NFL Week 1: FanDuel Cash Game Lineup Advice

Quarterback

Dak Prescott $5,000 vs. NYG 

Prescott was the MVP of the preseason, throwing for 454 yards, 7 total TD’s, and committing 0 turnovers. Prescott gets the start in his first career NFL game at home against the terrible defense of the NY Giants. The Giants gave up the MOST passing yards/game in 2015, as quarterbacks threw for just short of 300 yards/game on their  secondary. This is more of a defensive play because his ownership should be off the charts due to his price and rushing ability. At just $5,000, he creates a lot of cap space for other positions, which makes him a great cash game play on Sunday.

Running Backs

Spencer Ware $5,400 vs. SD

It’s looking more and more likely that Jamaal Charles will sit out week 1, and if that’s the case, look for Ware to step in for the majority of the workload against the Chargers. Ware was almost a complete unknown coming into last season, so unknown that when he broke out in week 9, ESPN’s live scoring system didn’t even have him registered as a player, so it came up as “Kansas City running back scores touchdown” When Charles went down last year, Ware came in and delivered, as he ended the year with 6 TD’s in the last 7 games in 2015. San Diego’s defense was one of the worst against the run in 2015, giving up an embarrassing 4.8 yards/carry, so if Charles does sit out, it’s Ware across the board in cash games.

Lamar Miller $7,600 vs. CHI

Miller had an excellent season last year for the Dolphins, which earned him a fat new contract with the Texans this offseason. Lamar averaged an excellent 5.1 yards/carry last year and was very effective in the passing game out of the backfield too in Miami. The Bears defense was up there with the Saints last year as one of the worst in football (allowed Teddy Bridgewater to rack up 36 FanDuel points in week 15) Houston should win this one handily, which should leave plenty of garbage time carries for Miller to run the clock out in the 4th.

Wide Receivers 

Antonio Brown $9,300 @ WAS

Vegas has the O/U on this matchup at 50 combined points, so there will be a ton of scoring on both sides and Antonio Brown will be a big part of it. With Le’Veon and Martavias suspended, Roethlisberger doesn’t have many options behind him besides Brown. Even with Norman on him, Brown will still get his targets and the Steelers will make sure to get AB involved in the offense. It’s a toss up between Odell and Brown here, but I say Brown comes away with more points in week 1.

Julio Jones $9,000 vs. TB

When picking wideouts for cash games all we’re looking for is targets and receiving yards. In his two games against the Bucs last year, Matt Ryan targeted Julio an eye-popping 30 times. The Buccaneers gave up an average of 273 passing yards/game on the road and in their two matchups last year, Julio logged 20 catches, 251 yards, and a touchdown. Vegas has the O/U on the TB-ATL game at 48 combined points, so much like the NYG-DAL game, there’s going to be a ton of scoring in this one.

Brandon Marshall $7,700 vs. CIN

Who would have thought having Ryan Fitzpatrick under center would lead to a career year for Marshall at age 31. Marshall had an incredible end to the season last year, as he caught 10 touchdowns in his last 9 games of 2015. The top 4 receivers in fantasy last year were: Antonio Brown, Julio Jones, Odell, and Marshall, and at just $7,770 we’re able to sneak 3 out of the 4 into our line.

Tight End

Delanie Walker $6,500 vs. MIN

Really high on Delanie Walker this week just because of the “last man standing principal” Kendall Wright is out indefinitely, and the Titans just traded Dorial Green-Beckham to Philly. There just aren’t many options for Mariota to throw to this Sunday. Although the Vikings defense does scare me a little, Walker had double-digit FanDuel points in 8 of the last 9 games in 2015. If Tennessee gets down early(which they probably will) Mariota will be forced to air it out, and Walker should be on the receiving end of a lot of those garbage time throws.

Kicker 

Sebastian Janikowski $4,600 @ NO

The highest O/U on Sunday’s slate is the OAK-NO game and it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Both of these defenses were absolutely dreadful last year, so expect this game to be a shootout. Along with both teams projected to score a ton, you have to like the fact that this game will be played in the Superdome, so no weather issues to worry about in this one. Janikowski should be good for at least 10, as the Raiders should have a field day against the atrocious New Orleans D.

Defense  

Los Angeles Rams $4,500 @ SF

On paper, San Francisco’s offense looks to be the worst in the league…and it’s not even close. An offensive unit run by turnover-prone Blaine Gabbert, Carlos Hyde is still questionable, and their #1 wide receiver on the depth chart is Torrey Smith. The Rams have a ton of playmakers on D and they have arguably the best returner in the game in Tavon Austin. Realistically I don’t see the 9ers putting up more than 10 points in this one.

2 Cash Lines: (0ne Dak-less)

Credit Tykes.co for images

ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.

The GoingFor2 Live Podcast