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Hey there RotoBallers! Week 9 saw an amazing five-touchdown performance out of Russell Wilson in a thrilling 40-34 overtime win over Tampa Bay. The Raiders and Lions combined for 55 points while the Chiefs just snuck by the Vikings and expect to get Patrick Mahomes back this weekend. This weekend has six teams on bye, including the Broncos, Texans, Jaguars, Patriots, Eagles, and Washington. That will limit the options available to DFS gamers on Sunday. The Arizona/Tampa Bay game has the highest over/under set at 52.0 points while the Atlanta/New Orleans comes in just behind them at 51.0 points. Both contests should see plenty of big fantasy performances.
The goal of this weekly column will be to locate some of the best DFS stacks each week. Stacking, or pairing a quarterback with one of his pass-catchers, is a great way to maximize the number of points scored. This method is generally viewed as a strategy in tournaments, but I also have no problem using safe, high-floor stacks in cash games, as well.
The top Week 10 DFS stacks will be listed below, loosely sorted by my preference. This article will center on the main slate (1:00 PM and 4:00 PM Sunday) games across both DraftKings and FanDuel. Each stack will reference two pass-catchers along with their quarterback. The pass-catchers will be listed in preferential order but sometimes a three-man stack is in play as full-game stacks led to several wins in the Milly Maker in 2018. If you feel strongly about how an offense will perform in a given week then consider loading up on several offensive players from that offense. All references to team defense DVOA come from Football Outsiders while cornerback and wide receiver matchups and grade references come from Pro Football Focus.
Week 10 DFS Stacks
Arizona Cardinals @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QB Kyler Murray ($6,500 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel)
WR Christian Kirk ($5,200 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel)
WR Andy Isabella ($3,300 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel)
There is plenty to like out of the Arizona offense this weekend. High over/under? Check. Mobile, dual-threat quarterback in Kyler Murray? Check. An opponent with a weak pass defense? Check. Murray will travel to Florida to take on a pass funnel Tampa Bay defense that shuts down opposing run games while serving up big performances through the air. Murray is averaging just over 34 rushing yards per game while also finding the end zone for rushing scores twice. This is a smash spot for the rookie signal-caller.
Christian Kirk is now over two weeks removed from the ankle injury that cost him three games earlier in the season. With Larry Fitzgerald losing steam, Kirk stands alone as Kyler Murray's top option in the passing attack. He will take on a Tampa Bay defense that ranks just 26th in pass defense DVOA this season. Kirk will run the majority of his routes against Sean Murphy-Bunting, who has earned just a 59.2 grade from Pro Football Focus. Get ready for Kirk's breakout performance because it's coming this weekend.
If you want to explore a third stacking option for Arizona, consider rookie wideout Andy Isabella as a dart throw in GPPs. Isabella finally made a splash last week after playing sparingly over the first part of the season. He caught just one ball but it went for an 88-yard touchdown. Isabella has 4.31 wheels and finally showed the coaching staff what he can do when given a chance on the football field. His snap count has been trending up over his past three games and he could be working his way toward a full-time role in the pass-friendly Arizona offense.
New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
QB Drew Brees ($6,700 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel)
WR Michael Thomas ($8,300 DraftKings, $8,700 FanDuel)
RB Alvin Kamara ($8,200 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel)
Drew Brees showed no ill effects in returning from a thumb injury in Week 8. The future Hall of Famer passed for 373 yards and three touchdowns after missing about five and a half games due to the injury. The Saints have a 32-point implied team total, highest on the slate, and all seasoned fantasy gamers know not to overlook Brees when he's at home in the Superdome. Atlanta's defense has been brutal against the pass for years and that holds true again in 2019. They are, however, solid against the run, ranking 10th in DVOA. That sets up some pass-funnel potential for the Saints.
Not much needs to be said about Michael Thomas. He is an absolute stud and will be running routes against an Atlanta pass defense that ranks 31st in the league in DVOA. Thomas will see primary coverage from Isaiah Oliver, who has just a 59.0 grade from PFF and is allowing 0.53 fantasy points per route covered. That is the fourth-highest of all cornerbacks projected by PFF to start this weekend. As of Thursday, it appears Alvin Kamara will be healthy enough to return after missing a couple of games before the bye with knee and ankle injuries. As long as no negative news pops up regarding Kamara, feel free to round out your three-man stack with him for this weekend.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals
QB Jameis Winston ($6,800 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel)
WR Mike Evans ($7,600 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel)
WR Chris Godwin ($7,400 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel)
While the Cardinals received top billing from me in this matchup, the Buccaneers are not to be ignored. Tampa Bay's passing offense has been performing well under first-year head coach Bruce Arians. While Winston can still turn in a dud from time to time, the weak Arizona defense is unlikely to be the opponent to give him much trouble. The Cardinals' pass defense ranks 28th in DVOA and their offense plays at an extremely high pace which will force the Tampa offense to run more plays in a game with high shootout potential.
It has been difficult to pick between Mike Evans and Chris Godwin this season as both have had huge weeks and some slower outings as the season continues. This is a week to plug both wideouts into those DFS lineups as Arizona can't stop anyone on defense. Evans theoretically draws the tougher matchup against perennial All-Pro Patrick Peterson. That being said, Peterson has not been his normal, lockdown self since returning from a six-game suspension to start the year. He has allowed big games to Darius Slayton, Michael Thomas, and Emmanuel Sanders thus far. Godwin draws the better matchup as he will see a lot of slot corner Tramaine Brock Sr. Brock has just a 62.5 grade over at PFF.
As a bonus recommendation, O.J. Howard is on the radar as a deep play if you want to roll out a four-man stack and a decent pivot off the projected high ownership of Godwin and Evans. Howard hasn't done much to inspire confidence this season but the matchup is right as Arizona is allowing the most fantasy points per game to the tight end position this season.
Under-owned Week 10 Stack
Tennessee Titans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
QB Ryan Tannehill ($5,100 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel)
WR A.J. Brown ($4,300 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel)
TE Jonnu Smith ($3,500 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel)
The Chiefs have been improved against the pass this season after being a defense to target in fantasy in 2018 but this still isn't a lockdown pass defense. They will also be getting Patrick Mahomes back, which means the Titans will likely to forced to abandon their preferred run-heavy game script and pass frequently to keep up on the scoreboard. Most fantasy gamers don't get too excited about using Tannehill but the Chiefs are allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game to the quarterback position in 2019.
Rookie A.J. Brown was in on a season-high 69.3% of the snaps in Week 9 as his playing time continues to increase. He has been explosive in limited opportunities this season, averaging 16.5 yards per reception and scoring three times. Brown should see plenty of chances to run routes against Kansas City right corner Bashaud Breeland, who has just a 38.8 grade at PFF.
Jonnu Smith is another player to consider this weekend, provided that Delanie Walker doesn't suit up. Smith was quiet in Week 9 but he had a big Week 8, catching six balls for 78 yards and a score. The Chiefs are middle of the pack against the tight end position, allowing the 16th-most fantasy points per game. In all, the Titans aren't a safe DFS play by any means but they are on the radar as a nice contrarian play.
Thanks for reading, go win some money this weekend!
