FanDuel Week 9 Slate Breakdown with Cash and GPP Picks

Nov 02, 2017

UPDATE: Zach Ertz and Leonard Fournette are OUT.

Below I give my overall FanDuel cash game and tournament strategy thoughts and discuss how players fit into these strategies. By offering a general approach to the week, along with a player pool to consider, you should walk away feeling well-equipped no matter your bankroll strategy or game selection process.

INJURY REPORT: As this article was released, we learned of Deshaun Watson's potential torn ACL. DFS owners should take all Texans out of their player pool. The Colts passing game still suffices as a floor play against Houston's questionable secondary, but they lose their upside as a correlation play with the Texans' passing game.

Main Slate Cash Game Strategy

Deshaun Watson's torn ACL shook up the entire outlook of Week 9. While Watson and DeAndre Hopkins are no longer in play, the slate is still a tough nut to crack. Value is slanted towards expensive running backs and the top five quarterback values all cost at least $7,900, so owners will likely have to roster at least one true punt in cash games this week.

Quarterback

According to 4for4’s schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed (aFPA), only one team is worse against quarterbacks this year than the Buccaneers, who travel to New Orleans this week. The Saints have an implied point total over 28 and Drew Brees ($8,300) will face a secondary that has allowed at least 20 FD points to opposing quarterback in four of their last six games, and they still may be without cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Rob McClain.

Russell Wilson ($8,500) has the best odds of any quarterback to hit cash game value. Wilson has scored at least 26 FD points in four of his last five games and Seattle is favored by a touchdown over Washington at home with a 26-point projected team total. No quarterback has accounted for a larger portion of their team’s scoring this year than Wilson, who has taken part in 94% of Seattle’s offensive touchdowns.

If owners want to punt the quarterback position, Jacoby Brissett ($6,500) is a viable, albeit risky, option. This was a much more attractive option as a correlation play opposite of Watson, but Indy is still in a good spot against a Houston defense ranked 26th in quarterback aFPA, allowing the highest touchdown rate through the air this season. Indianapolis has quietly outscored their implied point total five times this year.