The Docket: Week 9

Photo: USA Today Sports

Welcome to Week 9 of The Docket, a weekly column that offers strategy and advice on players that you should be targeting and avoiding each week. We bring the energy each week with the positive, neutral and negative charge (UPDATED 11/4):

Jets vs Dolphins (-3.5 o/u 44)

Jets

Positive

• Brandon Marshall and Quincy Enunwa – Both of these guys should have good games, although Marshall has yet to go off in a slew of positive matchups this year so far. While CB Bryan Maxwell has played a bit better the past few weeks, he can’t contain Marshall who is still seeing a ton of volume, with 9 targets last week, so you need to keep using him as a WR1 in season long, but it’s tough to keep riding the BMarsh train in DFS. Meanwhile, Enunwa seems to be coming back to life with a healthy 11 targets last week and gets beatable CB Bobby McCain, making him a solid WR3 in PPR leagues with some upside for more.

Neutral

• Matt Forte – The Dolphins are actually playing better against the run, especially at home, giving up around 17 FPG to RBs the past five weeks. While the Jets have committed to Forte on the ground the past two weeks, seeing 30 and 25 carries respectively, his passing game usage has been erratic this season, often times just seeing two a game, which depresses his PPR floor. However in a game that should be close, and one that I actually think has a good chance to go over, he should return mid-level RB2 numbers.
• Bilal Powell – Hard to trust as a part time player; so only use him if you need on a bye against a Miami defense playing opposing RBs tough. He did put up 76 yards on just 6 carries last week, but that was against the lowly Browns and he has only 3, 0 and 1 catches the past three weeks.

Negative

• Ryan Fitzpatrick – The Dolphins are vulnerable on the back-end and are giving up nearly 22 FPG to opposing QBs. In a game that I predict should be higher scoring then projected, I think he puts up decent numbers for those hurting in 2 QB leagues. That said, I can’t recommend starting him if you can help it since he is Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Dolphins

Postive

• Jay Ajayi – I pushed Ajayi hard this off-season, drafting him on 25 of my 35 MFL10 teams, so I put my money where my mouth was, so it’s been good to see HC Gase get out his way and let him do his thing. His past two matchups have been against tough run defenses and it didn’t matter for the talented Ajayi running behind a Dolphins offensive line that has finally gotten healthy and has come together. As mentioned, the Jets run Defense is no joke, with nearly 35% of runs against them going for negative yards and they only give up 3.7 YPC. That said, Ajayi is on fire, coming off a bye and playing at home against a team that is also giving up at least 6 catches a game to opposing RBs, so I think he keeps things rolling this week.
• Jarvis Landry – Landry faces off against horrible slot CB Darryl Roberts who gave up 2 TDs to Andrew Hawkins last week. Landry is a great start no matter the format.

Neutral

• Ryan Tannehill – I’m one of those guys that doesn’t like to trust in Tannehill unless I really need him. That said, coming off a bye and playing at home, he gets a great matchup against a Jets defense giving up the second most passing yards in the league this year. He also has a good history against them, averaging around 24 FPG last season when their pass defense was actually better. While many may tout him as a great DFS play this week, I have come to the conclusion that it is best to rely on a quality QBs in DFS … I’m looking at you Brock and Winston.
• DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills – Just like Tannehill, it’s tough to truly trust Parker even in great matchups. There is a chance Ajayi just runs wild and Landry dominates in the short passing game, not leaving a whole lot for Parker. That said the Jets are giving up nearly 41 FPG to opposing WRs, so if you need him, this is a good week to use him.  My preferred play if you are looking for points in DFS is to pay down for Kenny Stills who seems to be overtaking Parker in the pecking order and is a good bet for a deep bomb TD and who went 5/100/1 their last game.

Jaguars vs Chiefs (-9.5 o/u 46)

Jaguars

Positive

• Allen Robinson – Bortles is killing him and he is also killing himself by dropping more passes than any other receiver this year. Yet, the talent is there and it is immense.  He’s also third in the league in target share inside the 10 yard line with 46.2%. So while he’s hard to trust, KC is giving up over 47 FPG to WRs over the past five weeks. With top CB Marcus Peters sticking to one side of the field, Robinson should face PFF’s 96^th rated CB Phillip Gaines. In DFS, he is far off the cash game map, but he is in the mix for a tournament play.

