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NFL DFS Week 1 Top Plays for Monday Night

By Ben McDaniel

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 17: Bilal Powell #29 of the New York Jets scores a touchdown as Rafael Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 17: Bilal Powell #29 of the New York Jets scores a touchdown as Rafael Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Detroit Lions Matthew Stafford NFL DFS
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Detroit Lions Matthew Stafford NFL DFS /

Week 1 of the NFL season means that the annual two game slate of Monday Night Football is upon us! Sunday was one of the highest scoring slates I ever remember seeing, and it will be interesting to see if that carries over into Monday night. Since there are only two games, options are limited, yet there are still ways to construct a lineup that stands out from the crowd. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @BenMcD_Sports as I’ll be updating my top plays throughout the day based on breaking news! Thanks for reading, NFL DFS DraftKings Week 1 Top Plays for Monday Night!

NFL DFS Top Play: Quarterback

Matt Stafford DET QB $6,800

I fully expect Goff and Stafford to be the two quarterbacks who draw the most NFL DFS ownership on Monday night. While many owners will flock to the Rams players due to their offensive breakout last year, I actually prefer the Lions QB on this slate. One thing that is working in Stafford’s favor is continuity. Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter is entering his 4th season with the Lions whereas the Rams’ play caller from last season is now in Tennessee. Granted, McVay deserves a lot of the credit for Goff’s growth, we can’t discount the possibility that Lafleur was crucial to the success of the now third year QB.

There’s also always a chance that Goff will be overshadowed by a huge performance from Todd Gurley. Stafford is a proven commodity who has finished as a top 10 QB each of the last 3 seasons. Week in and week out, the volume is almost always there. Look for him to come out firing in their home opener against a below average Jets secondary.

NFL DFS Top Play: Running Back

Bilal Powell NYJ RB $4,800

If you need someone to tell you that Todd Gurley is the Top Play on this slate, you have no business playing NFL DFS. So which running back am I targeting outside of Todd Gurley? Bilal Powell. With questions swirling around Marshawn Lynch’s health, there’s no guarantee he sees a full workload. Plus, if the Raiders dig themselves into a hole against the Rams, they will be forced to cede backfield work to a runner with a little more skill in the passing game. The Lions backfield is also unattractive because it looks like a full-blown committee. Powell’s volume on Monday seems to be most secure. He will be splitting carries with Crowell during competitive games, and will be one of Darnold’s favorite targets when the Jets have to play catch-up. Powell essentially can’t be scripted out of a game. I like him for his floor and his extremely high ceiling in PPR formats.

NFL DFS Top Play: Wide Receiver 

Robert Woods LAR WR $6,400

If you want to differentiate your lineup on Monday night, you’ll have to get creative with which wide receivers you deploy. Lower owned options could include Terrelle Pryor, Jordy Nelson, and Seth Roberts. Another sneaky lower owned wide receiver could be Robert Woods. This is totally speculation, but I think NFL DFS players will lean heavy towards Brandin Cooks due to name recognition, and Cooper Kupp due to his cheaper price. It’s rare that the 4th highest priced WR on the slate could fly under the radar, but that’s exactly the outcome I see happening on Monday night.

NFL DFS Top Play: Tight End

Tyler Higbee LAR TE $3,600

My logic on this one is simple. The Rams are the most explosive offense playing on MNF in week 1. With the available TE options, you’re essentially just hoping for a touchdown anyway. I’ll roll with the starting tight end who seems most likely to spend a lot of time inside his opponent’s 20 yard line.

NFL DFS Top Play: Defense/Special Teams

Los Angeles Rams DST $3,700

If Sunday taught us anything, it’s that sometimes the chalk play is the right play. I’m probably not going to fade the defensive unit that boasts Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters, and Aquib Talib. If you do decide to be different, the Lions hired former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia this offseason, and Detroit will be playing against the youngest week 1 starter in NFL history. That’s worth a shot too.

Next. Fantasy Football - What We Learned Week 1. dark

Thanks for reading, NFL DFS DraftKings Week 1 Top Plays for Monday Night!