Cracking DraftKings Week 8

Ben Cummins's Cracking DraftKings Week 8 Ben Cummins Published 10/26/2023

Favorite Fantasy Game Environments

  • Cincinnati Bengals at San Francisco 49ers - Over/Under 43.5
  • Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys - Over/Under 45.5
  • Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers - Over/Under 43.5

Favorite Additional Fantasy Spots

  • Eagles on road vs. Commanders - Implied Team Total 25
  • Ravens on road vs. Cardinals - Implied Team Total 26.5
  • Chiefs on road vs. Broncos - Implied Team Total 26.5
  • Dolphins at home vs. Patriots - Implied Team Total 27.5
  • Vikings on road vs. Packers - Implied Team Total 21.5

CASH GAMES

Quarterbacks

Rank Play Opponent Salary
1 Matthew Stafford at DAL $6,600
2 Dak Prescott vs. LAR $6,100
3 Desmond Ridder at TEN $5,100

The Rams at Cowboys game is tied for the highest Over/Under (45.5) on the main slate. That makes both quarterbacks interesting in this matchup. Matthew Stafford ranks fifth in passing yards per game (272.6) and leads a Rams offense that ranks seventh in Expected Points Added per Play (EPA/Play) and ninth in Dropback EPA. Dak Prescott leads a Cowboys offense that ranks sixth in EPA/Play and third in Dropback EPA and he has the more favorable matchup against a Rams defense that only ranks 22nd in EPA/Play Allowed and 18th in Dropback EPA Allowed.

Desmond Ridder is a dual-threat and is priced at just $5,100 against a bad Titans defense that ranks 24th in EPA/Play Allowed and 29th in Dropback EPA Allowed. And with Ryan Tannehill out due to injury, look for Tennessee's offense to struggle, giving Ridder more possessions and plays to rack up fantasy points.

Running Backs

Rank Play Opponent Salary
1 Isiah Pacheco at DEN $6,100
2 Travis Etienne at PIT $7,200
3 Alvin Kamara at IND $7,300
4 Saquon Barkley vs. NYJ $8,000
5 Kareem Hunt at SEA $5,200
6 Darrell Henderson at DAL $4,800

The Chiefs are 7.5-point favorites and Isiah Pacheco has an awesome matchup against a Broncos defense that ranks dead last in EPA/Play Allowed and 24th in Rush EPA Allowed. Pacheco has been strongly involved all year as he currently ranks 18th in the NFL in opportunities per game (17.6).

Travis Etienne has been awesome this year. He's super talented and receiving insane volume. Etienne ranks fourth in opportunities per game (22.3) and ninth in total yards per game (100). And you can attack the Steelers defense on the ground as they rank 22nd in Rush EPA Allowed.

Alvin Kamara's role is just silly right now. He ranks first in opportunities per game (27), tenth in targets per game (9.8), and sixth in total yards per game (109.5). This looks like a fun fantasy spot on the road in the dome against a Colts team head coach Shane Steichen has scoring points even with Gardner Minshew at quarterback. And the matchup is decent against a Colts defense that ranks 18th in Rush EPA Allowed.

Saquon Barkley ranks second in opportunities per game (23.5) and has looked healthy since returning from his ankle sprain. Despite being three-point underdogs, the Giants are at home and the Jets rank middle of the pack (14th) in Rush EPA Allowed.

With Jerome Ford questionable due to an ankle injury, Kareem Hunt projects as the starting running back and is priced at just $5,200. Hunt has averaged 13 opportunities over his past two games and that should project as close to his floor this week.

Without Kyren Williams last week, Darrell Henderson played on 57% of the offensive snaps and turned 20 opportunities into 66 total yards and a touchdown. The Rams at Cowboys game is tied for the highest Over/Under (45.5) on the main slate and you can roster the Rams starting running back at just $4,800.

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