Breakdowns
10/29/21
5 min read
Daily Fantasy Week 8: Love it, Need it, Hate it, Lottery Picks
Welcome back to the Daily Fantasy: Love it, Need it, Hate it, Lottery Picks article for Week 8 of the NFL season. Week 8 is similar to some of the earlier slates of the year, as we're back up to 12 games. We're still missing a bunch of high-caliber offenses on Sunday's slate, as the Cardinals, Packers, Vikings, Cowboys, and Chiefs will all be playing primetime games this week. Check out the website tomorrow to see our strategy analyzer article for this weekend's games.
Love It
Players in the “Love it” section are guys that we are excited to play in any format, regardless of the ownership that they may garner that week.
Jalen Hurts ($7,200 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel)
Despite questionable real-life performances, Jalen Hurts' fantasy performances have been phenomenal this year. He is yet to post a score of less than 21.8 DraftKings points, and that shouldn't change this week as he matches up with the Detroit Lions. Hurts hasn't needed to be efficient as a passer, as he's only completed 30 passes in his last two games combined. He has at least 30 rushing yards in each game, and has had a nice goal-line rushing role, with a team-leading six carries inside the five-yard line.
The Lions' defense ranks 27th in DVOA, and they've given up some solid scores to opposing quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford put up 30.16 DraftKings points last week, while Joe Burrow put up 23.84 DraftKings points in Week 6. Hurts has a high floor, and his rushing upside gives him a tremendously high ceiling. With minimal top-tier quarterback options this week, Hurts may see some ownership. However, he is a great play in all formats with the marriage between his floor and ceiling.
Need It
This section will contain guys who we believe are necessary when you are constructing a lineup for cash games. They are still viable in tournaments, but they aren’t necessary. We still like them as plays, but these guys may come with higher ownership, which could provide merit to fading them and going another route.
Darrell Henderson ($6,500 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel)
Once again, Darrell Henderson finds himself as the man in the "Need it" section. Despite last week's matchup with Detroit not panning out as many thought it would, he still saw 18 touches. He was inefficient with his carries, as he had a dud performance. As we stated last week, his usage is still great, and he should be able to rebound this week against Houston.
Houston ranks 30th in rush DVOA, and PFF has them as the sixth-worst run defense. Chase Edmonds and James Conner combined to put up 22.4 DraftKings points against Houston last week, and we could see a similar number from Henderson this week. The Rams are 14.5 point favorites against Houston, and hopefully, unlike the Detroit game, the Rams will jump out to a lead and pound the ball. Henderson will likely see a lot of ownership on each site, making him a potential fade in tournaments. However, after he burned people last week, he may be a solid tournament option this week.
Hate it
Players in the “Hate it” section are guys that we do not want to roster that week in DFS for a number of reasons. They may have a bad matchup, they may be projecting to have too much ownership, they may be too expensive, or it could be a combination of the three.
Bears vs. 49ers
For the second time this year, this section is headlined by an entire game. With twelve games on the slate, there are simply some games that need to be crossed off. To us, it feels pretty easy to eliminate the only game with a total in the 30's. Neither team has been great on offense, as Justin Fields and Jimmy Garoppolo have struggled. Both teams have good defensive lines that will be able to disrupt offensive play, and neither team plays at a quick pace. We'd like to avoid this game in all formats and roster players in different situations.
Lottery Picks
The Lottery Picks section contains players who we think have the upside to be in tournament-winning lineups. As well as having the ceiling to win tournaments, these players also won’t come with too much ownership
DK Metcalf ($6,800 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel)
Ah! Yes! Just what you wanted to see: Us advising you to use Geno Smith's number one receiver. After two difficult matchups in a row, the Seahawks get a matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars' defense. It's not pretty, but that's why it's the tournament section, as DK Metcalf will see minimal ownership. Metcalf has the big-play ability, as seen by his 84-yard touchdown on Monday Night Football against New Orleans.
Jacksonville is the perfect get-right spot for the Seattle offense, and their main engine, Metcalf, should feast. Metcalf hasn't had an explosion week yet, but it's likely coming. Despite the offensive struggles, Smith has been alright for Seattle. He should be able to get the ball in Metcalf's hands on Sunday, and Metcalf could give you a tournament-winning score.
