DFS Alerts
Danny Amendola will be a game-time decision but he's expected to play Week 8
The receiver is dealing with a hyperextended knee but he’ll play through it this weekend. He’ll have a tough matchup with the Chargers. They’re currently eighth in pass DVOA and coming off a shutout victory over the Broncos. Amendola will primarily line up across from Desmond King in the slot. While Casey Hayward and Trevor Williams are both among the top 11 cover corners by PFF grading, King is 43rd. When lined up inside, he’s 20th in yards per cover snap (1.32) and 26th in cover snaps per reception (7.8, per PFF). It provides the slot receiver the better matchup but he’s only played 47% of the snaps the past two weeks – and he could be limited again due to the injury. Over that same period, Hogan has run 45% of his routes from the slot, so he may be able to avoid Williams’ coverage (Hayward is expected to shadow Cooks) a solid amount and take advantage of a more favorable matchup. He currently leads the team with ten red zone targets and five touchdowns.
Other tagged players: Chris Hogan
Redskins LT Trent Williams ruled out for Week 8
Washington has already ruled out C Spencer long and RT Morgan Moses and RG Brandon Scherff are both questionable. It’s not great timing considering Dallas’ defensive line is ninth in adjusted sack rate (per FO). They’re anchored by DeMarcus Lawrence, who has already amassed 9.5 sacks this season, the second-most in the league, and ranks fourth among edge defenders in pass-rushing productivity (per PFF). He’s capable of single-handedly destroying offenses as he did in Week 3 against the Cardinals when he recorded three sacks and 13 total pressures. He rushes from the left side of the defensive formation, so Moses is a very important piece of this game. After opening as 1-point favorites with an implied total of 26.0 points, the Redskins are now 2.0-point home dogs with an implied total of 22.5 points and the line continues to move.
Golden Tate plans to play Week 8
Tate has practiced every day this week and could be headed for a game-time decision – unfortunately, the Lions have the night game, so we may not know before lock. For what it’s worth, reports are saying he’s pushing to play and plans to suit up. If he does, he’ll go up against one of the top-performing slot corners in the game, Mike Hilton, who’s holding receivers to 0.67 yards per cover snap when lined up inside, the fourth-best rate (per PFF). It won’t be much easier for Golladay’s replacement, T.J. Jones; he’ll see Artie Burns the most. Burns is currently 12th with 0.74 yards per cover snap and he’s only giving up a 51% catch rate. Marvin Jones will get after Joe Haden on roughly half his routes. After a poor Week 1 performance, Haden has been in shutdown mode. Since Week 2, he’s fifth in the league with 0.38 yards per cover snap and third in cover snaps per reception (28.9). As a unit, the Steelers are second in pass DVOA (per FO) and have allowed the fewest PPR points to receivers.
Stefon Diggs, Michael Floyd, and RT Riley Reiff active for Week 8
Browns CB Jason McCourty’s absence will be an upgrade for Diggs. Last weekend against the Titans, slot corner Briean Boddy-Calhoun, who’s been superb this season, moved to the outside on most two-receiver sets but he went back to the slot in nickel packages. Michael Jordan, who became the nickel corner, was decent, allowing two receptions on five targets. On the season, he’s earned a 63 PFF grade across limited snaps. Last year, he appeared in five games for the Rams and started twice, scoring a poor 42.5 grade in the process. McCourty was expected to shadow Diggs; with him out, the receiver will also get some run against Jamar Taylor, who’s allowed the seventh-most yards (391) and a 72.2% catch rate. He has a much better spot than Adam Thielen, who will spend most of the afternoon battling Boddy-Calhoun. Despite playing all seven games, BBC has only been targeted an absurdly-low five times when inside, allowing him to lead the league with 0.1 yards per cover snap and 54.5 cover snaps per reception. He had a big part in limiting Eric Decker to a blank sheet on just two targets in Week 7. Reiff’s presence will particularly help the Vikings rushing attack, he’s PFF’s 16th-ranked tackle in run blocking. Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray are currently in a timeshare with the former narrowly out-snapping the latter 35-31 last week but Murray got one more touch than his partner (18-17). McKinnon is the go-to passing down back but game flow is expected to work in Murray’s favor as recent line movement has pushed the Vikings to 10.5-point favorites in London.
