Cracking DraftKings: Week 13

A weekly overview of DraftKings cash and GPP contests.

Ben Cummins's Cracking DraftKings: Week 13 Ben Cummins Published 11/29/2024

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Favorite Fantasy Game Environment

  • Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens - Over/Under 50.5
  • Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings - Over/Under 45.5

Favorite Additional Fantasy Spots

  • Texans on road vs Jaguars - Implied Team Total 24.5
  • Buccaneers on road vs Panthers - Implied Team Total 26.5
  • Rams on road vs Saints - Implied Team Total 25.5
  • Chargers on road vs Falcons - Implied Team Total 24.5
  • Bengals at home vs Steelers - Implied Team Total 24.5

Cash Games

Quarterbacks

RankPlayerOpponentSalary
1Baker Mayfieldat Panthers$6,600
2Geno Smithat Jets$5,500
3Matthew Staffordat Saints$5,800

Baker Mayfield ranks fifth in passing yards per game (254.5) and third in pass touchdowns per game (2.2) and leads a Buccaneers offense that ranks tenth in EPA/Play, seventh in Early Down Pass Frequency (EDPF), and sixth in Pass Rate Over Expected (PROE). He has an incredible matchup against a Panthers defense that ranks dead last in EPA/Play Allowed and 31st in Dropback EPA Allowed.

Geno Smith leads the NFL in passing yards per game (275.9) and leads a Seahawks offense that ranks third in EDPF and second in PROE. He has a matchup we shouldn't shy away from against a middle-of-the-pack Jets defense. The Jets' season is over and Aaron Rodgers is complaining to the media. There is a decent chance this team comes out flat with little energy after their bye. If so, Smith could cook.

Matthew Stafford ranks fifth in passing yards per game (254.5) and leads a Rams offense that ranks fifth in EDPF and 11th in PROE. He's been heating up with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp back and now gets a Saints defense that ranks just 23rd in EPA/Play Allowed.

Running Backs

RankPlayerOpponentSalary
1Joe Mixonat Jaguars$8,000
2Bucky Irvingat Panthers$5,800
3Alvin Kamaravs Rams$7,700
4Bijan Robinsonvs Chargers$7,300
5Gus Edwardsat Falcons$4,300
6Chuba Hubbardvs Buccaneers$6,700

Joe Mixon leads the NFL in opportunities per game (24.3), ranks third in total yards per game (112.4), and fourth in total touchdowns (11). The Texans are 5.5-point favorites, and Mixon gets a putrid Jaguars defense that ranks just 31st in EPA/Play Allowed and 23rd in Rush EPA Allowed.

Bucky Irving has taken over as Tampa Bay's lead running back. Over the past two games he's averaging 17 opportunities and 119 total yards (would rank second in the NFL). Irving is in the dream spot against a Panthers defense that ranks dead last in both EPA/Play Allowed and Rush EPA Allowed.

Alvin Kamara has been a volume sponge all year. He ranks second in opportunities per game (23.3) and fourth in total yards per game (111.4). He's at home against a Rams defense that only ranks 24th in Rush EPA Allowed.

Bijan Robinson ranks 11th in opportunities per game (19.7) and sixth in total yards per game (103.8). Vegas has this one as essentially a toss-up with the Chargers only 1.5-point favorites. Robinson is at home in a tough matchup on paper but Derrick Henry just put 140 rushing yards on this defense last week.

JK Dobbins has been one of the best stories of the 2024 season. Unfortunately, he's on the shelf for a bit with a knee injury. That propels Gus Edwards into a fantastic role for fantasy as the Chargers' leading rusher. Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman is familiar with Edwards, dating back to their time together in Baltimore, so he shouldn't have any problem leaning on him. Priced at just $4,300, Edwards is a strong cash option against a Falcons defense that ranks just 25th in EPA/Play Allowed and 22nd in Rush EPA Allowed.

Chuba Hubbard is such a good football player and is having an awesome season. He ranks 11th in opportunities per game (19.7), 14th in total yards per game (91.1), and 11th in total touchdowns (8). Hubbard is at home against a Buccaneers defense that ranks 26th in EPA/Play Allowed, and middle-of-the-pack in Rush EPA Allowed (15th).

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