NFL Monday Night Doubleheader: DFS Picks

It’s a doubleheader for Monday night football, which means twice the DFS fun! If you followed my picks from Sunday night football, you know that my sneak captain pick of Hunter Henry paid off. The Tyreek Hill fall-off was hard to swallow, but he was still able to punch in a TD to ease the pain.

Now looking towards tonight, we have two showdowns to deal with. I am going to be giving my top captain pick for both along with two fillers and my bargain bin pick. Let’s get into the week 2 Monday night showdowns.

New Orleans Saints v. Carolina Panthers (7:15 EST)

Captain/MVP

Top Captain Pick: Jamaal Williams, New Orleans Saints (DK-$13,200/FD-$14,000)

The time has come for Williams to go super saiyan for the Saints. Last week the Panthers gave up nearly 45 total fantasy points to running backs from the Falcons, and that makes Williams matchup look fantastic. Williams should still get the bulk of carries with Alvin Kamara out and his 20 touches last week against the Titans should reassure that idea. Williams will be ready to yu-gi-GO in this matchup in your captain’s seat.

Filler Picks: 

New Orleans Defense (DK-$5600/FD-$9000)

Defense wins games and the Saints defense definitely makes that statement true. The Saints’ defense in Week 1 had three interceptions against the Titans, now they get rookie Bryce Young and the not-as-talented Panthers offense. The stat lines for the Saints’ defense could look similar to the Cowboys’ defense in week 1 against the Giants. I expect lots of pressure early that forces Young into uncomfortable throws or sacks. Expect the Saints D to feast.

Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers (DK-$6200/FD-$8000)

A Panther had to make the list somewhere, right? Hurst fits the bill perfectly for this matchup. A game where Carolina is going to have to throw more often as the game goes on. Hurst is the safety valve, like most tight ends, and he showed in Week 1 he is a trusted one at that with 5 catches on 7 targets and a TD. If you play one guy from the Panthers tonight, it should be Hurst.

Bargain Bin

Terrace Marshall Jr., Carolina Panthers (DK-$1400/FD-$7500)

I know I said, “If you play one guy from the Panthers tonight, it should be Hurst”. Literally, scroll up an inch and it’s right there, BUT hear me out. Marshall is the cheapest option you’ll get for a high upside. He only had two catches in week 1, but he was targeted six times. That means Bryce Young is looking his way and looking often enough. Having him in your lineup could give you the flexibility to fit in one more top guy, while not giving up much in fantasy value.

Cleveland Browns v Pittsburgh Steelers (8:15 EST)

The second game of the Monday Night Football doubleheader takes us to Pittsburgh for another divisional game. This game has a similar feel with Cleveland being looked at as the favorites after starting the season 1-0 with an impressive win against Cincinnati.

Top Captain Pick: DeShaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (DK-$15,900/FD-$16,500)

This pick comes in handy much more in the DraftKings world than it does for Fanduel. That’s because there is only a $500 difference between Watson and Chubb on Fanduel and honestly either guy is a great pick for the MVP slot. In terms of Draftkings Showdown, you get a $2400 difference between the two. It allows some more flexibility when building out the rest of your lineup. The reason to pick Watson is he can get points through the air and ground, plus way more people will captain Chubb. It gives your lineup some uniqueness. Watson had modest numbers in Week 1, but even if he repeats his stat line he’ll be getting you 20+ fppg. Take it and use the extra money to upgrade the last spots on your roster.

Filler Pick:

Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (DK-$12,200/FD-$17,000)

You thought I wouldn’t have Chubb?!? Of course, I am rostering him. After what Christian McCaffrey did to the Steelers in Week 1 (152 yards), I would be a fool not to roster one of the top 5 RBs in all of football. I expect Chubb to see a heavy workload and make good on it with a 100+ yard performance himself. Let’s not forget the Steelers are without Cam Heyward, which makes the running lanes a little easier to get through for opposing players.

Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers (DK-$4800/FD-$7000)

Austin is the next man up in Pittsburgh after Diontae Johnson went down with a hamstring injury last week. He took advantage as he hauled in six catches. It only resulted in 37 yards, but that’s about 10 points in standard DFS scoring. He is worth the filler spot because Pickett will have to take to the air plenty in this game with the likelihood of Cleveland jumping out early.

Bargain Bin

Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (DK-$400 /FD$-7500 )

Someone at DraftKings messed up on salary with this guy. How a player who in Week 1 saw 15 carries is only $400 makes no sense. Even if he saw half that amount of carries he should be higher, but it works for us as he is a great bargain play and allows the other spots in your lineup to fit the Watson and Chubb combo with other middle-priced guys included. If you want to get real crazy make him your captain and you can take the top 5 guys in the showdown mode.

*I don’t recommend going crazy*

No matter who you play or root for, let’s just hope it’s good games all around. Of course, who am I kidding, let’s get that money!

 

 

 

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