QB/RB/WR Stack
Jared Goff/Todd Gurley/Brandin Cooks
The Los Angeles Rams have featured one of the best offenses in the NFL this season. Through six weeks, they lead the NFL in total yards (464.3) per game, while also ranking third in the league in points (32.7) per game. Los Angeles gets an elite matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, who are allowing 377.2 total yards and 29.8 points per game this season. These totals both rank below average in the NFL in 2018. The Rams are -10 point favorites in a game set at 52.5 points, giving them the highest implied total on the slate at 31.3 points.
Jared Goff is only averaging 32.3 attempts per game, but he has turned those into 321.3 passing yards and 2.0 passing touchdowns per game. Goff is coming off of a bad game against the Denver Broncos in a snowy game. He’ll be back in California weather, where he played in college and at home this season. Brandin Cooks has struggled to score fantasy points in two consecutive games, although one was due to injury. In his first four healthy games, Cooks averaged 6.5 receptions for 113.0 yards and 0.3 touchdowns. He has also seen seven red zone targets this season, and he gets the best matchup (see my WR/CB Matchup article) of the Los Angeles receivers. Todd Gurley has been an unbelievable fantasy asset for the second consecutive season. He’s averaging 145.0 total yards and 1.8 total touchdowns on 25.0 touches per game. Gurley also is tied for the most red zone targets on the team at 11, adding consistency to a high upside stack.
QB/WR/WR Stack
Joe Flacco/John Brown/Willie Snead
The Baltimore Ravens have found surprising success through the air this season. They currently rank ninth in the NFL in passing yards per game with 294, although they have only thrown for nine passing touchdowns. They get a matchup against the New Orleans Saints, who rank third last in the NFL, allowing 298 passing yards per game. They have also allowed their opponents to throw for 11 touchdowns with only two interceptions, recording a 115.4 quarterback rating overall. The Ravens are -2.5 point favorites in a game set at 50 points, and they feature an implied total of 26.3 points this week.
Joe Flacco was seen as replaceable before the season, but he has performed extremely well through six starts. He’s averaging 298.0 passing yards and 1.5 passing touchdowns per game this season. He’s a cheap option, and he has scored 20+ fantasy points in three of his six starts. John Brown has been one of his top options, averaging a 3.5/70.7/0.5 line on 7.8 targets per game. He’s Baltimore’s deep threat, ranking third in the NFL in air yards (924) and while leading all receivers with 20+ targets in aDOT (19.7). He has also seen red zone opportunities, ranking third on the team with five red zone targets this season. Willie Snead is another great option, as he has scored double digit fantasy points in five of his six contests this season. He gets an elite matchup this week, and Snead is averaging 5.0 receptions for 52.2 yards and 0.2 touchdowns per game. Snead also comes with the most reasonable price tag of the group.
QB/WR/TE Stack
C.J. Beathard/Marquise Goodwin/George Kittle
The San Francisco 49ers offense has struggled quite a bit this season, but that hasn’t been the case since C.J. Beathard has taken over. In only three starts with Beathard, the 49ers are averaging 297.3 passing yards and 25.0 points per game. He gets a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, who are allowing only 245 passing yards per game this season. With that being said, they have allowed 10 passing touchdowns, while recording only five interceptions. The 49ers are massive underdogs, meaning they could be throwing the entire game. This week, they feature an implied run total of 21.3 points.
C.J. Beathard has only started three games this season, but he’s averaging 297.3 passing yards and 2.0 passing touchdowns per game. He has also added 47 yards and one touchdown on the ground in those three games. Marquise Goodwin returned healthy last week, totaling four receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns on five targets. He’s a deep threat for Beathard, and Goodwin finally looked fully healthy in that game. He also gets a plus matchup against Marcus Peters, who has struggled this season. George Kittle has been another major part of the offense, especially with Beathard under center. In three games together, Kittle is averaging a 5.0/79.3/0.3 line on 7.0 targets per game. Beathard should see 30+ attempts again this season, making the 49ers passing attack a dangerous stack in tournaments this week.
High Upside GPP Stack
Brock Osweiler/Albert Wilson/Danny Amendola
The Miami Dolphins passing offense has struggled this season, but they saw a bit of life with Brock Osweiler under center last week. Ryan Tannehill has already been ruled out for this week, leaving Osweiler to draw another start. They gets a matchup against the Detroit Lions, who are allowing only 222 passing yards per game this season. The Lions have also allowed 10 passing touchdowns, while recording only two interceptions this season. The Dolphins are small underdogs in this game, and they own an implied total of 22.3 points this week.
Brock Osweiler was forced the throw the ball 44 times last week, totaling 380 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He may be forced into high volume again this week, leaving the door open for him to success in a plus matchup. Kenny Stills is expected to play the majority of his snaps against Darius Slay, leaving Albert Wilson and Danny Amendola with two easier matchups. In their only game with Osweiler under center, this duo combined for 14 receptions, 214 yards and two touchdowns on 20 targets. They were the clear leaders of the offense, and with Slay spending time across from Stills, they should see plenty of volume again this week. The Dolphins aren’t an offense that should be stacked in cash games, but they come with more than enough upside to be considered in tournaments in a plus matchup against a high powered Lions team.
