By: @Ryan_Humphries

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If you’re an avid multi-sport DFS player, I sure hope you have had some Advil or ibuprofen handy over the course of the last week because, SHEEEESH, what a headache things have been lately! The NFL is in the process of changing up its COVID protocols in order to avoid situations like the one the league is experiencing this week. As many are aware, several games on the initial week 15 schedule have been shuffled around in order to give teams who have had a high number of positive tests some extra time to clear protocols. For the purposes of this Sunday’s main slate, the WAS/PHI and SEA/LAR games have been moved to Tuesday -- players from those two games are now ineligible to accrue fantasy points on the main slate. The silver lining here is, as of Saturday, we’ll get some amount of NFL football for eight of the next ten days! With all of the bowl game action going on in college football as well, it’s not a bad time to be a football fan!

With those two aforementioned games being postponed to Tuesday, we’ll be left with a nine-game main slate to dig into. Maybe Christmas can come a bit early for some of us this year by way of some GPP takedowns! Let’s get it!

Main slate match-ups with implied point totals and spreads:

Quarterbacks to Consider

Potential quarterback targets at high/mid/low price points.

Aaron Rodgers, GB | DK: $7.5k, FD: $7.6k | @ BAL

The decimated Ravens secondary may finally be exposed come Sunday. While they are currently down top cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey along with both of their top safeties, they’ve been able to mask their injury issues by simply playing against QB competition that has consisted of guys who were either banged up, aging, inexperienced, or a second stringer. The starting QBs the Ravens have faced in their last five games include Baker Mayfield (twice), Ben Roethlisberger, Justin Fields, and Jacoby Brissett. Rodgers is going to be a whole other problem to contend with and, even though he’s dealing with a busted up toe, it’s not something that should affect him barring a significant setback. He enters Sunday’s game without an injury designation. Rodgers has been on absolute fire across the last three games where he has passed for 1,033 yards (344.3 YPG), 9.0 YPA, 69.6% comp%, and a 10:0 TD:INT ratio. My only concern here is whether or not the Ravens can keep this game close should Lamar Jackson be forced to sit due to his ankle injury.

Jimmy Garoppolo, SF | DK: $5.8k, FD: $6.7k | vs. ATL

With 49ers RB Eli Mitchell out for a second consecutive week, it’s possible we see additional focus placed on Garoppolo and the passing game. Jimmy G has the full arsenal of his best weapons (Kittle, Deebo, Aiyuk) at his disposal this week and will get to face a Falcons defense that has surrendered the second-most FPPG to opposing QBs. The 49ers also possess the top overall redzone offense in the NFL going up against the Falcons 25th ranked redzone defense. The 27.8 implied points for the 49ers are tied for the second-most on the slate.

Trevor Lawrence, JAX | DK: $5.1k, FD: $6.5k | vs. HOU

Risky for sure, but the entire Jaguars team morale should be on the rise this week after the firing of disgraced head coach Urban Meyer. Trevor Lawrence had a few solid games towards the start of the season, perhaps before he and the rest of the Jaguars realized what a toxic team environment Meyer could instill. Lawrence’s first NFL start came against this same Texans team and, while he did account for three picks, he also threw for 332 yards and three scores and notched 25.08 DKFP. He has certainly been in the midst of a rookie slump as of late but a match-up with a subpar Houston defense may be just what the doctor ordered. Intriguing GPP play.

Running Backs to Consider

Potential running back targets at high/mid/low price points.

Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL | DK: $6.9k, FD: $7k | @ SF

It’s a week where paying up at RB will be a contrarian approach with the majority of the field gravitating towards guys priced in the mid/lower ranges. Few players are having more unexpected success than Patterson has this season. He’s a true Swiss Army Knife on the field and is basically the lone bright spot on an otherwise awful offense. Atlanta is a sizable nine point underdog in this game and if they have any hope of keeping this game close or even pulling off the upset, Patterson is going to need to be heavily involved.

