Time to take a look at some Monday-Thursday short-slate DFS for Weeks 14 and 15.
As always, I encourage you to check out Ryan Hallam’s Weekly Previews to get a deeper look into tonight’s action. In the meantime, here’s a snapshot of each game. Take a read and go build some lineups – remember, I only play GPP tournaments for short slates – then come back and compare to the ones I am leaving here as examples. As always, these are meant to serve as a comparison tool for your own lineups. These aren’t to be taken and submitted into contests as your own.
Here's a breakdown of the two games involved:
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Spread: Eagles -9.5
O/U: 45
DVOA Defense Rankings:
Eagles: Run D – 8th Pass D – 15th
Giants: Run D – 11th Pass D – 30th
Offensive Breakdown:
Passing:
If you like taking a walk down Narrative Street, it doesn't get any better than this game, does it? With upstart rookie Daniel Jones nursing an ankle sprain, the Giants will turn one final time to Eli Manning . Laugh all you want, but there is some intrigue here. Manning has been in a downward spiral for the past few years and it was evident that he wouldn't last the 2019 season when the Giants made the bold move to reach for Jones in the draft. But wouldn't it be something to see one last gasp effort from good ol' Eli here in what should be his final NFL appearance? The two-time Super Bowl MVP has a career record of 116-116. A win on Monday would enshrine him in the annals of NFL history as a winning quarterback and maybe put a lasting smile on that dopey little pout-face. Is it a reach? Sure is. But for his career, he is 11-10 on Monday nights with an average of 253 passing yards per game, a 62.5% completion-rate and 37 touchdowns. Tough to say this game will define his career, but if he walks off into the sunset with a win, he'll leave football with the last laugh and for some, that's something to smile about.
Carson Wentz has a ton of pressure on him tonight. Not only is he facing a tomato can secondary that has allowed the eighth-most passing yards per game (258.6), but they've allowed 22 touchdowns through the air and opposing quarterbacks have posted a 101.7 passer rating against them. This is supposed to be a cake-walk for him and a win puts the Eagles in a tie for first place in the NFC East. Last week's loss to Miami saw him throw for 300-plus yards for the first time in six games and his three touchdowns were the most he's thrown in a game since Week 4. He needs to shake off the actual loss and use the performance as a springboard in this game. If he reverts back to what he has done earlier this season, then the Eagles might as well pack it in for the season.
Rushing:
There is no question that Saquon Barkley has been one of the most disappointing first-round busts in fantasy this year. The ankle injury was a nightmare for his owners and his performance coming back has been, to be kind, less than stellar. Will it get better tonight? Well, this isn't exactly the best match-up for him as the Eagles have allowed just 91 rushing yards per game this season with just 11 rushing touchdowns allowed on the year. And before you start bringing up the excessive check-downs everyone expects, keep in mind that the Eagles also rank sixth, according to DVOA, against running back pass plays. Now could we get a one-week wonder here? Yes. It's certainly possible. This is Barkley we're talking about. But I'm not hanging my hat on it.
For the Eagles, it's all about Miles Sanders. We aren't going to see Jordan Howard this weeek and it's clear Doug Pederson has no interest in using Jay Ajayi . So if you're plaaying the short slate, your RB focus starts with Sanders who has seen no fewer than 84% of the snaps over the last three weeks. The Giants run defense hasn't given up a ton of yards lately because they are so easy to throw on, but they've coughed up 114.2 rushing yards per game for the season and rank 23rd against running back pass plays.
Receiving:
Figuring out what the Giants passing attack with Eli under center is going to be tough to pinpoint. The assumption is that Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard are going to be busiest. The Eagles rank 21st against the WR1 and the WR2 and while their secondary is healthier now, they've still allowed almost 250 passing yards per game over these last three weeks. But don't count out tight end Kaden Smith. Eli has long leaned on the tight end throughout his career and Smith is going to get another start with Evan Engram finally rules out over the weekend. Philly ranks 17th against the tight end position and they're giving up almost 45 yards per game to them. Darius Slay ton is a dark horse in this match-up. He can definitely stretch the field, but can Eli be accurate with the deep pass?
Wentz is going to have his usual arsenal at his disposal. Alshon Jeffery should see a ton of Janoris Jenkins which always grades out well and look for J.J. Arcega-Whiteside to possibly have a breakout game facing Deandre Baker in coverage. Of course, he's going to need to run his routes properly. The big one should be Zach Ertz . The Giants may rank sixth against the tight end position, but, at home, Ertz is averaging 77.2 yards per game with three touchdowns over six games. Yes, Dallas Goedert could poach some work, but with the 10-plu targets per game Ertz has seen over the last four, he's the guy who should see the first-look.
New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens
Spread: Ravens -14.5
O/U: 45
Defense Ranking:
Ravens: Run D – 25th Pass – 3rd
Jets: Run D – 2nd Pass D – 21st
Offensive Breakdown:
Passing:
Peronally, it won't seem right to use anyone but Lamar Jackson if you're playing this two-game slate. There is no reason to start talking about how many yards or touchdowns the Jets pass defense has given up or how strong Jackson's numbers look at home. This is probably the biggest no-brainer, especially when you see just how many injuries the Jets are dealing with in their secondary lately.
Could you use Sam Darnold ? Sure. If you want to lose, that is. The Ravens secondary is one of the best in the league and their cover-corners have been strong. Darnold has had his ups and downs throughout the year and while you'd like to think he would step up given the prime-time slot, this Ravens defense smealls blood in the water and should have no trouble clamping down.
Rushing:
Expect Jackson to also lead this Ravens team in rushing as Mark Ingram is going to have trouble gaining yardage agains the Jets. It is literally the only thing they do well. For the year, the Jets have allowed just 78.8 rushing yards per game and they have shut down everyone from Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley to Josh Jacobs and Leonard Fournette . Where they have been week is against running back pass playss, but that will all be eaten up by Jackson's roll-outs and designed RPOs.
On the Jets side, it's not even a matter of whether or not Le'Veon Bell plays. The Jets offensive line has been terrible at run-blocking all year long and whether it's Bell or the tandem of Bilal Powell and Ty Montgomery , the Jets are going to have trouble getting any sort of a push against the ravens defensive line. The Ravns have allowed just 95.6 rushing yards per game anyway, so what does that tell you about who you should use as your RB this week?
Receiving:
Another easy write-up as I just don't see the Jets doing a whole heck of a lot againsst the Ravens corners. Jamison Crowder has been a ghost the last few weeks and will now have to deal with Marlon Humphrey while Demaryius Thomas and Robby Anderson have to contend with Marcus Peters and Jimmy Smith . Garbage-time, maybe? Maybe. But you're better off looking at the Jets tight end, whoever that may be. Ryan Griffin is dealing with an ankle issue which means Daniel Brown or Trevor Wesco could get the start. If there is a weakness in this Ravens pass defense, it's against the tight end where they rank just 20th in coverage, according to DVOA.
The Jets rank 24th and 28th respectively against the opposing WR1 and WR2, which means Marquise Brown and Willie Snead could have solid efforts. Seth Roberts is also a decent dark horse if you're throwing darts. We'll have to watch the health of Mark Andrews who left Sunday's game with what is being called a thigh bruise, but if he's not in, I have plenty of interest in Hayden Hurst . The Jets rank 22nd against the tight end position and that ranking actually comes before the injuries have piled up. If you're looking at using the Ravens tight end, build a lineup with Andrews to start and then have the pivots ready for when you get to pay down to Hurst.