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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.