NFL Week 4: Stacking To Win It

Each week we will be covering two top stacks, a value stack, and a contrarian stack. Playing two or more players from the same team can add to your ceiling, especially if that team goes off. Stacking is a great way to get an advantage in tournaments, and even cash games. We will narrow down projected fantasy points, ownership, and info for their matchups.

Top Stack 1

Patriots vs Panthers - Team Total 29.5

Coming off a ridiculously efficient performance where he completed 25 passes, including five touchdowns and 378 yards against the Texans, Brady and the ageless Patriots have the highest team total of the week once again. The Panthers have actually allowed the least total yardage per game (251.7), but considering they faced the 49ers and Bills prior to their blowout loss to Drew Brees (220 yards, 3 TD) and the Saints, those numbers seem likely to regress sooner rather than later. Last season, this would have looked like a perfect spot to include LeGarrette Blount in a stack, as the Pats are currently favored by 10 points, but I'll throw in Mike Gillislee here. He is tied for the NFL lead with 12 carries inside the 20, and has been given the ball on five of six attempts inside the five, and he has converted four of them into scores. Enough on Gillislee. Brady and company look poised to post yet another monster game here, and there are some pieces with massive upside if the Panthers can keep this one close. The Pats have thrown to the TE more than any other team in the NFL thus far this season (30%), which bodes well for Rob Gronkowski, who is coming off two straight big games (10-116-1, 8-89-1). Brandin Cooks made a tremendous grab in the end zone for the game winner (and his second score of the game) last week (not a bad throw either), and is establishing a great rapport with the GOAT. Fire up the Pats across the board.

Top Stack 2

Falcons vs Bills - Team Total 28.75

The Falcons have a monster total once again, and with Devonta Freeman seeing plenty of touches, he makes sense as a contrarian high-priced play this week at RB, as he should be leaned on to lock this one down if (and likely when) the Falcons are up big late (the spread is -9). Ryan/Jones has yet to go off for a big game, but with the Bills on tap, he could be in line for a breakout game. Ryan has spread the ball around plenty this season, which should keep the ownership on Jones low once again this week. Football Outsiders ranks the Bills in the top 9 against both the run and pass this season, but keep in mind that they have faced the Jets, Panthers, and Broncos thus far in 2017, and both the Jets and Panthers are averaging under 17 points per game. This should be a true test of strength (Falcons offense) against perceived strength (Bills defense). It will be fun to see which one comes out on top (my money is on the defending NFC Champions).

Bengals at Browns - Team Total 21.5

Although the Bengals have a low total this week of just 21.5 points, they are in a prime spot to put up a big number against the Browns. This group had a solid game last week against the Packers (although the second half was a big disappointment), and now draw a much easier task against the Browns in Cleveland. Joe Mixon has established himself as the lead back in Cincinnati, and he makes for an excellent play, especially on DraftKings with the full-point PPR. The Bengals defense should be a popular one after harassing Aaron Rodgers all of last week, including just the second pick-6 of his career. The Dalton/Green duo shouldn't be too highly owned here, and has some solid upside at this price point, especially if Tyler Eifert sits out once again.

Vikings vs Lions - Team Total

Through three weeks of the season, only one RB (Todd Gurley, 63) has more carries than Dalvin Cook (61). Only one RB has a higher YPG average than his 96 (Hunt, 133), and only Gurley and Hunt have more scrimmage yards than Cook's 370. The point here is that Cook has asserted himself as one of the highest-volume backs in the game with upside as well. He has only seen seven carries inside the 20 and two inside the 5, but we can rest assured that those numbers will rise sooner rather than later. Speaking of young stars, Stefon Diggs just continues to impress, regardless of who is under center for the Vikings (it looks like Keenum, but either one works in this stack), as he leads the NFL in receiving yards (293) and receiving touchdowns (4). The Lions defense is much improved, but one that is still beatable (just ask Matt Ryan). If Keenum (or Bradford) and company can limit mistakes in this one, this stack could pay off nicely. Throwing in Kyle Rudolph as an additional play has some appeal in full stacks as well.