Last week was really strange. A lot of the players we recommended played poorly but they still produced for fantasy. Kirk Cousins was horrible but still ended up with nearly 30 DraftKings points because of garbage time. James Robinson also struggled to run the ball but ended up with a garbage touchdown of his own. Luck can be just as important as skill in this racket but we’re going to keep working hard and put ourselves in the best spot to succeed.  

If you have any comments or questions, reach me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel 

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Thursday/Monday Slates 

After getting last Thursday off, we’re back to normal here. We have an ugly game ahead of us though, with the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the New York Giants. There aren’t many star players available in this fixture, so, we like players like Boston Scott, Travis Fulgham and Devonta Freeman. The D/STs are also solid plays with two of the worst offenses in football on display. 

The Monday matchup features a battle between the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams. The best plays in this game include Allen Robinson and Darrell Henderson. A sneaky play that I like is the Rams D/ST. I believe they’ll wreak havoc on the Bears offensive line and possibly get a few sacks and a forced fumble on Nick Foles.  

Quarterback of the Week 

Matthew Stafford (DET) $6,500 at ATL 
This marks my third-straight article recommending a quarterback against the Falcons and we’re going to keep going back to the well until they prove they can stop someone. Not only have they allowed at least 24 DraftKings points to every quarterback they’ve faced this season, but they’re also allowing them to average over 30 fantasy points per game. That’s the highest total in the NFL by some margin and the 56-point total in this game indicates yet another shootout is on the way. That’s great news for Stafford, who scored at least 17 DK points in each of his first four games and loves to sling the ball around at will.  

We also love Kyler Murray against a putrid Seahawks secondary.  

Cash Game Running Back 

Todd Gurley (ATL) $6,000 vs. DET 
I think all of you know that Alvin Kamara is the best cash game play out there against the Panthers but that’s too obvious. Gurley is a much cheaper option and has one of the best floors out there. Not only has Gurley received at least 14 carries in all six games this season, but he’s also averaging 15.3 DK points per game. That’s really all you can ask for from a $6K player, especially one in such a spectacular matchup. In fact, Detroit owns a 29th OPRK against opposing running backs this season. 

Obviously, don’t forget about Kamara against the worse run-defense in football.  

GPP Running Back 

David Johnson (HOU) $5,300 vs. GB 
I just couldn’t believe this price. DJ is another guy who’s been forgotten in fantasy circles but he’s established a nice role in Houston. He’s actually seen his carries increase in six-straight games now, collecting at least 11 DraftKings points in all but one game this season. That increased role and solid production look even better when you consider the matchup, with Green Bay surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.  

Justin Jackson is an intriguing option against Jacksonville with Austin Ekeler still sidelined.  

Cash Game Wide Receiver 

DeAndre Hopkins (ARI) $8,200 vs. SEA 
Hopkins is the obvious play here but he’s simply hard to fade. When you have an elite talent getting massive volume in a great matchup, you simply can’t stay away from him. That’s what we have here with Hop, leading the NFL with 47 receptions on 61 total targets. That equates to a 31 percent target share which also leads the NFL. We happen to love that in this matchup, with Seattle’s secondary surrendering the most fantasy points in the NFL to opposing wide receivers. Don’t be afraid to stack Hopkins with Murray too. 

Kenny Golladay is also a great option if you’re using Stafford.  

GPP Wide Receiver 

A.J. Green (CIN) $4,300 vs. CLE 
Green dropped a big fat zero two weeks ago and it made fantasy owners completely write him off. What many people don’t realize is the fact that he was injured in that game and has been a target hound aside from that. In fact, Green has 44 total targets in the other five games played, ranked Top-5 in the NFL air yards in those games as well. That’s the Green we used to know and love, making it hard to believe that we’re looking at a dirt-cheap $4,300 price tag. Not to mention, he gets to face a Browns team that owns a 27th OPRK against opposing wide receivers this season.  

Don’t forget about Terry McLaurin below $6K, facing a defunct Dallas defense.  

Tight End of the Week 

Austin Hooper (CLE) $4,000 at CIN 
A terrible start to the season made Hooper’s price way too low. What we need to look at is his recent role, garnering 23 total targets over his last three games played. That’s the dude who was a Top-3 tight end in Atlanta and it’s clear that Baker Mayfield is realizing how reliable Hooper can be. That’s led to him scoring at least 10 DraftKings points in all three of those fixtures which is a rare sight from the weakest position in fantasy right now. The matchup against Cincy is the icing on the cake though, with the Bengals posting a 26th OPRK against opposing tight ends this year.  

If Jonnu Smith is out, don’t forget about Anthony Firkser at just $3,000.  

D/ST of the Week 

Buffalo Bills $4,700 at NYJ 
I really don’t like the D/ST options on this slate, so, let’s just go with the most reliable choice. While the Buffalo defense hasn’t been as good as we expected, they still have one of the most talented units in the league. That’s not what really matters though because the matchup is absolutely stupendous. The Jets currently rank dead-last in both yardage and points scored, sporting an offense run by Frank Gore and Joe Flacco. That might have looked good in 2013 but we’re well passed those guys prime. The oddsmakers agree, making the Bills a 13.5-point favorite in this game, with the Jets projected for just 16 points.  

If you want to save some salary, the Chargers D/ST are definitely in play against the Jaguars as a 7.5-point favorite.  

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