Start ‘Em
Jared Goff
Death, taxes, and starting the QB that is facing the Falcons defense. This unit can’t stop anybody. Steve Smith called them the “get right team.” The Rams offense needs to get right, and I expect Goff and company to do just that in Atlanta this weekend.
Dak Prescott
Prescott and the Cowboys have cooled down after a blazing start, and now Eagles coach Doug Pederson is guaranteeing a road win against their division rivals this week. Maybe they do pull it out, but I love Prescott to bounce back at home against a secondary that is allowing nearly 300 yards per contest. Don’t’ flinch; Prescott is a must-start, and I love him in DFS leagues as well.
Kyler Murray
It’s time to start believing in Kyler Murray. His floor is so high week-to-week because of his legs, but his passing ability is underrated. This time around, he gets a Giants team that is the second-worst in the league against the pass. Murray had over 340 yards, 3 TDs, and no interceptions against the Falcons last Sunday. I expect to see a similar performance in New York.
Russell Wilson
Don’t get cute here just because you see the Baltimore Ravens. Their pass defense isn’t what it once was, ranking in the bottom third of the league. Wilson has been the best QB in football thus far, and the Ravens are traveling across the country. He should have no problem putting up his typical numbers on Sunday.
Leonard Fournette
The Bengals are the second-worst team in total defense and are easily the worst against the run. Fournette had 225 yards rushing a few weeks ago against the Broncos. I could see a similar result this week with 2-3 touchdowns. Feed the beast, as they say. I love him as a DFS play.
Frank Gore
This man doesn’t die. He has quietly rushed for 333 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.4 yards per carry. This week, he gets the Dolphins, who have the worst defense in the NFL and are giving up 170 yards rushing per contest (31st in the league).
Josh Jacobs
Jacobs is probably the favorite to win Rookie of the Year and is going to receive a ton of touches coming off a bye week. The Packers are giving up nearly five yards per carry and entering this matchup on short rest. He’s a must-start in all fantasy leagues, and I like him as a DFS play.
T.Y. Hilton
Hilton is quietly putting together another Pro-Bowl caliber campaign. Jacoby Brissett is not handcuffing the Colts’ skill position players in fantasy like everyone expected. In fact, he’s actually been really good. In order for Indianapolis to win this game at home versus the Texans, you’d imagine they are going to have to score. Coming off a bye week, I like Hilton to have perhaps his best game of the season this weekend. Houston is surrendering nearly 270 yards per game through the air.
Stefon Diggs
I call this riding the hot hand. After an awkward couple of weeks between the Vikings and Stefon Diggs, the star wide receiver broke out for 167 yards and 3 TDs against the Eagles. The Lions pass defense isn’t much better, and the Vikings are getting them on a short week after a tough loss on Monday Night Football. I expect Cousins to keep Diggs happy for the second week in a row.
Rams WRs
See Jared Goff. These guys should have a field day against the Atlanta secondary.
Austin Hooper
If you’re not on the Austin Hooper bandwagon yet, it’s time to jump on. He leads all tight ends in receiving and is also eighth among all pass-catchers in receiving yards. This game should be high-scoring, and Atlanta’s offense is beginning to come around. Wade Phillips, like most coaches, is going to try and limit Julio Jones, which should leave tons of opportunities for Hooper once again. The Falcons tight end is becoming one of the most reliable options from week-to-week.
Evan Ingram
Evan Ingram has had a pretty good year to this point, but this could be where it gets great. Austin Hooper went off on the Cardinals last week, and while Hopper is proving to be one of the best tight ends in football, Arizona is also the worst at defending against tight ends. The Giants have had some tough matchups the last two weeks, and Ingram missed their previous game against the Patriots. But if he’s healthy, he’s a must-start, and I love him in DFS leagues.
Sit ‘Em
Mitch Trubisky
The Saints’ defense is legit, and they are going to be extra stingy, knowing that their offense is going to struggle to score points on the other end against a vaunted Bears defense. There are plenty of better options to start this week on the waiver wire than Trubisky.
Everybody on the Redskins
The Redskins don’t have many players worth starting in fantasy leagues anyways, and they have a miserable matchup with the 49ers this week that just held Jared Goff to under 100 yards passing. Nobody can stop the defensive end duo of Nick Bosa and Dee Ford. If you have a Redskin in your starting lineup on Sunday, you’re probably in some trouble.
Ezekiel Elliot
Yea, you’re starting him in fantasy leagues, but he’s a stay away in DFS contests. Elliot’s a stud, but the Cowboys offense is struggling, and they meet the second-ranked rush defense in the NFL. Some touchdowns could save his day, but I don’t want to be relying on that if I am paying the hefty price Elliot requires.
Le’Veon Bell
I feel bad for Le’Veon Bell on this Jets offense, but he can’t blame anybody but himself because he’s the one who decided to sign there. Things will get better with Sam Darnold under center. However, it is not going to happen this week against the New England Patriots, who have the top-ranked defense in the league. These two teams met earlier in the year, and Bell only had 35 yards rushing and 28 yards receiving. He remains a must-start in fantasy leagues, but he’s not worth the price in DFS leagues.
Melvin Gordon
Gordon only has 20 combined carries for 49 yards in his two weeks back since returning from his holdout. He’s not yet fully acclimated, and the Chargers offense is a mess. This week, they have to travel across the country to face a stingy Titans defense. I’m trying to find another option in my fantasy leagues if I have one, and I’m definitely staying away is DFS contests.
Kenyan Drake
It’s miserable for everyone on the Dolphins offense. Now, they get to face Buffalo, who might have the best defense in the NFL. I could see the Fins getting shut out in this spot on the road, and Drake just hasn’t received the touches like many expected coming into the year.
Michael Thomas
Obviously, you’re starting him in your week-to-week fantasy leagues, but I’m staying away in DFS leagues. Thomas has still been able to produce tremendously with Bridgewater under center, but I think this is the week the backup QB makes things tough for the Saints offense as they face the Bears in Chicago.
Allen Robinson
See Mitch Trubisky. I imagine points will be difficult to come by in this one.