Neutral

• Blake Bortles – Like Brock, Bortles is a horrible real life quarterback. Don’t look at stat lines, look at the tape. These two guys are horrible. Yet, for Fantasy, Bortles is actually a usable QB as the king of garbage time, throwing for over 300 yards and 3 TDs last week.  While he won’t do anything until the 4^th quarter again this week, the Chiefs are giving up over 26 FPG to opposing QBs, so he is viable for those that can stomach starting a horrible QB.
• Marqise Lee – Despite last weeks face plant, he’s catching 5 or 6 passes a game now and should have an easy go of things against beatable slot CB Steven Nelson. Every fantasy player wants to ignore his existence, but if you need some points, he’s your guy.

Negative

• T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory – This running game has been non-existent so far. They do have a new offensive coordinator after Greg Olson was fired, so it is possible he commits to the run more, but it is better to wait and see first.
• Allen Hurns – Should see a lot of top CB Marcus Peters, who plays on his side of the field and doesn’t usually travel.
• Julius Thomas – Chiefs safety Eric Berry keeps opposing TEs on lock, so this is not a great week to use Thomas on the road.

Chiefs

Positive

• Charcandrick West – The Jags are giving up at least one rushing TD every game and at least six catches, despite having an underrated run defense. As an every down back with Ware out, he makes for a solid play at home.

Neutral

• Nick Foles – The Jags don’t have a great pass rush and Foles will take more chances than Alex Smith. Look for him to put up usable QB2 stats this week.
• Jeremy Maclin – If you were using him with Alex Smith, no reason not to use him with Foles. He also moves all over the field, so corner coverage really is not an issue. Just check his status as he has not practiced this week. 
• Tyreek Hil  - He seems to catch a touchdown every week and Foles will take his shots. If you are looking for a cheap TD in standard leagues, he’s as good a flier as anyone especially if Maclin misses with injury. Chris Conley would be viable in that case as well. 
• Travis Kelce – He had a monster game last week against a team he was supposed to have a monster game against. Be careful not to chase those points playing against a Jaguars team giving up only 8.7 FPG to opposing TEs. They never truly feature him, but at least Foles seemed to be looking his way. 

Cowboys vs Browns (+7 o/u 48.5)

Cowboys

Positive

• Ezekiel Elliott – The Browns are giving up over 140 yards on the ground a game and over 190 yards the past three weeks. He is the week’s top RB option in all formats against a team giving up 5.3 YPC.
• Dak Prescott – He had his best fantasy week of the season last week with Dez back and now goes up against a Browns defense giving up 25.5 FPG. Because he is a rookie on the road, I still wouldn’t use him as my QB1 unless he’s your best option or if you have bye week issues.
• Dez Bryant – Caught only 4 of 14 targets, which is a concern, but the Browns giving up more TDs to opposing receivers than any other team. I would still fade him in DFS since he hasn’t totally clicked with Dak yet and will face CB Joe Haden, but he’s locked and loaded as a WR2 in season long leagues.

Neutral

• Cole Beasley – If you are looking for 5 catches for 50 yards, he’s your guy and the Browns are vulnerable against the slot.  This is a good week to use him if he is on your bench. 
• Jason Witten  - He has very little upside with his old man skills and moves, but the Browns giving up 19.5 FPG, so he is a viable back end TE1 this week.

Browns

Neutral

• Josh McCown – The loss of their starting safety and top corner is huge for the Browns passing game this week who were already allowing QBs to complete over 72% of their passes against them. McCown can never be confused for a top QB play, but he should have success this week if you need in 2 QB leagues. However, keep in mind that the Browns could start rookie Cody Kessler. If so, it would be a downgrade for this whole offense. 
• Isaiah Crowell – This should be a slow paced game with the Cowboys running a lot. That means Hue Jackson will counter with his run game, against a Dallas defense giving up 4.3 YPC. I think, at the least, Crowell is good for a cheap TD.
• Duke Johnson Jr – Went 6/87 in the air last week and is a rock solid PPR RB2 every game McCown plays. If we happen to see Kessler, he’s more of a PPR flex play with downside.
• Terrelle Pryor and Corey Coleman – With Safety Barry Church and top CB Claiborne both out, these guys have backed themselves into a plus matchup. The biggest issue is that the Cowboys will eat away clock on the ground, but I have no problem trotting both of these guys out was WR3’s with huge upside. Which one goes off? That’s tough to tell.
• Gary Barnidge – Just missed two touchdowns last week and he clicks really well with McCown, if he’s the starter. While the Cowboys have been great against opposing TEs this year, their Safety Barry Church is out for the year now. 

