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FanDuel NFL: Best lineup for Week 5

By Kevin Parvizi

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 23: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) hauls in a touchdown catch during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 23, 2018 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 23: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) hauls in a touchdown catch during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 23, 2018 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers fights off cornerback Greg Mabin #26 of the San Francisco 49ers as he runs for a first down in the fourth quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers fights off cornerback Greg Mabin #26 of the San Francisco 49ers as he runs for a first down in the fourth quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Running Back: Melvin Gordon III, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders

FanDuel Price: $8,700

I know that Melvin Gordon is the second-most expensive running back this week behind Los Angeles Rams star Todd Gurley, whom Gordon is often confused for in public, but this matchup is just too juicy to pass up on.

The Oakland Raiders have the worst run defense in football, and it’s not even close. Last week, Carlos Hyde and Nick Chubb looked like the best running backs in the NFL when running against the Raiders defense, and they are playing behind an abysmal offensive line. Oakland allowed Chubb to rip off massive runs, and Hyde churned out big chunks of yardage on a regular basis.

As of right now, the Raiders allow 5.6 yards per carry against them, whereas Gordon is boasting an average of 5.1 yards per carry. Furthermore, he’s a huge asset in the passing game for the Chargers, as his 24 receptions tie Keenan Allen for first on the team.

The Raiders have problems defending the running back in the passing game, too, and that won’t go unpunished by Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense. Gordon is a premium play, but it’s worth investing in a player who had 159 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown last week.

Running Back: Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions

FanDuel Price: $6,100

Aaron Jones is clearly the best running back in the Green Bay Packers backfield, as he showed his value to this offense in his first meaningful action in Week 4. Jones blew Jamaal Williams out of the water in terms of production, as he churned out 65 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries against the Buffalo Bills defense.

In Week 5, the Packers take on the Lions, and this is a good matchup for Jones on the ground. He will face a Lions defense that surrenders 5.3 yards per carry and more rushing yards allowed than any other team. The 23-year-old is Green Bay’s most explosive rusher, and this offense needs to take advantage of that against a Lions defense that appears to be one of the weakest at defending the running game.

Jones is a bit of a gamble, but the benefit of combining him with a premium player like Gordon is that there’s a balance in both cost and safety. If Jones and Gordon both blow up, then there’s huge value to be obtained. And I’d rather jump on Jones early, because it seems like his price is only going to go up. Every time this man plays, he impresses, as he’s averaging 6.3 yards per carry just one year after banging out 5.5 yards per pop.

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