NFL DFS Bargain Bin: Week 17 Sunday Slates
NFL DFS Bargain Bin: Week 17 Sunday Slates Running Backs
Melvin Gordon, DEN vs. LV ($5,700-DK/$6,800-FD)
Having just talked up the possibility of a bit of an aerial show in Denver on Sunday, I’m also going to delve a bit into the upside of Gordon in the same contest. While that might seem counterintuitive on the surface, the veteran running back should have enough work and is certainly a capable enough pass catcher to also offer a strong return on his very reasonable salaries. I also wouldn’t expect to see Gordon, who was recommended in this space Week 16 as well, to go without a target for a second straight game, especially against a Raiders team that’s given up the fourth-most targets to RBs (114) and an average of 5.5 receptions per game to the position.
Las Vegas’ troubles against running backs certainly don’t end there, as Jon Gruden’s squad has also allowed a whopping 145.6 rushing yards per road game, along with 4.9 yards per carry when traveling as well. The Raiders have also yielded the third-most DK (29.7) and FD (26.3) points per game to running backs, as well as the third-most rushing TDs (17). With Phillip Lindsay on injured reserve due to hip and knee issues, Gordon is coming off his largest rushing workload of the season — 16 carries — against his old Chargers squad. In a matchup against a Las Vegas team ranked in the top half of the league with 64.7 opponent plays per game allowed on the road, Gordon should still have plenty of opportunity to put together a strong performance, even as some of his offensive teammates also thrive.
Ty Johnson, NYJ at NE ($4,300-DK/$5,000-FD)
Frank Gore has been placed on injured reserve with a lung bruise, while La’Mical Perine has hit the reserve/COVID-19 list due to a positive test as opposed to a close contact with an infected person, guaranteeing he’ll miss this Week 17 contest. That essentially leaves Johnson to take on bell cow duties in a run-leaning offense, with Josh Adams projected to only serve as a change-of-pace option. Given his salaries and the fact he rattled off 104 yards and a TD on 22 carries in his one other opportunity with the top backfield job in Week 13 against the Raiders, Johnson could well serve as one of the best fantasy-point-per-dollar values on the slate if he sees a similar workload.
The Patriots have been vulnerable against the run all season long, and they’ll check into this finale allowing the sixth-most rushing yards per game (132.8), along with an elevated 5.2 yards per carry over the last three contests. New England has yielded 24.7 DK/21.5 FD points per game to running backs overall as well, and New York comes in with the sixth-highest rush play percentage (47.57) over the last three contests. With Johnson’s salaries and projected opportunity being what they are, he makes for a low-risk option for either cash or tournaments in a game during which the suddenly resurgent Jets should be able to remain reasonably competitive.