Let’s do a stream-of-consciousness approach this week. The first thing on the brain: Any fantasy football matchup against the Broncos is love at first sight. The Packers’ visit to Mile High this Sunday is no different.
It’s Jordan Love at first sight, to be exact.
OK, OK, that was a terribly bad pun. You know, maybe not “Broncos run defense” bad, but perhaps “Falcons ball distribution” bad. We’ll try to do better.
We simply Love this matchup … ugh! Sorry. Again: What’s not to Love … damnit! Why are we so bad at this all of a sudden?
We hate not being able to tell you how much we love Love this week. … Oof. We give up. That’s as good as it’s gonna get. Now on with this Lovefest.
So … would you hate us if at this point we told you we might have overstated a bit? Just a tad? Look, we do really like using Jordan Love this week (reinserting first name reference to avoid instinctual bad pun). Nevertheless, we’re not sitting bona fide starters for him.
You never bench Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen or Tua Tagovailoa at this point. Those guys are a different tier. But if you have, say, Lamar Jackson or Justin Herbert or … ummm … or … is that it? Those are the only other ones? Wow.
So … maybe we didn’t overstate after all. Maybe we do really have true Love. Oh, quiet down, Bad Pun Police. We’re leaning into it at this point.
First, let’s look at previous Love affairs (You liked that one, right?). He topped 20 fantasy points in each of the first three games, then dipped to 17-plus against a good Lions team.
Granted, he had a dud last time out against the Raiders in Week 5. But he has had a bye week to learn from those mistake, and for top wide receiver Christian Watson to get further removed from a hamstring issue that plagued him early in the season.
But here’s the thing: As much as we love Love, our greatest love might be someone else. That’s right, it’s a Love Triangle. Because we love anyone playing against the Broncos defense.
Wait … is it really a Love Triangle, because don’t those reflect conflict? This is more like, maybe, polygamy? Since we have multiple love interests at once that unite together rather than battle each other? Yep, that’s right. This is fantasy “Big Love.” (They’re getting better, admit it.)
Betting on the NFL?
Only the Chargers have given up more fantasy points to quarterbacks than the Broncos. The only thing the Broncos’ defense is worse at is stopping the run. As luck would have it, Love is good on the ground, too. Which could come in handy since top running back Aaron Jones is questionable with a hamstring issue and backup A.J. Dillon has proven to be underwhelming as a sub.
So it’s simple: Give Love a chance.
Big weeks
Jahmyr Gibbs RB, Lions, at Ravens (FanDuel $6,200/DraftKings $6,300)
He is expected to return from a hamstring injury, but starter David Montgomery seems less likely to play with a rib problem. We’ll take the lead RB in this offense regardless of who it is, including Craig Reynolds.
D’Onta Foreman RB, Bears, vs. Raiders (FD $6,300/DK $4,800)
We would love to use Roschon Johnson, but it increasingly looks like he won’t make it back from a concussion. With Justin Fields also likely out, we expect volume from the RB position. Foreman is next in line.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, Seahawks, vs. Cardinals (FD $4,900/DK $3,900)
Got a nice jump in snaps last week. If that continues, production will follow. Cards are in bottom seven vs. fantasy receivers.
Luke Musgrave TE, Packers, at Broncos (FD $5,000/DK $3,300)
We’ve tried to tell you how bad the Broncos defense is. They also are worst in the league vs. opposing tight ends.
Small weaks
Kirk Cousins QB, Vikings, vs. 49ers (FD $7,300/DK $6,900)
Two of Cousins’ past three have been bad. The Niners are stout vs. quarterbacks. There’s no Justin Jefferson. And Kirk has that prime-time problem.
Rachaad White RB, Buccaneers, vs. Falcons (FD $6,100/DK $5,100)
He has just one really good game so far, and the Falcons aren’t the best opportunity to correct that issue — they rank third against opposing fantasy RBs giving up 6.2 PPR points fewer than average per game.
Michael Pittman Jr. WR, Colts, vs. Browns (FD $7,000/DK $6,600)
Surprise! Pittman ranks 14th among receivers in PPR, making him a strong WR2. But … the Browns are ridiculous vs. WRs — giving up 15.6 fewer per week than average, and 6.8 fewer than the next stingiest.
Diontae Johnson WR, Steelers, vs. Rams (FD $6,000/DK $5,000)
This isn’t a great matchup, but our reluctance is more about wanting to see Johnson in action first after his hamstring injury before rushing him into our lineup.
Daily Duel
Drew Loftis and Jarad Wilk submit dueling rosters into a DFS contest:
Site: Yahoo
Slate: Sun. main (10 games)
Type: $10 tourney
Top prize: $10K
Pot: $50K
Drew’s Crew
QB: Jordan Love — GB (at Den) $30
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs — Det (at Bal) $18
RB: D’Onta Foreman — Chi (vs. LV) $16
WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba — Sea (vs. Ari) $11
WR: Christian Watson — GB (at Den) $17
WR: Keenan Allen — LAC (at KC) $31
TE: Travis Kelce — KC (vs. LAC) $32
Flex: Cooper Kupp — LAR (vs. Pit) $34
DEF: Chiefs — KC (vs. LAC) $13
Wilk’s Warriors
QB: Jordan Love — GB (at Den) $30
RB: Zach Evans — LAR (vs. Pit) $10
RB: Kenneth Walker III — Sea (vs. Ari) $29
WR: Marquise Brown — Ari (at Sea) $19
WR: Joshua Palmer — LAC (at KC) $14
WR: Cooper Kupp — LAR (vs. Pit) $34
TE: Mark Andrews — Bal (vs. Det) $23
Flex: Josh Jacobs — LV (at Chi) $25
DEF: Browns — Cle (at Ind) $14
Season risked: $59
Season’s winnings: Drew $38, Jarad $9
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