DFS: Numbers Game - A Look at the Key Stats from Week 9
Here's a look at the numbers that stood out from the latest NFL Sunday:
0: The value Green Bay Packers RB Eddie Lacy provided for daily fantasy players in one of the most miserable performances of his career. Lacy had just 10 rushing yards on five carries and lost a fumble; he essentially amounted to an empty roster spot in DFS lineups. Worse for Lacy, the performance may cost him his No. 1 rushing spot; James Starks out-touched him 16-5.
1.53: The average yards per carry for New York Jets RB Chris Ivory over his last 55 attempts, following a 23-carry, 26-yard effort against visiting Jacksonville. A pair of short TD runs spared him an awful day, but it's clear Ivory is either wearing down, or facing a lot more eight-man boxes. Ivory is in this week's Thursday nighter, taking him out of most large DFS contests.
4: Cam Newton's touchdown tally, as the Carolina Panthers QB threw for three scores and rushed for another in a thrilling victory over Green Bay. Only Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Carson Palmer are averaging more fantasy points per game among daily fantasy QBs; Newton has another solid matchup this weekend as he tangles with host Tennessee.
6.3: The average yards per carry for Pittsburgh Steelers RB DeAngelo Williams, who turned them into 170 yards and a pair of scores against Oakland. Williams finished with 225 total yards, handsomely rewarding DFS players who took a shot on him. His price will undoubtedly shoot up this week, but he's still a must-play as Pittsburgh hosts Cleveland.
9: The number of receptions Jordan Matthews hauled in Sunday night, racking up 133 yards and adding the game-winning TD in overtime as the Eagles outlasted the rival Cowboys. The yards represented a season high, while the score was his first since Week 2. Those who used Matthews as a contrarian tournament play probably have a little more cash in their DFS accounts.
12: The number of attempts - and rushing yards - for DFS darling Devonta Freeman in Atlanta's stunning Week 9 loss to San Francisco. Freeman saved his day with eight catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, providing the kind of floor cash-game players should come to expect on a weekly basis. Freeman will look to "bounce back" after the Falcons' Week 10 bye.
14-196-3: The combined line belonging to Oakland WRs Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, who once again provided a potent 1-2 punch for daily fantasy owners. Crabtree (7-108-2) has emerged as a low-cost cash-game play with increasing upside, while Cooper (7-88-1) is still a stronger GPP play but has become a reliable cash-game option, as well.
17-284-0: The line put up by Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown in a wild 38-35 triumph over the Raiders. Brown was his usual sensational self, and continued to contribute even after starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went down with a mid-foot sprain. Brown has the highest floor at his position - provided that anyone but Mike Vick is throwing him the football.
19: Mike Evans' target total as the standout Tampa Bay receiver racked up eight catches for 152 yards in a loss to the New York Giants. While a TD - and fewer drops - would have made him a sensational play, Evans still returned enough value to make winners out of DFS players in either format. Evans has another plum matchup this week against the Cowboys.
21-for-36: The identical pass success rates shared by the Broncos' Peyton Manning and the Colts' Andrew Luck as Indianapolis prevailed 27-24 over previously unbeaten Denver. Manning (281 yards, two TDs, two INTs) remains a matchup-dependent GPP play with a low ceiling, while Luck (252 yards, two TDs, zero INTs) is largely overpriced and should be faded most weeks.