Week 9 Game Scripts to Target in Daily Fantasy Football
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions
Over/Under: 49.50
Vikings Implied Team Total: 27.00
Lions Implied Team Total: 22.50
Technically, the Cleveland Browns/Kansas City Chiefs game has a slightly higher over/under (51.5), but the Browns are a mess, and with such a large spread the game may not be competitive. This game has a similar over/under and should be much closer between these two divisional rivals. There is sneaky potential for a shootout here given the game's fantasy-friendly dome environment and the injured-nature of the Minnesota Vikings defense. Minnesota has taken a step back on that side of the ball this year and has only held the 49ers, Jets and Cardinals below 20 points.
Latavius Murray, RB, Minnesota Vikings
FanDuel Price: $6,700
There truly aren't many bad plays on the Vikings' side of things as home favorites against a middling Lions defense. If Dalvin Cook ($6,300, hamstring) can't go again then Latavius Murray becomes a comfortable play by checking both the home and favored boxes for a running back. His touch totals with Cook out are 25, 17 and 18, while the Detroit Lions rank 30th in rush defense, per numberFire's Net Expected Points model.
Kenny Golladay, WR, Detroit Lions
FanDuel Price: $6,200
Hopefully you've heard by now, but the Detroit Lions interestingly traded wide receiver Golden Tate to the Philadelphia Eagles for a third-round pick. Basically, it's #BabyTronSzn. Tate leaves behind 10 targets per game and vacates his slot role. While the Lions have a few options to replace him, it's worth noting Golladay has run almost a quarter of his routes from the slot this year, so he may see a modest uptick in slot routes.
Regardless, he likely won't lock horns with an already-hobbled Xavier Rhodes and the Lions will likely have to pass against a Vikings defense that ranks 5th against the run but 16th against the pass. Golladay's price doesn't yet reflect Tate's departure.
Others to Consider
Most will see Minnesota on the schedule and run from Matthew Stafford ($7,300), but that's what makes him an enticing GPP option this week. Again, this game has a strong total and will be played in a dome. Stafford has thrown for at least two touchdowns in five of his last six games against Mike Zimmer's defense, not coincidentally coinciding with Jim Bob Cooter taking over as offensive coordinator. As noted above, Minnesota is actually stronger against the pass than the run this year.
Marvin Jones ($6,500) is a curious case this week as I'm struggling to pinpoint where is ownership will be. On one hand, he's coming off a monster two-touchdown performance at low ownership, and Tate's absence should free up a few more targets. On the other, he'll likely be shadowed by Xavier Rhodes if he plays. On the third hand(?), Rhodes is hobbled and Jones ate his lunch for 109 yards and two touchdowns on Thanksgiving last year. The floor is obviously low, but there's plenty potential with a Stafford/Golladay/Jones stack especially when factoring in price.
The bad news for Kerryon Johnson ($6,400) is that the Vikings allow just 3.7 yards per carry and rank as top-five run defense. The good news is his price is down $500 from last week and he just set career highs in targets (8), receptions (6) and receiving yards (a nice 69). Theo Riddick ($5,200, knee) didn't so much as practice last week, so if he's out again Kerryon is in play as a contrarian option, though he's preferred on full PPR sites.
There's really not much to say about Adam Thielen ($8,900) at this point. Dude is just a stud with a monster target share, and he gets the best matchup in the slot every week. That's the case again this week as Stefon Diggs ($7,300) should see more of Darius Slay on the outside. That's not a deathknell for Diggs as he's won the matchup before, but it makes his floor too low for cash game comfort.
Again, tight end is vomit-inducing this week. Kyle Rudolph's ($5,700) floor is far too low for cash, but he's definitely a GPP consideration. The Lions allow the 10th-most FanDuel points per game to tight ends despite already facing the nonexistent tight end groups of the Jets, Cowboys and Dolphins. Heck, Ed Dickson ($4,700) caught a touchdown last weekend against them. Rudolph had a touchdown negated by penalty last week and is a solid leverage play off the higher-tiered players.
Eli Weiner is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Eli Weiner also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username Eweiner2. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.
