DFS Alerts
Expect A Big Game From This Team's Only WR
The lone receiver in Carolina’s offense following the trade of Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess has been one of the most consistent receivers of late; entering week 15 with a touchdown or 86 yards receiving in each of his last five games. He’ll have a fantastic opportunity to continue his recent success this week against a depleted Green Bay secondary that ranks 31st in pass defense DVOA against opposing #1 WRs this season. In a game that features sneaky shootout potential with Aaron Rodgers returning from injury, expect a big game from Funchess with a great matchup at home.
Kyle Rudolph doubtful to play this week
Ruldoph injury has him trending towards not suit up for this week’s matchup vs the Bengals. In the absence of Rudolph, we should see a higher floor for both Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Both wide receivers are extremely talented, but Thielen has emerged as the more consistent target for the team and posted another solid 6-105-1 line against the Panthers last Sunday. The Vikings have one of the higher implied team totals on Sunday and should have no problem scoring points on a very banged up Bengals defense.
Panthers down starters on both sides of the ball
In what is shaping up to be one of the better games on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers will be without two starters in a matchup vs the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Both Trai Turner ( guard) and Shaq Thompson ( LB) have been ruled out prior to Sunday’s game. Most of the intrigue in this game revolves around the two superstar quarterbacks.Cam Newton has a amazing matchup against an awful Packers defense that ranks 20th in pass DVOA. Newton and the Panthers have 30 or more points in the last three games and should be in for a big day vs the Packers. Aaron Rodgers is back for the Packers this week, and his return should be a very big boost to a struggling Packers offense. In what could be a sneaky shootout game, look for Rodgers to throw early and often vs a very good Panthers defense.
Devin Funchess on track to play Sunday
The questionable tag on Funchess should be disregarded as his true status was never really in doubt. The Panthers clear-cut number one wide receiver is expected to play after getting in a full practice on Thursday. Since Week 8, Funchess leads the Panthers with 39 targets and has emerged as the player Cam Newton looks at in almost all situations. He draws a matchup against a Packers defense that is ranked 31st in pass DVOA against No. 1 receivers. With Aaron Rodgers expected to play in this week’s game, there is a good chance that the game pace could increase due to a potential shootout. At $6,600 Funchess is inline to be a very popular play in a large majority of formats for week 15
Kelvin Benjamin claims he is good to go for Sunday
Benjamin has a torn meniscus in his knee but has practiced all week. In what appears to be more of a pain tolerant issue, Benjamin announced today that he is good to go and will play on Sunday vs the Dolphins. Benjamin looked good last week on the targets he saw in less than ideal playing conditions. In addition to his touchdown grab, Benjamin made a great sideline catch in the second half. Benjamin has racked up 15 targets in almost eight quarters of action with his new team. With Tyrod Taylor back as the starter Benjamin should continue to get good looks down the field.
Matt Forte questionable for Sunday
The Jets injury news for week 15 has been downright awful. In addition to losing starting quarterback Josh McCown, the team could potentially be down to one by Sunday. Two of the three featured backs in the Jets backfield found themselves on the injury report this week. Matt Forte did not practice at all on Thursday is listed questionable ahead of Friday’s practice. Elijah McGuire practiced in a limited role on Thursday and we are still awaiting his status for this weeks game. If both backs were to miss this week, Bilal Powell would be in play as a feature back at just $4000 on DraftKings. But if either Forte or McGuire can suit up, the value diminishes quickly due to the fact that carries will be split. Regardless of the injury situation, the matchup vs the Saints is not one in which you are excited about attacking, but a $4,000 Powell with all the carries does merit some tournament consideration.
DeAndre Hopkins misses practice for the second straight day
Hopkins was a surprise addition to the injury report on Thursday, and the all-pro wide receiver is yet again going to miss practice on Friday with a toe injury. With 88 receptions and almost 12 targets a game this season, Hopkins has established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the game. Like many other players this time of the season, a missed practice can be more about rest than the actual injury, but Hopkins second missed practice is worth some concern. The Texans draw an extremely tough matchup vs the Jaguars this week, and at $7,700 if healthy Hopkins should look to garnish one of his lowest ownership levels of the season. Hopkins has the talent to put up a good game against the number one ranked DVOa pass defense, but his price tag and the insertion of new quarterback T.J. Yates should make many in the industry wary of him as a roster spend.