Myles Gaskin, MIA | DK: $5.6k, FD: $6.6k | vs. NYJ

Even if it may not seem like the most rock-solid play, you simply can’t ignore a lead running back who gets to face off with the Jets defense. The Jets, who rank 31st in run DVOA, have allowed the most FPPG to RBs (36.4 DKFP/gm, 31.6 FDFP/gm) along with the most rushing TDs (19) and the second most receiving yards (797). The Dolphins didn’t activate Malcolm Brown off of IR ahead of Sunday’s game so he’ll be out once again along with Philip Lindsay, who is in C19 protocols. The three available RBs for Miami in this game will be Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed, and Duke Johnson. Gaskin should push for 20 touches in this spot.

James Robinson, JAX | DK: $5.4k, FD: $6.3k | vs. HOU

Is this a sucker play? Ehh, I’m not too sure about that. Robinson should resume his duties as a featured RB in this backfield, especially with the absence of Carlos Hyde, who will miss this game due to a concussion. Robinson’s 4.8 YPC ranks 10th among NFL RBs this season and teams have averaged 31.4 rushing att/gm versus this Houston defense (second most) and 147.9 rushing YPG (THE most). Robinson was dealing with a heel/knee issue but won’t have an injury designation for Sunday’s game.

D’Onta Foreman, TEN | DK: $5.2k, FD: $5.8k | @ PIT

The Titans basically split snaps in an even three-way split last week between Foreman, Dontrell Hilliard, and Jeremy McNichols. Foreman was easily the most productive of the bunch as he turned 13 carries into 47 yards and a touchdown while catching both his targets for 15 yards. The other two backs combined for just 29 yards on 14 carries and didn’t catch any of their three targets. It’s nothing too inspiring but perhaps we see Foreman start to eat away at the snap rate of the other two backs. The Steelers have been absolutely terrible against the run game lately. In their last four games, Pittsburgh is allowing a 5.3 YPC average to RBs along with a whopping 38.2 DKFP/gm. It’s too bad Derrick Henry isn’t healthy to feast on this match-up but Foreman may be a serviceable option if he continues to see around 15 touches.

Jeff Wilson Jr., SF | DK: $5k, FD: $5.8k | vs. ATL

He’s shown us nothing to be excited about this season with a measly 3.2 YPC average but, without Eli Mitchell available, Wilson Jr. did play 58% of snaps last week and was given 13 carries against the Bengals. The 49ers should be expected to lean more on the passing game in this match-up but it’s also possible they get out to a sizable lead over Atlanta which could lead to a heavy workload for Jeff Wilson Jr. in the second half of the game. If he gets lucky with a touchdown, there might be nice value to be had here.

Wide Receivers to Consider

Potential wide receiver targets at high/mid/low price points.

Davante Adams, GB | DK: $8.9k, FD: $8.5k | @ BAL

I won’t bore you by repeating the same things I said above in the QB section with Aaron Rodgers but the gist of it is: Ravens defense, specifically their secondary, is extremely banged up. Rodgers is en fuego. Adams is a monster. No-brainer play here, obviously, but Adams deserves to be mentioned just in case people somehow overlook how good of a match-up this should actually be for the Packers passing attack.

Diontae Johnson, PIT | DK: $7.5k, FD: $7.2k | vs. TEN

You can pretty much lock Diontae Johnson into double-digit targets here as he has hit that mark in 10-of-12 games this season. Tennessee has given up the second-most FPPG to WRs and Johnson’s pure volume provides him with a strong enough floor to where he doesn’t necessarily need to find the endzone in order to return value, even at DFS salaries that are reaching season highs.

Christian Kirk, ARI | DK: $5.3k, FD: $6k | @ DET

DeAndre Hopkins is, at the very least, out for the remainder of the regular season and, with that, a 20.7% TGT% is vacated. Detroit has another secondary that has been ravaged by injuries this season and Kirk (78% slot) should have a very enticing match-up against Lions backup slot CB Will Harris. Kirk has also posted an impressive 75.7% catch% this season and the Cardinals will check in with a slate-high 30.3 implied points so expect plenty of scoring on their end. AJ Green (DK: $4.9k, FD: $5.7k) will be another Arizona WR to keep in mind for DFS lineups.

