Week 8 Kings: QBs & RBs
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers ($9000) – It is never a bad idea to target a QB in a game that features an O/U of 55 and that is exactly the case Sunday night when the packers travel to New Orleans. Rodgers has been white hot as of late and now lands a matchup with one of the worst pass defenses in all of football. Additionally, the Packers have turned extremely pass heavy due to their inability to run the ball. You can expect a shoot out here; in the previous three Brees/Rodgers match-ups, the combined point total has an average of 70.
Drew Brees ($8100) – For all the same reasons listed above, you can pencil in Brees as a great play this week as well. Much like the Packers, the Saints have an issue moving the football on the ground and will frequently completely turn things over to the pass game. Jimmy Graham was only available for approximately 30 snaps last week. If he is closer to 100% this week, Brees becomes an elite play. Either way, targeting the QBs in this game will lead to DFS gold.
Ryan Tannehill ($6700) – Tannehill has been a very reliable QB as of late with three straight performances of 20+ fantasy points. In these three games, Tannehill has at least 35 rushing yards which is a great base for fantasy production. Tannehill will have no problem extending his streak of 20+ FPS to four in his week 8 match-up with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Nick Foles ($6300) – Foles has been somewhat of a disappointment so far this season, however this slow start has significantly lowered his price. At $6300, Foles makes for a great value play this week against the Cardinals. Arizona is a team that has shut down opposing running games rather consistently this season, which should lead to a pass heavy approach for the Eagles. After their bye week, I think it is safe to expect the Eagles offense to get back on track.
GPP
Jay Cutler ($7000) – After Cutler’s brutal performance last week, it is safe to assume most people will be off him this week. The Bears are currently listed as 5.5 point underdogs against the Patriots with an O/U of 50.5. It’s possible that the Bears will be playing from behind in this tough road match-up and will need to lean on a heavy dose of Mr. Cutler in order to hang around.
Running Backs
Jamaal Charles ($6700) – This is my favorite DK play of the week. Charles is back to getting his full complement of touches (24 last week). The Chiefs are at home and currently listed as a 6.5 point favorite, which indicates the perfect game script for Jamaal. Statistically speaking the Rams have fared rather well against the run; however their schedule has a lot to do with that. For approximately $2000 less than Forte/Murray, Charles makes for a great play with similar upside.
Andre Ellington ($6600) – Ellington is finally hitting the level of production that many experts expected prior to the season. Andre has seen a steady increase in touches over the past four weeks (21,20,25, and 30). Since Carson Palmer’s return from injury, Ellington has seen back to back games with six receptions. You can expect these increased touches to continue this week against the Eagles due to the additional offensive plays the Cardinals will receive.
LeSean McCoy ($5800) – McCoy had a very nice bounce back performance two weeks ago against the Giants (154 total yards). Although the match-up is tough, the low price tag of $5800 mitigates much of the risk. McCoy will get between 20-25 touches regardless of the score and at his low price you can expect him to achieve value.
Ben Tate ($4600) – In order to be successful in this business you need a short memory and this play is a prime example of that. Tate was beyond disappointing last week in a match-up with the Jaguars when he rushed for only 36 yards. Tate lands another elite match-up this week when the Browns host the defenseless Raiders. I am expecting a big bounce-back performance this week for Tate, making him a great play at his low $4600 price.
GPP
Chris Ivory ($5000) – This guy runs harder than any other RB in the NFL. His hard work appears to have finally paid off as it looks as though he has taken the lead RB job for the Jets. The match-up against a tough Bills run defense along with a low O/U will keep him under owned. The upside is immense with a guy like Ivory, who plays so hard.