New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans 1:00 p.m. EST
I think we can discuss the home team first and just pass on the Titans. Nobody has been DFS relevant for quite some time, and they’re playing an improved Patriots defense.
QB Drake Maye has averaged 22 points per game for the Patriots, and there’s no reason to think he won’t do that this week against a bad Tennessee team. We don’t know exactly where the ball is going. Some weeks it’s Stefon Diggs, and last week we saw it went to Kayshon Boutique, and the week before the ball went to Stefon Diggs. I have no problem playing either receiver in this matchup. I prefer Diggs. I think running back Rhamondre Stevenson could be sneaky at his price because of the matchup. Look for him to reach the endzone.
New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears 1:00 p.m. EST
This is the Saints‘ first road game in quite some time, and they’re playing an improved Bears defense. I am only interested in WR Chris Olave because of the volume he’s getting. He could have had 7 catches for 70 yards and scored 20 points if he had scored a touchdown. I think that WR Rashid Shaheed needs to get a long pass to be relevant, and the Bears won’t give that up. The tight end situation is a mess, so I’m passing on all of those, and there’s no viable running back.
I love the opportunity that the Bears‘ passing game should have. The Patriots threw all over the Saints last week and had many long plays called back due to penalties. QB Caleb Williams projects well for me and is at a great price. I’m going to pair him with WR Romeo Odunze. I like that WR Luther Burden has been slowly getting an increased role and could be a fantasy sleeper. At this point, DJ Moore is almost unplayable, and he’s dealing with a little bit of an injury. I will avoid the running game and D’Andre Swift because the Saints play the run, and he’s dealing with a bit of a groin injury. I can see him having more of a split carry situation this week.
Carolina Panthers at New York Jets 1:00 p.m. EST
I’d be interested in Rico Dowdle, but I think Chuba Hubbard will be back. Dowdle is priced up a little too much now for a split-carry role. If Hubbard is held out, then fire him up. I’m avoiding most of the Panthers‘ passing game, as Jets CB Sauce Gardner might give WR Tetairoa McMillan fits. I know I’ve talked about WR Jalen Coker before as a sleeper, as he was practicing in full last week, but didn’t suit up. He’s practicing again this week. If he suits up, he is a fantasy sleeper for me.
Many will point to Jets RB Breece Hall as an outstanding play this week. He will get the volume, but the Panthers have been much better against running backs than people think. They have held the likes of Bijan Robinson, De’Von Achane, and Javonte Williams to less than expected outcomes. I am not expecting a huge Hall week, but I do have interest purely on volume. No receivers are worth playing now that Garrett Wilson is out. Tight end Mason Taylor could have a huge week as he should get a ton of targets. He will make many of my lineups. QB Justin Fields is interesting. Nobody will play him, and he always has the talent to score big points with his legs. They are at home, and I could see him rushing for 50 plus yards on the touchdown.