Lions vs Vikings (-6 o/u 41)

Lions

Neutral

• Theo Riddick – While the Vikings are somehow giving up 4.8 yards per carry, Riddick is likely to do nothing on the ground, but is money in the air. He’s a PPR RB2 every week until proven otherwise in a game where he is probably the best offensive option.

Negative

• Matthew Stafford – No QB has finished in the top 12 against the Vikings this year, but he’s having a great season. While you can’t expect high-end numbers this week, don’t sit him unless you have another solid option (ie: please don’t play Fitzpatrick over him).
• Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, Eric Ebron, Anquan Boldin – The Vikings at home in a must win game to get back on track. I know they allowed Zach Miller to crush them last week, but that was on the road. Some people may say that Tate has the easier matchup since he will avoid Rhodes, but he has to face CB Terence Newman, who is actually PFF’s #5 rated CB, so yeah, no!  Besides Riddick, Ebron is the teams next best option and is a mid to low end TE1 if you need him. It should also be noted that in the past four games, Tate’s target share has been 29% while Jones’ has been just 19%. Although some of that has to do with teams’ top corners focusing more on Jones these days.

Vikings

Positive

• Kyle Rudolph – Ding, ding, ding!  We have a winner. At home against the Lions, Rudolph should be in 100% of your lineups in every format. In a tough matchup last week he went 5/31 and now he plays a Lions defense giving up 15 FPG to TEs and who got CB Slay back to lock down Diggs on the outside.  He’s also leading the league in red-zone target share.

Neutral 

• Sam Bradford – His offensive line is killing him. The matchup is good and perhaps with OC Turner gone, they will get the ball out of his hands quicker against a defense giving up 23.8 FPG to QBs the last five week. This is a good week to use him in 2 QB leagues and not a bad QB1 start if you are desperate.
• Jerick McKinnon - He retruned to practice on Friday and is expected to play in this choice matchup. He's coming off injury and this Vikings line has been brutal though, which makes him more of a PPR Flex option especially with Asiata possibly stealing the short yardage work. 
• Matt Asiata – This could be one of those 2 or 3 TDs games with just 20 yards. A standard league option only. 
• Stefon Diggs – He bounced back big time last week, finally fully healthy. Unfortunately this week he faces off against top notch CB Darius Slay who has been practicing. That makes him more of a WR3, and an avoid in DFS. If for some reason Slay misses, move Diggs up to a must play in all formats.
• Cordarrelle Patterson and Adam Thielen – If CB Slay plays, both of these guys should have choice matchups and should see a lot of Bradford’s targets. Thielen has the talent to take advantage of slot CB Quandre Diggs while Patterson will face off against CB Johnson Bademosi. Diggs is the 86^th rated CB per PFF and Bademosi is bad … emosi.

Steelers vs Ravens (-3 o/u 43)

Steelers

Positive

• LeVeon Bell – The Ravens are giving up only 3.3 YPC, but who cares. He has yet to put up less than 100 yards from scrimmage and he is a beast that can’t be contained. When others wilt, he shines.
• Antonio Brown – Ben is back and CB Jimmy Smith is a tough matchup, but nobody can contain Brown. With the Steelers coming off a bye, fire up Brown as a WR1 in season long leagues, but he’s not worth paying up for in DFS this week

Neutral

• Ben Roethlisberger – Coming off injury and on the road against a divisional rival makes it tough to trust Big Ben this week outside of two QB leagues.
• Sammie Coates Jr – Boom or bust … and I have a feeling this will be a boom game with Ben back and going up against CB Shareece Wright who couldn’t cover a bed with a blanket.

Negative

• Jesse James and Ladarius Green – James is TD dependent, and Green is coming off injury. I’m excited to see what Green can do in this offense, but Safety Eric Weddle is keeping opposing TEs on lock.

