NFL DFS Saturday Night Football: FanDuel single game preview and player picks

Saturday Night Football presents the DFS/Fanduel community with a clash of NFC West teams! Let’s take a look at this game from a fantasy football perspective.

Before I discuss my FanDuel player selections let’s briefly review the rules for the FanDuel single game contest and look at the key DFS injuries for Saturday night’s game.

In my opinion, the rules for the FanDuel single game contest are rather simple. You have $60,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team MVP. Additionally, the MVP accumulates 1.5 times the standard FanDuel points.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard FanDuel points value. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to select the correct player for your MVP position if you hope to take down a Fanduel single game contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the single game contest I recommend that you check out the FanDuel website for more details.

Key DFS Injuries

Los Angeles Rams: QUESTIONABLE: Greg Zuerlein, K.

San Francisco 49ers: None.

Now let’s transition to my player picks for Saturday night’s game!

MVP-George Kittle $14,000

For me, the clear cut MVP on this one game slate is George Kittle. Why do I have such a strong opinion regarding Kittle as my MVP? Well, let me explain in detail on why I love Kittle as the MVP.

First of all, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has targeted George Kittle at a very high rate so far in the 2019 season. More specifically, Garoppolo has targeted Kittle a whopping 98 times this season! Kittle’s target count easily leads the 49ers team. Just to provide appropriate perspective, the team’s second leading receiving target this season is Deebo Samuel. Samuel has a total of 71 targets this season.

It has to be said that Kittle has missed two regular season games due to injury this season. Having said that, for Kittle to lead the San Francisco team in receiving targets with such a high number (98) is very impressive.

I also think it’s important for me to note that Kittle is currently ranked seventh in the entire NFL in red zone targets with 19. For those readers that are not aware, the red zone is the area of the football field between the 20 yard line and the goal line. From a fantasy perspective, you want to have a player in your lineup with a high number of red zone targets as it clearly illustrates that player’s future potential to score touchdowns.

Due to the fact the Rams are a divisional opponent, the 49ers play Los Angeles twice in the regular season. When possible, I like to review previous games played versus a specific opponent when I am in the process of determining player pools for my FanDuel lineups. Having stated that, I was very impressed with how well Kittle played against the Rams earlier in the season.

In the 49ers win over Los Angeles in week six, George Kittle compiled eight receptions and 103 receiving yards.

Flex Plays

Todd Gurley $14,500

Yes, I am aware that Todd Gurley has certainly not had a great season from a statistical perspective. However, I did find some data that suggests playing him in your single game FanDuel lineup could be a smart play. What data you may ask? As I reviewed the NFL leaders for rushing attempts inside the red zone so far this season, I was impressed to see Gurley’s name near the top of that list.

More specifically, Gurley is currently ranked fifth in the entire league in rushing attempts in the red zone with 46. Gurley has only found the end zone in 10 of those 46 attempts. However, I love the high number of red zone opportunities he is getting this season.

Raheem Mostert $11,500

For my next flex play, I am rolling with 49ers running back Raheem Mostert. First of all, Mostert’s talent on the football field clearly passes my eye test. In my opinion, Raheem is the best running back on the San Francisco roster.

In the 49ers last three football games, Mostert has averaged 18.9 FanDuel points a game. I would happily take that fantasy point total from Mostert this week!

Robert Woods $12,000

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff has been targeting Robert Woods early and often all season long! In the Rams last four games, Robert Woods has been targeted 45 times! Additionally, in that same four game span, Woods has averaged 15.58 FanDuel points a game.

Kendrick Bourne $8,000

For my last flex play selection, I am rolling with San Francisco’s Kendrick Bourne. It has to be said that I love Bourne’s high upside at a FanDuel cost of only $8,000. In San Francisco’s last six games, Kendrick Bourne has averaged 7.48 FanDuel points a game.

As always, good luck!