Here's a breakdown of Sunday's early slate of games (click here for Part II; all times ET):
Oakland Raiders at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Line: Lions -1 (opened at +1)
O/U: 50 (opened at 47 1/2)
Weather: Dome
The football will be flying at Ford Field (pardon the alliteration), with Raiders QB Derek Carr looking to exploit a Lions secondary missing two starters and possibly a third. Fire him up in all formats; he's a top-3 option in DFS. ... RB Latavius Murray has been touchdown unlucky, but is still the only Oakland running back with a carry inside the 10-yard line; he'll score at least once this week, making him a strong play everywhere. ... WRs Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree are both sensational stack candidates this week; Cooper is a bigger home-run threat, while Crabtree offers a similar floor for cheaper. You can't really go wrong either way. ... Lions QB Matthew Stafford should reach value in this track meet, but he's only surpassed 300 yards once this season. Keep expectations in check. ... The Lions' running back situation remains scrambled, and Detroit likely won't run much in this one. Avoid it. ... WR Calvin Johnson should feast on an overmatched Oakland secondary; he has at least 80 receiving yards in four straight, and should extend that streak with ease. ... This is one of those games where Golden Tate is a decent speculative GPP option. The price is right, and he's a good bet for a TD. ... TE Eric Ebron is in the same situation, looking at higher-than-normal volume and a decent chance to score.
Prediction: Raiders 31, Lions 27
DFS MVP: Derek Carr
Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Line: Falcons -5 (opened at -6)
O/U: 47 1/2 (opened at 47 1/2)
Weather: Dome
As a caretaker, Colts QB Matt Hasselbeck is an iffy proposition in Atlanta this week; as a DFS option, he's completely off the radar. ... The Falcons are vulnerable against the run, making RB Frank Gore the Colts' top DFS option this week. He's usable in both formats due to his low salary and expected workload. ... WR T.Y. Hilton has been invisible on the road this season, hauling in just 17 catches for 285 yards and zero TDs in four games. Fade him hard this week. ... Avoid the rest of the Indy pass catchers, as well - even TE Coby Fleener, who has seen plenty of volume but has done little with it. ... Falcons QB Matt Ryan has attempted at least 38 passes in five straight games, but hasn't had a big game to show for it; this likely won't be it, but Ryan is a recommended play in all formats due to volume, home-field advantage and opponent. ... RB Devonta Freeman should shred the Colts' run defense to ribbons. He's an absolute must-play. ... WR Julio Jones faces one of his toughest assignments of the year in Colts DB Vontae Davis, who should shadow Jones all game; #11 is virtually matchup proof, but his ceiling takes a hit - making him a stronger cash-game play than GPP option. ... None of the other Atlanta receivers are consistent enough to trust. ... TE Jacob Tamme has been a major part of the passing game, but takes a hit if WR Leonard Hankerson returns. Monitor the situation and adjust accordingly.
Prediction: Falcons 27, Colts 17
DFS MVP: Devonta Freeman
New York Jets at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Line: Jets -3 (opened at 2 1/2)
O/U: 40 (opened at 42)
Weather: Partly cloudy, 54 F; N wind @ 9 mph
Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is set to start, and has a decent matchup against the Texans' middle-of-the-road pass defense; take a chance in GPPs if you're feeling brave, but avoid him in cash games. ... RB Chris Ivory has had just one strong showing in the last four weeks; perhaps he's tired, or perhaps defenses are on to him. Either way, he has a good matchup this week but is no longer a bargain, making him a decent high-floor cash-game option. ... WR Brandon Marshall is banged up, but should excel in this one; use him with confidence in either format. ... Eric Decker is TD-dependent, but has been scoring so consistently that he's worth a look in GPPs. ... It appears that T.J. Yates will start at quarterback for the Texans; he can be left alone in DFS. ... Houston running backs should be faded with vigor this week. ... WR DeAndre Hopkins is on the injury report with a knee injury; if he plays, he faces a difficult matchup; that, combined with his ailment and Yates' inexperience, makes Hopkins a strong fade play. ... The same goes for Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts III, who will struggle mightily to reach value.
Prediction: Jets 24, Texans 10
DFS MVP: Brandon Marshall
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Line: Eagles -6 (opened at -6)
O/U: 44 1/2 (opened at 45 1/2)
Weather: Partly cloudy, 49 F; NW wind @ 13 mph
Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston isn't a viable DFS option this week, facing a difficult road test and having thrown just one TD pass in the past three games. ... RB Doug Martin may struggle to find running room against a formidable Eagles run defense, and could fall victim to negative game flow. He's a recommended fade despite his reasonable price tag. ... WR Mike Evans should soak up the targets yet again with Vincent Jackson on the shelf; he's a high-floor, mid-ceiling play and can be used in all formats. ... TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder) is a solid play if he suits up. ... Eagles QB Mark Sanchez was a half-decent DFS play last year, but he doesn't have the ceiling for GPPs and can't be trusted enough to be used in cash games. Leave him unowned. ... RB DeMarco Murray will see more work with the injury to Ryan Mathews, but he faces a serious challenge from the Tampa Bay run defense. Roster him in cash games based on volume, but don't expect the kind of ceiling he would have against a lesser defense. ... The Eagles' receiving corps has underwhelmed all season, and a switch to Sanchez likely won't change much; that said, Jordan Matthews is priced reasonably enough to trust in GPPs. A Sanchez/Matthews stack should be significantly under-played and could bear fruit against a lackluster Tampa Bay pass defense.
