DFS Alerts
Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (ankle) upgraded to questionable for Sunday
Rudolph has officially been upgraded to questionable from doubtful on the Minnesota Vikings’ injury report for tomorrow’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals due to an ankle injury that has held him out of practice all week. The Vikings only have two other tight ends on the active roster, so Rudolph’s potential absence would likely open up additional targets for Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, though Thielen has been running fewer routes from the slot than he was at the beginning of the season. Thielen has proven that he his Minnesota’s top wide receiver for several weeks in a row, but he’s priced like it now, making Diggs an interesting tournament option in hopes more targets are funneled his way with Rudolph possibly sidelined.
As reported by: Chris Tomasson via Twitter
Packers officially activate QB Aaron Rodgers from IR, will start Sunday
The Green Bay Packers announced early this afternoon that they have officially activated Aaron Rodgers from injured reserve, and he will start under center for tomorrow’s game against the Carolina Panthers after missing seven full consecutive games with a broken collarbone. Rodgers reportedly suffered no setbacks in the area of his throwing shoulder during practice this week and is expected to be a full go for Sunday’s contest. His return is a huge upgrade to this Packers offense as a whole, but especially for someone like Jordy Nelson, who was essentially nonexistent with Brett Hundley at quarterback. The matchup against the Panthers’ eighth-ranked pass defense DVOA may seem like an unappealing one on paper, but Carolina has sprung a leak in their secondary recently and has allowed big games to opposing wide receivers and their quarterbacks the last few games.
As reported by: Rob Demovsky via Twitter Better Matchup Than What The Numbers Say
The Cincy defense is dealing with a lot of injuries right now, and I’m fully planning on taking advantage of it. The Vikings are 10-3 this season, and they’re one game back of the Eagles for the top of the NFC. I expect the Vikings to come out strong, and I really like the upside for Diggs. If I would have wrote this one Wednesday, I wouldn’t have had any interest in Diggs, and he’s a play that I’ve fallen in love with as the week goes along. Kyle Rudolph is doubtful for the Vikings this weekend, which could lead to more targets for Diggs and Thielen. The Bengals allow the third fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. With Kirkpatrick out, Diggs will see a lot of Jackson, and this is a beatable matchup for him. The Bengals will also be without three linebackers and potentially their safety as well. This is not the same defense that’s allowed the third fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.
A Lot Of Work In A Tough Matchup
In large field tournaments, I love taking a shot on low owned running backs, and Perine is that guy for me this weekend. I love the Washington defense against this banged up offensive line, and the correlation of Perine makes a lot of sense. He’s a three-down back, and should get 20+ touches in positive game script. He has 20+ touches in three of the last four games, and he’s just struggled in the last two games. He was a top ten running back in the two games prior to that. Arizona run defense is really good, so I’m banking on game script and touches here. It’s risky for sure, but he’s cheap enough for a workhorse back. With Marshall going to the IR, I think Perine could be in line for a few extra targets this week.
I Don't Care What His Ownership Is
With the news that Williams is doubtful, I’m eating all of the chalk on Kenyan Drake this weekend. Buffalo ranks 24th in DVOA against the run this season, and they’re allowing 112.31 rushing yards per game. They’re also allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. With an actual three-down back, it’s hard to pass on this amazing matchup for Drake. In the last two games without Williams, he has 26 and 30 touches, and he’s put up back-to-back 20+ fantasy point games. The thing that people don’t realize about Drake, he’s been a top 11 fantasy running back in four of the last six games. I love this spot for him this weekend, and even though I hate playing chalk, I’m looking to go overweight on the field this weekend.
Low Owned In A Tough Matchup
The Rams have a 22.5 implied team total, but they’re averaging 30.5 points per game, which is the second most in the NFL. I think this is scaring people off of Goff this weekend, and that makes him a very interesting GPP play. He’s ninth in passing yards, and eight in passing touchdowns this season. The Seahawks defense is really good at full strength, but they’re not at full strength right now. KJ Wright is doubtful, Bobby Wagner is questionable, and as we know, Richard Sherman is out. Bortles threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns last weekend, and Wentz threw for 348 yards and a touchdown the week before that. With the injuries, this defense is beatable, and the Rams have the talent and the coach to do it. McVay has done such a great job each week preparing this team, and I expect them to show up against the Seahawks this weekend.
Lock In This Cheap RB For Cash Games On DraftKings
I think Mike Davis at $4,000 is critical to cash game roster construction on DraftKings in Week 15. With tight end being a wasteland and wide receiver lacking any trustworthy cheap plays, we are somewhat scraping for affordable value plays. Enter Davis, who has taken control of the Seattle backfield with 16 touches last week against Jacksonville and 20 touches in Week 13 against the Eagles. This Rams defense is top five in DVOA, but they also just gave up 43 points to the Eagles in Week 14. On top of that, they have also given up the fourth most DraftKings points to opposing running backs this season. On a week that is difficult to find salary relief, Davis looks mighty appealing at this price tag. He should be a fixture in your cash game lineup on DraftKings this weekend.
