Each week I take a look at every NFL game in an attempt to identify players that can be stacked together to maximize value in GPP play at FanDuel and DraftKings. I examine the spreads and totals for each game as well as the implied totals for each team and blend that with the likeliest script that these games will follow. In doing so, I attempt to find players that can pay dividends for your lineup. In some cases, I will also provide a pivot within the stack to another player and give reasons as to why a pivot might make sense. You can use this information as a guide, and you will have multiple options to help you to sort through the noise while you put lineups together that can offer a degree of security.
RISK-AVERSE STACKS
FanDuel: Brees ($8,000) + Thomas ($8,500) = $16,500
DraftKings: Brees ($6,200) + Thomas ($8,000) = $14,200
Game Total - 54
Implied Totals - Saints at 25.5 points and Rams at 28.5 points
Game Line - Los Angeles Rams -3
The New Orleans Saints are on the road, traveling to California on Sunday to take on the Rams in an NFC matchup in Week 2. This game has the highest total of the week at 54 points, and it is clear there will be points to go around in this game. The Rams have one of the highest implied total of the week (28.5), and they should force the Saints and Brees to keep throwing the ball to stay in the game.
The Rams played a strong game versus Carolina in Week 1, but the test versus the Saints is on a different level. The Panthers used running back Christian McCaffrey all over the field, and he was incredibly effective, but the Saints are going to challenge the Rams defense with passes to all parts of the field. It is tough to stop the Saints passing attack as they took apart the Texans at times last week.
The game script calls for plenty of points from both teams, and both teams will likely have to prioritize the passing attack in this matchup. It is easy to see a path for both teams to have success throwing the ball, and that will push each offense to keep the pedal to the floor.
Thomas is easily the first-option in the potent Saints passing attack. Thomas saw 13 targets in Week 1, converting 10 into catches, totaling 123 yards. He is in store for a monster game if he sees that kind of target volume in Week 2. There is every expectation that the Rams offense will push the Saints to keep them throwing the ball, and that does nothing but benefit Brees and Thomas.
Pivot: Wide receiver TreQuan Smith ($5,200 at FanDuel and $3,700 at DraftKings) saw two targets last week, catching both passes for 26 yards and a score. He needs more volume to get to value, but he is capable. Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr Jr. ($5,000 at FanDuel and $4,000 at DraftKings) was heavily involved, catching seven passes for 101 yards while being targeted seven times. Ginn is questionable with an illness, but he should be ready to play Sunday. Ginn has a high upside at his price and could be a sneaky GPP play in Week 2.
Tight end Jared Cook ($6,000 at FanDuel and $4,700 at DraftKings) is going to break out, and he is worth rostering as he gets you a piece of this high-scoring game.
FanDuel: Goff ($7,600) + Kupp ($6,800) = $14,400
DraftKings: Goff ($5,900) + Kupp ($6,000) = $11,900
Game Total - 54
Implied Totals - Rams at 28.5 points and Saints at 25.5 points
Game Line - Los Angeles Rams -3
The Los Angeles Rams face the New Orleans Saints at home this week in what is likely to be a high scoring game. This game has the highest total of the week (54), and both teams should be able to put points on the board in this game. That should keep both offenses playing at a level that keeps the passing attack for each team opened up.
The Rams have the fourth-highest implied number in Week 2, and their aerial attack is one of the more potent across the entire NFL. Goff is capable of executing at an extremely high level, and he should have little trouble throwing the football to move up and down the field on the Saints.
The Rams spread the ball fairly well on offense, but this week they get an advantage with Kupp lined up in the slot over Saints slot corner P.J. Williams. Kupp is an extremely effective route runner, and he should be able to take advantage of this matchup.
Kupp was targeted 10 times in Week 1, catching seven balls for 46 yards. Goff is going to look his way in this contest, and he has a chance to shine in Week 2. If the Saints can push the Rams offense, then Kupp could be in store for a massive day in Week 2.
The Saints surrendered three scores through the air versus the Houston Texans in Week 1, and this game is a potential shootout. Look for the Saints to continue bleeding touchdowns via the pass.
Pivot: Wide receiver Brandin Cooks ($7,000 at FanDuel and $6,300 at DraftKings) and Robert Woods ($7,300 at FanDuel and $6,400 at DraftKings) are both excellent options in this matchup. The Rams will move their receivers all over the field, and both should have an opportunity in this high-scoring contest.
