QB Alex Smith vs. ATL
Six teams are on bye, so it’s time to dig deep. Smith has done nothing to instill confidence. This is all about the matchup. Smith has one touchdown pass or fewer in four of seven games and hasn’t topped 178 yards passing in the last three games The Falcons have allowed at least three passing touchdowns in six of eight games. Even Eli Manning passed for 399 yards. The Falcons have allowed 17 passing touchdowns in seven games and a Top 10 quarterback in six straight games. The Redskins are favored by two points and if the Redskins play from behind, Smith will be forced to pass more. The Redskins have been playing from ahead and running the ball a lot.
RB Kapri Bibbs vs. ATL
Bibbs will see an expanded role this week with Chris Thompson out with a rib injury. Bibbs played 26 snaps in Week 6 against the Panthers and had two carries for 11 yards and one catch for six yards with Thompson out. The next week, also with Thompson sidelined, Bibbs played 23 snaps against Dallas and had two carries for 13 yards and four catches for 43 yards with a touchdown on five targets. The Falcons have allowed the second most Fantasy points to running backs, but the weakness is pass-catching running backs, which is Bibbs’ role. The Falcons have allowed 62 receptions for 476 yards in eight games.
RB Elijah McGuire @MIA
McGuire is set to return and make his season debut this week. The Jets had high hopes for him before the season before having surgery on his foot. Trenton Cannon played 53.7 percent of the snaps last week with the Jets trailing and McGuire should replace Cannon. The Dolphins have allowed the fourth most Fantasy points to running backs and allowed 46 receptions for 417 yards and three touchdowns. There’s some risk since we don’t know how much the Jets will use him, but with six teams on bye.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling @NE
Even with Geronimo Allison and Randall Cobb back from injuries last week, Valdes-Scantling was still a part of the offense. He played 31 snaps and caught two passes for 45 yards with a touchdown. Allison played 30 snaps and had one targets and Cobb played 24 snaps with five targets. Allison is doubtful to play this week and that’s a boost for Valdes-Scantling in a high-scoring game. He might have been dropped in some leagues when Allison and Cobb returned.
WR Tre’Quan Smith vs. LAR
Smith exploded on to the scene in Week 5 with three catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 7 in a tough matchup against the Ravens, Smith had three catches for 44 yards on six targets. Last week, Drew Brees only passed for 120 yards and Smith had three catches for 18 yards. The setup this week is more favorable with an over/under of 60 against the Rams in what should be a shootout. Smith had 18.5 percent of the targets the last two weeks and this is a spot where Smith has big upside and is a good DFS play.
TE Hayden Hurst vs. PIT
Hurst was supposed to be the main tight end for the Ravens but started the season with an injury. He returned in Week 5 and last week the Ravens played three tight ends after using four. Hurst played a season-high 30 snaps last week, which was 44 percent of the snaps. Hurst had two catches for 29 yards with a touchdown on three targets last week. The Steelers have allowed the second most Fantasy points to tight ends, including four touchdowns. They allowed 10 catches for 99 yards to Ravens tight ends in Week 4.
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