Every week, the first step of your DFS homework should be to examine the opening Vegas odds on all the NFL games for that week. Through some fairly simple algebra, it is easy to derive a spreadsheet that predicts team totals for every game, thereby allowing you to develop a rudimentary game script to help narrow down your decisions for the week.
Once the appealing (and unappealing) games have been highlighted, it becomes easier to focus on those games to help build your core of players for that week; the caveat, however, is that the NFL is a dynamic league, and anything is subject to change from Tuesday to Sunday...so keep that in mind as the week progresses and always monitor player injuries, weather conditions, and potential roster moves. Let's take a look.
[Blue font indicates games *not* on the DFS main slate.]
UPDATED SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th @ 8 AM (EST)
Three Stars
Quarterbacks
- Jared Goff (Lions)
Running Backs
- David Montgomery/Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions)
Receivers
Team Defense
- Ravens
- Chargers
- Steelers
Two Stars
Quarterbacks
- Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
- Jalen Hurts (Eagles)
- Dak Prescott (Cowboys)
Running Backs
- Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs)
- Saquon Barkley (Eagles)
- Ezekiel Elliott/Rico Dowdle (Cowboys)
- Derrick Henry (Ravens)
Receivers
- Rashee Rice/Xavier Worthy/Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
- A.J. Brown/DeVonta Smith/Jahan Dotson/Dallas Goedert (Eagles)
- CeeDee Lamb/Brandin Cooks/Jake Ferguson (Cowboys)
Team Defense
- Seahawks
One Star
Quarterbacks
- C.J. Stroud (Texans)
- Skylar Thompson (Dolphins)
- Brock Purdy (49'ers)
- Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
- Kyler Murray (Cardinals)
Running Backs
- Joe Mixon (Texans)
- Jeff Wilson (Dolphins)
- Jordan Mason (49'ers)
- James Conner (Cardinals)
Receivers
- Stefon Diggs/Nico Collins/Tank Dell/Dalton Schultz (Texans)
- Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle/Jonnu Smith (Dolphins)
- Deebo Samuel/Brandon Aiyuk/George Kittle (49'ers)
- Zay Flowers/Rashod Bateman/Mark Andrews/Isaiah Likely (Ravens)
- Marvin Harrison Jr./Michael Wilson/Trey McBride (Cardinals)
Team Defense
- Jets
- Colts