Browns CB Jason McCourty and S Jabrill Peppers inactive for Week 8
McCourty didn’t practice all week after being inactive last Sunday. His absence will be an upgrade for Stefon Diggs. Last weekend against the Titans, slot corner Briean Boddy-Calhoun, who’s been superb this season, moved to the outside on most two-receiver sets. Michael Jordan, who became the nickel corner, was decent, allowing two receptions on five targets. On the season, he’s earned a 63 PFF grade across limited snaps. Last year, he appeared in five games for the Rams and started twice, scoring a poor 42.5 grade in the process. McCourty was expected to shadow Diggs, with him out, the receiver will also get some run against Jamar Taylor, who’s allowed the seventh-most yards (391) and a 72.2% catch rate. DE Myles Garrett was ruled out earlier in the week. Since making his pro debut in Week 5, he’s fourth in the league with a 15.4 pass rushing productivity rate (per PFF) while being credited with four sacks and 12 total pressures. His absence is a clear downgrade for the Browns defense against a solid offensive line – the Vikings are currently 11th in pass blocking efficiency and they’ve been charged with the fewest sacks (4).
Chiefs LB Justin Houston (knee) questionable for Monday; Charcandrick West (concussion) removed from injury report
Houston was added to the Kansas City Chiefs’ injury report for Monday night’s game against the Denver Broncos with a sore knee. Despite the questionable tag, head coach Andy Reid told the media during his press conference that Houston will be good to go and was absent from Saturday’s practice due to rest. If for some reason Houston ends up inactive, the Broncos offense should see a significant boost in value and Demaryius Thomas is in line for a huge bounce back week should Emmanuel Sanders be inactive for a second straight game. As for Charchandrick West, he has officially passed the concussion protocol and will presumably be active Monday night after being removed from the Chiefs’ updated injury report.
As reported by: Adam Teicher via Twitter Other tagged players: Charcandrick West
Greener Pastures
After a tough Week 7 in which he snapped a three game touchdown streak against a stingy Pittsburgh defense, A.J. green should be rostered with confidence this week with a great matchup at home against a weak Indianapolis secondary that ranks 30th in pass defense DVOA and has struggled against opposing #1 wide receivers this season A matchup against Vontae Davis may seem risky, but Davis has clearly lost a step this season, posting the worst overall PFF grade of his career and is approaching the wrong side of 30. With a new offensive coordinator at the helm and an emphasis on getting him the ball as much as possible, look for A.J. Green to be well worth his steep price tag in Week 8.
Value RB With Increasing Workload
If you’re looking for value at running back this week, consider taking Dion Lewis, who appears to have taken over for the struggling Mike Gillislee as New England’s primary running back. One of the most elusive running backs in the NFL, Lewis draws a fantastic matchup against a Chargers defense that ranks 27th in run defense DVOA; which is the result of poor tackling from their inexperienced linebacking corps. Targeting New England running backs can often become a fool’s errand most weeks, but with his touches rising over the past four weeks, Lewis should have no problems paying off his very attractive price in a game New England will likely try to eat clock to keep their defense off the field as much as possible.
High Volume RB Worth Steep Price Tag
If you missed out on McCoy’s monster two touchdown performance last week, don’t make the same mistake in Week 8 where McCoy should be primed for another big game. Currently fifth among all NFL running backs in touches per game, McCoy is one of the few true “bell cow” running backs that is worth paying up for on a weekly basis. He draws a great matchup at home against a weak Oakland defense that ranks 20th in run defense DVOA and will be playing a long way away from home. Also the primary target in Buffalo’s passing game, McCoy trails only Christian McCaffrey in target market share among NFL running backs, which has been a primary weakness of Oakland’s defense this season.
Don't Overlook This QB
One of the most efficient quarterbacks of his generation, Wilson has had the luxury of playing a complementary role in an offense that was predicated on running the ball and relying on their defense to secure the lead. But with Marshawn Lynch no longer around, things are different for the Seahawks, who have struggled to run the ball due to poor offensive line play early this season. Now tasked to carry the offense, Wilson should have no problems picking apart a banged up Houston defense that is missing many of their key playmakers, making him a solid low risk, high reward option in a game Seattle should be able to dominate from start to finish.
