X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

The Daily Divide: Week Two DFS

Matt and Nathan each offer cash game picks for every position, then the other insults or compliments those picks, as warranted. They hope their arguments and debates provide enough information to make help people make their own decisions. Matt probably makes more good points than Nathan over the long haul though, so please pay special attention to his thoughts in this piece.

Nathan: "I’m not sure why I told Matt he could write the opening paragraph. I’m right way more than him. I mean, I did tell Matt to start Tyler Eifert last week, so I'm pretty much a genius." 

You can follow the great Matt Rittle on twitter: @ffrittle -- and the just okay Nathan Powell on twitter: @npowellff. Nathan: "...Seriously?"

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 50% off using code SUMMER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

Nathan’s DFS Picks for Week 2:

QB: Drew Brees vs TBB
Drew Brees will be in all of my cash games this weekend and you can't stop me. The Buccaneers defense was torn apart at home by rookie QB Marcus Mariota in Week One to the tune of a 209-4 line, while giving up over an 80% completion percentage. In Week Two, they travel to face one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Drew Brees. One of the most important factors in NFL DFS are the Vegas numbers, and the Saints are 10 point favorites on Bovada, projected to score 37.5 points. Those numbers mean a frustrating afternoon for the Buccaneers, equally so for those who fade Brees this week.

Matt: At home, underpriced almost everywhere, and everything you said. A rare case of you getting one right.


RB: Ameer Abdullah at MIN
I was a little weary of Ameer Abdullah coming into the season, but Abdullah out-touched Joique Bell by a count of 11-7 even in Week One. I think that gap will only progress as the season goes on, as they see Abdullah doing more with his touches. (In Week One, he out-gained Bell by a count of 94 to 41 total yards.) Abdullah is still fairly cheap, being priced around the RB25-30 range on DFS sites, and he faces a Vikings defense that was shredded by Carlos Hyde in Week One, who put a 26-168-2 line. Abdullah may not see as many touches as Hyde did, but I think he’ll at least see a repeat of his Week One usage.

Matt: Repeating his Week One usage would pay off his price easily enough, and there is the upside you mention of the Lions leaning his way sooner than later. Great roster filler in cash games. You’re on a roll.

 

WR: Cole Beasley at PHI
Cole Beasley may not be the sexiest of DFS picks this week, but he is in a plus matchup against the Eagles and the Cowboys are missing #1 receiver, Dez Bryant. The debate all week has been: who gets more targets with Dez out? Like most people, I don’t think just one person takes all the targets; it becomes more a target by committee. Last Week Beasley caught 4 balls for 49 yards on 6 targets. At a near minimum price on most sites, Beasley can easily pay off that price if his targets increase at all. Also, this matchup appears to be a projected shootout with the highest over/under of the weekend at 55 on Bovada. This is a game I want exposure to, and Beasley is the cheapest way to do that.

Matt: The potential is there in theory, and you’d like to hope there is a reasonable floor...but the reality is we’re not sure how this one shakes out. While you raise some really good points worthy of consideration, I may look a different direction this weekend, personally. (Not to quibble, but RB Lance Dunbar is actually cheaper. It wouldn’t shock me if Dunbar outscored Beasley this weekend, especially on full PPR sites, so I’m a little torn.)

 

TE: Robert Gronkowski at BUF
On a slate without Travis Kelce who played on Thursday, my options at tight end are: Gronk or punt. I’m going with the former and playing him everywhere I can. Rob Gronkowski has had lots of success facing his division rival Buffalo in his career, averaging 18.11 fantasy points, even in 0.5 PPR, in 7 games against the Bills. That’s over four more per game than against any other opponent! The Buffalo defense has continued to get better, but that hasn’t seemed to matter for Tom Brady or Gronk. Gronk provides a consistently high floor and ceiling, something that no other tight end offers,which is why I’m okay paying a premium for him this week (and nearly every other week).

Matt: (‘Robert?’ Hilarious.) I know it may seem chalk to mention the best TE in the league, but it is worth noting Gronk is always in consideration. Of course you steal him before I get the chance to write about him.