FanDuel: Brady ($7,800) + Edelman ($7,100) = $14,900
DraftKings: Brady ($6,400) + Edelman ($6,900) = $13,300
Game Total - 48
Implied Totals - Patriots at 33 points and Dolphins at 15 points
Game Line - New England Patriots -18.5
The New England Patriots are on the road versus the Miami Dolphins on Sunday for an AFC East Week 2 contest. The Patriots have the highest implied number for the week (33), and they should have no issues getting to that five touchdown mark in this matchup.
The Dolphins gave up 59 points to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 which included six scores through the air. The Dolphins looked vulnerable all over the field, and Brady should have time to pick apart the porous Dolphins secondary which makes him an extremely attractive play.
Edelman led the way among receivers last week with 11 targets, catching six passes for 83 yards. Edelman gets open quickly, has earned Brady’s trust, and he is a focal point of the passing attack. He should continue to be a primary option even with the addition of wide receiver Antonio Brown.
The script calls for the Patriots to be able to score in any way they want with the Dolphins struggling in all phases on defense. If Edelman can hold onto his volume in this matchup, he could be in line for a huge day.
Wide receiver Josh Gordon ($6,300 at FanDuel and $5,800 at DraftKings) and Antonio Brown ($7,800 at FanDuel and $7,000 at DraftKings) are both intriguing options. Whether Brown plays is another matter, but if he does, he is a boom/bust option. Gordon scored last week while catching three of four targets for 73 yards. He is super intriguing here with the Dolphins giving up big plays in the passing game last week.
Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett ($4,700 at FanDuel and $3,000 at DraftKings) scored twice last week but was only targeted four times. He is also an intriguing option as he is a vertical weapon, capable of winning down the field where the Dolphins struggled last week.
Deshaun Watson + DeAndre Hopkins
FanDuel: Watson ($8,500) + Hopkins ($9,000) = $17,500
DraftKings: Watson ($6,600) + Hopkins ($8,100) = $14,700
Game Total - 44.5
Implied Totals - Texans at 27 points and Jaguars at 17.5 points
Game Line - Houston Texans -9
The Houston Texans bring the Jacksonville Jaguars to town on Sunday for a pivotal Week 2 AFC South matchup. The Jaguars came out of the gate poorly last week as they got smacked by Kansas City. To make matters worse, they lost quarterback Nick Foles for the season to an injury, and they come into this contest desperate for a win.
Watson and Hopkins showed out Monday night, proving that they are as potent a tandem as there is in the NFL. Watson is an extremely accurate passer to all areas of the field, and Hopkins looks somewhat unstoppable.
Watson threw three touchdown passes last week versus the Saints, and added 40 yards and a score in the rushing column. The Texans are expected to score almost four touchdowns, and Watson will lead the way with his arm and legs.
Hopkins is easily the first option in the Texans passing attack. He was targeted 13 times last week, converting eight targets into catches for 111 yards and two scores. He should continue his torrid start to the 2019 season this week.
Pivot: Receivers Will Fuller V ($6,100 at FanDuel and $5,300 at DraftKings) and Kenny Stills ($5,300 at FanDuel and $4,100 at DraftKings) are capable options, and each does intriguing things to help the Texans offense. Fuller dominates with his speed, and he has eye-popping abilities when it comes to winning with the ball in the air. Stills is an excellent complement to Hopkins and Fuller, but he has big-play potential too. Both are intriguing options at their salary in this matchup.
Keke Coutee ($5,400 at FanDuel and $3,800 at DraftKings) is a player to watch as he may be returning from injury this week. He is worth a dart throw if he plays in Week 2.
Patrick Mahomes II + Travis Kelce
FanDuel: Mahomes ($9,000) + Kelce ($8,000) = $17,000
DraftKings: Mahomes ($7,500) + Kelce ($7,300) = $14,800
Game Total - 52
Implied Totals - Chiefs at 30 points and Raiders at 22 points
Game Line - Kansas City Chiefs -7.5
The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Oakland on Sunday to take on the Raiders in an AFC West Week 2 showdown. The Chiefs are forecast to score four-plus touchdowns in this game and Mahomes showed that he was plenty dangerous in Week 1 versus the Jaguars. He should feast upon the Raiders secondary in Week 2.
There was “regression” talk concerning the Chiefs offense coming into the season, but they lit up Jacksonville and look to be as potent an attack as the NFL has seen in some time. Mahomes throws with touch and velocity and is accurate to all parts of the field.
He is a master at throwing his receivers open, allowing them to keep their speed and not slow their feet which leads to big plays. Mahomes threw for three scores versus Jacksonville last week, and he should keep the hot streak rolling versus Oakland in Week 2.
