Week 8 DFS Contrarian

Photo: USA Today Sports

Contrarian means opposing or rejecting popular opinion; going against the current practice. Being a contrarian in fantasy football is difficult because it's not chalk as the DFS kids would call it today. Risk is involved, but it could be a league-winning selection. Contrarian is where the big money is made within DFS, especially in large tournaments, because you'll submit more unique lineups than your competitors.

• Do mix in one or two of these players within a lineup to maximize individuality.
• Do not create your entire lineup based on the contrarian picks below.

Does playing contrarian in DFS really work? YES! I've won good money in DFS in two out of four weeks using a contrarian play or two per lineup.

Key for charts:

• Player = recommended contrarian play
• Opponent = Home or away and the opponent
• FD Roster % = This week's FanDuel roster percentages
• FD Salary = FanDuel salary to roster the player
• DK Roster % = This week's DraftKings roster percentages
• DK Salary = DraftKings salary to roster the player

CONTRARIAN QUARTERBACKS

Last week was the first time Sam Howell didn't throw a touchdown in a game since week 3, and it also broke his two-week streak of multiple touchdown pass games. While Washington has lost three of their last four games, Howell has produced 249 or more passing yards in those losses and has multiple rushing attempts in every game this season but one. Washington plays Philadelphia for the second time this season after losing in overtime in week 4. Howell produced 330 total yards, one touchdown, and no turnovers in that contest. While Washington may not be winning games, Howell continues to produce positive fantasy numbers.

The shoulder injury appears to no longer be ailing Derek Carr. His production severely dipped for a few weeks, but he's coming off back-to-back 300-yard passing games. Alvin Kamara has certainly given Carr comfort in the passing game, as he's averaging nearly nine receptions per game. Carr will play a middle-of-the-road Colts pass defense, but their starting CB, JuJu Brents, hasn't practiced yet this week. Without Brents, this is a plus matchup for Carr.

Just as most of the football community wrote off Desmond Ridder, he bounced back to throw for 250 or more yards in each of the last three games. Ridder has also been more of a runner, averaging four carries in each of those three games, while he only had three total carries in the two games prior. This week, Ridder will play a Titans defense allowing the fourth-highest QB passer rating, lowest interception percentage, and fourth-highest yards per attempt in the NFL. The Titans just traded away Safety Kevin Byard, who was their best player in the secondary, and nickel cornerback Roger McCreary didn't practice due to a hamstring injury.

The Green Bay Packers have lost three games in a row, and Jordan Love has thrown six interceptions in those games. However, he's thrown for 10 touchdowns, rushed for two more, and has 21 or more rushing yards in four of his last five games. Love will play a Vikings defense that's allowed the fifth-highest QB passer rating, ninth-most yards per attempt, and second-highest completion percentage. If Green Bay can handle Minnesota's blitz packages, then Love has an opportunity to make some big plays.