After a knock down, drag out battle with the ‘hawks, everyone thought ‘hey, Cam Newton at home against New Orleans, a team with a weak secondary? He should destroy’um!’ In the famous last words to twitter…WELP. Yeah, there have been very few ‘wow’ type plays from Cam over the last couple of weeks. You could say he’s gone from ‘Cam wow’ to ‘sham wow’ but that would be such a blatant abuse of the pun world just to sneak in a Vince remix, I’d like to think I’m above that. What? Who put that link there! I’m appalled! But since it’s there already there…I mean, why remove it now, you know? In reality, nothing new has happened for Cam to make me excited about him this week vs what he dealt with last week. He’s still getting a great set up for a potential big game against an Eagles secondary that ranks near the bottom in most fantasy categories for points against when it comes to opposing QBs. Well, I would say the main difference is that it’s not on Thursday Night…yeah, I am one of those guys who still thinks TNF sometimes gives us more WTF than the regular Sunday/Monday tilt. It changes the dynamics of prep, of healing, of approach in general. Some teams are good at it, some ain’t. We’ll put Cam and company under the ‘can’t’ for this argument. After the week and a half off leading up to this Sunday, I think Newton and crew come out swinging. The best part is, the Panthers defense is still a mess so the game should stay competitive and give Cam a shot at that elusive 300/100 double bonus dip we all want and love. Of course, if he can just pass for 300 and rush for 50 and add 3 TDs in there, we’ll all be happy, right? Right. So now that we’ve got that opening settled let’s start working towards a closing. Here’s my hot takes for the week 10 DK slate…
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Aaron Rodgers, QB: $9,400 – As much as I believe Peyton and company are gonna do unspeakable things to the Raiders on Sunday, I think Rodgers will be the big QB name to pay up for between the two. After a bye week and a loss to New Orleans, I don’t see Aaron and company letting up on division rival Chicago. Given that this game also houses the highest O/U (currently at 53) and a Bears defense that’s still banged up, maybe A-Rod will put down his Hans and Franz act for a while and score a few points against the team that’s statistically the worst against QBs from a fantasy perspective. GPP or Cash
Ben Roethlisberger, QB: $7,500 – Seriously…two straight weeks of 6 TDs. But clearly he’s slowing down as he only threw for 340 in week 9. I’ll probably build a lineup with him but I’m gonna have a hard time going back to this well in a GPP setting. There’s just gonna be too many people on him. That said, if you feel like you can successfully build a reasonably less owned lineup to support it, I support your decision. It’s the flippin Jets, man. GPP or Cash
Kyle Orton, QB: $6,700 – The matchup looks bad on paper but I’ll put it to you this way. If Orton were playing a full season with his current stats, he’d be on pace for over 4,400 yards passing, 36 TDs and only 12 INT. To put that into further perspective, that’s about the same pace that Drew Brees is on right now. Ewww, what just hit me? Were those pieces of brain? Oh I get it. MIND BLOWN. I’m not gonna mention him below but clearly if you’re gonna roll Orton, you’re gonna go Sammy Watkins at $6,200…and heck at that price, why not just do it anyway, right? GPP or Cash
Matt Ryan, QB: $6,300 – Fun fact! I almost made Matt Ryan my lead but then remembered just how little I trust that offensive line for Atlanta. But they did find a way to keep Ryan off the turf in London against that Detroit defense so maybe they’ve cured what ails them. Eh, probably not but a trip to Tampa Bay usually cures all offensive woes. But of course, it’ll never cure MRSA. GPP or Cash
