DFS Alerts
Marquise Goodwin, LB Reuben Foster, RT Trent Brown, and G Brandon Fusco questionable for Week 8; CB K'Wuan Williams ruled out
If Goodwin plays, he could battle Ronald Darby (questionable, ankle) most of the afternoon, setting up a much more difficult spot than his teammate, Pierre Garcon has with Jalen Mills. Garcon runs 52% of his routes to Mills’ side compared to 25% for Goodwin. The Eagles CB has allowed the most receptions (41), sixth-most yards (400), and fifth-most touchdowns (4) this season. Philly has been funneling fantasy production to the opposing receivers and tight ends while they’ve given up the fewest rushing yards (42.0) and eighth-fewest PPR points to RBs. Last week, San Francisco had QB C.J. Beathard toss the rock 38 times as they played from behind and he could see a similar volume this weekend considering the 49ers are 13-point road dogs. With Darby back and slot corner Patrick Robinson having a phenomenal year, currently ranking in the top ten in yards per cover snap and cover snaps per reception when lined up inside (per PFF), Beathard may target Garcon quite a bit. He could also look for George Kittle often if the tight end returns to a high snap count – he played a season-low 31 last week. The Eagles are allowing the fifth-most PPR points to TEs and they struggled against Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis in Week 7; the pair combined for a 12/14/131/2 line. They’re also permitting the seventh-most receptions to RBs (6.57), making Hyde a better option in full PPR formats, but he’s still a risky choice against this defense. Kendricks will make his return after being inactive last weekend and the Eagles could really use him with LB Jordan Hicks done for the season. He’s PFF’s 25th-ranked linebacker and their best one in coverage. On the other side of the ball, Williams’ absence will force the 49ers to go to their bench to defend the slot. That sets up a nice spot for Nelson Agholor, who’s caught exactly four balls and scored a touchdown in each of the past three games. He’s not a huge target guy, averaging 5.0 per game, but he’s been a touchdown machine – he’s hauled in the fourth-most receiving touchdowns (5) after finding paint in 5-of-7 games. Adding to his upside, he’s seventh in league with 166 yards on passes with a depth of target 20+ yards downfield.
Other tagged players: Pierre Garcon, Aldrick Robinson
C.J. Prosise doubtful for Week 8
He hasn’t practiced all week after suffering a setback with his ankle injury last Sunday and he’s not expected to play this weekend. He exited Week 7’s game after playing just two snaps, providing a picture of what the Seahawks might do with their backfield against the Texans. While he was down, Thomas Rawls, Eddie Lacy, and J.D McKissic all saw the field between 21-30 times. They continue to have a full-blown committee without any of them standing out enough to earn more time. It’s probably best to avoid the group in Week 8.
Michael Thomas, Willie Snead, and LT Terron Armstead will play Week 8
Thomas is dealing with a knee issue but it’s not a serious concern; he was removed from the injury report Friday. Perhaps this bigger problem is his matchup this weekend with Prince Amukamara and the Bears. Amukamara has posted the third-best cover snaps per reception rate (23.7) and allowed the seventh-fewest yards per cover snap (0.58, per PFF). As a unit, the Bears are now tenth in pass DVOA and over the past four weeks they’ve allowed the seventh-fewest receptions to the position (9.25 per game). Even Amukamara’s counterpart, Kyle Fuller, has stepped up his game recently. Over the past three games, he’s been targeted the third-most in the league (26) but he’s held receivers to an impressive 42% catch rate. They’re solid inside too – slot corner Bryce Callahan is fifth in cover snaps per reception (13.9) and third in yards per cover snap (0.53, per PFF). Snead spoke earlier this week about how he’s feeling fully healthy for the first time all season. He could work into a larger role this Sunday; in his first and only appearance, he played just 21 snaps. Even so, he’s got a tough spot and an uncertain role.