 

Matt’s DFS Picks for Week 2:

QB: Carson Palmer vs CHI
In Week one, Palmer was every bit the top 10 fantasy QB he was when healthy last year, completing 19 of 32 passes for a stellar 302-3 line against a hapless Saints defense. Palmer figures to be a top 10 fantasy QB until further notice, so take advantage of his DFS price discount while you can. On the road this week, he has the good fortune of facing off against the hapless Bears defense, fresh off a performance where they surrendered three passing TDs. Nathan mentioned Brees above; I can’t see myself using any QB other than Palmer or Brees in cash games this weekend. On a personal note, I’m a Bears fan with tickets to this game, and will have Palmer everywhere in my DFS lineups. The struggle is indeed real.

Nathan: I like Palmer this week. The two defenses he faces to start the season are indeed hapless. However, I wouldn’t really compare surrendering 3 touchdowns to Aaron Rodgers to Carson Palmer the next week. But yeah, he is a solid play if you want to save a few bucks at QB this week.

 

RB: Marshawn Lynch at GB
Facing one of the stoutest defensive fronts in the league, Marshawn Lynch still put up over 4 YPC against the Rams in Week One on his way to a nice 18-73 line on the ground, adding 5-31 in the air. Lynch should find easier treading in Week Two against a Packers defense which just surrendered almost 6 YPC to Matt Forte, who rushed for 141 yards, adding a 5-25 line in the passing game. Lynch played over 80% of the team’s snaps in Week One, which is my way of reminding you all: he is the lynchpin of this offense. #SorryNotSorry. I’d probably be willing to pay up for Lynch this weekend, and I noticed his price even dropped a little on some sites.

Nathan: I like Lynch a lot this week. Per the snap data, Fred Jackson isn’t much of a threat to vulture points, as some may have been concerned (Then again, there may not be many Fred Jackson truthers left, like myself. Oh Well.) When these two teams played in the NFC championship game in January they combined for 50 total points, and I expect more of the same this weekend.

 

WR: Jarvis Landry at JAX
Jarvis Landry’s Week One fantasy points were padded by a 14 yard rush and a beautiful 69 yard punt return TD, events that likely won’t happen every week. However, even his 8-53 line in the passing game paid off his price nicely, especially on full PPR sites. His team high 12 targets almost fully doubled QB Ryan Tannehill’s second target. Week One seems to confirm what the second half of last season and the preseason has already told us: Tannehill loves throwing the ball to Landry. With his still underpriced value and against the Jaguars defense, I’m plugging Landry into my cash lineups confidently.

Nathan: Yup. Landry is a solid option this week, I’d just be wary of relying on the non-receiving stuff like you said, and eventually the Dolphins are going to get 1st round pick DeVante Parker involved, I’m not sure it will be this week, but eventually it is going to happen.

Matt rebuttal: Sometime between now and the 2017 season. I completely agree.

 

TE: Martellus Bennett vs ARI
The Cardinals have struggled mightily against physical and athletic TEs the last two years. This year, they get their first look against such a TE in Week Two, namely Martellus Bennett. Maybe they’ve shored up their (lack of) TE defense from year’s past, but even in that case, Bennett should see enough targets to pay off a nice floor of points in cash games. His volume-based floor, plus the possible matchup upside here makes him an ideal cash game candidate. Especially where his pricing is closer to the punt options than the middling priced options, I like this play a lot this weekend. 

Nathan: Ah, tight ends against Arizona. The lynchpin of DFS tbh. I actually hadn’t really looked at Bennett this week until reading this. Now on some sites, I love him. It kinda just depends on the gap between him and Gronk in pricing. If the gap is large enough, he becomes a solid play.

Update: Alshon Jeffery's hamstring tightened up in practice on Friday. Definitely a situation worth monitoring.

