SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE:
Each Sunday around 11:30 AM EST, this article will be updated based on any surprise inactive or just news in general that is updated throughout the week. It will have the latest recommended cash game lineup included as well.
No major updates this week. With Alvin Kamara being out, the primary cash lineup is the one that I will be rolling out this week.
The Cash Plus lineup was $100 over the cap. There was an error in which it was supposed to be John Brown instead of Courtland Sutton. This error has been fixed.
SITUATIONS THAT STAND OUT TO THIS WEEK ON THE MAIN SLATE.
- Los Angeles Rams (vs CIN) – 29.75 points
- Seattle (vs ATL) – 29.75 points
- New Orleans (vs ARI) – 29.25 points
- Houston (vs OAK) – 29 points
STRATEGY THIS WEEK- Dealing with Week to Week Variance
If you’re following along with the cash game lineups, last week was a good week in which should have more than easily cashed in all contests. While last week and all winning weeks are great, one of the biggest mistakes players can make is that they either get over-confident or complacent. With all the great information that is out there now, cash games are harder than they have ever been. Even the best players are going to have 5-6 poor weeks with the best strategy. Stick with a proper bankroll, don’t chase losses, don’t get overconfident.
The best recommendation is to devise a bankroll strategy plan. What are you going to do if you lose three straight weeks, at what point do you want to increase your bankroll if you’re doing well? These questions need to be based on your own personal financial situation and risk you’re willing to lose. Point being, do not overreact to one or two weeks.
Below is Devin Knotts' cash game strategy for Week 8 as well as his cash game lineup.
CASH GAME STRATEGY WEEK 8
INJURY UNLOCKS OPPORTUNITY?
This week several injuries are potentially game-changing on how to approach this slate.
- Alvin Kamara is looking like he is a game-time decision this week with an ankle and knee injury. If he were to miss, Latavius Murray is immediately the top play of the day. Murray looked terrific last week against the Bears as he touched the ball 32 times including 27 carries for 119 yards and two touchdowns. If Kamara is active, Murray is still a good GPP play as this game could get out of hand and there’s no reason to keep Kamara in the game.
- Matt Ryan appears as if he’s going to be out this week with an ankle injury as the team promoted Danny Etling from the practice squad which is normally a sign that the starter will be out. This leaves Matt Schaub as the starter for the Falcons. Schaub has a negative reputation for throwing a significant amount of interceptions which is based on his final season in Houston, but outside of this year, Schaub has been better than league average when it comes to interception rate over his career. Expect Seattle's defense to be popular, but you don't have to go this direction this week.
- Kerryon Johnson was placed on IR with a knee injury and will likely miss the remainder of the season. While there was a lot of speculation whether the Lions would make a move, they held firm with Ty Johnson as their starter. Johnson is a 6th round rookie out of Maryland in which he split time in his final season. While most weeks we would take a wait and see approach as J.D. McKissic could also see a lot of work this week, Johnson’s price makes him intriguing at just $5,200.
- David Johnson is likely going to be out this week with an ankle injury that held him to just one carry last week. This will once again open up an opportunity for Chase Edmonds. While the price is a good one at just $6,100, the problem for Edmonds is the matchup as he’s facing a Saints team that has not allowed a running back over 14.8 fantasy points which was to Leonard Fournette. The Saints also get Drew Brees back which should hurt the Cardinals running game due to a higher chance of a blowout.
- Keenan Allen is questionable with a hamstring injury. If he is unable to play or is limited, expect an uptick in production for Austin Ekeler who caught 7 passes last week. Mike Williams will also see additional production.
- Will Fuller is out this week, which will open up additional targets for DeAndre Hopkins and open up value for Kenny Stills who will slide into Fuller’s role. Stills caught 4 passes for 105 yards last week and should play a similar role this week.
- Some trades this week have also opened up potential value. Mohamed Sanu was traded to New England and Emmanuel Sanders was traded to San Francisco. This should open up some value for Julio Jones/Austin Hooper for the Falcons, and open up an opportunity for Courtland Sutton to potentially emerge as a number one receiver in Denver.
KEY STRATEGY OF THE WEEK
Contingency Planning-
This week, the key to winning is going to be contingency planning as injuries come about throughout the morning. Check back here for an article update once actives/inactives have been announced, but we have to remain flexible as some key players potentially could change the slate. For example, if Alvin Kamara is out, you should consider changing every lineup to include Latavius Murray. With that said, if Kamara is active, you need to consider removing Latavius Murray from your lineup. This is not a week to go out late on Saturday night and just set your lineup and forget it as there are several situations such as Murray, (David Johnson, Matt Ryan, Keenan Allen, Josh Jacobs, and even Rex Burkhead). All of these situations will continue to be monitored over the next 24 hours to determine what we should be doing with our lineups.
KEY CASH CORE
The Raiders have faced essentially two quarterbacks that are of the caliber of Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes II. In those two games, they have allowed an average of 436 yards and 5 touchdowns to those two quarterbacks. This is a game in which Watson and the passing offense for Houston should be able to take full advantage of this key matchup and with the Raiders trading Gareon Conley to Houston the Texans should have full insight into tendencies of the Raiders secondary considering Conley was with the team just a few days ago.
New England Defense
The Patriots defense is expensive this week at $5,000, but they are paying off nearly every week. Leading the league in fewest points allowed, turnovers, fewest yards per game, and turnovers, this is by far the most dominant defense in the NFL. The Patriots have 9 more interceptions than the second closest team in the league and are facing Baker Mayfield who leads the league in interceptions with 11 interceptions in just six games. This is a premier spot for the Patriots to cause all sorts of issues for the Browns.
Sony Michel if Alvin Kamara is active
Since Christian Kirksey was placed on IR, the Browns seemingly can’t stop anyone against the run as they have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs since Week 4 and have allowed over 100 yards rushing in all three of those contests including a 245 yard game against the 49ers in which both Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida nearly had 100 yards (Coleman had 97). Rookie Mack Wilson has struggled against the run and with Damarious Randall out, the Browns will have to further rely on Jermaine Whitehead at safety who has been one of the worst at the position against the run.
This is all about value for Sutton as the Broncos traded Emmanuel Sanders after the lineup pricing was already set. Sutton should see an increase in production this week as he is elevated to the clear number one target in this offense. At just $6k, the price is too good not to include him in your cash game considerations.
LINEUPS
SAMPLE ROSTER 1 ($60K) – PRIMARY CASH If Kamara is Out- (DD PROJECTED POINTS = 137.1)
- QB Deshaun Watson, Hou, $8,400
- RB Latavius Murray- NO, $6,200
- RB Leonard Fournette- Jax, $7,700
- WR DeAndre Hopkins, Hou, $8,200
- WR Courtland Sutton, Den, $6,000
- WR John Brown, Buf, $5,900
- TE Evan Engram, NYG, $6,300
- Flex RB- Chase Edmonds, ARI $6,100
- TD New England, $5,000
SAMPLE ROSTER 2 ($60K) – ALTERNATIVE CASH LINEUP if Kamara is Active(DD PROJECTED POINTS = 134.8)
- QB Deshaun Watson, Hou, $8,400
- RB Sony Michel- NO, $6,500
- RB Le’Veon Bell- NYJ, $7,000
- WR DeAndre Hopkins, Hou, $8,200
- WR Courtland Sutton, Den, $6,000
- WR John Brown, Buf, $5,900
- TE Evan Engram, NYG, $6,300
- Flex RB- Chase Edmonds, ARI $6,100
- TD New England, $5,000
SAMPLE ROSTER 3 ($60K) – CASH+ (DD PROJECTED POINTS = 133.7)
- QB Deshaun Watson, Hou, $8,400
- RB Latavius Murray- NO, $6,200
- RB Todd Gurley, LAR, $7,400
- WR Kenny Stills, Hou, $5,700
- WR John Brown, Buf, $5,900
- WR Michael Thomas, $8,500
- TE Darren Waller, Oak, $6,800
- Flex RB- Chase Edmonds, ARI $6,100
- TD New England, $5,000
Any questions on your cash game lineup or feedback on the article? Send me a message on Twitter below.
