DFS Alerts
Bilal Powell and Robby Anderson aren't practicing again Thursday
Both players were absent from yesterday’s session as well. Powell is dealing with a calf strain that held him out of Week 6’s game. If he’s able to go this weekend, he’ll likely be in a committee with Matt Forte and Elijah McGuire. It’s doubtful any of them can get enough volume to be appealing in fantasy against a Dolphins defense allowing the 11th-fewest PPR points to RBs. Miami is second in rush DVOA and their line is fifth in adjusted line yards (per FO). While they’re worse against the pass, checking in at 21st in receiving RB DVOA, both Forte and Powell will be involved in the passing game, so neither will generate a distinct advantage if game flow works in that direction. If Powell sits, Forte will be in a timeshare with Elijah McGuire. The former out-touched the latter 18-10 against the Patriots last Sunday and Forte got all of the work in the passing game, amassing eight receptions for 59 yards. Anderson is dealing with an ankle injury. It’s a little concerning he didn’t make it to the practice field today but if he’s back tomorrow, he should be set for Sunday. If he suits up, he’ll match up with Cordrea Tankersley, who’s allowing 0.77 yards per cover snap, which would be 15th if he had enough snaps to qualify (and one spot ahead of Jalen Ramsey, per PFF). Jermaine Kearse has a better outlook against Xavien Howard, who’s allowing 1.35 yards per cover snap (53rd) and has the seventh-worst cover snaps per reception rate (7.7).
Other tagged players: Robbie Chosen, Jermaine Kearse
Kelvin Benjamin isn't practicing again Thursday; LB Luke Kuechly is participating
Benjamin collected a DNP on Wednesday after leaving with some type of knee injury. He wasn’t seen by reporters at Thursday’s session, leaving him questionable for this weekend. If he suits up, he’ll have his work cut out for him against Prince Amukamara. If he qualified, the Bears CB would have the second-lowest yards per cover snap in the league (0.28) and the third-best cover snaps per reception rate (30.8, per PFF). Chicago’s pass defense dominated Joe Flacco’s Ravens and a mostly Case Keenum-led Vikings squad the past two weeks, limiting them to 178 passing yards per game with two picks and one touchdown. Cam Newton and the Panthers will present a tougher challenge this week though, and Devin Funchess will have a better matchup than Benjamin against Kyle Fuller, PFF’s 75th-ranked cover corner. Kuechly is going through the concussion protocol, his return to practice is a step in the right direction. He’s a top-12 linebacker in both run defense and pass coverage (per PFF grading); if he can play on Sunday, it would be an downgrade for Bears RB Jordan Howard.
Other tagged players: Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers Mike Williams expected to play 20-25 snaps Week 7
The rookie receiver was limited to 11 snaps last Sunday and coach Anthony Lynn said he’ll “try to get him 20-25 this week.” That will keep Williams off the fantasy radar but he’s a player to keep an eye on as he could challenge Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin for looks as the season progresses. Keenan Allen is locked in as the top wideout on the team and will continue to see a large market share (currently 26%). He’ll have a tough matchup in Denver this weekend though, against arguably the best slot corner in the game, Chris Harris. The Broncos CB has posted the second-best cover snaps per reception rate when inside (19.3, per PFF) and limited receivers to the fourth-fewest yards per cover snap (0.57).
As reported by: Ross Tucker Other tagged players: Keenan Allen Opportunity Calling...
So far this season, Patrick Peterson has matched up with Marvin Jones, T.Y. Hilton, Dez Bryant, Pierre Garcon, Alshon Jeffery, and Mike Evans. Incredibly, Evans was the only guy in that group to top 50 yards (and he hit his big play when Peterson was on the sidelines) – and yet, Arizona ranks 10th in receptions allowed to wide receivers, fifth in yards allowed, and second in touchdowns allowed. This speaks to the struggles endured by Justin Bethel and Tyrann Mathieu in coverage – and this is the matchup Woods will draw this week as Peterson shadows Sammy Watkins. Woods has seen six to eight targets in four consecutive games, and he should see a slight bump this week – giving him big upside at an affordable price.
