Smiling is contagious.
I used to tweet this all the time, and I backed off a little because of the pandemic. But did you know that smiles are legitimately contagious? Like, smiles are more contagious than the flu. Which means it may be even more contagious than Covid-19.
According to various studies smiling activates the release of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. These decrease stress levels and relax the body, which acts as an antidepressant and mood lifter. So when you smile more on purpose, it makes you want to smile more.
Also, you may have noticed that when you smile at other people, they see you as much more relaxed, reliable, and attractive. (Seriously, some of you need to smile a lot more). This, in turn, makes them smile.
So when you are out and about in the world smile and watch other people start to smile. You will help spread joy through things like dopamine and endorphins. So let’s get out there and make the world a little happier, one person at a time.
Now let’s get to some football.
If you are new here, this column can help you handle some sit/start questions you might have, but its primary purpose is to take you through the main DFS slate weekly with players that will make you money and players that will break your heart.
Here is a brief definition of each of my terms for anyone that might be new:
💰 Money Maker – This player will perform better than expectations
💔 Heart Breaker – This player will perform lower than expectations
💰 Money Makers
Quarterbacks
Andy Dalton
Last week Dalton had 361 yards and four touchdowns against the Cardinals. In Week 8, the Saints are playing the Raiders, who are even worse against the pass than the Cardinals. The Raiders give up the most points to opposing teams’ quarterbacks. Quarterbacks have scored 16 touchdowns in 6 weeks of play against the Raiders. The average is 277 yards and two touchdowns passing against the Raiders. I am plugging Andy in here, as Winston may not be ready to play this week. But whoever the starter is for the Saints is a QB1 play in Week 8, as this game is projected to be a shootout with an over under 50 points.
$5,500 on DraftKings
$7,100 on Fanduel
Tua Tagovailoa
The Dolphins play the Lions in Week 8. The highest projected scoring game on the main slate is Dolphins against the Lions. This game has an over-under of 51.5 points. Neither team is excellent at defending the pass. In fantasy, the Lions give up the fourth most points to opposing teams’ quarterbacks. Tua got a game back under his belt last week where he was just ok, but I like the potential for another big blow-up game for Tua.
$6,200 on DraftKings
$7,700 on Fanduel
P.J. Walker
Walker had 177 yards and two touchdowns in Week 7 against the Buccaneers. In Week 8, he plays against the Falcons and their defense, giving up 318 yards and two touchdowns passing to quarterbacks a week. The Falcons are the second friendliest team to pass against. They are not good. I like Walker as a very inexpensive play this week.
$5,200 on DraftKings
$6,400 on Fanduel
Other quarterbacks for Week 8
Jared Goff
$5,500 on DraftKings
$7,300 on Fanduel
Kirk Cousins
$6,100 on DraftKings
$7,800 on Fanduel
Davis Mills
$5,200 on DraftKings
$6,500 on Fanduel
Running Backs
Derrick Henry
The Texans give up the most fantasy points to running backs. Last week Jacobs gashed them for 143 yards and three touchdowns. This week we get to watch Henry, with his massive volume in total touches, go up against the Texans. I will be paying up for Henry somewhere. This is just too tasty of a matchup to pass on.
$8,400 on DraftKings
$10,000 on Fanduel
Raheem Mostert
Running backs have scored touchdowns every single week against the Lions’ defense. I copied that sentence from last week where I told you to play Ezekiel Elliott against this same Lions’ defense. Zeke had only 57 yards but scored two touchdowns. Mostert is leading the Dolphins’ backfield in touches and had 109 all-purpose yards and a touchdown last week. So this is a nice boom week for Mostert.
$5,900 on DraftKings
$6,800 on Fanduel
Saquon Barkley
The Seahawks give up the 5th most points to opposing teams running backs. Pass-catching running backs have done an actual number on them this season. Barkley, meanwhile, has double-digit fantasy scores every week so far this season. It feels like this guy will get 10 points on his bye week the way this season is going; he is just the most consistent running back. This is a set-it-and-forget-it decision. Play Barkley.
$8,100 on DraftKings
$9,500 on Fanduel
Other Running backs for Week 8
Ezekiel Elliott
$6,200 on DraftKings
$7,100 on Fanduel
NOTE: It looks like Zeke will most likely miss week 8. Pivot to Pollard in a great match up.
Miles Sanders
$6,600 on DraftKings
$7,400 on Fanduel
Brian Robinson
$5,600 on DraftKings
$6,000 on Fanduel
Wide Receivers
AJ Brown
The Steelers give up the second most points to wide receivers weekly in fantasy. The Eagles play the Steelers in Week 8. Wide receivers average 209 yards and a touchdown weekly against the Steelers. Brown commands a 30% target share and a 40% air yards share of the Eagles’ passing game. I like him and DeVonta Smith a lot this week.
$7,700 on DraftKings
$8,200 on Fanduel
DJ Moore
That Steelers matchup was nice for Brown, but the best matchup play this week is DJ Moore against the Falcons. The Falcons give up the most points to opposing teams’ wide receivers. The Falcons have given up 11 touchdowns to wide receivers this season and give up an average of 208 yards per game to the position. Moore has not been great this season, with only two double-digit fantasy scores. But he has a 28% target share and 39% air yards share of the Panthers’ passing game. For some strange reason, PJ Walker has revived DJ Moore. PJ to DJ is a thing.
$5,300 on DraftKings
$6,200 on Fanduel
Amon-Ra St. Brown
The Dolphins give up the 7th most points to opposing teams’ wide receivers. The over-under for this game is the highest on the main slate at 51.5. Nine wide receivers have hit double-digit scores against the Dolphins this season. The Lions’ offense goes through St. Brown. He has a 25% target share and 70% catch rate, with 28 receptions on 40 targets. Right now, it looks like he is playing. If he is playing, I am playing him.
