Primetime slates are a loads of fun and there are two ways to play them for me historically. You can either go a single lineup, bury it in cash and higher $ tournaments or go with the multi-entry and by multi-entry I mean 20 or more approach and lock in a solid core….. As you go through this, you’ll see who I think are the core plays and where you need to get some variance exposure.
Game Scripts
Green Bay @ Atlanta – Everyone is fully aware by now that this is the best game of the week for points because it features two competent offenses right now as opposed to the New England / New Orleans game which had two teams depleted at WR and one team that was starting two backup OT’s (Saints) which led to a difficult game to stack on both sides…. First game in Atlanta and should dominate about 80% of ownership on this slate.
Detroit @ NY Giants – Two teams who are actually very similar in their style. Neither team has a dominant run game, but neither team really pushes the pace much. The total is much lower here and given the doubt with Odell Beckham Jr, it’s likely to draw much lower ownership. If you want to go completely contrarian and … off the radar … you game stack this one… I wouldn’t go that bold though.
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers – All in on Rodgers… I’m on record saying he’s going to throw for 350+ and 4 TD and am not backing off that at all now. Ryan will draw more ownership since he is a little cheaper and because everyone wants the Julio combination. Rodgers is 100% my guy.
Running Backs
Devonta Freeman – Freeman’s home/road splits last year were very extreme. 10 touchdowns at home, 1 on the road. Freeman at home, Coleman on the road… Freeman is a LOCK for me on the primetime slate.
Ty Montgomery – If you haven’t read my weekly article by now, shame on you…. I mentioned how Atlanta has been a team to target RB’s out of the backfield in the passing game for YEAARS and everyone is aware of that this week. Montgomery will be 80-90% owned on this slate. He is NOT a lock on primetime though. As much as I loved him for the Main slate, we gotta recognize that he’s going to be touchdown dependent in this game and I have the primetime pivot off him below for Packers TD’s.
Theo Riddick – The Lions wont be able to carve up the Giants secondary like they did the Cardinals secondary last week. I expect Eric Ebron to be the most popular TE on this slate and my pivot for the Lions is over to Riddick to get matched up on the Giants LB and score inside the red zone for the Lions.
Wide Receivers
Julio Jones – Eat the chalk and play Julio. You don’t need to fade him unless you are playing for a 1st quarter injury and the matchup is too good. Eat it. CORE PLAY
Devante Adams – I like Adams and Cobb the most for the Packers WR’s. I want no part of going up against Trufant, but Adams should be the guy to get the most receptions from this group
Mohammed Sanu – Sanu scored in both games against the Packers last season. He will get a couple of chances to convert in the end zone and lets hope he pulls it in when it counts.
Brandon Marshall – Marshall was not good in week one as expected with Beckham out — but if you want to play the wait game with Beckham and slide in Marshall hoping that Beckham suits up then he could have a big game for the Giants who will have to find a way to score this week and attacking the Lions smaller CB’s works
Variance Plays: Randall Cobb, Kenney Golladay
Tight End
Here’s where we get contrarian again …
Martellus Bennett – He won’t be as high owned as you would think in the high scoring game against the Falcons who struggle with TE coverage in the red zone. Everyone will consider Ebron and Engram and Hooper. Bennett is going to destroy the Falcons tonight. CORE PLAY.
Eric Ebron – I don’t mind Ebron in the FLEX on DK.
Kicker
Matt Bryant
Defense
NY Giants – Home MNF favorite and facing the weaker offensive line. Going for sacks here and giving up the fewest points on the slate
Green Bay – Matt Ryan first quarter pick six at home? Yeah, I called it.
CORE PLAYS
Rodgers, Freeman, Julio, Bennett, Bryant
Good luck!
