Much like my favorite fictitious soldier of fortune, Lt. Col. John Hannibal Smith, I believe in having a plan for everything, and theres nothing better than when a plan comes together.
When dealing with the most volatile and complex situations, whether its a job for the A-Team or even developing a strategy in Daily Fantasy Sports, its best to plan for a journey, not necessarily the destination.
Last week, the plan kind of came together with The Lineups second-best output of the season.
I targeted a Jaguars defense who enables productive quarterback-play on a weekly basis with Jalen Hurts (29.9 DraftKings points).
I chose two running backs on teams I believed would blowout their opponents, Derrick Henry (29.3) and Chase Brown (29.7), and stacked them with pass-catchers who would be chasing points, Courtland Sutton (26.28) and Brock Bowers (15.5).
The Ravens destroyed the Broncos 41-10 and the Bengals routed the Raiders 41-24.
I stacked Mission Hills Chris Olave (2.3) and Taysom Hill (16) as the only viable offensive weapons on the Saints against the Panthers, but Olave (concussion) joined New Orleans list of walking wounded, a list that now rivals a CVS receipt.
Olave getting knocked out early and the Giants defense laying a big goose egg against the Commanders kept an otherwise perfect plan from reaching its full potential, but the journey continues.
The Preamble
Devising the perfect Daily Fantasy Sports strategy for the NFL can be a challenge, which is why I’m here weekly to assist.
On DraftKings, it’s important to remember you’re playing full-point PPR with bonuses if a player surpasses 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards or 100 receiving yards.
Here is my optimal lineup for Sunday’s NFL $2.75 million Fantasy Football Millionaire contest, but it can be utilized as a foundation in other games and platforms.
All prices listed are courtesy of DraftKings with a $50,000 budget.
The Optimal Lineup has netted $177.86 this season, so I’m in the black $22.86 with an average score of 133.98 points through nine weeks.
Year-To-Date Results
Week 1: 90.16
Week 2: 144.38
Week 3: 100.38
Week 4: 180.78
Week 5: 147.14
Week 6: 126.72
Week 7: 132.98
Week 8: 114.84
Week 9: 168.48
Week 10 Lineup
QB: Justin Herbert, Chargers ($5,200)
This is a reminder that talent in fantasy is much like life in Jurassic Park, it finds a way. Herbert entered the Bolts Week 5 bye with a season-high of 179 passing yards and 27 attempts with only one multi-touchdown game. Hes averaging 303 passing yards the last three games with multiple TD passes the last two weeks, and hasnt thrown an interception since Week 2. Tennessees secondary is down to three of five Week 1 starters after safety Quandre Diggs suffered a season-ending injury last week. According to Pro Football Focus, the Titans are last in forced completion rate, 30th in quarterback pressure rate and 29th in pass-rush win rate.
RB: Aaron Jones, Vikings ($6,700)
The Jaguars just allowed Saquon Barkley to produce 199 total yards and two TDs on 30 touches last week and Josh Jacobs 125 total yards and two TDs on 26 touches the week before.
RB: Kareem Hunt, Chiefs ($6,600)
Only Joe Mixon, Henry, Bijan Robinson, Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs and DAndre Swift are averaging more PPR points since Hunt took over the starting role in Week 5 for Kansas City. He has at least 22 touches in four straight games, and like I said last week (advocating for Henry), its much easier to run than pass against the Broncos.
WR: Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($8,800)
Jeffersons worst game of the season was six receptions for 92 yards against the Jets in Week 5. He has the highest ceiling on the slate.
WR: Ladd McConkey, Chargers ($5,900)
McConkey is the overall WR19 in PPR formats this season, but the rookie has bumped that up to WR11 since the Bolts bye. Since Week 5, the Titans have allowed the 10th-highest passer rating when targeted and the sixth-most fantasy points per game to slot receivers.
WR: Jauan Jennings, 49ers ($5,100)
Jennings has been sidelined since Week 6 with a hip injury, but doesnt carry an injury designation headed into a matchup with the Buccaneers. The return of Christian McCaffrey should make even more difficult for Tampa Bays defense to focus on stopping the pass, which is not something theyve excelled at this season. The Bucs have allowed the fifth-most receptions, ninth-most receiving yards and eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
TE: Taysom Hill, Saints ($4,000)
Hill finished as the overall TE5 in PPR last week, and New Orleans just put Olave (concussion) on injured reserve. He has upside as a runner and receiver considering how shorthanded the Saints are on offense.
FLEX: Parker Washington, Jaguars ($3,900)
Washington has taken over Christian Kirks role in the slot for Jacksonville with Kirk on IR. The Vikings have allowed the fourth-most receiving yards per game and fantasy points per game to slot receivers. With Trevor Lawrence sidelined, Mac Jones will see his first start of the season. Jones looked really good in the preseason, completing 73% of his passes for 421 yards at eight yards per attempt with three TD passes. He connected with Washington five times including one of those scores.
DST: Los Angeles Chargers ($3,800)
The Chargers are the fifth-highest scoring defense in fantasy, but have finished as a top-three option in each of the last two weeks. The Titans are allowing the most fantasy points to opposing defenses this season, with Will Levis making his first start since Week 5. Levis was personally responsible for 10 turnovers in his five starts, and sacked 15 times.