Ravens

Neutral 

• Terrance West – West should be a solid RB2 play in all formats this week as long as they keep going to him, something they failed once again to do last week. Pitt is giving up Pit 5.5 YPC and over 29 FPG to opposing RBs, but they do get DE Cameron Heyward and LB Ryan Shazier back this week, so it’s a different Steelers defense. That said, West gets back two starting linemen in Stanley and Yanda, so he should find room to run. 
• Mike Wallace – Possible revenge game against old team giving up 15 catches a game to opposing WRs. He has the ability to get deep against these Steelers CBs, especially coming off a bye and well rested with Steve Smith looking like he will miss again.
• Dennis Pitta – The Steelers giving up a healthy 14 FPG to opposing TE’s but the return of Shazier will limit his upside. If Steve Smith misses again, you can probably count on 5 catches, but probably not many yards.
• Joe Flacco – Flacco gets a big boost with the return of two of his starting linemen, LT Stanley and RG Yanda. The timing couldn't be better since the Pitt defense is finally healthy with the return of DE Cameron Heyward and LB Ryan Shazier. In a projected low scoring affair I would only use Flacco in 2 QB leagues, but coming off bye this offense should be playing better. 

Negative

• Kenneth Dixon – His time is coming, but it may be Week 13 or Week 1 in 2017. Right now, it’s still about West until we see them up his usage.

Eagles vs Giants (-2.5 o/u 43)

Eagles

Neutral

• Darren Sproles – Saw nearly 82% of the teams snaps and nearly 40% of the teams touches last week, replacing Ryan Mathews in every way expect the goal line back, which caps his upside severely. He’s a decent PPR RB2 and makes for a good cheap play on Draft Kings.
• Jordan Matthews – Not a great matchup in the slot against CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and it’s tough to totally trust him on the road even after seeing 14 targets last week.

Negative

• Carson Wentz – The loss of RT Johnson cannot be overstated. Rookie RT Halapoulivaati Vaitai is getting destroyed repeatedly on the outside and it is affecting Wentz big time, having to throw with defenders in his face. To counter that, last week they compacted the offense and the Eagles had Wentz  getting the ball out of his hands quickly, with a slew of short passes.  Unfortunatley for Wentz though, his receivers just aren't that great and are not making big plays with the ball in their hands.  The Giants are only giving up around 18FPG to opposing QBs the past 5 weeks, so not someone to reach for on the road.
• Ryan Mathews – They say he’s the starter, but he isn’t. For some reason they are riding Sproles despite Mathews looking pretty good. He’s simply a TD dependent RB, at least he is getting you those and has 4 on the year. He’s a standard, TD league only play.
• Dorial Green-Beckham – Seeing a good amoutn of targets, but not doing a whole lot with them. Faces off against a solid Giants secondary this week with top notch CB Janoris Jenkins covering him.
• Zach Ertz – They don’t use him. Hopefully he goes to another team one day, as he has gone from one coach that doesn’t feature the TE to another.  There are also reports that him and Wentz are having trouble getting on the same page. You think?

Giants

Positive

• Odell Beckham Jr – Despite having a solid secondary, the Eagles corners themselves are beatable, with CB Nolan Carroll coming in at PFF’s 107th rated CB. While he might not beat them deep, he should catch a decent amount of passes and in the open field he can do serious damage.

Negative 

• Eli Manning, Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz – The Eagles are a tough defensive matchup, allowing just a 58% completion rate against them. ODB should be able to do a lot with a little, but he’s probably the only one.  If you need a PPR reach play, Shepard is at least on the map since the Eagles have had some issues covering the slot.

Panthers vs Rams (+3 o/u 45)

Panthers

Neutral

• Cam Newton – If you have him in season long, use him, but this isn’t a good spot to use him in DFS or if you happened to draft another great QB such as Matt Ryan in later rounds as well.
• Greg Olsen – The Rams are great against opposing TEs, allowing just 5.8 FPG to the position. They haven’t faced anyone as good as Olsen yet, especially since he is featured so heavily in this offense, but he’s not a guy to pay up for in DFS on the road this week.
• Jonathan Stewart – It’s a tough matchup, but at least the Panthers are letting Stewart handle the goal line touches these days, maybe trying to keep Cam from seeing too much damage.  The Rams have been giving up some big plays on the ground, allowing opposing RBs to average 4.6 YPC against them.
• Kelvin Benjamin and Ted Ginn Jr - Rams are best bested through the air, giving up 43 FPG to opposing receivers the past five weeks. The key here is the availability of Rams top CB Trumaine Johnson. If he plays it will be a tougher matchup for Benjamin, if not he will see CB Troy Hill while Ginn will do battle with CB E.J. Gaines, both rated outside of PFF’s top 100 corners.

