In this weekly DraftKings article, we will discuss some FAT STACKS (Cash Game Stacks) that should provide a high floor for your 50-50 and H2H cash game contests. These stacks are safe to use in your GPP tournaments as well, but they may carry a high ownership percentage. In the second half of this article, it’s all about A Dollar and a Dream! DraftKings is going back to their $27, $3.75 Million Guarantee with a life-changing $1 million first place prize!
FAT STACK$ ($$ Cash GAME STACKS $$)
New England Patriots Stack at New York Jets
QB Tom Brady $7,800 with WR Julian Edelman $6,800 (Cash Games and GPP)
Rob Gronkowski resumed practicing on a limited basis this past Wednesday and is questionable for this week’s matchup against the Jets. After suffering a perforated lung/chest injury only a couple of weeks ago, it is difficult to envision Gronkowski playing this week. The game is a 4:25 EST start time so we may not have news by the time lineups lock. Chris Hogan was also a limited participant in practice this week with a back injury. If the Patriots are without Gronkowski and possibly Hogan, then Julian Edelman becomes the key beneficiary. Edelman has been on a tear over the past 4 games averaging 11 targets/per game. Last week Edelman was a focal point of the offense with a whopping 17 targets! In a PPR format, Edelman has both a high floor and a high ceiling due to the volume of targets. Without Gronkowski, Edelman floor becomes even more stable as he will pick up a few additional targets. The Jets defense has been stout against the run, 3rd best ranking in the NFL with only 85.4 rushing yards/per game. However, they are just an average pass defense this season. Father-time has caught up with Jets CB Darrelle Revis, who has struggled this season. Expect Tom Brady to attack the Jets through the air early and often. This is not a more reliable QB in DFS than Brady, who has passed for multiple-touchdowns in 5 of his 6 games this season. Tom Brady is what you would say, “pretty good at football.”
New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Rams
QB Drew Brees $7,100 with WR Michael Thomas $6,600
Is Drew Brees playing at home? Check. Is Brees healthy? Check. Is Brees a top cash game target? Check. The Saints enter this game as 7.5 home favorites vs the Rams, who will be traveling across the country for an early 1PM EST start. Brees at home tastes like some awesome Thanksgiving leftovers! Brees has dominated at home not only this season but throughout his career. This season, Brees is averaging 366.4 passing yards/per game in the Superdome as compared to 289 passing yards/per game on the road. Over his career, Brees has 265 TDs at home as compared to 189 TDs on the road. Don’t let anyone persuade you that home splits are not important as these numbers are over a 228-game sample size. The question is, who do we stack with Brees? Many will gravitate to Brandin Cooks, who is only $200 more expensive than Michael Thomas. While both are solid plays, expect Thomas to matched up with Rams CB E.J. Gaines, who is overmatched in this game. Brees should excel with finding the open receiver and racking up another 300-yard performance.
DEFENSIVE STACKS (GPP/Cash Game STACKS)
There are a couple of defensive stacks that stand out this weekend. These stacks are best served in GPP formats but can also be targeted with cash games.
Miami Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers
RB Jay Ajayi $7,600 with Dolphins DST $3,300 (GPP and Cash Games)
The 49ers are traveling across the country for an early 1pm EST start time. I have read this story before, it usually does not end well for the west coast team. When you factor in that the 49ers are awful defending the run, it could be a long flight home. The 49ers are allowing an NFL worst 179.5 rushing yards/per game. To put that in perspective, most teams allow 100-120 rushing yards/per game. Cleveland is the 2nd worst allowing 143.9 rushing yards/per game and the Miami Dolphins are next allowing 126.1 rushing yards/per game. Simple math, play your RBs vs. the 49ers and the Browns! Jay Ajayi has cooled from his back-to-back 200+ yard performances last month. The key is that Ajayi is still getting the bulk of the workload with at least 19 touches over the past 5 weeks. Game flow sets up well for the Dolphins, who are 8-point home favorites in the game. The 49ers are tied with the 3rd lowest projected team total of the weekend at 18.75 points.
New York Giants at Cleveland Browns
RB Rashad Jennings $5,600 with Giants DST $3,600 (GPP and Cash Games)
Rashad Jennings is underpriced with a DraftKings salary of only $5,600 this week. The Giants have recommitted to the rushing attack with Jennings, who has at least 18 touches in each of the past two weeks. If you are following along, remember that the Browns are the 2nd worst defense against the rush allowing 143.9 rushing yards/per game. Steelers RB LeVeon Bell shredded this defense for 201 total yards and 1 touchdown last week. While you can’t expect those lofty numbers from Jennings, 100+ total yards and 1 touchdown are well within reach and will pay off his modest salary. The 0-11 Browns have been a revolving door at QB this season. The game flow projects well for the visiting Giants, who are 6.5 point favorites. The Browns are tied with the 3rd lowest projected team total of the weekend at 18.75 points.
A DollaR and A DREAM (GPP GAME STACKS)
In order to take down a GPP tournament, it often helps stacking up both sides of a high-scoring game. Here is a game stack to target for this weekend.
Oakland Raiders at Carolina Panthers (GPP Game Stack)
QB Derek Carr $6,100 or Cam Newton $6,800
WR Amari Cooper $7,700, WR Michael Crabtree $6,500, WR Kelvin Benjamin $6,700
TE Greg Olsen $5,800
This game just feels like it will be a shootout. Both teams have struggled in pass defense, ranking in the bottom 7 with passing yards/per game this season. Vegas has the game total set at high 49 total points. The Raiders have traveled well scoring 35 points in New Orleans, 28 points in Baltimore, 33 points at Jacksonville and 30 points in Tampa Bay this season. Do not expect a road lull from this team. The Panthers will be forced to trade offensive scores in what could amount as a fantasy bonanza! If building multiple GPP teams, make sure to have exposure to each QB as they both have 3+ TD potential in this matchup. The Raiders WRs, particularly Amari Cooper, stands out as a higher upside target as compared to Kelvin Benjamin, who has not flashed elite upside since the beginning of the season. Greg Olsen only has 3 TDs on the season but this may be a “get right” game for Olsen who has multiple-touchdown upside. Olsen is due for some major positive TD regression. Stack up both sides of this game and hope the scoreboard keeper is active on Sunday!
Thank you for reading! And as always, feel free to send any comments, suggestions, or nasty remarks to me on Twitter @shiposki75