Emmanuel Sanders (ankle) and DE Derek Wolfe (foot, hand) questionable for Monday night
Sander has yet to practice this week with an ankle injury he sustained in Week 6 and has officially been listed as questionable for Monday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The star wideout still has a small chance of suiting up, but the fact that he failed to practice again on Saturday is not an encouraging sign for his availability and effectiveness. Sanders obviously isn’t playable on any main slate contests across the industry for Week 8, but if he is ultimately inactive, Bennie Fowler would step into the WR2 role once again and would be a viable option on the primetime slates in a great matchup with the leaky Chiefs pass defense. Additionally, defensive end Derek Wolfe is listed as questionable with a foot and hand injury and if he is able to suit up, Alex Smith could see the slightest of bumps in value but still remains a tough sell against this vaunting Broncos defense.
As reported by: Mike Klis via Twitter Other tagged players: Denver Broncos Go Cheap at Tight End in Cash Games on DraftKings
Since Week 3 (the first week without Tyler Eifert), Tyler Kroft has led all Bengals pass catchers in snap percentage at 92%. In addition, he is tied (with Brandon LaFell) for the second most targets in that timeframe with 20 (behind A.J. Green, of course). On a slate that is extremely difficult to find good point per dollar value outside of the quarterback position, I love pairing Kroft with Dalton in cash games on DraftKings to take advantage of the Colts pass funnel defense. They provide a decent floor at a very affordable cost, which allows you to pay up for at least two stud running backs. I think that is the optimal route for cash game construction on this difficult slate.
Can We Play the Red Rifle in Cash Games?
The Indianapolis Colts have given up the sixth most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, which bodes well for Andy Dalton on Sunday. While that stat in and of itself is pretty bad, it gets even worse when you go through the some of the names that have torched them this season. Blake Bortles, Brian Hoyer, Deshone Kizer, and Jared Goff aren’t exactly what we’d call future hall-of-famers. This poor Colts defense (which ranks 30th in pass defense DVOA) has resulted in the Bengals having one of their higher team totals on the season. Their 26.5 team total is good enough for the fourth highest on the DraftKings slate. And for a pass funnel defense such as the Colts, you have to imagine that a bulk of the damage the Bengals do is going to be through the air. And on a slate where it is tough to find much cheap value, playing Dalton in cash games on DraftKings for only $5,700 goes a long way towards the rest of your roster construction.
Foundational Piece at Running Back for Cash Games
Despite a rising price tag, Mark Ingram is a foundational piece for me in cash games for Week 8 across the industry. The game script could not be better for the Saints, as they are -10 in a home game versus the Chicago Bears. Since Adrian Peterson was traded a few weeks ago, Ingram has out-snapped Alvin Kamara 89 to 67. That has resulted in Ingram netting 47 carries in that timeframe, with Kamara only getting 19. And for a guy who has a reputation for not being too involved in the passing game, Ingram only has one less target (10) than Kamara (11) in the past two weeks. And while the Bears may have an underrated defense, they only rank 16th in rush defense DVOA. I expect Ingram to get a boatload of touches on Sunday, making him one of the top running backs on the whole slate. The best part is we don’t have to break the bank for him.
Jaguars acquired DT Marcell Dareus from Bills for sixth-round draft pick
It’s a downgrade for the Bills defensive front; they’ll likely provide more snaps to Cedric Thornton and Adolphus Washington, PFF’s 88th and 117th-ranked interior defenders. Jacksonville improves an already-strong defense. They’re currently leading the league by a mile with 33 sacks and they’re first in adjusted sack rate (FO). They need help against the run though, they’re dead last in adjusted line yards (4.92) and 32nd in rush DVOA. Dareus could help shore up that area as he’s now the team’s highest-graded interior defender against the rush. Although he’s played limited snaps this season, his 2016 run-stop rate would’ve been good for eighth at his position if he qualified.
Other tagged players: Buffalo Bills