KillaB's Week 8 Cash-Game Lineup Recap
It’s about that time that I take a look back at my DraftKings cash-game lineup.
After a very slow start to the early slate of games on Sunday, the afternoon/evening games did not disappoint. There were plenty of points and tons of fantasy action for all. If you had a dud or two somewhere in your lineup, you are probably on the outside looking in this week.
Starting Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (29.82) – Rodgers had a great matchup going up against the Saints D, a unit that’s given up the eighth-most points to QBs. The Packers offense has been starting to hit their stride over the past few weeks. All things were clicking early and often for the Green Bay offense during the Sunday night game, UNTIL Mr. Rodgers tweaked his hamstring. Being a GB fan all my life, I have never seen Rodgers miss so many easy throws. Still, it was good that he continued playing even after tweaking the hammy and I feel fortunate to have gotten the production I did, as he could’ve been done after getting hurt.
Starting Running Backs
Le’Veon Bell (20.8) – Let me repeat: I will continue to roll out Bell until DK increases his price. He is a cash-game beast with his high floor. He continues to get a large number of receptions, which is a key separator on DK. The matchup was average, but his price continues to be too low. It is hard to believe Bell didn’t sniff the end zone in Pittsburgh’s offensive barrage.
Andre Ellington (16.5) – Ellington is another guy who seems to be underpriced when considering his ability to have 3-7 receptions on any given day. The matchup was above average, and I really felt Ellington could break a big one against the Philly defense. It seemed Ellington could be in for a big day with the early TD, but unfortunately he was kept in check the rest of the game.
Starting Wide Receivers
Dez Bryant (TBD) – As I write this article, Bryant has not played yet. In most of my cash games (50/50s, H2Hs, etc.), I am on the outside looking in to hit the money. Even though I have posted a decent score relative to most weeks, I need Bryant to have a big night to hit some nice paydays. He faces a leaky Washington pass D, one that has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to WRs. I am hoping Jason Garrett got the check I sent in the mail. Dear Jason: Murray will get hurt at the pace you are working him — I think you should pass the ball, especially to Bryant.
Eric Decker (11) – I needed to find some value at a couple positions to make the pieces fit. I bought into the hype that Percy Harvin would open things up for Decker. The matchup was favorable, with Buffalo giving up the ninth-most points to WRs. What I didn’t realize was how giving Geno Smith and Michael Vick were as NFL QBs. I lost count of the number of turnovers. Wait, I think they just turned it over again!
Sammy Watkins (27.7) – I am going to single-handedly blame Watkins if I don’t make money this week. Why do you feel the need to showboat before you get into the end zone?! Yes, he had a nice line, but the additional TD could be the difference this week due to all the big scores.
Starting Tight End
Zach Ertz (9.8) – Here is another value play. If I didn’t pay for Gronk (which ended up being a big mistake), I was playing Ertz in every other lineup. Arizona is notoriously bad against TEs. Although they aren’t as bad as last year, they still allow the seventh-most points to opposing tight ends. At $3,200, Ertz seemed like an easy spot to save money, and while he didn’t put up a huge number, he still returned his value.
FLEX
Jerick McKinnon (9.2) – The combination of the matchup and good price sucked me in. McKinnon has taken over as the lead back in Minnesota and has looked good thus far. Oh how painful this game was to watch! Yes, my wife is a Vikings fan, so I have to suffer through their games, that is unless the Packers are playing at the same time. Neither offense looked good at all. The one question I continued to ask myself all day: should I have played Ingram for value instead? Peanut gallery: once again I open it up to you to begin piling on!
Starting Defense
Chiefs (19) – To be honest, this was the easiest play of the week for me. The Chiefs D had a great matchup on their home turf. For some reason, DK priced them at $2,800, which was a steal for one of the top defenses this week. Plenty of defenses scored double-digit points, but most of them were priced a little higher than the measly $2,800 I had to pay for KC.