New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass as he is pressured by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jacquies Smith (56) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
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Opponent ATL
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0
As an old guy myself, I'm horrified by Drew Brees and hoping for a speedy recovery. As a DFS owner, I'm thinking about the ramifications for this weekend's contests.
Adam Schefter reported that Taysom Hill is going to start against the Falcons this weekend, which creates one of the strangest DFS opportunities we've had since we started this business. Hill is currently a $4,500 tight end on FanDuel, which makes him an absolute must in cash games on FanDuel this week.
UPDATE: The Saints have walked back the news that Hill is the definitive starter, so you'll need to check this news as the game gets closer.
Opponent CAR
Proj Points FD - 17.32 DK - 18.01
Stafford has been limited in practice, but the Lions seem optimistic that he'll be out there against the Panthers this week. He's wearing a protective device to safeguard the torn ligament in his thumb, but he should be ready to go by game time. I'm not interested in playing Stafford, and would be concerned about running any of his receivers even if he gets the green light.
Opponent DET
Proj Points FD - 18.03 DK - 18.62
Bridgewater is currently considered "unlikely" to play against the Lions this weekend, and his absence would kill any remaining interest we have in the speculative Carolina receivers. An MCL sprain could hamper Bridgewater's ability to get out in space and create time for his receivers to get open, and even if he plays I'd be pretty concerned to play his receivers here.
Opponent DET
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0
McCaffrey has been ruled out of week 11's tilt with the Lions, leaving the RB1 duties to Mike Davis once again. While you can't take Davis' performance against a brutal Bucs defense as an indicator of how he'll do every week, the combination of a bad week and a dramatic rise in price certainly takes some of the shine off of him. Still, he's a terrific play in big tournaments, where the aforementioned concerns should create an opportunity to play a high upside back with relatively low ownership.
Opponent WAS
Proj Points FD - 1.75 DK - 2.14
Mixon hasn't practiced since week 6, and the news just came out that he won't suit up against Washington. As a result, you can't sleep on Gio Bernard against Washington this week. The Football Team can get after the quarterback, and Burrow will likely lean on Bernard as a check-down option when the going gets tough. Don't get overly concerned about last week's stinker against a very tough Steelers defense, since they've chewed up running backs of all stripes this season.
Opponent CAR
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0
Just when we were thinking about running Swift in cash games this week, he gets ruled out with concussion issues. Swift's absence doesn't necessarily create an obvious cash game play, however, with Peterson likely to be the "running" back and Johnson being the lead pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Opponent NE
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0
With David Johnson on the IR, people are seriously sleeping on Duke Johnson right now. Johnson was bad last week as a chalk play against the Browns, and people were rightfully disappointed. But last week was such a strange environment that I don't think you should look at the production alone before drawing conclusions. With the wind repressing the passing game almost entirely, the normally frisky Johnson was denied his targets out of the backfield. It also caused one of the worst environments for DFS production generally, with the Browns chewing up the clock with 41 running plays against just 18 passing plays. The Pats have the 2nd worst DVOA against the rush this season, and I think Duke is poised for a significant bounce back.
Opponent CAR
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0
Opponent CAR
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0
Golladay and Amendola have both been ruled out, which certainly makes Marvin Jones Jr. and TJ Hockenson at least intriguing this week. The Lions are saying everything you'd like to hear about Stafford's thumb, but the fact that the ligament damage is in his throwing hand really scares me. I don't think I'd like to stick my neck out with Jones in cash games, though the upside for big tournaments is obvious.
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