Mark Sanchez, QB: $5,400 – Ah the Sanchise…take a walk down philosophical lane with me, would you? Let’s say you’re a QB playing for a team that doesn’t build nor develop skill or talent around you. Let’s say that same team never really developed an offense in general while you were there. Let’s say you were booed off of said team by all the ‘fans’ and are now in a system that has talent and is willing to give you a shot. Could you be, say, a better QB than people give you credit for? Well, we’re gonna find out on Sunday. He played three of the four quarters and dropped 202 and 2 TDs to go with 2 INTs. Both the Texans and the Panthers are less than stellar in the secondary this year so there’s reason for hope that the QB formerly known as Butt Fumble might actually still have something here…at least for this week. GPP only
Marshawn Lynch, RB: $6,700 – Didn’t get you the 100 yard bonus for rushing but finished with 31 DK points last week against a soft running opponent at home and guess what? He gets to do it all over again this week. The price bump isn’t what you’d like but I think 25 is a reasonable expectation with plenty of room for more here. Oh and if you were expecting me to talk about Matt Forte. Yeah. He’s good. You really need me to tell you that? He also costs $10K. Did you need me to tell you that, too? If you can fit that in, good on you. GPP or cash
LeSean McCoy, RB: $5,800 – Yeah, I’ve suggested these guys for basically three weeks straight. Listen, RBs in this little game of ours are all about price point. In general, you wanna pay for a WR or a TE in your flex if you’re winning the tourneys. It just ain’t the game we used to know where RB-hoarding was the thing to do. In reality, LeSean is slowly sneaking into being ‘that guy’ again. Two of his last three games, LeSean has tallied over 100 yards rushing. You know a big game is coming, you just have to be patient and enjoy the low price until it does. GPP or cash
Bobby Rainey, RB: $4,400 – Not sure how he had 8 carries for 70 yards at some point in the first half and didn’t finish with over 100 yards rushing. Oh wait, he plays for Tampa Bay. THAT’s a solid reason! This pick has a couple of caveats. First one, is Doug Martin back week 10? I doubt it, but we don’t know right now. Caveat numero deux, how involved will Charles Sims be? And if they plan on giving Charles Sims a majority of the carries, he’s only $3,600. Just throwing that out there for ya since ATL gives up the most fantasy points to opposing RBs. Let’s just hope Tampa Bay doesn’t screw us over like they’ve done to themselves this season and make it a three-way. The BAD kind of three-way, guys…GPP only
Chris Ivory, RB: $4,300 – Paying attention to Vegas lines, you notice interesting trends. The game opened at 44 with Pitt only winning the spread by a point and a half. They’ve since raised the game total to 45 1/2 and Pitt winning it by 4 1/2 but I’m not so sure. I think we have a team that might be figuring it out and could get a surprise win at home this week. I know, calling a Jets win is like calling an M Night movie good. That hasn’t happened in like 10 years. Yes, I liked The Village. Back off. In either case, Ivory is one of those RBs where he can get you 100+ on the ground and 2 TDs. That’s 25 without even catching a pass. Enjoy. GPP only
Jordy Nelson, WR: $7,600 – So yeah, any WR from Jordy’s price up should be in play this week. Whether it’s good matchup or just being a stud receiver, doesn’t matter. If you can price them in, play them. Me, I’m just looking for value and a wide receiver who’ll probably be priced near Antonio Brown in a couple of weeks is such a value. This is the highest O/U of the week so you’re gonna want in somehow. PS, Cobb is only $7,400. You know, in case you feel the need to fade Jordy in tourneys this week (but I personally wouldn’t). GPP or cash
Calvin Johnson, WR: $7,100 – Seems like forever ago that we had the ability to write about Megatron. Trust me, some of my season long teams know this all too well. Viva la DFS! The matchup isn’t enticing but if Calvin is a full go and no longer a decoy, watch out. Just picture the end of ’40 Year Old Virgin’ as what can be expected. And BTW, IF Mega is a full go and healthy enough to play his game, I don’t expect to be rostering Golden Tate much anywhere at a near equal price of $7,000. GPP or cash