DeVante Parker, MIA | DK: $4.3k, FD: $5.8k | vs. NYJ

Parker should resume his role as the WR1 for Miami as rookie Jaylen Waddle will miss this game due to C19 protocols. When healthy, Parker has averaged exactly 8.0 tgt/gm this season and faces a Jets secondary which ranks dead last in pass DVOA.

Gabriel Davis, BUF | $3.7k, FD: $4.9k | vs. CAR

With Emmanuel Sanders (76% snap% this season) listed as doubtful this week, Gabriel Davis has a load of additional snaps heading his way. Davis has been trending upwards to begin with, and hit an 83% snap% in week 14 en route to a 5-43-1 outing on eight targets. Josh Allen also seems to like looking Gabriel Davis’ way in the redzone where, even in fairly limited time on the field, he has caught four touchdowns this season.

Tight Ends to Consider

Tight end targets at high/mid/low price points.

George Kittle, SF | DK: $7.5k, FD: $7.8k | vs. ATL

The salaries are getting up there but Kittle has turned in two absolute monster performances the last two weeks where he has caught 22-of-27 targets (81.5% catch%) for 332 yards and three touchdowns. We’ll be lucky to get a third consecutive off-the-charts game out of Kittle but it’s far from unlikely. He’s been great since returning to the field in week nine and has failed to score a touchdown just once in his last six outings. And, once again, no Eli Mitchell could lead to additional pass volume for the 49ers offense.

Mike Gesicki, MIA | DK: $5k, FD: $6.2k | vs. NYJ

More love goes to the Dolphins, this time at the tight end position. The Jets hapless defense has surrendered the seventh-most FPPG to TEs and the absence of Waddle could boost Gesicki into double-digit target territory.

Brevin Jordan, HOU | DK: $2.8k, FD: $4.9k | @ JAX

We’ll have to monitor Jordan’s status for this game as he is currently listed as questionable, but if he suits up he’s a nice potential value if you’re searching for a complete punt over on DraftKings. After missing the first seven weeks of the season, the rookie tight end has been targeted on 28% of his routes ran this season and has brought in touchdowns in two of the last three games. Another week with a handful of targets and a touchdown would return tremendous value at his $2,800 salary.

Defenses to Consider

D/ST is a very volatile “position” and shouldn’t take up too much time in your DFS research. However, here are some D/STs I’m on board with this week.

Overall: Dallas Cowboys | DK: $3.6k, FD: $4.6k

DraftKings Preferred: Buffalo Bills | DK: $3.1k, FD: $4.9k

FanDuel Preferred: Cincinnati Bengals | DK: $2.9k, FD: $3.4k

Stacks & Bring Backs 🥞

This is a new section I’m adding in to give you some ideas for some team stacks. In some examples, I will include a “bring back” option which will be a player on the opposing team in the same game that could also benefit if the stack goes off.

QB + WR + Opp Receiver

QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams, TE Mark Andrews

QB + WR + Opp Receiver

QB Jimmy Garoppolo, WR Deebo Samuel, RB(WR) Cordarrelle Patterson

QB + Two Pass Catchers (aka “Double Stack”)

QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb, WR Amari Cooper

RB + D/ST

RB Myles Gaskin, Miami D/ST

Full Team Stack - QB/WR/RB

QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams, RB Aaron Jones

Value Team Stack

QB Trevor Lawrence, RB James Robinson, WR Laquon Treadwell

“Ugly Duckling Stack” | QB + WR + Opp RB

QB Tua Tagovailoa, WR DeVante Parker, RB Michael Carter

Touchdown Call 🏈

Christian Kirk, ARI | DK: $5.3k, FD: $6k | @ DET

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Once again, if you have any questions DM me on Twitter or hit me up in LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries. Good luck this week!

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