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DraftKings NFL Week 11 lineup

By Joe Romano

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 23: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates a touchdown catch during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 23: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates a touchdown catch during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Running backs

Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos – $8900

Running back is hit the hardest this week between bad matchups and the players on prime time or bye weeks. The clear cut number one option is Melvin Gordon. The Chargers running back is the fifth highest scoring running back on the season. He stays at home against a Broncos defense that has given up the seventh most rushing yards on the season. With a balanced attack, Gordon can find success against Denver. The best scenario for fantasy owners would be the Chargers pull away and Gordon gets a boost from game flow.

Saquon Barkley, New York Giants vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – $8700

Rookie second overall pick Saquon Barkley comes in second this week behind Gordon. He has lived up to his draft stock despite the team’s struggles this season. Barkley is a big play threat any time he touches the ball and New York knows it. Despite Odell Beckham on the outside it does seem like the offense runs through the rookie. This is his best matchup of the season against a Buccaneers defense that is ninth in points per game to running backs. Couple that with Tampa Bay’s awful pass defense and the path to a big fantasy day for Barkley is not hard to find.

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys @ Atlanta Falcons – $8500

Barkley’s NFC East buddy Ezekiel Elliott comes in next on the pricing chart. Elliott is coming off a great performance against a tough Eagles defense. The addition of Amari Cooper seems to have opened the entire offense up and that is good news for Elliott. He now gets a Falcons defense that was slashed up by Nick Chubb. Dallas needs this win to get above .500. They know Elliott is the key to the success so look for an offense run through the former first round pick.

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints vs Philadelphia Eagles – $8200

The game with the highest predicted over/under on the Sunday main slate is the Saints and Eagles tilt. New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara once again finds himself inside the top five price running backs despite the return of Mark Ingram. Kamara’s role in the passing attack keeps him comfortably priced above Ingram. The Eagles defense is one of the tougher to run against but they are susceptible to running backs who can catch. This looks like a big Kamara game coming in the shoot out.

Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers @ Detroit Lions – $8000

In a similar mode to Kamara is his draft classmate Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers are showing that they intend to treat the second year back like the work horse back they need to run this offense. McCaffrey’s unique skill set opens up this Panthers offense and is partly responsibly for Cam Newton’s success. This week they play a Lions defense that gives up the eighth most points per game to running backs.

Value running backs

Dion Lewis, Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts – $4800

DraftKings seems to think there is still a time share in Tennessee’s backfield. That is not the case. Dion Lewis is the number one back and is spelled by Derrick Henry. That is what makes Lewis a great value play this weekend. He doubled Henry’s touches a week ago and has out touched Henry in both games since the team returned from the bye. Look for Lewis’ work to continue to rise. They get a Colts defense who give up the fourth most yards in the air to running backs. This is a good time to grab Lewis before DraftKings realizes his value exceeds his price tag.

Alex Collins, Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals – $4400

Want to hear a crazy statistic? The Baltimore Ravnes lead the NFL in passing attempts per game. That will likely change with the switch to either Robert Griffin or Lamar Jackson this weekend with Joe Flacco injured. The good news is that the “work horse” back in Baltimore is set to have a big opportunity. Alex Collins was praised all offseason for being the guy for the Ravens, however their offense has mixed it up enough to limit Collins’ value. Cincinnati’s defense is allowing almost five yards per carry, making this a great value play with an excellent mix of matchup and game flow.