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Andrew Swanson | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


DFS Preview for Week 13
12/1/17

The inexplicable benching of Eli Manning in favor of Geno Smith is the latest of a string of gaffes by head coach Ben McAdoo and GM Jerry Reece. Although Manning is clearly in the twilight of his career and is a shell of his former two-time Super Bowl-winning self, he deserved more respect from an organization he carried for 15 seasons.

Off the field turmoil can often present opportunities in fantasy sports, as demotions and flux in an organization can lead to a team playing with limited passion and focus. In the case of the Giants - a team that already struggles defensively, the Manning drama could make a bad team even worse.

DFS owners should consider taking advantage of this situation by targeting Oakland Raider tight end Jared Cook. The Giants rank first in points allowed to opposing tight ends, with a TE scoring a touchdown or posting 100 yards in 10 of 11 games. The Raiders will be without both Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree this week, which could result in even more volume for Cook in the passing game.

Here are a few other DFS targets for Week 13 of the NFL season.

Jared Cook

Matchup to exploit: The Giants have allowed double-digit fantasy points to 8 tight ends this year.


Quarterbacks

H2H/Cash - Philip Rivers vs. Cleveland ($7,000 on DraftKings)

Rivers threw for a season-high 434 yards and three touchdowns last week on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys, as the Chargers offense continues to roll with 82 points in their last two games. With Cleveland allowing the 10th-most points to opposing quarterbacks, there is no reason why Philip won’t continue is impressive play. Paring Rivers with Keenan Allen is a stack that I will be using in most of my cash tickets.

Other options to consider - Jared Goff @ Arizona & Case Keenum @ Atlanta

GPP - Brett Hundley vs. Tampa Bay ($5,100 on DraftKings)

Hundley enters the Week 13 matchup against the Bucs riding high off of a career-best 245/3/0 game against the Steelers on Sunday Night Football. His confidence appears to be building and is accuracy and pocket awareness is improving each week. With the Bucs allowing the 6th-most points to opposing quarterbacks, Hundley is my bottom-barrel priced QB that could have a monster game.

Other options to consider - Blake Bortles vs. Indy & Derek Carr vs. N.Y. Giants

Fade - Matthew Stafford @ Baltimore ($5,800 on DraftKings)

Stafford has not topped 20 fantasy points in his last two games and the Ravens own the second-most difficult defense in terms of points allowed to the QB. If looking for a cheap QB play, I’d much rather have Hundley at $5,100

Running Backs

H2H/Cash - Jordan Howard vs. San Francisco ($6,500 on DraftKings)

Howard is my no-brainer, must-play running back of the week regardless of format. His production has been up and down this year, but he and the Bears will run all over the 49ers, and his $6,500 price tag is too nice to pass up. I would much rather start him over more expensive plays like Melvin Gordon, LeSean McCoy, Tevin Coleman, and Kareem Hunt.

Other options to consider - Todd Gurley @ Arizona & Mark Ingram vs. Carolina

GPP - Jacquizz Rodgers @ Green bay ($4,300 on DraftKings)

With Doug Martin out and Bucs taking on a Packers team that allows the 10th-most points to opposing running backs, Rodgers is a nice low-cost play this week with touchdown upside. The Packers are much better against the run with Mike Daniels healthy, but you can still move the ball against the Green Bay pass defense and Rodgers could get some goal line looks.

Other options to consider - Dion Lewis @ Buffalo & Alex Collins vs. Detroit

Fade - Alvin Kamara vs. Carolina ($7,900 on DraftKings)

Kamara’s per touch production is historic and the former Tennessee Vol is one of the most dynamic running backs in the league. Although he could still have a nice game, I am betting against him posing monster numbers against a Carolina defense that has allowed four total touchdowns to RBs on the season.

Wide Receivers

H2H/Cash - Robby Anderson vs. Kansas City ($6,300 on DraftKings)

Anderson has been the model of consistency with a touchdown in each of his last five games. The Chiefs have allowed the second most points to opposing wide receivers and the second-most receiving touchdowns to WRs. As long as Anderson continues to be priced in the $6ks he will be in my cash lineups.

Other options to consider - Adam Thielen @ Atlanta & Mike Evans @ Green Bay

GPP - Josh Gordon @ San Diego ($4,100 on DraftKings)

I was off of Gordon until the news broke that cornerback Casey Hayward may miss the game. Why not take the risk in a GPP on a player who could be a beast? Although, it wouldn’t surprise to see 30% of DF owners start Gordon this week.

Other options to consider - Dontrelle Inman vs. San Francisco & Travis Benjamin vs. Cleveland

Fade - Julio Jones vs. Minnesota ($8,600 on DraftKings)

Xavier Rhodes has had some success against Jones in the past (Although Marvin Jones did burn Rhodes last week for 100 yards and two scores), plus Jones’s nagging leg injuries have me worried. Some negative regression from his monster game last week is also likely to occur, making him a bit of an overpriced play at $8,600.

Tight End

H2H/Cash - Jack Doyle @ Jacksonville ($5,200 on DraftKings)

The Jags will lock down Hilton and Moncrief on the outside, forcing Brissett to focus even more on his favorite target.

Other options to consider - Jared Cook vs. N.Y. Giants & Delanie Walker vs. Houston

GPP - Hunter Henry vs. Cleveland ($4,700 on DraftKings)

Predicting Henry’s usage can be an excise in futility, but the Chargers would be crazy not to use him this week against a Cleveland team that allows the second-most points to tight ends.

Other options to consider - Ricky Seals-Jones vs. Rams & Cameron Brate @ Green Bay

Fade - Evan Engram @ Oakland ($5,700 on DraftKings)

There are too many unknowns about the Giants to start anyone against the Raiders. Engram has been in a funk over his last two games, catching just 4 of his 13 targets for 27 yards.

D/ST

San Diego vs. Cleveland

With three consecutive double-digit point games and a turnover happy Cleveland team coming to town, the Chargers will be in for a big game.