Other tagged players: Willie Snead, New Orleans Saints Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore and DT Lawrence Guy questionable for Week 8; CB Eric Rowe and DT Malcom Brown ruled out
Brown injured his ankle last Sunday and hasn’t been able to practice this week. He’s the team’s top interior defender and was particularly effective against the run. Lawrence Guy will likely pick up more snaps in his absence, who’s 18th at his position in run-stop percentage (per PFF). Even so, it’s not great timing as the Patriots are expected to use more traditional four-man fronts with Dont’a Hightower out. That means Alan Branch and Adam Butler, the 88th and 99th interior defenders, will pick up more time on the field. The Patriots are already 26th in rush DVOA and 31st in adjusted line yards and these injuries are downgrades. That sets up a favorable spot for Melvin Gordon, who’s struggled to 3.4 ypc this season but could potentially exploit this matchup to improve that rate. He’s the second-most targeted player on the team and the Patriots are 29th in receiving RB DVOA while allowing the second-most receiving yards (67.9/g) and fifth-most receiving touchdowns (0.43/g) to the position. Gilmore is expected to clear the concussion protocol and play this weekend after returning to practice Wednesday, although he’s also listed with an ankle injury. He’ll primarily match up with Travis Benjamin. It could be a tough matchup for the receiver as Gilmore is currently 13th in cover snaps per reception (15.4). He’s a boom-or-but player that’s known for cracking sporadic big plays and not much else. For example, he only saw one target over the past two weeks but he turned it into a 42-yard touchdown. He doesnt’ have much DFS appeal.
Redskins LT Trent Williams, RT Morgan Moses, RG Brandon Scherff, and CB Bashaud Breeland all questionable for Week 8
Washington has already ruled out C Spencer Long, so they may be really thin on the line this weekend. It’s not great timing considering Dallas’ defensive line is ninth in adjusted sack rate (per FO). If some or all of these questionable guys cant’ suit up, the Cowboys defense would be an intriguing option. They’re anchored by DeMarcus Lawrence, who has already amassed 9.5 sacks this season, the second-most in the league.
Raiders CB David Amerson, CB Gareon Conley, and S Karl Joseph ruled out for Week 8
It’s the fifth-straight absence for Conley. Amerson and Joseph are both starters for Oakland; with both sidelined, it provides a better outlook for Tyrod Taylor and his pass-catchers. Even better, the Bills are home this weekend where Taylor has averaged 24 fantasy points per game over the past two seasons. That represents a 7.5-point improvement and is helped in large part by over doubling his touchdown production (1.55/g at home to 0.7/g away). Taylor also scoots for an extra 19 rushing yards per game (47.4 to 28.4). He currently projects in our top four QBs in terms of points-per-dollar on both FanDuel and DraftKings with projected ownership of 5% and 7.5%, respectively.
Other tagged players: Tyrod Taylor Kenny Golladay and LT Greg Robinson ruled out for Week 8; Golden Tate questionable
Golladay was originally expected to return this weekend but a midweek setback kept him sidelined the past two days. 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. If he’s able to suit up, 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. Robinson has earned the second-worst tackle grade from PFF this season but it’s doubtful being forced to go to their bench will help the Lions, who already rank 29th in pass blocking efficiency.
Other tagged players: Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, TJ Jones, Detroit Lions Melvin Gordon will play Week 8
Gordon is technically questionable with a foot issue but he’ll play in Sunday’s game against the Patriots. New England’s top interior defender, Malcom Brown, isn’t expected to play and the Patriots are already 26th in rush DVOA and 31st in adjusted line yards. That sets up a favorable spot for Gordon, who’s struggled to 3.4 ypc this season but could potentially exploit this matchup to improve that rate. He’s the second-most targeted player on the team and the Patriots are 29th in receiving RB DVOA while allowing the second-most receiving yards (67.9/g) and fifth-most receiving touchdowns (0.43/g) to the position. It looks like a terrific matchup for the running back, who currently projects as our RB6 on DraftKings with 7.5% projected ownership.
Danny Amendola will play Week 8
The receiver is dealing with a hyperextended knee but he’ll play through it against the Chargers 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, Brandin Cooks Buccaneers CB Brent Grimes and CB Robert McClain ruled out for Week 8; Jameis Winston is questionable
Tampa Bay will be without their top two corners when they take on the Panthers this weekend. The Bucs moved the poor-performing Vernon Hargreaves to the slot last weekend against the Bills, pulling McClain to the outside. He actually performed well; he didn’t allow a reception on four targets, although the splint-wearing Jordan Matthews wasn’t the biggest threat. McClain’s and Grimes’ absence will likely force Hargreaves back to the outside though, to primarily battle Kelvin Benjamin. Last season, Benjamin averaged a 5.5/8.0/81.5/0.5 line against Hargreaves and the Bucs. So far this year, the corner has given up the fifth-most yards (404) and the fifth-most yards per cover snap (1.8) while allowing a 68.3% catch rate. The injuries could provide Ryan Smith more snaps at corner – he’ll probably start with Grimes out – which further improves this spot for Carolina’s passing attack. Back in Week 3, he stepped in for the injured Grimes and was a disaster, allowing five receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns. They’ll either use one of their safeties in the nickel corner role or dig further into their bench. Cam Newton must be licking his chops, the Buccaneers were already allowing the third-most fantasy points to QBs before these injuries. He’s currently our top points-per-dollar quarterback on both FanDuel and DraftKings.
