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Andrew Swanson | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


DFS Preview for Week 6
10/14/17

The NFL is often referred to a week to week game, and it is amazing how much can change in less than a month. After the first two weeks of the season, Matthew Stafford appeared poised for a monster season with six touchdown passes against two perceived tough defenses in Arizona and the New York Giants, while rookie Deshaun Watson looked lost as his preseason struggles carried over into the regular season.

Of course, Watson has emerged as a fantasy darling with three straight monster games, including five touchdown passes last week against the Chiefs, while Stafford has thrown just three touchdowns combined in his last three contests.

The moral of the story is that things change pretty quickly in the NFL as the season progresses and what a team did last month is not always a valid predictor of what may happen in the future.

With that said, I am all in this week with a Watson/Hopkins stack against the Browns. Here are a few other DFS targets that should be considered for Week 6.

Kirk Cousins

Coming off a bye the Redskins have an easy matchup at home against a leaky 49ers pass defense.


Quarterbacks

H2H/Cash - Kirk Cousins vs. San Francisco ($6,800 on DraftKings)

Tom Brady against the New York Jets secondary is a nice matchup for cash games, but I am not sure he is worth the $1500 premium over Kirk Cousins at home against the 49ers defense that has allowed the 25th most points to opposing QBs. Cousins has averaged 26 points over his last two games and should continue that streak this week with the Redskins fresh off the bye.

Other options to consider - Drew Brees vs. Detroit & Deshaun Watson vs. Cleveland

GPP - Carson Palmer vs. Tampa Bay ($6,100 on DraftKings)

With a struggling run game and a defense that has been surprisingly bad this season, Carson Palmer has been forced to throw the ball an average of 45 times a game, while topping the 325-yard mark in three of his five games. The only knock on Palmer is the fact that he has not thrown for more than two touchdowns in a game, despite his hefty yardage totals. I look for that to change this week against a 31st-ranked Tampa Bay defense that is injured in the linebacking corps.

Other options to consider - Case Keenum vs. Green Bay & Kevin Hogan @ Houston

Fade - Ben Roethlisberger @ Kansas City ($5,700 on DraftKings)

The price is tempting, and the Chiefs have been surprisingly giving to opposing quarterbacks, but I just don’t buy into Ben turning around his season at Arrowhead. As Bill Parcells famously said, “when you start talking about retiring you already have.” I think Ben is done.

Running Backs

H2H/Cash - Javorius Allen vs. Chicago ($5,400 on DraftKings)

The formula for Buck Allen success looks to be pretty clear: If the Ravens are up big, Allen will be used the primary pass catching back and he is the one that John Harbaugh leans on as the closing RB in the second half. Allen’s three big usage games of this season came when the Ravens were up big, which is something I assume will happen in this game.

Other options to consider - Todd Gurley @ Jacksonville & Devonta Freeman vs. Miami

GPP - Chris Thompson vs. San Francisco ($5,000 on DraftKings)

With fat Rob Kelley likely out against the 49ers, Samaje Perine is a popular play based on the fact that he is cheap at $4,400 and he will likely be the first and second down back with Kelley on the shelf. But remember that Jay Gruden hates fumbles and Perine’s last carry was a terrible fumble on a pitch play. It would not surprise me to see Mack Brown get some work in this game as well.

The Washington RB I am targeting is Chris Thompson, who came back to Earth with 2.7 points after monster games in Weeks 2 and 3. The film on the 49ers is clear: They struggle against the run, but even more so against shifty and quick running backs like Marlon Mack last week against Indy. Look for a bounce back with Thompson this week, with 100 total yards and a touchdown.

Other options to consider - Lamar Miller vs. Cleveland & Tevin Coleman vs. Miami

Fade - Le’Veon Bell vs. Kansas City ($9,600 on DraftKings)

At his hefty price tag of $9,600, Bell would need to have a multi-touchdown game to justify the expense. He will be active in the passing game, and his receptions will help give him a nice floor, but the huge price tag with a tough matchup in Arrowhead seems too risky for my blood.

Wide Receivers

H2H/Cash - Chris Hogan vs. New York Jets ($7,000 on DraftKings)

I would have said you are crazy if you asked me two months ago if I thought Chris Hogan would be a $7,000 receiver and Amari Cooper would cost $5,000 at any point in the season. But just as I said in my opening, things can change pretty quickly in the NFL. With a touchdown in last four games and a steady increase in target share, Hogan has quietly become one of the most consistent wide receivers in fantasy.

Other options to consider – Adam Thielen vs. Green Bay & Larry Fitzgerald vs. Tampa Bay

GPP - Jamison Crowder vs. San Francisco ($4,000 on DraftKings)

A preseason breakout darling for many fantasy writers (myself included), Crowder has been a massive bust this season with zero touchdowns and 106 yards in four games. Heck, Crowder managed to post a line last week with negative seven yards and a fumble, which is not an easy feat to accomplish.

With a $4,000 salary, Crowder looks to have hit rock bottom. But it should be noted that he has been playing hurt most of the season and is now fully healthy by some reports. In addition, head coach Jay Gruden was quoted in saying that he would like to get Crowder more involved, and the home matchup against the 49ers doesn’t get much better. As flex in GPP, Crowder could be a difference maker this week.

Other options to consider - Golden Tate @ New Orleans & Jarvis Landry @ Atlanta

Fade - Jordy Nelson vs. Minnesota ($7,100 on DraftKings)

Nelson had his biggest game of the year against Minnesota last season and has been a steady touchdown producing weapon for Aaron Rodgers. But his back injury is a concern, and this game has the makings of an Xavier Rhodes shutdown if Jordy is not 100% healthy.

Tight End

H2H/Cash - Austin Seferian-Jenkins vs. New England ($4,300 on DraftKings)

With injury concerns surrounding the top-three ranked tight ends this week, Austin Seferian-Jenkins oddly enough is one of the tight ends with the highest floor. The Patriots will likely create a game script in which Josh McCown and the Jets passing game will need to throw the ball, and ASJ is his favorite target.

Other options to consider - Cameron Brate @ Arizona & Hunter Henry @ Oakland

GPP - Ryan Griffin vs. Cleveland ($4,000 on DraftKings)

There is a no-brainer move in fantasy this season when looking for tight ends: find out who the Browns and Giants are playing, and go with the better value. Of the two tight ends playing those respective teams, Ryan Griffin at home is the play to make.

Other options to consider - George Kittle @ Washington & Austin Hooper vs. Miami

Fade - Travis Kelce vs. Pittsburgh ($6,100 on DraftKings)

Kelce has been a limited participant in practice after suffering a concussion against the Texans last week. It looks like he might play, but I would not risk $6,100 on a tight end unless I were certain he would play at 100%.

Defense & Special Teams

Atlanta vs. Miami ($3,500)

Jay Cutler and the Dolphins are a mess, and the Falcons are tough at home, especially with two weeks to prepare. This could be an ugly game for the Phins.