Cracking DraftKings: Week 8

Favorite Fantasy Game Environments

• Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens - Over/Under 50.5
• Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos - Over/Under 49.5
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints - Over/Under 46.5
• New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles - Over/Under 43.5

Favorite Additional Fantasy Spots

• Atlanta Falcons at home vs. Miami Dolphins - Implied Team Total 26
• Indianapolis Colts at home vs. Tennessee Titans - Implied Team Total 30.5
• Cincinnati Bengals at home vs. New York Jets - Implied Team Total 25
• New England Patriots at home vs. Cleveland Browns - Implied Team Total 23.8
• Buffalo Bills on the road against Carolina Panthers - Implied Team Total 27

Cash Games

Quarterbacks

Philadelphia's offense is banged up, which is playing a part in the team's struggles to run the ball. Saquon Barkley ranks eighth in rush attempts per game (16.1), but just 26th in rushing yards per game (52.7). Until the rushing offense shows significant signs of improvement, the best way for the Eagles to move the ball is through the air with their two superstar receivers. That was the case last week when A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith combined for 13 receptions for 304 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Jalen Hurts is playing at home in this one and offers dual-threat upside. He ranks fifth in rush touchdowns (5). However, it must be noted that A.J. Brown is out this week with a hamstring injury.

Daniel Jones ranks eighth in passing yards per game (255.7) and leads a Colts offense that ranks fourth in EPA/Play, sixth in Early Down Pass Frequency (EDPF), and tenth in Pass Rate Over Expected (PROE). The Colts have the highest Implied Team Total (30.5) of the entire week, and Jones gets to attack a Titans defense that ranks just 28th in EPA/Play Allowed and 27th in Dropback EPA Allowed. Jones is in play in both cash and GPPs.

Baker Mayfield ranks ninth in passing yards per game (252.4) and eighth in pass touchdowns per game (1.9) and leads a Buccaneers offense that ranks 11th in EPA/Play, 12th in EDPF, and 10th in PROE. Mayfield gets to go after a Saints defense that ranks just 25th in EPA/Play Allowed and 29th in Dropback EPA Allowed. Since this game is being played in the dome in New Orleans, the Saints have better odds of being competitive, which could make this game a favorable shootout environment. Since that outcome is realistically in play, Mayfield is a solid play in both cash and GPPs.

Bo Nix came alive in the fourth quarter last week, finishing Denver's incredible comeback victory with 279 passing yards, 2 pass touchdowns, 48 rushing yards, and 2 rush touchdowns. He now gets to play at home against the struggling Cowboys defense, which ranks dead last in both EPA/Play Allowed and Dropback EPA Allowed.

Drake Maye has already ascended to the level of one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He ranks 11th in both passing yards per game (249.1) and pass touchdowns per game (1.7) and leads a Patriots offense that ranks ninth in EPA/Play and sixth in PROE. Maye is a dual-threat who ranks seventh in DraftKings points per game (21.4) at the quarterback position. He gets to play at home in this one against an average Browns defense that ranks middle of the pack in Dropback EPA Allowed (15th). The Patriots are seven-point favorites. Maye's talent is undeniable, making him a strong play in both cash and GPPs.

In just his second game with the Bengals, Joe Flacco threw for 342 passing yards and 3 passing touchdowns last week. He now gets to play at home with another week of preparation under his belt in a fantastic spot against a bad Jets team. Their defense ranks just 27th in EPA/Play Allowed and 30th in Dropback EPA Allowed. Flacco, who gets to target Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, offers plenty of upside within his range of outcomes here, especially with Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner out due to injury. He's in play in both cash and GPPs.

Jaxson Dart's floor and ceiling combo remains enticing thanks to his legs. In his four starts, he's run for 178 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. He's also been plenty impressive through the air, as he just threw for 283 passing yards and 3 touchdowns last week on the road in Denver against one of the best defenses in the league.

Running Backs

Play Bijan Robinson in all formats. Don't get cute. The Falcons are 7.5-point home favorites, and Robinson is getting to attack a bad Dolphins team whose defense only ranks 31st in EPA/Play Allowed and 27th in Rush EPA Allowed. The past three weeks, Miami has allowed 206 rushing yards and 1 touchdown to Rico Dowdle, 124 rushing yards and 1 touchdown to Kimani Vidal, and 84 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns to Quinshon Judkins. Robinson ranks second in the NFL in opportunities per game (22.7) and leads the league in total yards per game (152.3). His running mate. Tyler Allgeier is listed as questionable with hip and knee injuries.

The Colts are 14.5-point home favorites against a bad Titans team whose defense ranks just 28th in EPA/Play Allowed and 24th in Rush EPA Allowed. Taylor leads the league in touchdowns (11), ranks fourth in opportunities per game (22.3), and ranks third in total yards per game (126). The Colts have the highest Implied Team Total (30.5) of the entire week, and their offense ranks fourth in EPA/Play. Taylor is one of the best plays in all formats.

Christian McCaffrey's role is just absurd right now, which is no surprise since we've seen this many times before when he's been healthy in the past! McCaffrey leads the NFL in opportunities per game (28.6), ranks second in total yards per game (140.1), and sixth in touchdowns (6). He's a cheat code in DraftKings' Full PPR scoring system, as he ranks third in the entire NFL in receptions per game (7.6) and 12th in receiving yards per game (73.7)! McCaffrey is an elite play in all formats.

Lamar Jackson is out this week, and Tyler Huntley will get the start. Huntley is a high-floor, low-upside player, but his presence could at least keep the Ravens competitive in this game and give enough dynamic throwing ability to keep Derrick Henry active. Henry will be heavily relied upon in this must-win game for Baltimore this week. Henry is in play in all formats regardless, but definitely thanks to his affordable price tag.

The Broncos are 3.5-point home favorites, and J.K. Dobbins gets to attack Dallas' bad defense that ranks dead last in EPA/Play Allowed and 26th in Rush EPA Allowed. If you're looking for a cheaper cash game running back and don't want to play Derrick Henry, Dobbins makes a lot of sense. He's also in play in tournaments because the fantasy environment and matchup are that favorable. Dobbins' 16.4 opportunities per game are respectable, as they rank 23rd most in the entire league.

Cam Skattebo just put up 110 total yards and 3 touchdowns on this Eagles defense just two weeks ago. That game was in New York and went very favorably in the Giants' favor, whereas this week's contest has much less of a likelihood to do so since it's being played in Philadelphia. However, Skattebo is in play in all formats because he's a good player and his workload is elite. Over the past four games, he's averaging 23 opportunities (Would rank second in the NFL over all seven weeks) and 99.5 total yards per game (Would rank ninth in the NFL over all seven weeks). His six total touchdowns on the year rank sixth most.

Bucky Irving is out once again, paving the way for Rachaad White to make his fourth straight start. Over his past three games, he's averaging 18 opportunities per game and 67 total yards per game, and he's scored three touchdowns in that stretch. The Buccaneers are 4.5-point favorites, and White gets to go after a Saints defense that ranks 25th in EPA/Play Allowed.

Wide Receivers