Justin Herbert, Chargers ($8,400) at Buffalo
Herbert supplies the consistency we like for cash games. He’s hit 21 FanDuel points in 7 straight and in all but 1 game.
Sunday’s game against Buffalo sets up as a potential shootout, especially with no weather concerns in sight. The Bills have allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing QBs; Herbert, meanwhile, has chucked 40+ passes in 5 of 9 contests. I expect those numbers to be 6 of 10 come Sunday afternoon with Herbert again tallying useful fantasy totals.
Also consider: Josh Allen, Derek Carr
Dalvin Cook, Vikings ($11,000) vs. Carolina
Cook’s price jumped up by $500. But in one of the best matchups on the board — and with the Vikings likely without Adam Thielen — Cook will be given every chance to smash.
Wayne Gallman, Giants ($5,700) vs. Cincinnati
This is a hold-your-nose type of play. But just look at the numbers…
Gallman’s carries have increased each week since Week 7. He’s scored in 4 straight and should have opportunities to make that 5 against a Bengals run D that sits 26th in Pro Football Focus’ rankings. New York is implied for a solid 24.75 points as 5.5-point home favorites. They should be able to stick to the run with journeyman Brandon Allen starting on the other side.
Also consider: Derrick Henry, Kalen Ballage (if healthy and if Austin Ekeler sits), Kareem Hunt
Calvin Ridley, Falcons ($8,100) vs. Las Vegas
A foot injury has helped keep Ridley off of an MVP-like early-season pace. But last week produced his highest yardage total (90) since Week 5, albeit with Julio Jones missing a chunk of action.
Jones is expected to play through his hamstring injury. But potential re-aggravation and the potential absence of Hayden Hurst (ankle) would further boost Ridley’s ceiling. As for Vegas — there’s nothing to dislike about the matchup. A poor pass rushing team, the Raiders also rank 26th in Pro Football Focus’ coverage grades. Playing at home, this is a nice bounce-back spot for the Atlanta passing game.
Keenan Allen, Chargers ($8,200) at Buffalo
Here are Allen’s targets over his past 5 games:
13
12
11
7
19
He’s encountered a highly favorable string of opponents over that stretch. And that’s surely helped produce 4 scores and 3 games north of 100 yards. But the big takeaway here is just how well Justin Herbert’s playing. That factor — and the good possibility that Allen isn’t shadowed by CB Tre White — puts the WR in a strong cash game position. Consider that slot CB Taron Johnson has allowed a huge 80% of passes into his coverage to be caught (per PFF).
Cole Beasley, Bills ($5,400) vs. L.A. Chargers
Here’s a cheap way to gain access to perhaps the highest scoring game of the week.
John Brown is out due to injury, and his absence has unlocked a greater upside for Beasley. Per our own Jared Smola, Beasley’s tallied the following lines in games Brown has missed most or all of:
6-100 (7 targets)
6-53 (6 targets)
11-112 (12 targets)
A line in the neighborhood of 6-60 — with the potential for a score — is well within reach. Note that Beasley owns the same number of season-long red zone targets as Stefon Diggs (7).
Also consider: Stefon Diggs, Justin Jefferson (if Adam Thielen sits), Sterling Shepard, Curtis Samuel, Laviska Shenault
Evan Engram, Giants ($5,600) vs. Cincinnati
I get it. Engram’s underwhelmed for most of this season.
But volume remains king — and the young TE is still seeing plenty of it. In fact, he’s garnered 9 or 10 targets in 3 of his past 4 outings. He’s a fine option against a Bengals D that’s surrendered the 3rd most fantasy points to enemy TEs. Cincy’s allowed 6 scores to the position — all since Week 5.
Sure, Engram owns just 1 TD on the year. But he leads the Giants in red zone looks (10) and is likely to see positive scoring regression going forward.
Also consider: Travis Kelce
Giants ($4,300) vs. Bengals
Jets ($3,000) vs. Dolphins