NFL Sports Betting Toolkit
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
Chiefs vs Steelers - Team Total 25
|
Name |
Position |
FanDuel Salary |
DraftKings Salary |
Estimated Ownership % |
Projected Points |
| Alex Smith | QB | $7,500 | $6,400 | 0-5 | 18.66 (DK), 18.46 (FD)
|
| Kareem Hunt | RB | $9,300 | $8,200 | 10-15 | 18.32 (DK), 16.52 (FD) |
| Travis Kelce | TE | $7,200 | $6,100 | 5-10 | 11.98 (DK), 9.58(FD) |
The Steelers have been abysmal against the run this season, allowing monster games to both Leonard Fournette (28-181-2) and Jordan Howard (23-140-2). Now they'll have the unenviable task of trying to contain the league's leading rusher in Hunt, who has nearly 150 more yards on the ground than any other player. The Black and Gold have allowed over 135 yards per game on the ground, and this is a prime spot for Hunt and company, as evidenced by their high team total of 25. Kelce is currently in concussion protocol, so monitor his status as we move forward this week, but if he suits up, he has massive upside as well against a defense that Football Outsiders (FO) ranks 3rd against the pass this season, which should keep his ownership down. Alex Smith just continues to look like an MVP candidate, having accounted for 12 total scores without a turnover this season. The Steelers have plenty of issues on both sides of the ball, and this looks like a perfect spot to load up on the Chiefs. Among teams with totals of 24+ points this week, the Chiefs have the closest point spread (-4), and we can expect to see plenty of action here. I'm a big fan of the Kansas City D/ST here as well, just in case Roethlisberger has a hangover from last week's disaster.
Top Stack 2
Saints vs Lions - Team Total 27.25
Name | Position | FanDuel Salary | DraftKings Salary | Estimated Ownership % | Projected Points |
QB | $8,600 | $7,200 | 5-10 | 25.03 (DK), 21.93 (FD) | |
Michael Thomas | WR | $8,500 | $7,300 | 10-15 | 16.48 (DK), 13.38 (FD) |
RB | $5,800 | $4,500 | 5-10 | 13.89 (DK), 11.74 (FD) |
Detroit currently ranks in the top 10 against both the run and pass (9th and 5th, respectively) per FO, but this is a pass-heavy Saints offense that is very tough to contain at home. Drew Brees and company are coming off a bye week, and will look to build on a strong offensive start to the season. Michael Thomas has at least 87 yards in three straight games, including a touchdown grab in each of his last two. He makes for a perfect pairing with Brees, as he has seen 8+ targets in each game this season. On DraftKings, this stack looks even more enticing, with Kamara listed at just 4.5K, coming off a 10-catch performance last game out. He has 28 targets on the season in just four games, and has found the end zone twice (one rushing). With Adrian Peterson shipped out of town, maybe he grabs a few additional snaps as well. He is thriving in that Darren Sproles-type role in this offense, and has massive upside at that price point.
Value Stack
Rams at Jaguars - Team Total 20.25
Name | Position | FanDuel Salary | DraftKings Salary | Estimated Ownership % | Projected Points |
QB | $7,500 | $5,000 | 1-2 | 13.37 (DK), 13.17 (FD) | |
Todd Gurley III | RB | $7,700 | $5,700 | 5-10 | 18.46 (DK), 16.31 (FD) |
Cooper Kupp | WR | $5,900 | $4,000 | 0-5 | 9.11 (DK), 7.46 (FD) |
Full disclaimer here: this is a pretty risky stack, but if you're looking for a trio of players that will see very little ownership, this is the spot. Cooper Kupp and Todd Gurley have a combined 11 targets in the red zone this season, and at their cheap prices on DK, the upside is certainly there. The Jaguars defense has been arguably the best in the NFL this season (aside from the Titans game), so the floor here is tremendously low. However, you can jam all three of these guys into a DK lineup for under 15K, and they each have upside. The Jags do give up over 165 yards per game on the ground, so Gurley himself looks like a really nice low-owned play. If you're putting together a ton of lineups, give this stack a shot on DK. They aren't quite as appealing on FD with so many other solid plays at similar price points.
Contrarian Stack
Lions at Saints - Team Total 22.5
Name | Position | FanDuel Salary | DraftKings Salary | Estimated Ownership % | Projected Points |
QB | $8,500 | $6,500 | 5-10 | 18.67 (DK) 18.03(FD) | |
Ameer Abdullah | RB | $6,400 | $4,900 | 5-10 | 12.29 (DK), 11.09 (FD) |
Golden Tate | WR | $7,600 | $6,800 | 5-10 | 14.02 (DK), 13.17 (FD) |
The Lions have an implied total of just 22.5 points here, and although FanDuel has these guys priced up, DraftKings makes it very easy to lock these guys into your lineup for fairly cheap. Abdullah has one of the highest value ratings in our optimizer, and makes for a very solid cheap play in a full-ppr contest. Tate and Stafford haven't had a monster game of yet, as Tate has 50+ yards just twice this season. However, this is a Saints defense that is a perennial cellar-dweller, and once again is allowing nearly 375 yards per game. I won't be playing Stafford on FD at that price, but all of these guys are very viable as a stack, or even one-offs on DK.
Login or Register to join the conversation.