Prediction: Eagles 24, Buccaneers 20
DFS MVP: DeMarco Murray
Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Line: Broncos -1 (opened at +2)
O/U: 40 1/2 (opened at 43)
Weather: Clear, 23 F; W wind @ 10 mph
It's Brock Osweilier time - but don't get too excited; Osweiler has plenty of weapons at his disposal, but the Broncos will likely focus on a run-based attack and keep things simple on offense. Osweiler should be left unowned. ... RB Ronnie Hillman could be in for a big week as the clear-cut No. 1 back; he's a bargain, too, making him a solid choice in both formats. ... C.J. Anderson is unrosterable even at his severely depressed salary. ... WRs Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders have lower ceilings this week, and are recommended fades in what should be a low-scoring, run-heavy game. ... Ignore Denver's tight ends, too. ... Bears QB Jay Cutler faces one of his toughest tests of the season against a stout Broncos defense; game flow is not in Cutler's favor, making him a GPP-only option. ... Whoever starts at RB between Matt Forte and Jeremy Langford is in for a lot of work, particularly if WR Alshon Jeffery sits; go with either option as an all-format play, though obviously DFS players would prefer to see the cheaper Langford be given the green light. ... Jeffery has a difficult matchup even if he's healthy enough to suit up; he'll see the volume to reach base value, but his ceiling is limited. ... TE Martellus Bennett is a distant No. 3 in the passing game, and doesn't do enough to warrant his DFS salary.
Prediction: Bears 24, Broncos 17
DFS MVP: Matt Forte/Jeremy Langford
St. Louis Rams at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Line: Ravens -2 1/2 (opened at -1)
O/U: 42 (opened at 43)
Weather: Clear, 47 F; NW wind @ 12 mph
The Rams have benched QB Nick Foles in favor of Case Keenum; neither is a DFS option. ... RB Todd Gurley has the highest floor of any rusher in fantasy; roster him with confidence in a game that should see him exceed 25 touches. ... None of the Rams' pass catchers are solid options. ... Ravens QB Joe Flacco is averaging better than 300 passing yards per game at home - but with the receiving options sparse in Steve Smith Sr.'s absence and the Rams lethal against the pass, DFS players should consider other options this week. ... RB Justin Forsett should be leaned upon heavily in this one, making him a strong option in all formats. St. Louis is average against the run. ... WR Kamar Aiken has taken over possession receiver duties with Smith out for the season; he isn't nearly as skilled, but is a GPP option on volume alone. ... TE Crockett Gillmore is the most trustworthy option in the passing game, given his low salary and consistent target volume. He's a great cost-saving play in either format.
Prediction: Rams 20, Ravens 17
DFS MVP: Todd Gurley
Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Line: Cowboys -1 (opened at -1)
O/U: 46 (opened at 46 1/2)
Weather: Chance of thunderstorm, 80 F; SW wind @ 16 mph
Welcome back, Tony Romo. The Cowboys quarterback returns following a seven-game absence in which Dallas didn't win a game; from a DFS perspective, Romo is an interesting GPP option against a Dolphins pass defense that has yielded 17 touchdowns versus just seven interceptions. ... RB Darren McFadden is dealing with a groin issue, but will get all the work he can handle and should be good for 25+ touches; fire him up as a low-cost No. 1 with big upside against a dreadful Miami run defense. ... WR Dez Bryant is back to being DFS relevant; he and Romo form a great contrarian tournament stack at an affordable price. ... TE Jason Witten is back in the conversation for the first time since Week 2; he may not be the best option in his price range, but he's a safe, reliable cash-game play with Romo back. ... Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill has a plus matchup at home, but the Cowboys have allowed just nine passing TDs; his ceiling is too low to trust in GPPs. ... RB Lamar Miller may cede carries to rookie Jay Ajayi, but that may actually work in his favor as a way to keep him fresh; as it stands, Miller is the No. 1 and has a great matchup against a Cowboys run defense that has been torched for 10 touchdowns - third-most in the league. ... WR Jarvis Landry is the high-floor cash-game pick he always is, while Rishard Matthews has a positive matchup and should be usable in all formats thanks to game flow.
Prediction: Dolphins 24, Cowboys 21
DFS MVP: Lamar Miller
Washington Redskins at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Line: Panthers -7 1/2 (opened at -7 1/2)
O/U: 44 1/2 (opened at 46)
Weather: Clear, 49 F; N wind @ 10 mph
Washington QB Kirk Cousins may not be a one-hit wonder, but DFSers shouldn't expect a repeat of last week's four-TD effort; he'll be lucky to get to two this week on the road against a stout Panthers defense. Avoid him. ... The Washington running game should be avoided altogether - not only is it as unsettled as any situation in the league, but game flow suggests plenty of Washington passes. ... WR DeSean Jackson says he's completely healthy following a nagging hamstring injury - but this isn't the week to take a chance on him. Leave Pierre Garcon unowned, as well - the power of garbage time may yet make them DFS stars, but it's too risky to bank on. ... TE Jordan Reed is the only usable asset in the Washington offense; his floor is suitable for cash games, but you can do better in GPPs. ... Panthers QB Cam Newton is a dual-threat lock to reach value in cash games, and has considerable upside against a Washington defense allowing five yards per carry on the season. Don't expect three passing scores, but two and a rushing TD would do just fine. ... RB Jonathan Stewart is seeing more work than he was earlier in the season, and is a solid cash-game option thanks to game flow that should work heavily in his favor. ... None of the Panthers' receivers are worthwhile plays this week. ... TE Greg Olsen is the most consistent tight end not named Rob Gronkowski; his price makes him a prohibitive GPP option, but he's a terrific cash-game choice.
Prediction: Panthers 27, Redskins 13
DFS MVP: Cam Newton