 

Watch The Pricing, But We Also Like

Nathan likes: Eli Manning, Lamar Miller , Mark Ingram, Brandon Coleman, Antonio Brown, Tyler Eifert

Matt likes: Drew Brees, Danny Woodhead, Lamar Miller, Larry Fitzgerald, Pierre Garcon, Jason Witten

 

NFL & DFS Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Logan Gilbert

Fans 10 In Return Start Monday
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers, DeShon Elliott Agree to Two-Year Extension
Ryan Pepiot

Strikes Out 11 in Win
Hunter Goodman

Homers Twice, Drives in Three
Stephen Curry

"Not Even Close" to Retirement
Jonathan Kuminga

Linked to Bulls, Heat
Kevin Durant

Has "No Desire" to be Traded to Minnesota
Isaac Paredes

Returns as DH on Monday
New York Giants

Mike Kafka Expected to Reclaim Play-Calling Duties
Jon Runyan

Limited During Minicamp
Saquon Barkley

Feels Great Physically
Justin Simmons

Panthers Have Talked With Justin Simmons
Jordan Addison

Trial Date Set for July 15
New York Jets

Jets Sign Kingsley Jonathan, Marquis Hayes
Jarace Walker

Remains Sidelined for Game 5
Justin Verlander

Returning to the Rotation on Wednesday
Tony Finau

Finishes Tied For 38th at U.S. Open
Bud Cauley

Misses The Cut at U.S. Open
Cameron Young

Finishes Tied For Fourth at U.S. Open
J.J. Spaun

Wins U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Finishes Tied For 12th at U.S. Open
Robert MacIntyre

Finishes Second at U.S. Open
Si Woo Kim

Finishes Tied For 42nd at U.S. Open
Vershon Lee

Vikings Ink Undrafted Offensive Lineman Vershon Lee
Luke Clanton

Misses The Cut at RBC Canadian Open
San Francisco 49ers

C.J. West Signs Rookie Deal with San Fran
Jaylen Warren

Training to Handle Larger Workload
Giancarlo Stanton

to Make Season Debut on Monday
Will Campbell

Ends Minicamp as Top Left Tackle
Sam Cosmi

Making Good Progress From Torn ACL
Kamaru Usman

Gets Back In The Win Column
Adonai Mitchell

Impresses at Minicamp
Joaquin Buckley

Winning Streak Comes To An End
Miranda Maverick

Drops Decision At UFC Atlanta
Bradley Chubb

Fully Healed, Looking Disruptive
Jonnu Smith

Contract Talks "Still Fluid"
Rose Namajunas

Wins Decision At UFC Atlanta
Andre Petroski

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Edmen Shahbazyan

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Raoni Barcelos

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Chase Elliott

Ends Mexico City with A Great Finish of Third
Christopher Bell

has A Strong Runner-Up Performance At Mexico City
Chase Briscoe

Wild Day Ends with A Top-10 Finish
Michael McDowell

Leaves Mexico City with A Top-Five Finish
Cody Garbrandt

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Cody Brundage

Defeated After Accidental Clash Of Heads
Cody Brundage

Mansur Abdul-Malik Defeats Cody Brundage By Technical Decision
Oumar Sy

Suffers His First Loss
Alonzo Menifield

Scores Upset Win
Alex Bowman

Delivers Bravura Performance After Michigan Injury
Tyler Reddick

Inexplicably Mediocre on his Once-Best Track Type
John Hunter Nemechek

Canny Strategy Gives John Hunter Nemechek Best Career Road-Course Finish
Cole Custer

Earns Best Finish Since Cup-Series Comeback at Mexico City
Grant Holmes

Punches Out 15 in Loss
Elly De La Cruz

Goes Yard in Fourth Straight Game
Will Vest

Dealing With Finger Injury
Jackson Merrill

Placed on Seven-Day Concussion Injured List
J.J. McCarthy

Looking "a Lot Stronger"
Shohei Ohtani

Will Be Dodgers' Starting Pitcher Monday
Roki Sasaki

Shut Down From Throwing
Garrett Wilson

Receives New Contract Offer
Jordan Hicks

Headed to Boston
Kyle Harrison

Traded to Red Sox
Travis Kelce

Slims Down During the Offseason
Trey Hendrickson

Bengals Restart Contract Discussions
Brady House

Nationals Promoting Brady House to Major Leagues
Rafael Devers

Traded to San Francisco
Logan Gilbert

to Start on Monday
Jayden Higgins

Impresses During Minicamp
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

on the Move to Memphis
Cole Anthony

Dealt to the Grizzlies
Seattle Seahawks

DeMarcus Lawrence Making an Impression With his New Team
Tyler Mahle

Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Luis Robert Jr.

