NFL FanDuel DFS Plays and Fades: Week 2
By Alvin Lange
Welcome to this week’s NFL FanDuel DFS Plays and Fades – a Daily Fantasy Sports column focused on setting the foundation for NFL FanDuel DFS lineups with the best plays and fades. The foundation of NFL FanDuel DFS lineups are structured around QB, RB, and WR plays as well as recognizing plays to fade.
NFL FanDuel DFS Plays and Fades: Quarterbacks
Top Play – Drew Brees NO vs CLE
Drew Brees is often an elite play, especially at home in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome – where this week the Saints face the Cleveland Browns in one of this week’s highest projected score totals. Brees is one of this week’s top priced players, but possesses a high ceiling that justifies his pricing. Fresh off of throwing over 400 yards with 3 touchdowns last week vs the Buccaneers – Brees will look to keep the momentum rolling to prevent the Saints from starting the season 0-2.
Value Play – Jimmy Garoppolo SF vs DET
The 49ers face off against the Detroit Lions – who are coming off an embarrassing Monday Night Football loss vs the New York Jets. Also, the Lions are at a disadvantage; playing on a short week while traveling to the West Coast. Garoppolo is primed for a big game against a weak Lions defense that allowed rookie QB Sam Darnold to look like an immediate All-Pro. After facing one of the top defenses in the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, look for Garoppolo to redeem himself and get back to his stellar play from last season in a much less daunting matchup.
Fade – Derek Carr OAK @ DEN
Carr started well on Monday Night Football vs the Rams, but struggled mightily in the second half. This week’s matchup vs the Broncos is not the week to expect Carr to turn it around as their defense is solid and capable of putting a damper on the Raider’s strengths. While priced at only $6,600 on FanDuel, it will be tough for Carr to return value on that price tag.
NFL FanDuel DFS Plays and Fades: Running Backs
Top Play – Todd Gurley LAR vs AZ
Gurley dazzled last week with over 100 yards from scrimmage and a receiving touchdown vs the Raiders. This week’s opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, were just run over and overwhelmed by Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson of the Redskins in Week 1. The Redskins running back duo dominated the Cardinals defense for a total of almost 300 total yards – 161 rushing and 133 receiving. Gurley has to be licking his chops at this matchup and will continue his dominant ways that led to him being named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2017.
Value Play – James Conner PIT vs KC
Conner will once again be the lead back for the Steelers vs the Chiefs. Conner had a successful game last week – both rushing and receiving. Although his price increased on FanDuel from $5,000 up to $7,000, Conner is still a great value. Conner’s workload justifies his price and he is receiving a workload similar to that of top priced running backs at a cheaper price. The Steelers overall have a great matchup against a less than stellar Chiefs defense, so Conner is expected to capitalize and duplicate last week’s success.
Fade – Kenyan Drake MIA @ NYJ
Drake is in no man’s land this week as he goes up against an improved Jets defense that destroyed the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Furthermore, Drake is in a timeshare with Frank Gore. While Drake will still receive his fair share of touches and has big play ability, his upside is limited in this tough matchup making Drake a fade.
NFL FanDuel DFS Plays and Fades: Wide Receivers
Top Play – Antonio Brown PIT vs KC
As with the QB Top Play Drew Brees, Antonio Brown is another matchup proof player with a tremendous ceiling. As long as Le’Veon Bell continues to hold out, Brown will receive a large amount of the Steelers target share. Brown had 16 targets in Week 1, and more of the same volume is expected in this week’s highest projected scoring game. The NFL world is buzzing about the Chief’s top WR Tyreke Hill after his exciting performance last week, so expect the competitor in Brown to up the ante this week with a great game.
Value Play – Emmanuel Sanders DEN vs OAK
Sanders is coming off an explosion of 135 yards and touchdown on 11 targets vs the Seahawks. This week Sanders gets to face an even worse defense in the Raiders – who will have a tough time containing him. Sanders ran a majority of his routes out of the slot, giving him distinct matchup advantages to exploit. The Broncos have finally solidified their QB situation, and their wide receivers stand to benefit as a result – especially Sanders, in this enticing matchup.
Fade – Chris Hogan NE @ JAC
Hogan was listed as a value play last week as many expect him to be a top receiving option for the Patriots the first four games of the season as WR Julian Edelman serves his suspension. Hogan proceeded to lay a massive egg Week 1 vs the Texans with 1 catch for 11 yards and no touchdowns on 5 targets. The prospects of Hogan are even worse this week as he faces a much tougher defense in the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hogan is a top fade candidate this week with a tough matchup, Rob Gronkowski being the Patriots top option, and Phillip Dorsett trending up.
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