Rams

Neutral

• Case Keenum, Todd Gurley, Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, Tavon Austin – All these guys are viable this week against a Panthers defense giving up big plays on the backend and not playing particularly good defense on the road. Last week was a trap game for the Cards, coming off a late emotional game against the Seahawks and then playing at 10am in Carolina, so don’t chase last weeks defensive outing.  Opposing QBs are completing over 70% of their passes against this Panthers defense over the past few weeks and they are giving up an average of 387/3 last 5 weeks, while giving up 56.8 FPG to opposing WRs.  Gurley has the toughest matchup, with the Panthers giving up just 3.2 YPC, but over 7 catches a game and I think he should have a few goal line carries this week.

Saints vs 49ers (+3.5 o/u 52)

Saints

Positive

• Drew Brees, Brandin Cooks, Michael Thomas, Willie Snead – Huge Las Vegas over under in a game that is going to feature only offense and no defense. The Brees struggling on the road narrative was put to bed two weeks ago in Kansas City and all these guys are locked and loaded and must plays if you have them. In fact, you can stack three or more of them in DFS and probably win a tournament. The 49ers have allowed teams to score on them on over 50% of their possessions. Some are scared that you can just run on them so why pass … well, when it’s Drew Brees at the helm of the offense, so the game will run through him as usual. Drew Brees is also completing an amazing 75% of his red zone targets this year.
• Mark Ingram or Tim Hightower  – I think that the Saints go back to Ingram this week despite all the FAAB money you just spent on Hightower.  HC Peyton wanted to send a message and I think Ingram is the type of player to receive that message. The Niners are giving up over 200 yards and 2 TDs on the ground the past five weeks so I actually think both of these guys are viable if you need them. They could each score and gain close to 100 yards, but I would lean Ingram if deciding between the two if he gets the start.

Negative

• Coby Fleener – Here is Fleener’s snap rates over his last 5 games: 77% > 64% > 56% > 57% > 34%. Meanwhile, Josh Hill played 80% of snaps this past week. Stay away from both of these tight ends on the road.

49ers

Positive

• Carlos Hyde – While the Saints have played better run defense of late, if he is a full go, he is their whole offense in a game that should be high scoring and fast paced.

Negative

• Colin Kaepernick, Jeremy Kerley, Torrey Smith – Even in an amazing matchup I want nothing to do with any of these players.

Colts vs Packers (+7 o/u 54)

Colts

Positive

• Andrew Luck – The Packers are actually playing QBs tough recently, allowing just 18.2 FPG. But this game is going to be a shoot out and Matt Ryan threw 3 TDs against this banged up secondary last week. In DFS I would tread lightly since his offensive line is brutal and he is on the road.
• Donte Moncrief – He’s back to being a full time player. He faces off this week against solid CB Ladarius Gunter, although he’s not a shutdown guy and Moncrief should be the focal point of this passing attack with Hilton banged up and has always had serious mojo with Luck in the red zone.
• T.Y. Hilton – He could destroy this Packers secondary if he’s fully healthy, monitor him all week and move him up if he is fine.

Neutral 

• Frank Gore – The Packers vaunted run defense was a mirage, and he is mister reliable. If you need 10 fantasy points, he can get that for you.
• Jack Doyle – The Detective Jack Doyle predictably came back to earth last week and has another tough matchup this week against a Packers team giving up only 9 FPG to opposing TEs.  That said, if this game devolves into a shoot out and Hilton is hobbled, Doyle should be serviceable in all leagues.

