because of his career-high 6.1 yards-per-carry. The Chargers have also made him a primary option in the passing game with his 34 targets ranking second on the team behind Keenan Allen (36). Last year, Gordon finished with 58 receptions on 83 targets for 476 yards and four touchdowns. He already has 24 catches for 199 yards and three touchdowns across four games.

Austin Eckler has emerged as a quality second running back, but Gordon has still played at least 72 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in three of their four games. The only game he didn’t was their blowout win over the Bills where he left early with an injury. He won’t get a much easier matchup than he will in Week 5 against the Raiders, who have allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (139.3) and the second-most yards-per-carry (5.6).

Christian McCaffrey vs. New York Giants
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $8,000

The Panthers come into this game well rested after being one of the first teams to have a bye week this season. McCaffrey had the most impressive rushing performance of his career in Week 3, carrying the ball 28 times for 184 yards. Before that contest, he hadn’t received more than 15 rushing attempts in a game during his career and had never even topped 70 rushing yards. Known more for his pass-catching abilities, McCaffrey already has 26 targets through just three games.

Things won’t exactly be easy for him on the ground Sunday against the Giants, who have one of the best run stoppers in the league in Damon Harrison. However, they were torched by Alvin Kamara on Sunday for 134 yards on 19 carries. Even if McCaffrey doesn’t have as many yards on the ground, he has a high floor in DFS based on his involvement in the passing game.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 - Running Backs

James Conner vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $7,500

Things couldn’t have gone any better for Conner in Week 1 as he replaced Le’Veon Bell, rushing 31 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns. He also chipped in five receptions on six targets for 57 yards. While it looked like the Steelers wouldn’t skip a beat with him leading their backfield, Conner has only totaled 97 yards on 32 carries in three games since. On the bright side, he did record 13 catches on 18 targets for 107 yards during that stretch.

With the news that Bell plans to return to the Steelers before their Week 8 game, Conner’s days as a starter are numbered. He has a favorable opportunity to get back on track Sunday against the Falcons, who have allowed the eighth-most rushing yards per game (119) and have been torched for 42 receptions and 310 receiving yards by opposing running backs. Even if the Steelers have to throw a lot to keep up with the Falcons’ explosive offense, Conner has a high ceiling this week.

T.J. Yeldon vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,600

With Fournette going down once again, Yeldon should step in as the lead back for the Jaguars. He played well after Fournette departed early last week, finishing with 100 total yards and two total touchdowns. Over the previous two games that Fournette missed, Yeldon had 102 rushing yards and 59 receiving yards. The Jaguars have used him a lot in the passing game, throwing at least five passes his way in three of four games.

It’s well known that the Chiefs secondary has been porous this season, but they’ve also allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (123.3) and the most receiving yards to opossing running backs (385) by a hefty margin. Corey Grant will get some work, too, but not enough to deal a significant blow to Yeldon’s upside. At this price, he’s hard to pass up in tournament play even if he is expected to be highly-owned.

Matt Breida vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,700

This has quickly turned into a lost season for the 49ers with Jimmy Garoppolo and Jerick McKinnon both suffering torn ACL’s. The injury to McKinnon has opened up added opportunities for Breida, who began the year in a timeshare with Alfred Morris. While Morris is still a threat for carries, he’s only averaging 3.8 yards-per-carry and is not a viable option in the passing game. Even though Breida is battling a shoulder injury, he’s been much more explosive by averaging 7.6 yards-per-carry.

Breida is also a better threat to catch passes, receiving 12 targets through four games compared to five for Morris. Breida’s shoulder is still bothering him, but if he can play Week 5, he could be in line for a monster performance. The Cardinals have not only allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (142.3), but they’ve also allowed the most rushing touchdowns (seven).

Aaron Jones vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $4,300

After missing the first two weeks due to a suspension, the Packers only gave Jones six carries in Week 3. He took advantage of his opportunity with 42 rushing yards, showing he is the most explosive player out of their running back trio that also consists of Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery. They gave him 11 carries against the Bills on Sunday, which he turned into 65 yards and a touchdown.

Montgomery, a former wide receiver, is clearly the best pass-catching option in the Packers backfield, but they would be wise to give Jones more carries. Williams has only averaged 3.4 yards-per-carry after averaging 3.6 yards-per-carry on 153 attempts last year. The real question is, how long with head coach Mike McCarthy continue to stubbornly stick with Williams? If we had a clearer picture, Jones certainly wouldn’t be priced this cheap against a Lions defense that has allowed the most rushing yards per game (157.8). I still think he’s talented enough to provide value even if he doesn’t get the bulk of the carries considering this matchup.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 - Running Backs

Jay Ajayi vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,100

Ajayi returned after sitting out Week 3 due to a back injury, carrying the ball 15 times for 70 yards against the Titans on Sunday. The Eagles have a lot of options at running back, which has limited Ajayi to playing no more than 53% of their offensive snaps in any of the three games that he played. The Vikings defense hasn’t been nearly as tough this year, but they have limited teams to 104 rushing yards per contest. The Eagles running back situation just isn’t set up for Ajayi to provide significant value.

Dalvin Cook vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Century Link Field
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,300

Speaking of running backs who have dealt with injury, Cook missed Week 3 with a hamstring issue and was limited by the injury in his return Sunday against the Rams, finishing with 20 yards on 10 carries. He’s listed as questionable for Week 5, but even if he does play, he may once again see a limited workload. Considering the Eagles have allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (63.8), Cook is too risky.