DFS Alerts
Back to the Well
Coming off that bye week, new offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich figured out how to get the ball into the hands of the best playmaker on offense. David Johnson received 21 rushing attempts and also led all running backs with nine targets out of the backfield in Week 10. Now Arizona is back home, installed as a four-point favorite over a team (Oakland) that is rolling over and playing dead right now. When David Johnson is getting the proper amount of touches in space, he is a top-tier running back, but we are still getting him at a second-tier price.
Elementary My Dear Watson
This hasn’t been as great of a season as many thought Watson might have. However, he has still been effective and has thrown for 7 TDs in the last 2 games. Now he comes off of a bye week and his weapons should be replenished. He has gotten 36+ rushing yards in 6 of the 9 games this season. Washington has become a funnel defense, giving up bottom 10 fantasy points to RBs, while they have allowed a top 10 total to QBs. I think we are going to get a healthy yardage total for Watson and multiple passing TDs, and if he gives you the extra rushing that becomes icing on the cake for a mid-range price tag.
Quietly Emerging
Nobody is paying attention because the AFC South has such a bad reputation, but don’t keep sleeping on the Texans. They have won six games in a row and are fresh off a bye, which is valuable at this time of year. Deshaun Watson has seven touchdown passes over the last two games, he looked to run more in the last game, and his price tag remains surprisingly affordable on almost every DFS site. There is very solid upside here, especially if you pair him with a pass catcher. I know Washington’s defense is solid, but they have also benefited from a relatively weak schedule, and Watson should be able to test this defense with his mobility. Give him a look in GPP formats.
A Risk/Reward Punt
The Eagles are a mess this season, and the caravan approach at running back is not working. Josh Adams looks like the best fit on early downs and has impressed over the last two games. We can never fully trust what Doug Peterson says, but he has stated that Adams needs more work. Given that he has averaged over six and a half yards per carry over each of the last two games, I would agree. There’s plenty of risk here, but Adams is dirt cheap, and the Eagles should look to run the ball to keep it away from Drew Brees. It’s not the best matchup, but this is worthy of a GPP dart given the price tag and a likely expanded role.
Top Of The RB Pecking Order in Week 12
Given the fact that Todd Gurley is not available on the main slate this week, we have to consider Gordon as a top option in all formats. His snap count has been up over 80% over the last few games, and he seems fully healthy again after missing the London game last month. The production has been steady all year, and this is a great matchup against a Denver team that maintains a solid pass defense but has allowed the sixth most rushing yards per game in the NFL this year. Denver ranks inside the top five in DVOA against the pass and ranks below average against the run. The Chargers should pound Gordon in this game, and he has the best combination of floor and upside of any RB on the board.
Target Pass Catchers Against This Abysmal Defense
The Tampa Bay pass defense at least looked somewhat better against Alex Smith last week, but that doesn’t change the fact that they have been the league’s worst pass defense for the better part of three months now. They are still allowing a league high 361 passing yards per game, which is over 40 yards worse than the next closest team. Even the Giants should be able to have some success here, especially with the playmaking ability of Odell Beckham and with top tight end Evan Engram back in the mix. I like both as top options at their respective positions this week.
Other tagged players: Evan Engram Finding Value With A Depleted WR Group
Oakland’s receivers are dropping in a hurry. Amari Cooper has been shipped to Dallas. Jordy Nelson has had enough, seems ready to leave town and is now out due to injury. Martavis Bryant suffered a potential season-ending injury last week. There’s basically nothing left other than Seth Roberts and Brandon LaFell. Get excited, Raiders fans! The good news is that this is a matchup against a similarly poor Cardinals team that will not be able to control the clock, so the Raiders should at least be able to move the ball some. All their pass catchers are cheap, and I’ll target some LaFell and/or Roberts as dirt cheap GPP fliers in Week 12. It’s not glamorous, but someone has to get targets, and it really helps in building out the rest of your lineup.
