NFL DFS Bargain Bin: Week 13 Sunday Slates

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 11: Philip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 11: Philip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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NFL DFS Bargain Bin: Week 13 Sunday Slates Running Backs

David Montgomery, CHI vs. DET ($5,500-DK/$6,200-FD)

Montgomery came back in fine fashion Week 12 from a one-game absence due to a concussion, compiling 103 yards on just 11 carries while adding another 40 yards on five grabs versus the Packers. The second-year back finally pushed his yards-per-carry mark on the season to 4.0 with the efficient performance, and he’s now recorded multiple receptions in nine straight games as well, giving him strong fantasy upside at very reasonable prices. The Week 13 matchup only sweetens the pot, as he draws a Lions team that’s struggled to stop the run all season and will be playing its first game under interim head coach Darrell Bevell.

The Lions have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (133.4) and are tied with the Texans for most rushing touchdowns surrendered to running backs (14), leading to them giving up the most DK (33.8) and FD (30.7) points per game to the position. Moreover, Detroit doesn’t just allow an elevated 4.75 line yards and 4.62 RB yards per carry; it’s also yielded a 55-543 line through the air to backs, along with the most receiving TDs (seven) to the position. The Bears have struggled to open up running lanes at times this season, but the combination of Montgomery’s price, locked-in diversified role and soft matchup make him an excellent cost-savings option for either cash or tournaments.

Jordan Wilkins, IND at HOU ($4,200-DK/$5,500-FD)

The Colts should have Jonathan Taylor back in the fold this week following his one-game absence due to his placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list. However, there could certainly be room for all three Indy running backs to succeed against what’s been the worst run defense in the league all season, especially with the chances of a big second-half lead for Indy increasing due to the Texans having reduced offensive firepower in the wake of Will Fuller‘s season-ending suspension. Wilkins encouragingly saw a season-high four targets in a Week 12 loss to the Titans and boasts a number of appealing secondary metrics, not the least of which is a solid red-zone role (nine of 87 total touches coming inside the 20 this season).

Additionally, Wilkins boasts a superior 15.4 percent broken-tackle rate and 83.3 percent positive run rate, while 79.9 percent of his yards have come after contact. He also is averaging a touch on 53.3 percent of the Colts’ snaps, adding to his appeal against a Houston defense that’s surrendering an AFC-high 154.7 rushing yards per game and 14 rushing touchdowns to RBs, along with the highest yards per carry (5.2) to the position. Then, while Wilkins has only one run of greater than 20 yards all season, he could get some help in that regard from a Texans front seven allowing the most open-field yards (1.25) and fifth-most second-level yards (1.38)  per carry.

ALSO CONSIDER: Melvin Gordon, DEN at KC ($5,100-DK/$6,800-FD)