Open Book: Tom 'Torrid' to reward FanDuelers with instant riches
Straight cash homie! In his never-ending quest to pay off his kids' college education early, Brad Evans unveils his FanDuel picks for the upcoming week and explains his reasoning behind them. Make that money, #TeamHuevos.
CONTEST RULES AND SCORING
FAKE BUDGET: $60,000
Tom Brady, NE, QB (FanDuel Price: $9,000) – Tom Tepid's early season cameo seems like a millennium ago. Tripping out of the gate to start the season, the QB has rediscovered his "Terrific" side. Since Week 5, no passer has delivered more treats than Brady. During that stretch, he's completed nearly 70 percent of his attempts, compiled 317 yards per game and posted an impeccable 14:0 TD:INT split. Denver's secondary has executed a high level this year, but in a game Vegas believes will be chock full of fantasy goodness (55 over/under), Mr. Bundchen exceeds the 300-yard mark with three-plus scores yet again.
Ronnie Hillman, Den, RB ($7,200) – Filling the void left by groin-pulled Montee Ball, the new Knowshon has played brilliantly. Over his past three contests, he's tallied 4.89 yards per carry, 119 total yards per game and scored a pair of touchdowns, an output good enough for the fifth-best line among RBs. Due to a sore shoulder, he was limited in practice Wednesday, but he is expected to log another 18-22 touches. Against a New England D that's surrendered four 100-total yard rushers in their past five, he should extend his century mark streak to four.
Bobby Rainey, TB, RB ($6,200) – If you pay attention to the chirping on Twitter, Charles Sims is overhyped. Numerous fantasy pundits are convinced the rookie will seize control of the Tampa backfield in short order. However, Rainey may not allow it. With Doug Martin a likely Week 9 casualty and with Sims fresh off the IR, the veteran should net the start in Cleveland. The Browns, one of the league's worst run defenses, have conceded 4.71 yards per carry to RBs. On approximately 14-18 touches, Rainey racks 75-85 total yards and a score.
Antonio Brown, Pit, WR ($9,000) – From drop-kicking innocent kickers to making acrobatic catches, Brown has gotten DOWN this season. His 20.4 points per game ranks No. 1 among all wideouts in FanDuel. Matched against a Ravens secondary sans its best cover corner in Jimmy Smith, the king won't relinquish his throne. Even with Smith on the field, Baltimore had allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to WRs this year. Brown logged a modest 7-90-0 line in the first matchup. In the encore, he tops that output with ease.
Odell Beckham Jr., NYG, WR ($6,600) – A TD magnet in his first three games, the rookie splashed six three times. His resulting yardage total didn't move the meter (35.3 ypg), but because of his knack for finding the end zone he ranked No. 22 among WRs in per game output from Weeks 5-7. He should improve that standing this week against Indy. Potentially without elite corner Vontae Davis (knee), the Colts, off allowing 522 yards and six TDs to Big Ben last week, are highly susceptible. Roughly 60-70 yards with another score are in my fearless forecast.
Andrew Hawkins, Cle, WR ($6,400) – Very dependable in a PPR format, the Baby Hawk, for the most part, has delivered consistent results. He's reached double-digit FanDuel points in five of seven games this year. Make it six of eight. The always generous Buccaneers visit Cleveland this week. Tampa corners Alterraun Verner and Jonathan Banks have given up a mouthwatering 72.2 catch percentage. It's hard to bank on a TD, but at his discounted price and given his 11-13 fantasy point appeal, Hawkins is a useful option for the budget conscious.
Travis Kelce, KC, TE ($5,400) – A seesaw the past several weeks, Kelce continues to be underutilized. After a fiery stretch from Weeks 3-5, he's managed just eight passes for 78 yards and no touchdowns since. But there's no better remedy for one's fantasy ills than the Jets. Over the past six weeks, no defense has surrendered more touchdowns to tight ends (9). On four catches, Kelce tallies 57 yards and a touchdown.
Randy Bullock, Hou, K ($4,800) – Believe it or not, Bullock is the sixth-best kicker currently in Fantasyland. In a game with significant red-zone potential for the Texans, he boots his buyers to the bucks.
Kansas City D/ST ($5,300) – Michael Vick, who committed three turnovers in roughly three quarters of action last week in Buffalo, is back under center? Well, strap a bib around the necks of Chief defenders. They're about to feast.
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