Tevin Coleman not at practice on Friday
Tevin Coleman has not practiced this week due to a concussion and is highly questionable to play this week vs the Buccanneers. The biggest benefactor of Coleman missing time would be Devonta Freeman, who looks to serve as a three-down back for the Falcons in a potentially great matchup vs a Buccaneers team that ranks 31st in rush DVOA. Freeman should be a very popular pick on slates that include the Monday night game.
Kyle Rudolph misses another practice
Rudolph injured his ankle last Sunday against the Panthers and left the game in a walking boot and has yet to practice this week. As of now, it looks like Ruldoph won’t suit up for this week’s matchup vs the Bengals. If Rudolph does not play we should see a higher floor for both Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Thielen has emerged as the more consistent target for the team and posted another solid 6-105-1 line against the Panthers last Sunday. The Vikings have one of the higher implied team totals on Sunday and should have no problem scoring points on a very banged up Bengals defense.
Other tagged players: Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen Alshon Jeffery returns to practice
As expected Alshon Jeffery returns to practice on Friday. The Eagles offense will have a new QB in play this week, and the addition of Jeffery on the field would be a big boost for Nick Foles. The veteran QB will look to fill in for the injured Carson Wentz with hopes of keeping this Eagles offense trending in the right direction.
Leonard Fournette questionable to play this week
Fournette has failed to practice all week with a quad injury and is now listed as questionable for this week’s matchup vs the Texans. As a double-digit home favorite vs the Texans 29th ranked scoring defense we should expect to Fornette or any other of the Jaguars running backs to be in for a big fantasy day. In his first matchup vs the Texans, Fournette gained 124 total yards and scored a touchdown in route to a 24.4 DraftKings scoring day. The Texans have allowed over 100 rushing yards in six of nine games since losing defensive stars J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus. If Fournette is unable to go both T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory look to be in play as a source of salary relief across the industry. Ivory would look to get most of the early down work, and Yeldon would most likely get spot work as a third-down back.
Other tagged players: T.J. Yeldon, Chris Ivory Kelvin Benjamin listed as day to day prior to Sunday’s game
Benjamin will have to play the remainder of the season with his torn meniscus in his knee. Benjamin has practiced all week but is still listed as day to day for the game this Sunday. Benjamin looked good last week on the targets he saw in less than ideal playing conditions. In addition to his touchdown grab last week, Benjamin made a great sideline catch in the second half. Benjamin has racked up 15 targets in almost eight quarters of action with his new team. If healthy he should be a great play this week vs a Dolphins team that ranks 26th in DVOA vs the pass.
Tyrod Taylor will start week 15
Prior to last week’s battle in the snow with the Bills deemed the mobility of Tyrod Taylor as a major concern thus opting to start rookie Nathan Peterman instead. With a full week of practice the Bills named Tyrod the starter for week15. If healthy the matchup should be great for Taylor and the Bills. The 24th ranked Dolphins defense comes to town after a big win vs the Patriots, thus potentially setting up for a great letdown spot for a defense that played awesome on Monday night. At only $5,400 on DraftKings, Taylor’s dual-threat abilities should make him an interesting week 15 quarterback option. The Bills also announced that rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman will miss this weeks game with a concussion.
Adrian Peterson placed on season ending IR
Per Adam Schefter, the Cardinals are putting Adrian Peterson on the IR thus ending his season.The 32-year-old running back surprised many in the league by averaging 23 touches per game in his six appearances with the Cardinals this season. Kerwynn Williams has picked up the slack during Peterson’s absence, racking up 38 carries for 170 yards and 0 touchdowns over the past two weeks. The Cardinals have a less than desirable matchup vs the Redskins in week 15.
As reported by: Adam Schefter Twitter Mohamed Sanu limited in practice on Thursday
With a game to be played on Monday night, a Thursday listing on the injury report carries less weight than normal. Sanu sat out practice on Thursday with a knee issue but should play this week. In a very loaded offense, Sanu has managed to score in three of the last four games and will get to face off against a Buccaneers defense that ranks 31st in pass DVOA.