Other tagged players: Cam Newton Emmanuel Sanders and Derek Wolfe aren't practicing again Friday
Sanders (ankle) is working hard on his rehab in an effort to play Monday night, but it’s not looking great after he missed practice all week. We’ll get his official game status tomorrow. If he can’t go, Bennie Fowler would remain in the starting role opposite Demaryius Thomas while Isaiah McKenzie and Cody Latimer would be in line for more snaps – Latimer has missed the past three games but he’s on track to return. Thomas should receive a solid workload against the Chiefs in that scenario. It didn’t pan out that way in Week 7 as he struggled against Casey Hayward and the Chargers to a 2/6/9/0 line. Fortunately for him, he should have an easier matchup this time around as he should avoid Marcus Peters’ coverage most of the night. He’ll primarily square off with Terrance Mitchell, PFF’s 81st-ranked cover corner.
Other tagged players: Denver Broncos, Cody Latimer, Demaryius Thomas, Isaiah McKenzie Kamar Aiken, S T.J. Green, and S Darius Butler questionable for Week 8
With S Malik Hooker out for the year, Green and Butler could rotate at safety.The Colts are already going to be without Rashaan Melvin against A.J. Green and the Bengals, if they have to dig further into their bench for safety support, it could spell serious trouble.
Other tagged players: Indianapolis Colts Melvin Gordon questionable for Week 8; RT Joe Barksdale doubtful
Gordon has a foot issue but he doesn’t appear to be in danger of missing Sunday’s game against the Patriots. New England’s top interior defender, Malcom Brown, isn’t expected to play and the Patriots are already 26th in rush DVOA and 31st in adjusted line yards. That sets up a favorable spot for Gordon, who’s struggled to 3.4 ypc this season but could potentially exploit this matchup to improve that rate. He’s the second-most targeted player on the team and the Patriots are 29th in receiving RB DVOA while allowing the second-most receiving yards (67.9/g) and fifth-most receiving touchdowns (0.43/g) to the position. It looks like a terrific matchup for the running back, who currently projects as our RB6 on DraftKings with 7.5% projected ownership.
DeAndre Hopkins took personal day Friday, will play Week 8
The media noticed Hopkins wasn’t practicing today despite not being listed on the injury report. Turns out it was just a personal day and he’s all set to take on the Seahawks this weekend.
Eagles CB Ronald Darby questionable for Week 8; LB Mychal Kendricks will play
Darby is has a good chance to make his return this weekend against the 49ers after returning to practice last week. He’s only played 18 snaps this season after getting injured in the opening game but he’ll present an upgrade for a pass defense that’s allowing the fifth-most PPR points to receivers. If he suits up, it’s a downgrade for outside receivers Pierre Garcon and either Marquise Goodwin (questionable) or his replacement, Aldrick Robinson, although they’ll get some run against Jalen Mills as well. Garcon has the advantage there as he’s running 52% of his routes on Mills’ side compared to 25% for Goodwin and 26% for Robinson. The Eagles corner has allowed the most receptions (41), sixth-most yards (400), and fifth-most touchdowns (4) this season. Philly is funneling fantasy production to the opposing receivers and tight ends as they’re giving up the fewest rushing yards (42.0) and eighth-fewest PPR points to RBs. Last week, San Francisco had QB C.J. Beathard toss the rock 38 times as they played from behind and he could see a similar volume this weekend considering the 49ers are 13-point road dogs. With Darby back and slot corner Patrick Robinson having a phenomenal year, currently ranking in the top ten in yards per cover snap and cover snaps per reception when lined up inside (per PFF), Beathard may target Garcon quite a bit. He could also look for George Kittle often if the tight end returns to a high snap count – he played a season-low 31 last week. The Eagles are allowing the fifth-most PPR points to TEs and they struggled against Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis in Week 7; the pair combined for a 12/14/131/2 line. They’re also permitting the seventh-most receptions to RBs (6.57), making Hyde a better option in full PPR formats, but he’s still a risky choice against this defense. Kendricks will make his return after being inactive last weekend and the Eagles could really use him with LB Jordan Hicks done for the season. He’s PFF’s 25th-ranked linebacker and their best one in coverage.
Other tagged players: Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, Aldrick Robinson