Julio Jones, WR: $6,600 – I meant to mention him during the Matt Ryan blurb. I didn’t. Here’s me making it up to you. Oh and Roddy White? Yeah, here’s your S/O for him too since he’s only $5,100. GPP or cash
Alshon Jeffrey, WR: $6,000 – Stud receiver in the highest O/U game priced less than an all nighter with a high end New York call girl? Yes please! GPP or cash
Mike Evans, WR: $5,900 – They say to never go back to the well and after last week’s offensive explosion from Evans, it’s really hard to argue but unless the Buccs run the ball all day on ATL – which is very possible – the matchup says he’s a good get at this price. And was that a really long sentence or is it just me? GPP or cash
Martavis Bryant, WR: $5,500 – Bryant saw an increase in snap count in last week’s win and caught two touchdowns. The only thing keeping him under the other guys above is that he did it on only 3 catches. Such is the life of a red zone target. The cool thing is, Jets are one of the worst in terms of red zone targets to opposing WRs. Bryant is one of those guys who could have a three TD game if things fall the right way. Which means I’m falling for him in tourneys. *Swoons* GPP only
Andre Holmes, WR: $4,400 – I’m sure his seasonal owners feel a bit let down after his two TD game. It’s ok, I’m sure Raiders season ticket holders feel the same way. Raiders gonna raid, son. The reality is we know Oaktown is gonna be playing from behind pretty much all day, leaving their receivers in play across the board. GPP only
Kelvin Benjamin, WR: $4,200 – The smallest amount of targets Benjamin has received in a game so far this year is 6. That was the game he was concussed. He still went for 3/61/1. The last time he only caught two passes, he followed it up with an 8/115/1 campaign. Since Philly actually defends the TE position quite well, if you’re going with Cam, going with Kelvin as his pairing makes both fiscal and and common sense. Don’t worry, this secondary won’t be breaking Benjamin. GPP only
Kenny Britt, WR: $3,800 – Dare we? Yes, we dare. Cardinals give up plenty through the air and it’s fair to say the Rams will be playing from behind for most of the game. Britt tallied 3/32/1 last week on a day where the team couldn’t get much going. I wouldn’t be surprised if Britt is on the milly maker roster winner this week. No, I wouldn’t put money on it. Well, except in the fact he will be in one of my milly maker lineups. GPP only
Heath Miller, TE: $4,500 – The first thing I’m gonna put here is that Jimmy Graham isn’t overpriced and he’s playable. But did you really need me to tell you that? Exactly, it’s why he doesn’t get his own blurb. But Heath Miller does because he gets to face a team that has given up the most touchdowns to opposing TEs. Hopefully Spaeth doesn’t get all that tight end love from Big Ben. Wow, rereading that sentence…GPP or cash
Larry Donnell, TE: $4,400 – It was a pretty sleepy performance from the Giants overall on Monday with Larry being the lone bright spot (4/25/1). Going up against a Seattle team that allowed 2 TDs to the opposing TE along with 8 receptions, I’ll take solace in Larry being sleepless in Seattle. GPP or cash
Mychal Rivera, TE: $3,800 – Has Rivera become a thing? I’m gonna say yes without providing further evidence. Ok, ok, how about 20 targets over his last 2 games, equating to a 15/121/2 line? And how about he’s facing a team near the bottom in giving up points to tight ends? In the words of Jay from Deep Space 69…nnnnnnnnice. GPP only
Arizona Cardinals, DST: $3,400 – If you’re gonna pay $3,400 for a defense, don’t do it on the Chiefs heading to Buffalo. Consider this your final warning. GPP or cash
Baltimore Ravens, DST: $3,200 – For the price and the situation, I’m putting down Ravens as my top defense for the week. Titans are a mess and have a rookie QB who isn’t afraid of throwing it long…and turning the ball over. Five sacks and two INTs later, you’ll thank me. GPP or cash
Buffalo Bills, DST: $3,000 – For some reason, no one wants to believe the Bills are good. My bros and bro-nettes, they’re 5-3. I think for some reason people will assume that the Chiefs are the better team on Sunday. That idea is about to get Buffalax’d. GPP only