Packers

Positive

• Aaron Rodgers – He’s hitting his stride and should destroy this Colts defense giving up 291/2 and 25.6 FPG to opposing QBs the last five weeks. Without a foundation run game, Rodgers should lead the way and hopefully get back two great weapons in Cobb and Montgomery.
• Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery – Both guys got in limited practices this week and are on track to return. Cobb has seen double digit targets the last three games he has played, while Montgomery is a modified wide receiver used as the teams lead running back.  If these guys play, they make for great starts in all formats except for Fan Duel where Montgomery is listed as a running back.
• Davante Adams – It often takes wide receivers a few years to adjust to the NFL game, especially if they are not physical freaks like ODB. That looks like the case with Adams who is on fire right now. He’s seen double digit targets two weeks in a row and Rodgers trusts him. With top corner Vontae Davis lining up on Nelson’s side of the field, Adams should have no problem dismantling CB Patrick Robinson, PFF’s 86^th ranked corner. He’s solidly on the WR2 map right now, especially in PPR leagues and especially if Cobb or Montgomery sit.
• Jordy Nelson – Nelson hasn’t seen double-digit targets since Week 5 and this week he might get another tough matchup against shut down CB Vontae Davis if he plays (concussion). That said, Rodgers loves him in the red zone and he is playing tough, besting Atlanta top CB Trufant last week for 94 yards and a TD. In season long he is fine as your WR2, but probably a fade in DFS unless Davis sits, then he may be a sneaky tournament option. 

Titans vs Chargers (-5 o/u 47)

Titans

Positive

• DeMarco Murray – He’s dealing with a foot injury, so make sure to check his availability. While the Chargers are much better the past few weeks against the run, they are allowing a ton of TDs and are giving up a ton of catches to opposing RBs. If he’s good to go, he should be in your lineups. 

Neutral

• Marcus Mariota – He’s been playing better recently and getting it done on the ground and through the air, but so has the Chargers defense. Mariota makes for a solid bye week fill in, but probably a QB2 this week otherwise.
• Kendall Wright – I’m a Wright fan and preached for people to pick him up on my weekly Zig Zag podcast (we told you about J.J. Nelson last week by the way), unfortunately he is not truly featured in this offense and will hopefully find better pastures next year when he is a free agent. That said, he is by far this teams most talented receiver and with Andre Johnson done for the year, I think this becomes the Wright and Walker show in the passing game, which doesn’t mean a whole lot since the Titans don’t throw that much. Up against solid slot CB Brandon Flowers and on the road, I’m not sure Wright has a big game this week. Use his as a WR3.
• Delanie Walker – A bit of a trap play against a Chargers defense playing much better lately and only giving up around 7 FPG to the position. In season long there is no way you can sit him, but I would be careful about paying up in DFS.
• Derrick Henry – He’s a viable bye week replacement if you need someone, and becomes a great play if Murray is hobbled with his foot injury. If Murray does play though, he’s not worth reaching for in DFS.

Negative

• Rishard Matthews and Tajae Sharpe – Matthews is doing battle with PFF’s 11^th ranked CB Casey Hayward, while Sharpe is disappointing his rookie year. Neither player is worth reaching for this week.

Chargers

Positive

• Philip Rivers – Playing back at home and against a Titans defense giving up nearly 300 yards and two TDs over the past five weeks, Rivers should be a solid QB1 and contrarian DFS play as long as Tyrell Williams plays against a team that is tougher to run on than pass.
• Tyrell Williams – He’s banged up and has only practiced on a limited basis this week. If he plays, it’s a great matchup and he should see some extra targets with Benjamin likely to miss. Williams is an emerging talent that should be acquired aggressively in dynasty leagues while you can get him relatively cheap. Per Matt Harmon via NFL’s Next Gen stats: “Among wide receivers who saw 30-plus targets when lined up out wide, Williams ranks 13th in average separation at target (2.73). Given his size, it should be no surprise that Williams is a playmaker when the ball is in flight. His 54.5 catch rate on targets when he has less than a yard of separation puts him inside the Top-10 among wide-outs with more than 10 targets in those situations.”
• Melvin Gordon – If you have read this column in the past, you know that I am not a fan of Gordon, but volume in king and he sees a ton of it. Even though the Titans are giving up just 3.5 YPC, he will see more than 20 touches this week and is at home, making him a rock solid RB1 in all formats, including DFS.
• Dontrelle Inman – Makes for a solid bye week replacement and DFS option with Benjamin banged up and with Henry looking like he will miss. 

Neutral

• Antonio Gates –  It looks like Henry will sit, so he's a sneaky play this week against a Titans team giving up a healthy 18.6 FPG to the position.
• Travis Benjamin – He's banged up, but he looks like he will play. Tough to trust as anything more than a WR3. 

Negative

• Hunter Henry – He was banged up last week and is limited in practice this week. If he is healthy, he’s a viable option this week against a team vulnerable to TEs and giving up very healthy 18.6 FPG to the position.

