Sunday, December 22, 2024

Fantasy Football, Featured

Monday Night Football Week 2 DFS Preview

It’s been a wild fantasy ride in Week 2 thus far. The best news for football fans and fantasy degenerates is that we still have not one, but two games remaining tonight. While it may make for some interesting remote control gymnastics, it also means we have twice the usual options in filling out a Monday night DFS lineup. Where are we going to find the value to win the big (medium? small?) bucks? Read on, Chasers. It’s the Monday Night Football edition of the Week 2 DFS Preview.

Note: All point totals and rankings are PPR unless otherwise noted. Odds and betting information are courtesy Quarter4. DFS values are DraftKings Classic pricing.

MNF Week 2 DFS Preview: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
  • When: 7:15 pm EST
  • Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
  • How to Watch: ESPN/ESPN2 (No ManningCast)
  • Betting Info: Saints (-5); +/- 39

It’s an NFC South division rivalry game as the Saints travel to Charlotte for a showdown with the Panthers. New Orleans will be trying to keep pace with the surprising Atlanta Falcons and surprising-er Tampa Bay Buccaneers atop the division at 2-0. The Panthers, on the other hand, will be looking for their first victory under new head coach and behind new franchise quarterback Bryce Young.

Last week, the Saints snuck past Tennessee 16-15 behind a 300-yard passing debut from their own new signal caller Derek Carr. New Orleans struggled to establish a run game without the suspended Alvin Kamara, but big receiving games from their big-three receivers Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed gave the Saints just enough on offense. The Saints’ defense, meanwhile, was spectacular, allowing just five Nick Folk field goals. The Panthers, on the other hand, got an uneven debut performance from Young. The Carolina offense as a whole struggled on their way to a 24-10 defeat at the hands of the aforementioned Falcons.

DFS Recommendations

Most of the intriguing value in this game lies on the side of the Saints. New Orleans’ defense presents a formidable challenge for most offenses, let alone one struggling to find themselves with a rookie quarterback. They’re your most expensive option at DST and will cost you $3,700. Carr at $6,000 is your best value of the night at quarterback. I’m playing Jamaal Williams ($6,000), who projects for favorable gamescript and volume. Kendre Miller ($4,400) is questionable, but is an intriguing low-dollar option if he goes. Olave ($7,200) is tonight’s most expensive wideout, but also has the ability to live up to that price. He’s in my lineup. Shaheed ($4,200) and Thomas ($5,500) are always threats to score, but you might find it hard to fit them in lineups unless you’re going heavily Saints-centric.

To be honest, the best values for Panthers in your lineup are going to be running back Miles Sanders ($5,700) and tight end Hayden Hurst ($4,000). If you absolutely need cheap wide receivers to fill out your lineup, the Panthers’ wideouts are cheap and will likely give you what you’re paying for.

Other Early Game DFS Prices

MNF Week 2 DFS Preview: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 22: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns rushes over defender Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
  • When: 8:15 pm EST
  • Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
  • How to Watch: ABC/ESPN+ (No ManningCast)
  • Betting Info: Browns (-3.5); +/- 38.5

While the Steelers are licking their wounds following a 30-7 shellacking at the hands of the 49ers, the Browns roll into Pittsburgh on a high after dragging the Bengals through the Cleveland mud. The Browns supplied maybe the shock of Week 1 with their 24-3 victory in the rain over Joe Burrow and company.

All of the good vibes and optimism surrounding Kenny Pickett and the Steeler offense disappeared like a distant ship through the San Francisco Bay fog. Five sacks and two interceptions rendered Pickett and the pass game relatively ineffectual. Combined with the futility of the rushing “attack” (we use that term loosely,) the Steelers’ day was over before it really started. While Deshaun Watson didn’t look great passing (again, the weather was a nightmare,) the Browns did Brownsy things in the run game, with Nick Chubb racking up 106 yards on 18 carries.

DFS Recommendations

Much like the early game, most of the real value in this game lies on one sideline. With Diontae Johnson placed on IR after suffering a hamstring injury, the already shaky Pittsburgh pass “attack” (again, loosely) is missing its top weapon. Against the Cleveland defense, Pickett is untouchable at $5,400. Watson is the slate’s most expensive quarterback option at $6,400. Pay that if you want, but it’s going to limit you elsewhere, and we’re still waiting to see what Watson’s true value is going to be. Speaking of the Cleveland DST, getting them at $3,300 (behind both New Orleans and Pittsburgh) feels dirty. But, like, a good dirty.

Chubb ($8,500) is the night’s priciest option regardless of position, but worth it, especially now that he’s catching passes. Jerome Ford ($4,400) can be used as a FLEX option, or an affordable RB2 if you’re spending at other positions. With Amari Cooper ($6,100) questionable with a Saturday groin injury, I’m not touching him. But that does make David Njoku ($4,700) worth the high tight end price tag for me. I also REALLY like Elijah Moore ($4,500) as an inexplicably cheap wide receiver option with explosive potential. As for the Steelers, George Pickens ($5,400) is the best bet to approach replacing Johnson’s output. I’m starting him in my lineup. Pat Freiermuth ($4,500) is slightly cheaper than Njoku at tight end, and appears to be fine after his injury scare Week 1.

Other Late Game DFS Prices

Best of Luck!

Here’s hoping your fantasy contests go well and you get to live the lesser dream for awhile. Remember to check Belly Up Fantasy Sports for more fantasy analysis and entertaining insight. Rankings, game previews, and betting advice will help you cash in this fantasy season! As always, more great NFL coverage is available on the main Belly Up site, as well as fun, informative content on the Belly Up Podcast Network. Got something to say? Leave a comment below, follow me on Twitter @SttChaseFFB, visit my Facebook page, and catch me on the Belly Up Fantasy Live podcast each week.