Kelce is a very potent weapon as he can stretch the seam and work to all parts of the field. He was targeted eight times last week, catching three passes for 88 yards, but he’ll have an opportunity this week to take on a more prominent role with wide receiver Tyreek Hill out for a few weeks. Kelce could have a very big game in Week 2.
Pivot: Wide receiver Sammy Watkins ($7,400 at FanDuel and $7,200 at DraftKings) went off last week. He was targeted 11 times, catching nine passes for 198 yards while scoring three times. He was a large part of the offense in Week 1, but it remains to be seen whether that will hold up. If he continues to see that amount of target volume, he should continue to put up excellent numbers.
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman ($4,700 at FanDuel and $4,800 at DraftKings) is a natural replacement for Hill. Hardman is a vertical threat, capable of taking the top of the defense in a flash. He is worthy of starting in all formats this week, but he does bring boom/bust potential as there is some unknown. However, stacking Mahomes with Hardman brings tremendous upside and offers significant salary savings which allow you to go load up elsewhere.
DEFENSE/RB STACKS
Mark Ingram + Ravens Defense
FanDuel: Ingram ($7,500) Ravens ($5,000) = $12,500
DraftKings: Ingram ($6,000) Ravens ($3,800) = $9,800
Game Total - 47
Implied Totals - Ravens at 30 points and Cardinals at 17 points
Game Line - Baltimore Ravens -13
The Baltimore Ravens are at home versus the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday Week 2 matchup. The Ravens are a 13-point home favorite, and they should be able to exploit this matchup on both sides of the ball versus the Cardinals.
The Ravens have weapons at all levels of their defense and will be able to pressure the passer when the Cardinals try to throw the ball, which should be early and often in this matchup. The expectation is that the Ravens will have plenty of scoring chances from their defense via sacks and pressures, and turnovers that could end up in scores.
Interestingly, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is athletic, but he prefers to stay in the pocket, not wanting to leave and use his feet to make plays unless it is necessary. The Ravens should be able to make him uncomfortable this week.
The game script looks outstanding for Ingram as he faces a Cardinals defense that allowed 116 yards on the ground last week (No. 19 in the NFL) to the Detroit Lions, but the Ravens are favored by almost two touchdowns. The Ravens should be able to get up in this game which sets up the ground game in an excellent way.
Ingram should have an easy time running the ball versus the Cardinals defense, but he should also see a significant boost in volume with the Ravens favored by so much. The Ravens are a heavy favorite and should be up and pounding the ball while killing time in the second half of this game. Both sides of this stack should be very productive, and it is an excellent option for GPP play in Week 2.
Note that as of this writing, Ingram is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, but it sounds like he will be good to go for Sunday’s matchup. As always, monitor his practice status to ensure that he is playing.
Sony Michel + Patriots Defense
FanDuel: Michel ($6,800) Patriots ($4,900) = $11,700
DraftKings: Michel ($6,200) Patriots ($3,700) = $9,900
Game Total - 48
Implied Totals - Patriots at 33 points and Dolphins at 15 points
Game Line - New England Patriots -18.5
The New England Patriots travel to Florida to take on the Miami Dolphins in a Week 2 AFC East matchup of teams heading in different directions. The Patriots are an 18.5-point road favorite, and the implied number has them nearing five scores, and it is easy to see a path for Michel to be super productive in this contest.
The game script looks outstanding for Michel as he faces a Dolphins defense that allowed 265 yards and two scores on the ground last week (last in the NFL) to the Baltimore Ravens. Michel should get untracked in this contest, and he could have a big day versus the Dolphins. He will have an easy time running the ball while also catching passes to amplify his value, and he will be one of the best options at the running back position in Week 2.
The Dolphins surrendered a whopping 5.8 yards per carry last week. Because they failed to put up a fight in Week 1, the Ravens raced out to a lead and ended up running the ball 46 times in the game.
The Dolphins are starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and that gives the Patriots defense plenty of opportunities to make plays and put up fantasy points as Fitzpatrick will put the ball into dangerous areas on the field. The Dolphins have a very low implied number at 15 points, and it is tough to see them scoring enough to hang in this game which equates to a substantial amount of passes from the Dolphins and a plethora of opportunity for the Patriots defense.
The game script has the Patriots up in this game, and we will likely see Fitzpatrick try to force the ball down the field while down and trying to catch up. We could see multiple turnovers, and there is potential for a big play or two from the Patriots defense, and coupled with Michel, it is easy to see this stack outperforming its price to become an excellent value for GPP play in Week 2.