$6,900 on DraftKings
$7,200 on Fanduel
Other Wide Receivers for Week 8
Michael Pittman
$7,200 on DraftKings
$7,100 on Fanduel
Devante Adams
$8,600 on DraftKings
$8,500 on Fanduel
Wan’Dale Robinson
$4,700 on DraftKings
$5,900 on Fanduel
Tight Ends
Irv Smith
Irv has not been spectacular this season. However, he plays the Cardinals this week, who give up the second most fantasy points to tight ends. The Cardinals have given up four double-digit fantasy days this season to tight ends. Irv has a 10% target share, which isn’t great. But against the opponent, this week is going to dictate that Irv gets a touchdown and some yards. The Cardinals give up an average of 7 receptions, 70 yards, and a touchdown to tight ends.
$3,500 on DraftKings
$5,000 on Fanduel
Juwan Johnson
In Week 7, Johnson had a nice day against the Cardinals scoring two touchdowns. That was five targets for five receptions, 32 yards, and two touchdowns. The Raiders don’t defend tight ends much better than the Cardinals. As a result, the Raiders give up the third most points to tight ends in fantasy. Johnson plays the majority of the snaps with a 78% snap share. Johnson is a nice tight-ends streamer in Week 8.
$3,200 on DraftKings
$5,200 on Fanduel
Other Tight Ends for Week 8
Zach Ertz
$5,100 on DraftKings
$6,000 on Fanduel
Mike Gesicki
$3,800 on DraftKings
$5,400 on Fanduel
TJ Hockenson
$400 on DraftKings
$6,300 on Fanduel
💔Heart Breakers
Quarter Backs
Trevor Lawrence
Lawrence has been a little up and down this season. The Broncos are the most formidable team for quarterbacks to score fantasy points on. They give up the least amount of fantasy points to quarterbacks. Only two quarterbacks have double-digit fantasy scores against the Broncos this season, and no one has more than 17 points. Don’t play him season-long, and don’t play him in DFS. Huge yuck here. I got the vomit out early.
Matthew Stafford
He has been awful all season, so if you have him, season-long has already broken your heart weekly. Stafford played against the Niners in Week 4 and held him to 254 yards and an interception. I spoke too soon about getting all the vomit out; I’ll be right back.
Justin Fields
Fields killed the Patriots last week. He has a good schedule coming up. That isn’t Week 8, though. In Week 8, the Bears play the Cowboys. The Cowboys give up the fourth fewest points to quarterbacks. The most fantasy points a quarterback has scored against the Cowboys is 16.9. So if you need your quarterback to get close to 10 points in Week 8 Fields, isn’t it?
Running Backs
Darrell Henderson
The Niners are excellent against the run. They give up the second-fewest points to running backs. In Week 4, the Niners held Henderson to a combined 39 yards. This is a challenging game for the struggling Rams in week 8. Henderson should be the primary back, but I am not playing him in DFS in this lousy matchup.
David Montgomery
Sorry Bears fans. I have the second position on your team, breaking hearts in Week 8. This one isn’t your fault, though. This is because the Cowboys are the best team against running backs. They give up the fewest points to the position. Only three running backs have had a double-digit day of fantasy scoring against the Cowboys this season. I am out on Monty in Week 8.
Aaron Jones
Jones seems to be boom or bust. Last week he boomed, and this week he’ll bust. The Bills’ defense is generally good and especially against the run. They give up the fifth-fewest points to running backs in fantasy. I don’t like Jones, Dillon, or any Packers this week. I am playing Jones season-long but all-out avoid in DFS.
Wide Receivers
Christian Kirk
Last week Kirk proved me wrong by pulling out a double-digit fantasy score on pure volume. The matchup is horrible again this week, and I am not ready to say he is matchup-proof. The Broncos give the least amount of fantasy points to opposing teams’ wide receivers. They have given up one touchdown to wide receivers all season. For season long, if you need him to play him.
Tyler Lockett
The Seahawks play the Giants in Week 8. The Giants give the third-fewest points to opposing teams’ wide receivers. DK Metcalf will likely be out, so that the focus will be on Lockett. He could be another volume-based producer, but I will not bet on that in DFS.
CeeDee Lamb
The Bears give up the fourth fewest points to wide receivers. This looks like a defensive battle for Week 8. Only four wide receivers have hit double-digit scores against the Bears this season. They have only given up three touchdown receptions to wide receivers this season. I get it if you need to play him season-long. Horrible play in DFS.
Tight Ends
George Kittle
Only one tight end scored seven fantasy points this season against the Rams. That is because the Rams are the toughest defense against the position in fantasy. I know Kittle is coming off a good game, but remember, fantasy is a weekly game, and that was last week. Don’t chase the points. The price is too high in DFS for the worst matchup there is. Play him for a season-long at your own risk.
Darren Waller/Foster Moreau
Essentially Raiders tight ends are bad this week. You probably didn’t need me to tell you this. I did because the Saints are the second-toughest team against tight ends in fantasy. I hate them this week. Bringing one of these guys up to me as a potential play might get you punched in the nose.
Dawson Knox
The Packers finally have something going for them this week. The Packers defend the tight end position well. This means that the Bills will recognize this and never pass to Knox because they have so many weapons they don’t have to.
Thanks for checking out Money Maker and Heart Breakers. For more great content from The Undroppables, follow us on Twitter and @MikeReedyFF for more great content.