Hunting For A Tourney-Winning Quarterback?
Hundley is a mobile quarterback with a good arm. He averaged nearly a rushing touchdown per game in college, and he has enough speed to break a big play on the ground if the field opens up. He’s also big enough to withstand a beating – which is good, because he took 125 sacks through three years of college. This last Sunday, Hundley continued to show slow progression through his reads and an inability to read coverages (his interception to Harrison Smith came against Cover 3, but Hundley seemed to think it was Man) – problems that plagued him in college. But Mike McCarthy is not going to hang Hundley out to dry this week. We should expect the Packers to install a creative game plan that is different from what the Saints have seen or would be able to anticipate, likely with plenty of movement, misdirection, and option-style run plays. Although Hundley showed poor accuracy in college on the run, I also expect McCarthy to move the pocket for Hundley a decent amount, in order to give him fewer reads (to less-clogged areas of the field), with more opportunities to take off. Between Hundley’s rushing upside, his weapons, the creative offensive mind on the sideline, and his price tag, I love him in tourneys this week. I’m undecided on him in cash games, but the rushing upside should raise his floor high enough that he is viable there as well.
Wide Receiver Could Shine in Tough Divisional Showdown
Alshon Jeffery has had a number of tough cornerback matchups to start his season, facing Josh Norman against Washington, Janoris Jenkins against the Giants, and Patrick Peterson and the Cardinals. He may finally get a break this week, however, if Josh Norman can’t return from his injury in time for the Washington – Philadelphia rematch on Monday Night. Despite the tough defenders, Jeffery is still 11th in the league with 48 targets, which he has turned into 24 catches and 317 yards along with two touchdowns. His price is also appealing at $6,800 on FanDuel and only $6,200 on DraftKings.
Quarterback Could Be Bargain in Divisional Showdown
The Philadelphia Eagles have the third-highest projected point total on the week playing in the Monday Night game this week, and if you are playing a slate that contains that game, quarterback Carson Wentz is definitely worth a look. Wentz is tied for second in the league with 13 passing touchdowns, and ranks fifth with 1,584 passing yards. Washington will likely still be without cornerback Josh Norman for this game, and their defensive unit just lost a major piece in first-round rookie Defensive Lineman Jonathan Allen. Wentz threw for 307 yards and two passing touchdowns against Washington in Week 1, and as only the 8th-most expensive quarterback on FanDuel and the 7th-most expensive on DraftKings, Wentz is a bargain facing Washington again this week.
Speedy Wide Receiver Could Put Up Big Point Total
At 56 points, the Patriots/Falcons game has the highest over/under on the week by far, and if the game turns into a shootout it could mean a big day for Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The Patriots team targets have been evenly distributed this season with Cooks, James White, Rob Gronkowski, and Chris Hogan all between 40 and 42 targets, but Cooks has by far the most receiving yards with 472. That’s good enough to rank Cooks 5th in the league, and he’s the league leader among qualified wide receivers with 19.7 yards per catch. If this game has the back-and-forth scoring that Vegas expects, Cooks has the speed to put up a big point total in a shootout.
Potential Shootout Could Mean a Big Day for this QB
Tom Brady is the most expensive quarterback on the slate on both DraftKings ($8,000) and FanDuel ($9,200), and for good reason. He leads the league with 1,959 passing yards, is tied for second in the league with 13 passing touchdowns, and the Patriots have the highest projected point total on the week at 29.25 points. The matchup is also a plus, with Atlanta ranking 27th in DVOA overall, and 22nd in passing DVOA. Brady has the highest floor of any quarterback this week, and if the Falcons can keep pace to make this game a shootout, he could have a very high ceiling as well.
Seahawks DE Cliff Avril to be placed on IR
Avril is dealing with a serious neck injury and is reportedly contemplating retirement. Frank Clark will continue to play in Avril’s place, he ranks as the 82nd edge defender in PFF’s grading.