Other tagged players: Seth Roberts Randall Cobb does not travel with Packers to Seattle, won't play Thursday
Randall Cobb does not travel with Packers to Seattle, so he won’t play Thursday. It’ll be another week with Marquez Valdes-Scantling acting as the unquestioned #2 WR, although he’s taken that role from Cobb even when both are on the field. It’s likely we’ll see another start out of Equanimeous St. Brown, and while his floor still remains low, he does have some appeal for Showdown slates at his current asking price. Jimmy Graham could see a slight uptick in looks in this match-up, so he’s also squarely on the GPP radar despite coming off of a down performance. He’s due for some positive TD regression as the regular season wears on. It’s worth noting that Cobb could potentially travel to Seattle later on his own, but that seems very unlikely. If that happens, we’ll let you know.
As reported by: Tom Silverstein Other tagged players: Equanimeous St. Brown, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Chiefs-Rams game being moved to Los Angeles due to poor field conditions in Mexico City
The Chiefs-Rams game is officially being moved to Los Angeles due to poor field conditions in Mexico City. This is good news for players on both teams, who will deal with less risk of injury as a result of playing on a normal surface.
Kenjon Barner released by Patriots
Kenjon Barner has been released by the Patriots. The team’s faith in Barner became clear when even with Sony Michel on the shelf due to injury, Cordarelle Patterson handled the bulk of the early down rushing work for New England instead of Barner. This changes little for the Patriots as long as Michel and James White stay healthy, as they will continue to lead the New England rushing attack.
Le'Veon Bell won't report to the Steelers by the 4 pm deadline, now ineligible to play the remainder of the 2018 season
As expected, Le’Veon Bell will not report to the Steelers by the 4 pm deadline, and is now ineligible to play the remainder of the 2018 season. This ensures that James Conner will remain the lead back for the Steelers the rest of the season, with Bell opting to sit out as he looks ahead to his 2019 contract situation.
Randall Cobb (hamstring) doesn't practice Tuesday, Aaron Rodgers (knee) returns to practice for Packers
Randall Cobb didn’t practice Tuesday due to his hamstring injury, while Aaron Rodgers returned to practice for the Packers. Both players missed practice Monday, although for Rodgers it appears to have been more maintenance related than anything, as there is nothing to suggest his status for week 11 is in doubt. Cobb, on the other hand, appears more truly questionable at this point after missing week 10 with the hamstring injury. If Cobb were to miss, look for Devante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to once again see the majority of the targets for this Packers aerial attack.
Other tagged players: Aaron Rodgers WR Stefon Diggs (ribs) practiced Monday; Says he'll play in Week 11
The Vikings outside receiver has now had a couple weeks to recover from a rib injury following the Week 10 bye and is on track to play in Week 11 following Monday’s practice. He’ll return to an imposing matchup at Chicago which boasts one of the top pass defenses in the league and the Vikings are projected for only 21 points. Nonetheless, Diggs is averaging over 10 targets a game this year, keeping him in consideration as a contrarian option this week.
As reported by: Ian Rapoport
RB James Conner still in concussion protocol; Expected to return to practice Wednesday
While the Steelers back will miss practice today due to the concussion he suffered in last Thursday night’s game, he is expected to return to tomorrow per Head Coach Mike Tomlin. The three extra days to recover look to be vital in preventing Conner from missing any time. He’s on track to play in Week 11 against Jacksonville and if Leveon Bell fails to report to the team by the end of the day tomorrow, Conner will remain the Steelers workhorse back for the remainder of the season.
As reported by: Ed Bouchette Monday Night’s Chiefs-Rams Showdown is in Jeopardy
Per Adam Schefter- “Discussions continue about whether Monday night’s Chiefs-Rams game will be played in Mexico City, LA or postponed, per sources. NFL determined to play it Monday night in Mexico City, but the field is “a mess” and might not be safe for players. It’s a significant concern.”
As reported by: Adam Schefter Twitter