Lock In This Defense On FanDuel
I think this is only the second time I have made a defense a Core Play in cash games this season, but the fact of the matter is that the Saints are just too cheap on FanDuel. Salary notwithstanding, they are one of the top defenses to target anyways considering they are facing a Jets team that has Bryce Petty making his first start of the season at what should be a raucous Superdome. It also doesn’t help that the Jets offensive line has the highest adjusted sack rate in the league. Then when we factor in that the Saints defense is only the seventh most expensive defense on FanDuel, it becomes obvious that they are the cash game play. Furthermore, their salary relief goes a long way in jamming in the Killer B’s from Pittsburgh.
Are We Jamming In Lev In Cash Games?
I don’t think I need to tell you why Le’Veon Bell makes for a great play this week. We don’t need to do any deep dives considering how many touches he is looking at against a Patriots defense ranked dead last in rush defense DVOA. The real discussion revolves around which formats we are playing him in. He is always viable in tournaments due to the insane volume he receives. There are few players who have legit 40 fantasy point upside. But can we play him in cash games? On FanDuel, it is very easy to do if you go cheap at quarterback. You can even pair him with his teammate, Antonio Brown. The conversation is more difficult on DraftKings. On that site, there are a handful of cheap running backs to like while the same can’t really be said for wide receiver. So over there, I think I prefer to prioritize Brown. That isn’t to say Lev isn’t a phenomenal play, but roster construction has me leaning away from him in cash games on DraftKings.
Jets backfield headed for a committee of two
With Matt Forte questionable and Elijah McGuire limited in practice, there was a small chance that Bilal Powell could see all of the work in week 15. Forte is still questionable, but McGuire is not on the final injury report, thus ending any hopes of a single back running game this week. In what was already a tough matchup we can now safely look for better plays in light of McGuire and Powell splitting carries.
Other tagged players: Bilal Powell
Chris Hogan is questionable but still expected to play
The Patriots head to Pittsburgh on Sunday to face the Steelers in which figures to be a key game in terms of gaining home-field throughout the playoffs. The Patriots have an implied team total of 28 points and are coming off a big loss to Miami on Monday night. Chirs Hogan made his return to the field last week, but for the most part looked very rusty. Hogan is listed as questionable for the game, but he is expected to play on Sunday. He played in 90% of snaps last week, and always represents a great chance to score a touchdown. If healthy Hogan becomes a great option in a game that figures to shoot out.
Robert Woods not on the final injury report
Robert Woods is expected back on the football field for the first time since week 11. His timing could not have been any better, as the Rams face a tough division rival Seahawks team in a crucial late-season matchup. Prior to his injury Woods had established himself as the number one receiver in this offense. In his last two games played prior to the injury, Woods had 16 catches on 22 targets and scored two touchdowns. This very talented Rams offense will now be at full strength vs a depleted Seahawks team on Sunday and could be in a great spot to score a few points in week 15.
Juju Smith-Schuster listed as questionable for Sunday
Smith Schuster was added to the injury report as a limited participant on Thursday with a hamstring injury and remains questionable ahead of this weeks game vs the Patriots. The Steelers are hopeful to have all available weapons ready for a key matchup against the Patriots in week 15. At almost six targets a game Smith Schuster has quickly become a favorite target of Roethlisberger. If Smith-Schuster is unable to go look for Martavis Bryant to receive a small bump in both snaps and targets this week.
Jimmy Graham and Mike Davis are not listed on the final injury report
The Seahawks look to have two crucial pieces of the offense ready to go in an important showdown with the Rams on Sunday. Graham who has struggled recently, totaling fewer than 39 receiving yards in five of his last seven games will draw a tough matchup against the Rams. Graham has proven throughout his career that he has the talent to win even the hardest of matchups. Davis was forced out of last week’s game with a rib injury but is ready to go in week 15. He continues to shine as a feature back, going 16-64-0 and 15-66-0 the last two weeks in very difficult matchups with the Eagles and Jaguars. Davis should remain the early-down back, while JD McKissic should see work as the back used on passing downs.
Other tagged players: Mike Davis Sterling Shepard will play on Sunday
The often injured Giants wide receiver looks on track to play this week despite having practiced in a limited fashion this week. Shepard ( hamstring) was not listed on the final injury report and should be ready to go in week 15. What many consider to be the current number one wide receiver option for the Giants failed in a great matchup last week vs the Cowboys. Shepard only managed 2 catches for 16 yards against a defense that has ranked near the bottom in terms of pass efficiency. At this point in the season, even if healthy Shepard is probably best used as deep GPP flyer.