RADIO
Stacking is a common but important strategy in building DFS lineups, specifically for GPPs (guaranteed prize pools). These major tournaments, like the weekly Millionaire Maker on DraftKings, can have hundreds of thousands of entries, so the idea goes like this: pair a quarterback with a receiver, and if the two connect for 100-plus yards and multiple touchdowns, you're effectively doubling your points.
The flip side here is that stacking can also be risky. For example, if you stacked Andy Dalton and A.J. Green this past weekend, it's highly likely those lineups didn't cash in GPPs. That's the inherent nature of GPPs, where the goal is to build a lineup with a few low-owned players with breakout potential.
These are some stacks to consider for Week 11, sorted roughly from most expensive to least expensive.
High-Priced Stacks
Atlanta QB Matt Ryan and WR Julio Jones vs. Indianapolis
Jones has at least 13 targets and nine receptions in each of his last three games. Ryan has thrown for at least 300 yards in each of the last two games. The Falcons host the Indianapolis Colts, a team that features a defense that's allowed at least two passing scores in six of its nine games this season. The game is also in the Georgia Dome, where Ryan has traditionally played his best football.
Add all of this up, and this is a stack primed for a big day. They are expensive and will likely be highly-owned, but both players should return value.
New England QB Tom Brady and TE Rob Gronkowski/WR Danny Amendola vs. Buffalo
Remember what Brady and Co. did offensively in their first meeting with the Buffalo Bills this season? Brady threw for 466 yards and three touchdowns, while Gronkowski finished with seven catches for 113 yards and a score--and that was in Buffalo. You want to bet on the Bills slowing those two down in Foxborough on Monday Night Football? That's not a bet I'd take.
The Brady-Gronk pairing will be pricey, but if you want to save a bit while still getting exposure to this game, stack Brady with Amendola. The now-injured Julian Edelman had 11 catches for 97 yards and two scores in the first meeting, so Amendola could end up posting a similar line.
Dallas QB Tony Romo and WR Dez Bryant at Miami
The Cowboys are angry. They haven't seen these two on the field together since Week 1. They've lost seven straight, and desperately need a win to mount any kind of miracle late-season run. Their opponent this week, the Miami Dolphins, just gave up a combined 392 passing yards to Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez.
Expect the Cowboys to come out firing, early and often, in an attempt to have Romo jumpstart the offense. And if that happens, expect Bryant to be the main target. This is another relatively pricey stack, but could have slightly lower ownership.
Moderate Stacks
Oakland QB Derek Carr and WR Amari Cooper at Detroit
Carr has passed for at least 300 yards and two touchdowns in three straight games. The Raiders boast one of fantasy's safest passing attacks week-in and week-out, and now they draw a road matchup against the Detroit Lions and their soft secondary.
If you want to save a bit and pair Carr with Michael Crabtree, go for it. Both make for solid plays against a defense that's allowing 260 passing yards per game.
Detroit QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson vs. Oakland
Relying on Stafford, as any fantasy owner knows by now, is not a safe weekly strategy. But when he's on (405 yards, four TDs in Week 6, for example), he can be brilliant. Oakland has been susceptible to giving up major passing yardage, last week notwithstanding. Before holding Teddy Bridgewater to 140 yards, the Raiders allowed 336, 311 and 413 yards in Weeks 7-9, respectively.
Detroit has shown minimal commitment to the running game this season, further increasing the odds of Stafford having to air it out. If you can live with a probable interception or two, Stafford and Johnson could end up returning serious value.
Bargain Stacks
Denver QB Brock Osweiler and WR Demaryius Thomas at Chicago
The Broncos don't need Osweiler to play like Peyton Manning in his prime, but they certainly need him to play better than the current incarnation of Manning. Osweiler showed the ability to move the ball in his relief appearance in last Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Seven of Osweiler's 24 attempts went in the direction of Thomas, who certainly appeared to be his top target. Thomas finished with seven catches for 71 yards. The upside for an Osweilier touchdown or two to Thomas is therefore an inviting matchup against the Chicago Bears' secondary.
Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston and WR Mike Evans at Philadelphia
Winston's performance last Sunday against Dallas was pretty ugly, and he's yet to eclipse 300 yards or two touchdowns in a game. But he's absolutely locked in to Evans as his favorite target. Evans was targeted 13 times against Dallas, after being targeted a whopping 19 times the previous week against the New York Giants.
Winston's ceiling would appear to remain low, but the potential for a breakout looms large in what is likely to be a fast-paced, potentially high-scoring matchup in Philadelphia. The Eagles' secondary has struggled all season, so Evans again looks like a strong play.
