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Week 9 FanDuel Picks

Top Plays for FanDuel Head-to-Head and 50/50 Contests

Here are the guys I’m considering for FanDuel Week 9 head-to-heads and 50/50s:

Week 9

Cash Game Quarterback

Bo Nix, Broncos ($7,200) at Ravens

The matchup is favorable here, with Baltimore slotted 25th in pass defense DVOA; 20th in Pro Football Focus' coverage grades. 

They’re also 25th in pressure rate, per NFL Next Gen Stats.

Meanwhile, Nix -- boosted by rushing production -- has hit 25 fantasy points in three of his past four matchups. 

Tournament Quarterback

Caleb Williams, Bears ($7,200) at Cardinals

Williams stunk in a Week 8 loss to Washington. But prior to that one, he hit 23 fantasy points in three of his past four outings.

Ups and downs should be expected for a rookie QB with a volatile style of play. A matchup vs. Arizona could easily bring out the best in him, particularly with all of his pass catchers healthy.

The Cardinals rank 30th in pressure rate, which should help mitigate some of Chicago’s O-line issues. Arizona also sits 29th in pass defense DVOA and PFF’s coverage grades. 

It’s a favorable matchup from all angles. And with Kyler Murray’s play improving, Sunday’s game could develop into a sneaky shootout.

Also in my player pool: Josh Allen, Dak Prescott

Cash Game Running Back

Alvin Kamara, Saints ($8,800) at Panthers

Kamara will get Derek Carr back for an excellent matchup with Carolina. 

The Panthers have allowed a league-high 15 total TDs to opposing RBs. In total, they’re surrendering a huge 34 points per game.

Chase Brown, Bengals ($6,300) vs. Raiders

The Bengals enter the weekend with one of the league’s pass-heaviest offenses. Typically, this limits Brown’s fantasy impact. 

Of course, so does the presence of Zack Moss. At least for this Sunday, though, Moss likely won’t suit up. He’s doubtful with a neck injury.

Brown now slides in as a discounted lead back for a team implied for nearly 27 points.

Also in my player pool: D’Andre Swift

Tournament Running Back

Saquon Barkley, Eagles ($9,400) vs. Jaguars

Barkley hits the week second among RBs in our ceiling projection.

You know he’s seeing high-end workloads. Now, he gets a Jags defense that just allowed a huge rushing line to Josh Jacobs (25-127-2). On the year, Jacksonville sits eighth-worst in FD points allowed to RBs.

Aaron Jones, Vikings ($7,500) vs. Colts

Jones slots No. 1 on the main slate in RB FD dollars per point. Over the past five weeks, only six teams have allowed more FD points per game than the Colts.

The former Packer has reached 17 touches in four of his past five matchups, so workload isn’t a concern. Plus, Minnesota’s implied for a healthy 26 points.

Also in my player pool: Bijan Robinson, Kenneth Walker, James Cook, Nick Chubb

Cash Game Wide Receivers

Chris Olave, Saints ($7,100) at Panthers

Play both Kamara AND Olave in cash? 

You bet.

It’s hard to overstate the upgrade Derek Carr supplies over Spencer Rattler/Jake Haener. Olave’s hit 80 yards in three of Carr’s five games – all of which included Rashid Shaheed, who’s now on IR.

Michael Pittman, Colts ($5,900) at Vikings

Pittman posted lines of 3-37-1 and 3-35-1 in Joe Flacco's two prior starts.

Now, the pair faces a Vikings pass D allowing the second-most catches and third-most yards to opposing WRs.

I like Josh Downs, too, but note that he’s $1,100 more expensive.

Also in my player pool: CeeDee Lamb, Cooper Kupp (if Puka Nacua is out), Ladd McConkey

Tournament Wide Receivers

Cooper Kupp, Rams ($8,200) at Seahawks

Puka Nacua’s questionable status brings the potential to boost Kupp’s tournament outlook.

Back in Week 1 – when Puka left early with a knee injury – Kupp saw an absurd 21 targets. It’s the extreme end of his ceiling without Puka. But there’s top-five WR potential if Kupp’s only real target competition sits out.

Terry McLaurin, Commanders ($7,400) at Giants

McLaurin faces a Giants pass defense with serious questions in the secondary.

Consider this: In Week 8, they benched top CB Deonte Banks, who’d been shadowing opposing WR1s. We’ll see about his status for Sunday, but there’s no doubting McLaurin’s budding rapport with Jayden Daniels.

The veteran has tallied 4+ catches, 50+ yards, and 13+ FanDuel points in six straight.

Also in my player pool: CeeDee Lamb, Malik Nabers, D.J. Moore, Drake London, Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, Jalen Coker

Cash Game Tight End

Trey McBride, Cardinals ($6,800) vs. Bears

The Bears remain without S Jaquan Brisker (concussion). They might also be down EDGE Montez Sweat (questionable, shin).

It's a nice bump for McBride, who's hit five catches in all but one game.

Tournament Tight End

Evan Engram, Jaguars ($6,400) at Eagles

HC Doug Pederson said Friday that WRs Brian Thomas Jr. (rib) and Gabe Davis (shoulder) will be game-time decisions. The same is true for RB Travis Etienne.

Even if they play, Engram enters a nice spot for volume with the Jags installed as 7.5-point road underdogs. The Eagles have also allowed 5+ catches to lead TEs in three of the past four games.

Also in my player pool: Kyle Pitts

Defense

*At defense, I’m generally looking to spend down across formats.

Washington Commanders ($3,900) at New York Giants

Washington enters the seventh most favorable matchup for Week 9, per our strength of schedule tool. 

They draw a Giants offense missing stud LT Andrew Thomas. Entering Week 9, Daniel Jones has faced the eighth-highest pressure rate and absorbed the second-most sacks.

New York is also implied for a below-average 20.25 points.

Also in my player pool: Bengals, Patriots