Raiders RT Marshall Newhouse and CB Gareon Conley ruled out for Week 7; LB NaVorro Bowman will play
Vadal Alexander will start for Newhouse which will be a downgrade for Oakland’s offense. Alexander earned a poor 54 PFF grade last season after earning five starts and making nine appearances while Newhouse has scored the 27th-best run-blocking grade from PFF this year. Conley has missed the past three games and Sean Smith has been benched, providing extra snaps for Dexter McDonald and David Amerson on the outside. It sets up a great spot for Tyreek Hill. McDonald has allowed a 77% catch rate and 1.48 yards per cover snap over the last three games while Amerson is allowing an absurd 145.8 passer rating over the whole season, the worst mark in the league. Hill hasn’t been a target monster this season as the Chiefs WR1, he’s averaging 6.8 per game and hasn’t topped eight. He could be utilized quite a bit in this spot favorable spot though.
Other tagged players: Tyreek Hill Update: Bilal Powell collected a DNP Wednesday
Powell was present at practice but he didn’t participate. The running back is dealing with a calf strain that held him out of Week 6’s game. If he’s able to go this weekend, he’ll likely be in a timeshare with Matt Forte. It’s doubtful either guy can get enough volume to be appealing in fantasy against a Dolphins defense allowing the 11th-fewest PPR points to RBs. Miami is second in rush DVOA and their line is fifth in adjusted line yards (per FO). While they’re worse against the pass, checking in at 21st in receiving RB DVOA, both Forte and Powell will be involved in the passing game, so neither generates a distinct advantage if game flow works in that direction. If Powell sits, Forte will be in a committee with Elijah McGuire. The former out-touched the latter 18-10 against the Patriots last Sunday and Forte got all of the work in the passing game, amassing eight receptions for 59 yards.
Other tagged players: Matt Forte, Elijah McGuire Demaryius Thomas didn't practice Wednesday, expected to play Week 7
His leg got a little banged up Sunday night but he’s fully expected to start this weekend. With Emmanuel Sanders ruled out, Thomas should pick up a sizable volume boost against the Chargers solid cornerback duo of Casey Hayward and Trevor Williams. The pair limited the Raiders receivers to a combined 3/7/37/1 line in Week 6. It’s possible Thomas is shadowed by Hayward, leaving Williams on Bennie Fowler, who will be elevated to the starting lineup. That sets up a rough outlook for Fowler as Williams has allowed the eighth-fewest yards per cover snap (0.6, per PFF) and a 46% catch rate, earning him PFF’s 15th-best cover grade.
Kenny Britt limited in practice Wednesday, expected to play Week 7
The receiver has been inactive the past two games as he rehabs knee and groin issues. He suffered a midweek setback heading into Cleveland’s Week 6 matchup but he should be able to return for this Sunday against the Titans. Although they’ve allowed the tenth-most PPR points to receivers and rank 25th in pass DVOA, they’ve earned the tenth-best mark in WR1 DVOA (per FO). Of course, Britt’s place as the number one receiver is up for debate considering his poor start to the season – he’s only hauled in eight of his 23 targets. While there aren’t many other pass-catching weapons to compete with on the Browns offense, Britt will have an inefficient DeShone Kizer throwing to him. The rookie quarterback is completing 51% of his passes and he’s tossed nine picks including four in the red zone. It’ll be tough to trust Britt to produce a strong fantasy performance if he plays this weekend.
Kelvin Benjamin exited practice Wednesday with a knee issue
Benjamin collected a DNP on Wednesday after leaving with some type of knee injury. For now, he’s still expected to be fine for this weekend but it’ll be worth monitoring his status the rest of the week. If he suits up, he’ll have his work cut out for him against Prince Amukamara. If he qualified, the Bears CB would have the second-lowest yards per cover snap in the league (0.28) and the third-best cover snaps per reception rate (30.8, per PFF). Chicago’s pass defense has dominated Joe Flacco’s Ravens and a mostly Case Keenum-led Vikings squad the past two weeks, limiting them to 178 passing yards per game with two picks and one touchdown. Cam Newton presents a much tougher challenge this week.