Photo: Kyle Terada, USA Today Sports

Carolina Panthers VS New Orleans Saints SINGLE-GAME SHOWDOWN SLATE

This article is a new feature which will break down the single-game slates on DraftKings and FanDuel guiding you which players to play and where to play them.

STRATEGY- CAPTAIN AND MVP POSITIONS

FanDuel-

On FanDuel the pricing of the MVP is the same as if they are not in the MVP position. This limits the strategy as you really want to take the player that you believe is going to score the most points which is often your most expensive player or a player who has the most upside on your roster.

DraftKings-

On DraftKings, the strategy is a little bit more complex as the players are priced at 1.5x their flex position if you play them in the captain position. This creates an intriguing strategy as while the top priced player may score the most points, it often limits you on the rest of your build. Often times, putting in a player who can have a big day but not in the captain spot will allow you to build the rest of your roster with a higher point potential.

PLAYER OVERVIEW-

Christian McCaffrey- $17,400 DraftKings Captain $11,600 DraftKings Flex, $16,500 FanDuel

What Christian McCaffrey is doing at the moment is on a different level compared to other running backs in the NFL. Over his last three games, McCaffrey has 26 receptions and a large part of this has to do with Cam Newton’s shoulder injuries as well the Panthers lack of receiving options with Greg Olsen being out and Devin Funchess struggling to stay on the field. The matchup is not a particularly great one as New Orleans has not allowed a running back to rush for over 80 yards this season, but expect a game similar to the one that Ezekiel Elliott had just two weeks ago in which he had 76 yards rushing and six receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown. McCaffrey has scored 10 touchdowns over his last five games which has completely removed the concern that many had around him heading into this season about his inability to consistently find the end zone.

Usable in: DraftKings Captain, DraftKings Flex, FanDuel MVP, FanDuel Flex,

Michael Thomas- $16,500 DraftKings Captain, $11,000 DraftKings Flex, $13,000 FanDuel

Thomas is expensive, but the matchup is too good not to strongly consider him this week. Thomas will go up against second-round rookie Donte Jackson who has struggled as of late as the Browns picked on the rookie for most of the game last week. There is significant risk for Thomas however, as the volume that the Saints have been throwing just has not been there as of late as Brees and this offense has only thrown 15 vertical passes over their last two games which is very atypical from the once pass-heavy Saints. Brees is on pace to throw for his fewest passing attempts as a Saints quarterback, but when he is throwing he is on pace to shatter the completion percentage record. This is a situation where Thomas has seen 13 or more targets in four games this season and if he can get 13 targets, you are going to want him in your lineup, but the biggest risk is whether the Panthers score enough to force the Saints to throw. Thomas makes an excellent stack with Cam Newton. On DraftKings, Thomas is the type of player who is better served as the Captain than as a Flex play, as when he has a big game it will be significant, but at his price, consistency has been an issue.

Usable in: DraftKings Captain, DraftKings Flex, FanDuel MVP, FanDuel Flex,

Ian Thomas- $8,700 DraftKings Captain $5,800 DraftKings Flex, $8,500 FanDuel

The Panthers are desperately looking for pass-catching options as Devin Funchess has been dealing with injuries and Greg Olsen is out for the year. Ian Thomas has done a nice job over the last two weeks in filling in for the injured Olsen and has seen volume being targeted 16 times over the last two games. Thomas who is a rookie out of Indiana is not going to beat defenses with blazing speed, but has good hands and is an efficient route runner. If this matchup was against any other team, Thomas would be a must-start at his low price, but the reality is that the Saints have allowed the second-fewest yards to opposing tight ends and second-fewest overall points. This is a unit that has solid safety play which will make life difficult for Thomas.

Usable in: DraftKings Flex, FanDuel Flex,

Tre’Quan Smith- $8,100 DraftKings Captain $5,400 DraftKings Flex, $6,000 FanDuel

It’s difficult to trust a player who does not have a catch over his last two games, but Tre’Quan Smith is one of the few cheap options in this game on FanDuel. On DraftKings, he’s not nearly as cheap as he’s still at $5,400 and his price has not adjusted enough although is still in play. At $6,000 on FanDuel however, he is one of the few money-saving plays of the day as over the last two games even though he does not have a catch, he’s still been on the field for 73% of the snaps. The issue for Smith is that the Saints have not been throwing the ball downfield as they seem to have a completely different mindset than when they are at home. Over his last three home games, Smith has gone for over 100 yards in two of them and scored a touchdown in all three games. It’s a very risky play, but if you’re looking to punt a position on FanDuel, Smith is likely the guy to do it with.

Usable in: DraftKings Flex, FanDuel Flex

Cam Newton- $15,000 DraftKings Captain $10,000 DraftKings Flex, $16,000 FanDuel

The Saints passing defense has been better as of late, but on the season they are still allowing the most fantasy points in the NFL. The defense is not a bottom-tier defense however and has primarily been exploited via game script in which the team gets up early and allows teams to come back in the fourth quarter. This is a unit that has allowed 1,032 passing yards in the fourth quarter and 136 passing attempts both which are near the top of the league. Cam Newton is also the ultimate fourth-quarter quarterback as he has thrown for 37% of his passing yards in the fourth quarter and has rushed for 32% of his yards in the fourth quarter. This is a situation where if the Saints get out to an early lead, Cam Newton could have a big day late.

Other Players to Consider

Mark Ingram- $10,800 DraftKings Captain, $7,200 DraftKings Flex, $11,000 FanDuel

Curtis Samuel-$9,600 DraftKings Captain, $6,400 DraftKings Flex, $10,000 FanDuel

Drew Brees- $16,200 DraftKings Captain, $10,800 DraftKings Flex, $15,500 FanDuel

Saints Defense- $5,100 DraftKings Captain, DraftKings Flex: $3,400