Newton has been a solid cash game quarterback all season long
and gets arguably his best matchup of the season against a Tampa
Bay team that is the only defense ranked in the bottom five in
points allowed to QBs, WR, and RB. Newton’s floor from his running
stats provides a nice comfort blanket, and his passing stats in
what could be a shootout makes him a must-play. For owners who
like to do a cash stack, consider playing Newton along with Greg
Olsen.
The Fitzmagic was back, at least for a half or so last week against
the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Will that magic continue this
week on the road against the Panthers, a team that allows the
16th-most points to opposing quarterbacks? I’m not super
confident it will, but if it does, Fitzpatrick could be the top
performer of the week, and that is precisely what GPP players
need to get into the green. I find myself pairing Fitz with Chris
Godwin ($4,400) in tournament stacks.
Although Big Ben is on pace to set a career-mark in passing yards,
passing touchdowns and fantasy points per game, he does not fare
well lately playing on the road against the Ravens, Some may view
this as a contrarian play with low ownership potential, but I
would rather spend my money elsewhere and pay up for Newton or
Goff.
The ageless one continues to impress in Washington with 50 carries
in his previous two games for 248 yards and two total touchdowns.
The Redskins will look to shorten the game and keep the ball out
of Matt Ryan’s hands by running the ball and playing a ball control
offense. It also doesn’t hurt that the Falcons lead the league
in most points allowed to running backs and Chris Thompson is
out once again with an injury.
The Nick Chubb era as the starter for the Cleveland Browns has
been somewhat underwhelming with only one game over 10 fantasy
points and only one rising touchdown since Week 4. Look for that
to change this week with the Browns hosting Kansas City, a team
that allows the second-most points to opposing running backs.
Game script could negate Chubb’s usage in favor of Duke
Johnson, but at his $4,500 price tag, Chubb is worth the multi-touchdown
upside for GPP.
Gordon’s lingering hamstring injury is a concern to the
point that I can’t see spending a premium on a guy who may
get limited touches. The matchup is not bad against the Seahawks
and Gordon is always a threat for a big game, but I would rather
pay $500 less for Kareem Hunt.
There are more than a handful of cash game wide receivers that
I am targeting this week, and starting in a game with an over
under of nearly 60-points like the Saints/Rams game is an excellent
idea. Both Brandin Cooks and Woods are outstanding plays, especially
with Cooper Kupp likely returning to the field. While some may
focus on the “revenge game” narrative for Cooks, I prefer to go
with the seven-target floor of Woods lining up against Eli Apple.
Doctson has been a colossal disappointment over his brief NFL
career and has not come close to living up to his first-round
draft stock. Injuries and inconsistent play have plagued Doctson
over the past few years, while the change at quarterback from
Kirk Cousins to Alex Smith proved to be a massive knock in his
value. Why would I recommend playing a player like Doctson if
I am so down on him? The Falcons allow the third-most points to
opposing wide receivers, and outside of Doctson and his tight
ends (Jamison Crowder is out, and Paul Richardson is questionable),
Alex Smith will need to throw the ball to someone. It also doesn’t
hurt that Doctson’s ownership level will be quite low.
The Seahawks have been relatively tough against wide receivers
this season, allowing the 16th-fewest points to the position.
Although the Charges have had a full bye week to heal and prepare
for Seattle, playing on the road at the Link can be tough. Instead
of gambling on a player who hasn’t caught a touchdown since
Week 1, I’d rather use that $7,300 to pay up for Gurley
and take a lower cost wide receiver.
In a week where there are not a ton of cash game tight ends that
stick out, I’ve decided to play it safe with Greg Olsen
on my cash tickets. He is not sexy and the days of double-digit
targets from Cam Newton are likely a thing of the past. But with
touchdowns in each of his last two games and a home matchup against
a team that allows the third-most points to tight ends, playing
Olsen makes a ton of sense, especially at a relatively low price
of $4,700.
It takes a bit of intestinal fortitude to go back into the fire
and play a guy who goosed his owners last week with a big fat
zero. The only time I would consider doing it is if said player
has been a target monster before the goose egg, and he has an
excellent home matchup against a team that is easy to score on
in what should be a high-scoring game. Njoku ticks all the boxes
required to fire up and play again, and I am going with him in
GPP.
Burton’s volume and usage in the passing game are beyond
frustrating for his season-long owners. With 11 targets sandwiched
between two games with a paltry four, it is tough to know when
the big games will come for the former Eagle. I am trying to avoid
all players in this game not named Mitchell Trubisky, as I anticipate
a low-scoring game that could have a massive negative game script
created by the Bears defense vs. Nate “Pick Six” Peterman.
Defense & Special Teams
High Priced Option Worthy of the Cost:
Bears ($4,100) @ Bills
Well Priced with Upside: Broncos
($2,300) vs. Texans