Broncos vs Raiders (0 o/u 43.5)

Broncos

Positive

• Devontae Booker –While he only ran for 54 yards last week, the Chargers have an underrated run defense and Booker added 5 catches to provide him with a solid PPR floor. He should be a safe RB1 against a Raiders defense that is giving up 4.8 YPC.

Neutral

• Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas – Both of these guys are weekly WR2’s, although Sanders is the type of receiver that has burned the Raiders big corners while bigger receivers like Thomas (a la Mike Evans last week) seem to get contained. The good news for Thomas though is that CB Sean Smith is looking like he will miss this weeks game, although backup CB T.J. Carrie has some size and played well himself. I like Sanders as a solid DFS play this week with potential big upside and Thomas as just a season long play. 

Negative

• Trevor Siemian – I’m just not the sort of pundit to recommend starting Siemian. He’s a game manager that could be benched soon.

Raiders

Neutral

• Derek Carr – Like the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, Carr always finds a way to put up serviceable numbers, even against a defense such as the Broncos. It's going to be an interesting battle between one of the leagues best offensive lines at home vs the leagues best pass rush. That said, he’s only worth playing if he’s all you have in this tough matchup.
• Michael Crabtree & Amari Cooper – Cooper does far better this season against zone coverage than against press-man teams, such as the Broncos. Unfortunately, Crabtree averaged 4/36 against them last year with no TDs, so he hasn't faired much better against the Broncos. The good news for both of these guys is that top rated CB Aqib Talib looks like he will miss this week game, which is a big boost for both of these guys. Cooper should do battle with CB Bradley Roby, PFF's 81st rated corner, when CB Chris Harris Jr shifts to the slot, while Crabtree will face back-up second year CB Lorenzo Doss, who actually did play well last week. The key here though is this pass rush, which is going to cause Carr to face some pressure and make him get the ball out quickly. In season long I’m always a fan of start your studs and I think these guys could do okay, but I'm fading them both in DFS. 

• Latavius Murray, DeAndre Washington – Murray is at least their best goal line back, so if you have him in season long in standard leagues, he’s a low end play, but temper expectations with this whole running game.

Bills vs Seahawks (-6.5 o/u 43.5)

Bills

Negative

• Tyrod Taylor, Mike Gillislee, LeSean McCoy, Charles Clay – If you have to use them, this team is built on the run, so Taylor will at least get you some yards on the ground and without DE Michael Bennett, he should have some more time to throw, especially if Saftey Kam Chancellor misses again.  With a bye next week, they may sit MCcoy again to get him healthy, if he does play, I think he is fine as a nuetral start in season long leagues. The Seahawks can also best be beat in the middle of the field, so Clay isn't a total fade. All of this said,  best to try and avoid all of these guys if you can in a game that should feature both defenses more than their respective offenses. 

Seahawks

Neutral

• Russell Wilson – He didn’t get it done against the Saints Defense, so he’s officially not trustworthy until he is fully healed, especially against a solid Bills D. He’s averaging just 16.5 FPG and hasn’t had more than 16 yards rushing all season, and that was week on. Hopefully you have a better option by now. If not, keep trotting him out in season long and hope he finally starts picking up some yards with his feet.
• Doug Baldwin – He squares off against solid slot CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, PFF’s #31 rated corner. While it is a tougher matchup, the real issue is Wilson’s passing. In season long he’s still a must start as your WR2/3 with upside, but I’m off the Seattle train in DFS, even at home.
• Jimmy Graham – The Bills play the tight end tough, but despite his flop last week, he should have a decent game back at home. Is he a DFS play cash game play? No. But he’s fine for season long and a sneaky DFS tournament option that nobody will be on.

Negative

• Christine Michael and C.J. Prosise – The Bills are solid against the run and Michael only played around 50% of the snaps last week. While Michael has faced a bunch of tough matchups and this offensive line is horrible, beat writers have been calling for Thomas Rawls to take over when he returns, so he is worth a stash. Prosise, on the other hand, looked good catching passes and is a sneaky PPR flex play in a game where he may end up being their best weapon.
• Tyler Lockett, Paul Richardson Jr and Jermaine Kearse – Too tough to trust any of these guys. If they couldn’t get it done against the Saints, you can’t trust them to get it done any week. Yet one of them could go off at the drop of a hat. Look elsewhere.

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