QB/RB/WR Stack
Andy Dalton/Joe Mixon/A.J. Green
The Cincinnati Bengals are only averaging 367.6 total yards per game, but they are also averaging 30.6 points per game. While the former ranks only 17th in the NFL this season, the latter ranks in the top-five. They get an elite matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who rank in the bottom-10 of the NFL in total yards allowed (401.2) and points allowed (26.6) per game. The Bengals are an offense that generally goes overlooked, but their team has scored 27+ points in four of five games this season. This week, they are -2.5 point favorites in a game set at 53 points, giving them one of the highest implied totals on the slate at 27.8 points.
Andy Dalton has been on fire to start the season, as he’s averaging 289.0 passing yards and 2.4 passing touchdowns per game this season. He has struggled at times, though, as he’s averaging 1.4 interceptions per game, as well, although that is only a small downgrade in fantasy. Surprisingly, A.J. Green is tied for the lead on the team in targets (43), while leading the team in receiving yards (409) and touchdowns (5), while ranking second in receptions (26). Most importantly, Green ranks in the top-five of the NFL in red zone targets (11). Joe Mixon returned from injury last week, scoring 20.5 fantasy points on 25 touches. Giovani Bernard is doubtful this week, and he’s likely to be ruled out soon. Mixon will see a workhorse role again this week, and he has proven to be a receiving threat early this season. Tyler Boyd and C.J. Uzomah are two more options that can be considered, depending on salary, but the top three options on this team make up this stack.
QB/WR/WR Stack
Matt Ryan/Julio Jones/Mohamed Sanu
The Atlanta Falcons have found plenty of success through their passing attack this season, ranking ninth in the NFL with 304 passing yards per game, while also ranking eighth in the NFL with 11 passing touchdowns this season. They get a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who rank last in the NFL in passing yards allowed (358) per game, passing touchdowns (13), passing yards per attempt (9.4), quarterback rating (130.5), and interceptions (1). The Falcons are -3.5 point favorites in a game set at 57.5 points, giving them the highest implied total on the slate at 30.5 points.
Matt Ryan has featured night and day splits this season, as he’s averaging 355 passing yards and 3.3 passing touchdowns per game at home this season. Ryan is also averaging 35.7 DK points per game in Atlanta, as opposed to 12.6 DK points per game on the road this season. Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu have seen the two biggest roles in the Atlanta passing attack. Jones owns a 29.9% target share, leading the team in targets (55), receptions (34), and receiving yards (564). He has yet to find the end zone, but it’s only a matter of time before he sees positive touchdown regression. Sanu struggled early this season, but he’s averaging a 4.7/73.3/0.7 line over his last three games, scoring 15+ DK points in each of those games. Sanu is a bit cheaper than Calvin Ridley, who should also feature a bit more ownership this week, as well.
QB/WR/TE Stack
Baker Mayfield/Jarvis Landry/David Njoku
The Cleveland Browns passing attack has struggled this season, but they took a step forward when Baker Mayfield replaced Tyrod Taylor at quarterback. Cleveland is averaging well over 300 passing yards per game with Mayfield leading the offense. They get a solid matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers this week. The Chargers are currently allowing 270 passing yards per game, while also allowing 11 passing touchdowns this season. The Browns are small underdogs in a game set at 44.5 runs, and they feature an implied total of 21.8 points this weekend.
Through two starts this season, Mayfield is averaging 318.5 passing yards and 1.5 passing touchdowns per game. He also threw for over 200 yards, while replacing Tyrod Taylor in roughly two total quarters in his NFL debut. Jarvis Landry has been his top option this season, totaling 34 targets over his last three games. Over that span, he’s averaging a 5.7/68.7/0.3 line on 11.3 targets per game. Landry has also seen a 58.3% target share in the red zone this season. David Njoku has struggled for the most part this season, but he has recorded seven targets in four of his five games. He’s also coming off his best game of the season, totaling six receptions for 69 yards on 11 targets. The tight end position has been a bit of a black hole this season, aside from a few players, and Njoku is nearly guaranteed a floor of seven targets. This is a high upside stack, but as we saw against the Oakland Raiders, the Cleveland Browns are a team that isn’t afraid to get into a shootout.
High Upside GPP Stack
Jared Goff/Brandin Cooks/Cooper Kupp
The Los Angeles Rams have featured one of the best passing attacks in the NFL this season. Through five games, they lead the NFL in passing yards per attempt (10.3), while ranking second in passing yards (337) per game and QB rating (119), and third in passing touchdowns (12). They get a matchup against the Denver Broncos, who have featured an average passing defense this season. Two of Los Angeles’ wide receivers – Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp – are dealing with injuries this week, and they may go overlooked if their status isn’t updated well before the games begin. Still, the Rams are -7 point favorites in a game set at 52.5 points, giving them an implied total of 29.8 points.
Jared Goff is only averaging 33.2 pass attempts per game, but he has turned those into 345.4 passing yards and 2.4 passing touchdowns per game this season. He has struggled on the road this season, but Goff comes with the potential to dominate any defense in the NFL. Brandin Cooks has essentially played in only four games this season, as he was knocked out of his last game with an injury, failing to record a target. Overall, he’s averaging a 6.5/113.0/0.3 line on 8.3 targets per game this season. He has also seen 21.2% of his targets come in the red zone this season. Cooper Kupp is the other questionable receiver for Los Angeles this week. Through five games, Kupp has totaled 30 receptions for 438 yards and five touchdowns on 41 targets. Kupp also leads the Rams in red zone targets, as 26.8% of his targets have come in the red zone. It’s always risky to stack the Rams without using Todd Gurley, but Goff and company have the potential to exceed value in this type of a matchup.
