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Here we go with the Single Game NFL DFS slate for Monday Night Football of Week 2. Today’s matchup is between the Panthers and Texans with Carolina checking in as a 7.5-point road favorite. The over/under currently rests at 43 total points. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 ET.
We’ll highlight the top picks and best bargains to assemble a cash-inducing lineup. On top of that, the “additional notes” section will feature several tournament selections while adding context to the rest of this slate.
We will be producing these articles for Thursday, Sunday, and Monday Night Football matchups, so be sure to bookmark the NBC Sports EDGE DFS Page for those occasions - not to mention all the other fantastic daily fantasy content.
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TOP PICKS
Christian McCaffrey - RB - Carolina (DK: $13,400 / FD: $17,500 / Yahoo: $41)
I really don’t have to explain this pick, right? McCaffrey is the most dynamic running back in the NFL, and he’s an absolute fantasy beast. Now he’s facing a weak Houston defense in a dream matchup. The game script is on his side, and he should see more touchdown opportunities than he did in the first two weeks of the season. If CMC doesn’t finish as the top overall fantasy option tonight, then color me surprised.
Sam Darnold - QB - Carolina (DK: $11,200 / FD: $15,000 / Yahoo: $25)
I don’t mind pairing Sam Darnold and McCaffrey in the same lineup. Simply put, there aren’t many appealing fantasy options on the Houston side, so stacking as many legitimate Carolina players in your lineup makes for an appealing strategy. Plus, McCaffrey is an excellent receiving back, so you could gain the double-dip scoring that comes from Darnold throwing to CMC. I’m not willing to admit that the Darnold resurgence is in full force, but he has notched 19+ fantasy points in two games this season. Tonight’s matchup against Houston should keep that going.
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BEST BARGAINS
Robby Anderson - WR - Carolina (DK: $7,800 / FD: $10,000 / Yahoo: $16)
This one is tricky. I’m not declaring Anderson as a can’t miss bargain, as his salary is priced out of value territory on some sites (especially DK). However, the speedy receiver holds relative value on FanDuel and Yahoo. That’s where I find myself targeting him. Game flow isn’t necessarily on Anderson’s side, but he’s the type of player who is capable of paying off his DFS salary in one play. He could make that happen against a bottom-ten secondary.
Anthony Miller - WR - Houston (DK: $1,000 / FD: $5,500 / Yahoo: $10)
Miller is a cheap, low-risk but high-reward fantasy option tonight. Nico Collins and Danny Amendola are sidelined for the Texans, which will move Miller up the depth chart. While rookie QB Davis Mills doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence, he should have enough passing attempts to give Brandin Cooks and Miller enough targets to work with. That could lead to a respectable fantasy performance on this dirt-cheap salary for Miller.
TOURNAMENT LOOKS
David Johnson - RB - Houston (DK: $5,400 / FD: $8,000 / Yahoo: $13)
It’s pretty clear that Johnson is the pass-catching back for Houston. His numbers through two games aren’t exciting: 9 rushes, 35 yards / 6 targets, 5 catches, 40 yards, 1 rec TD. However, the flow of this game could put the ball in his hands more than normal. I wouldn’t be surprised if rookie QB Mills checks down on most of his pass attempts. That would benefit Johnson, especially in full PPR formats like DraftKings.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Davis Mills (QB - HOU) is a huge question mark on this slate. However, it’s no secret that he’ll probably need to pass early and often in order to keep Houston close. He could reach fantasy value through volume alone. There’s low opportunity cost on this slate, so Mills is definitely an option through all formats despite the uncertainty.
Brandin Cooks (WR - HOU) caught a touchdown from Mills in the fourth quarter of last game. That’s a good sign, but we aren’t sure how it will play out tonight. It’s safe to say that going from Tyrod Taylor to Mills is a downgrade. The matchup against Carolina is average, and Cooks should see double-digit targets … Chris Conley (WR - HOU) and Andre Roberts (WR - HOU) are a pair of tournament options. We aren’t sure who will step up in the absence of Collins and Amendola. My bet is on Miller, but Conley and/or Roberts could see more snaps (and targets) as well.
Mark Ingram (RB - HOU) doesn’t have game flow on his side, but the Texans could try to establish the run in order to protect their rookie QB. It’s also safe to say that Ingram will handle goal-line looks if that situation arises. He’s more of a tournament choice while trying to play a different angle in large-field GPPs.
DJ Moore (WR - CAR) is the top receiver in this offense. However, it’s hard to imagine if he’ll see enough targets to pile up the fantasy points in this matchup. His cost isn’t exactly cheap either … Terrace Marshall Jr. (WR - CAR) and Dan Arnold (TE - CAR) are pure tournament options who you hope can turn in a big play and/or touchdown.
Zane Gonzalez (K - CAR) and Joey Slye (K - HOU) are both in play. The lower the over/under, then the more viability kickers usually have on a single-game DFS slate. The total is set at 43 points, so Gonzalez and Slye (in order of preference) carry some merit.