Scratched with Thumb Soreness
Desmond Bane

Traded to Orlando
Byron Buxton

Scratched from Sunday's Lineup
Brendan Donovan

Returns to the Lineup
Steven Adams

Rockets Agree to Three-Year Contract Extension
Ty Dillon

Is a Respectable Cap Flexiblity-Focused DFS Option For Mexico City
Corey Perry

Produces 10th Postseason Goal
Connor McDavid

Scores First Finals Goal
John Hunter Nemechek

Is John Hunter Nemechek Worth Rostering In Mexico City DFS Lineups?
Sam Bennett

Nets Another Road Goal in Game 5 Win
Eetu Luostarinen

Earns Two Points Saturday
Brad Marchand

Pots Two Goals in Game 5 Victory
Sergei Bobrovsky

Ties NHL Record with 10th Road Win
Ross Chastain

Trackhouse Racing's Mexico Focus Makes Ross Chastain a Leading Contender for the Win
Kyle Busch

One of Two Past Mexico City Winners in the Field
Ryan Preece

Earns Surprising Front-Row Start
Austin Cindric

Not as Strong of a Road Racer as People Think
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Stronger on Infield Road Courses Than Purpose-Built Ones
Joey Logano

Seemingly Alternating Between Good and Mediocre Races
Brad Keselowski

One of the Few Drivers with Mexico City Experience
Denny Hamlin

Ryan Truex Makes First Cup Series Start Since 2014
Erik Jones

Mexico City Will Likely be a Struggle for Erik Jones
Noah Gragson

Front Row Motorsports' Speed May Make Noah Gragson a Decent DFS Option
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Road Courses Are Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s Worst Track Type
Evander Kane

Drops to Fourth Line Saturday
Kasperi Kapanen

Won't Play on Saturday
Calvin Pickard

Starts Game 5 for Oilers
Tyrese Haliburton

Struggles in Friday's Loss to OKC
Chet Holmgren

Dominates the Glass in Game 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads the Way in Game 4
Jalen Williams

Has a Quality Showing on Friday Night
Russell Westbrook

to Decline Player Option
Kevin Durant

Trade Could Happen in the "Next Few Days"
Joaquin Buckley

Set For Main Event
Kamaru Usman

An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
Miranda Maverick

Set For Co-Main Event
Rose Namajunas

Looks To Bounce Back
Andre Petroski

Looks To Extend His Win Streak To Four
Edmen Shahbazyan

A Favorite At UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos

Set To Take On Former Champion
Cody Garbrandt

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mansur Abdul-Malik

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Connor Hellebuyck

Wins Vezina And Hart Trophies
Aleksander Barkov

Records Two Power-Play Assists Thursday
Sam Reinhart

Collects Three Points in Thursday's Loss
Matthew Tkachuk

Notches Three Points in Losing Effort
Calvin Pickard

Joins Exclusive List with Thursday's Win
Mattias Ekholm

Logs Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Leon Draisaitl

Delivers Victory in Overtime Thursday
Myles Turner

Playing Through Illness
Reed Sheppard

Will Play in the NBA Summer League
Kevin Durant

Deal Could Come Sooner Rather Than Later
Dorian Finney-Smith

Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Anze Kopitar

Wins Third Lady Byng Trophy
Sergei Bobrovsky

Heading Out for Win No. 15
John Klingberg

Won't Play in Game 4 Against Panthers
Viktor Arvidsson

Sits Out Game 4 Against Panthers
Stuart Skinner

Remains in Oilers Crease Thursday
Jalen Williams

Leads Thunder in Scoring Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Settles for 24 Points in Game 3 Loss
Pascal Siakam

Does Everything for Pacers Wednesday Night
Matt McCarty

Comes Off Season-Best Showing at RBC Canadian Open
Justin Thomas

Desperate to Continue Good 2025 Season
Jon Rahm

Seeks Revenge at U.S. Open
Tom Kim

Aiming for Improvement in U.S. Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Expects Solid Performance at Oakmont
Brian Harman

Aims to Rebound From the Memorial
Tony Finau

has Been Up and Down at U.S. Open
Patrick Cantlay

Hoping This is the Year at Oakmont
Akshay Bhatia

Improving in Time for U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Primed for Another Major Championship Run
Cameron Young

May Struggle at U.S. Open
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Third Major Championship Title
Matt Fitzpatrick

Seeks to Avenge Oakmont Collapse
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF