DFS Alerts
This Team Funnels Targets to Running Backs
The Panthers/Falcons game is one of my favorites to target in Week 17. Both teams have something to play for and both teams have been struggling on defense. Atlanta isn’t terrible against the run, but they constantly funnel targets to the middle of the field and to running backs. Christian McCaffrey burned a lot of people last week, but should bounce back nicely in this matchup. In his first game against the Falcons this season, he racked up 94 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
DeSean Jackson Practices Again Thursday
DeSean Jackson practiced for the second straight day Thursday. Tight end Cameron Brate was also able to return to practice on Thursday, but rookie Chris Godwin missed practice for the second straight day leaving many to wonder if he will play in Week 17. Godwin would look to benefit from time on the field, even in a matchup vs a very good Saints secondary. For now, Godwin should not be considered as a DFS play in week 17.
Other tagged players: Cameron Brate, Chris Godwin
Motivation is Key in Week 17
There are only a handful of teams that are truly in a must-win situation. The Seahawks are one of them. After two subpar fantasy outings from Russell Wilson in a row, I’m expecting a bounce-back effort from him against the Cardinals. The Seahawks have struggled to run the ball all season and the Cardinals are ranked first in DVOA against the run. This sets up as a game where Seattle will lean heavily on Wilson. He is my favorite quarterback on the board, as he should be responsible for all of the Seahawks’ offensive touchdowns.
Joe Mixon Returns to Practice Thursday
Mixon injured his ankle during the Bengals’ Week 16 win over the Lions and didn’t return. During the last few weeks, Mixon has battled injuries and even though he returned to practice on Thursday, and he should be considered questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Ravens. Giovani Bernard has worked as the team’s featured back with Mixon sidelined but draws a tough matchup against the Ravens’ sixth-ranked defense in overall DVOA.
Julio Jones on track to practice Thursday
The Falcons star wide receiver was limited in practice on Wednesday as he is battling a nagging thumb injury, but the team expects Jones to get in a full practice on Thursday. Jones is expected to play on Sunday in a must-win game for the Falcons. Even with his injury, Jones was able to post a 7 for 149 line in last week’s game vs the Saints.
Nick Foles is preparing to start in Week 17
Nick Foles and the Eagles have a first-round bye and the number seed locked up, so it’s unlikely that any of the starters play an extended amount of time in the season finale. Foles is taking first-team snaps and is prepared to play the whole game. Coach Doug Pederson hinted earlier in the week that team will most likely treat this game like it’s preseason, so again it’s unlikely that Foles plays much past the first quarter.
Rex Burkhead and Mike Mike Gillislee miss practice again on Thursday
Gillislee was seen getting his knees iced during the Patriots’ Week 16 win over the Jets, and was not at practice on Wednesday in order to rest his knees. Rex Burkhead isn’t expected to suit up against Sunday against the Jets. With both James White and Burkhead inactive last week, the Patriots leaned heavily on Dion Lewis through both the ground and the air. Lewis became the must play in Week 16 as he piled up 24-129-1 on the ground and 5-24-1 through the air. Even if Gilislee is ready to go, Lewis will again be one of the strongest plays in Week 17 with the Patriots needing a win for the No. 1 seed.
Other tagged players: Mike Gillislee Let's Hope This Old Man Finds the Fountain of Youth One More Time
After a big week last week with Hunter Henry on the shelf, the price for Old Man Gates increased substantially, and in all honesty it seems a little high. That is until you see how he was utilized last week. Typically just a red-zone target, Gates was utilized on the entire field. Everyone else will be on Jack Doyle (for good reason) at this price range, making Gates an excellent GPP option. He has multi-TD upside against an Oakland team that is third worst in the league against TEs. It may not be the most exciting play, but Rivers trusts him and he should see plenty of targets in a must win game for the Chargers. I am looking to play Gates in about 20 percent of my lineups.
Matt Forte and Austin Seferian-Jenkins not at practice on Thursday
Even if both players somehow suit up and play this week, neither player should be considered in terms of DFS roster spot. The Jets should once again struggle with Bryce Petty under center and the team has a tough matchup against a Patriots team that should be motivated to play well and get a win.
Other tagged players: Austin Seferian-Jenkins Giants passing game hobbled for the final game of the season
Key pieces of the Giants passing attack are questionable for the season finale vs the Redskins. In a year plagued by injuries, rookie tight end Evan Engram has emerged as the number one passing option for the Giants averaging almost 8 targets per game. Questionable early in the week Engram is back at practice on Thursday, but it’s uncertain how much the team will push any one player in a meaningless game. Both Sterling Shepard and Tavarres King are both no-shows at practice on Thursday and remain questionable to play in Week 17.
Other tagged players: Sterling Shepard, Tavarres King Kelvin Benjamin returns to practice Thursday
Benjamin will continue the same practice pattern of the last few weeks. Due to his torn meniscus, Benjamin will tread lightly during the week in order to suit up on Sunday. With Andre Holmes now out for the year, the Bills will need all healthy bodies in a must-win game on in Week 17. Benjamin was not able to finish the last two games, making him a tough roster option in anything but a large field GPP. His return to practice on Thursday points to Benjamin perhaps being a little more ready to play in a big Week 17 game.
Marqise Lee still out, but Allen Hurns and Marcedes Lewis return to practice on Thursday
Marqise Lee is believed to be dealing with a multi-week ankle injury and it’s doubtful that he suits up Sunday with the Jaguars having already clinched the AFC South. Hurns could return after practicing all of last week before not suiting up last Sunday. Marcedes Lewis returned to practice on Thursday but has not been much of a factor in the Jaguars passing game over the last few weeks. The whole passing offense has a great matchup against the Titans’ 28th-ranked defense in pass DVOA. As of now, the Jaguars claim that they plan to play all healthy starters this Sunday.
Other tagged players: Allen Hurns, Marcedes Lewis Samaje Perine practicing in full this week
Perine was a late addition to the injury report last week but wound up playing around half of the offensive snaps producing a very respectable 20 touches. Perine and the whole Redskins offense has a great matchup against the Giants’ 29th-ranked scoring defense and should be in a great bounce-back spot after playing a very tough Broncos defense last week.
Melvin Gordon claims he will be ready to go
Melvin Gordon has not practiced this week, and the plan is to test his ankle on Friday to determine his availability for a must-win game on Sunday. Prior to practice on Wednesday, Gordon announced to the media that he will be ready to go on Sunday. Known as a tough player by teammates Gordon has played through knee injuries this season and appears ready to play this week. Gordon is trending in the right direction if he wants to play this week, but the big test will still come on Friday when he gets to test the ankle. If he is unable to go then Branden Oliver would likely work as the team’s featured back.
As reported by: ESPN This RB Was Chalk Just A Few Weeks Ago
As recently as a couple weeks ago, Perine was soaking up monstrous ownership in a tough matchup – and now, with groupthink leading everyone toward Derrick Henry, he is going overlooked. Perine has averaged 19.8 touches per game across his last three contests (16 carries and 3.8 receptions), and he is taking on a Giants run defense that ranks 24th in DVOA and 21st in yards allowed per carry. This is a great spot to load up on Perine in the hopes that he goes overlooked while providing the same value he was providing just a couple weeks ago.
