DraftKings NFL: Week 8 Tournament Guide

This article is part of our DraftKings NFL series.

After consecutive weeks with 10-game slates, we're back to having 12 this week. The first thing that stands out is the lack of high totals. Only two games have a total north of 50. The Bills and Rams have implied team totals of 30-plus but neither team's matchup is expected to be competitive. It means that we will probably see slightly lower DraftKings scores than we've been accustomed to this season. 

The aren't many appealing spots to stack either. The Titans-Colts matchup will be a relatively popular target, but overall I expect rostership to be spread out. Last week, saw most of the chalky RBs bust and the overly popular Chiefs game busted as well. Always keep in mind how often the so called "best" plays fail. There's no such thing as a lock in the NFL. The chalky options are rarely that much better, and the leverage afforded by fading them is the No. 1 factor when it comes to winning large-field tournaments. To summarize, don't put cash lineups in GPPs. Good luck on Sunday!

Note: All prices listed come from DraftKings, but most of the logic can be applied to other sites across the DFS industry. Discussion is limited to players from the "main slate" of games kicking off at 1 p.m., 4:05 p.m. and 4:25 p.m. EDT on Sunday. The strategy below is meant for large-field tournaments, where payouts typically are limited to ~20 percent of lineups, with the vast majority concentrated at the very top.

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The Games

Point-Per-Dollar Value

These are the players with the best projections relative to their salaries — good plays both for cash games and large-field tournaments. While we don't want our GPP lineups to look like cash-game lineups top to bottom, there's nothing wrong with using a few chalky plays. These players, along with a couple passing-game stacks, tend to form the core that remains fairly consistent throughout my lineups.

• Darrell Henderson at HOU ($6,500)

Henderson was among the chalky options at running back last week and really disappointed as he scored only 9.4 DK points. I'll be going right back to him, though, as he's in an even better spot this week. The Texans have one of the worst defensive lines in the league and have been awful against the run this season. Prior to last week, Henderson had topped 15 fantasy points in every game. The Rams should be leading this game throughout, which would set up well for the running game. He has upside for 100-plus yards and multiple TDs.

• Chris Godwin at NO ($6,400)

Godwin was too cheap last week at $5,900 when he caught eight of 11 targets for 111 yards and a TD. He's still too cheap this week, especially considering Antonio Brown is still out. Brown's absence gives a significant boost to Godwin's target share. The matchup is favorable too. The Saints are good against the run, meaning Tom Brady and the Bucs are likely to feature a pass-heavy  attack. Godwin will be one of the first players in my lineup for cash-games and has plenty of upside for tournaments too. 

Other Cash-Game Options

QB Josh Allen vs. MIA ($8,100)

QB Jalen Hurts at DET ($7,200)

QB Carson Wentz vs. TEN ($5,700)

RB Derrick Henry at IND ($8,900)

RB Alvin Kamara vs. TB ($8,700)

RB D'Andre Swift vs. PHI ($7,100)

RB Joe Mixon at NYJ ($6,900)

RB James Robinson at SEA ($6,600)

RB Leonard Fournette at NO ($6,300)

RB Chuba Hubbard at ATL ($6,100)

RB Elijah Mitchell at CHI ($5,400)

RB Kenneth Gainwell at DET ($5,000)

WR Cooper Kupp at HOU ($9,000)

WR A.J. Brown at IND ($6,900)

WR Calvin Ridley vs. CAR ($6,600)

WR Keenan Allen vs NE ($6,500)

WR Michael Pittman vs. TEN ($5,300)

WR Tee Higgins at NYJ ($5,200)

TE Dallas Goedert at DET ($4,700)

TE Ricky Seals-Jones at DEN ($3,800)

TE Jared Cook vs. NE ($3,400)

TE Dan Arnold at SEA ($2,800)

D/ST Jacksonville Jaguars at SEA ($2,400)

D/ST Washington Football Team at DEN ($2,100)

Passing-Game Stacks

Stacks are the centerpiece of any tournament lineup, seeking to take advantage of positive correlations between players. It rarely makes sense to use a quarterback without one or two of his pass catchers, even if the player in question scores a decent portion of his fantasy points with his legs. Ideally, a stack also includes a pass catcher from the other side of the game, hoping to take advantage of a back-and-forth shootout. (Implied team totals are listed in parentheses.)

Tennessee Titans (24.25) at Indianapolis Colts (26.75)

Titans:

The Titans-Colts matchup has the highest total on the slate and it's expected to be competitive which makes it appealing to stack. Ryan Tannehill ($6,600) looked great last week against the Chiefs and likely would've put up a big score had the Titans not blown them out early. He faces a Colts defense that struggles rushing the passer and that's allowed the most TD passes in the AFC. Derrick Henry ($8,900) has the ability to smash in any matchup, but he's really feasted against the Colts lately. He's averaging 5.46 yards per carry and 150-plus total yards the last four meetings. A.J. Brown ($6,900) is coming off his best game of the season last week when he caught eight passes for 133 yards and a TD. He did almost all his damage in the first half and likely would've had a huge game had the Chiefs kept it competitive. He looks even better this week after Julio Jones (hamstring) was ruled out. 

Colts:

The Colts have looked much improved after a rough start to the season and so has Carson Wentz ($5,700). He's thrown multiple TD passes in four consecutive games and will have a full strength offensive line in front of him with the news that all-pro guard Quenton Nelson has been activated from injured reserve. The Titans defense has given up the league's second-most fantasy points to WRs, which bodes well for Michael Pittman ($5,300). He's emerged as Wentz's favorite target and has put up 20-plus fantasy points three times already this season. Jonathan Taylor ($7,200) is among the NFL's hottest running backs. He's topped 22 fantasy points in four consecutive games while taking on a larger role in the passing game. Wentz could also be paired with Mo Alie-Cox ($3,200), who's quite cheap and who has four TDs and his last four games. 

• Favorite Colts Stack: QB Wentz + WR Pittman + WR Brown/RB Henry
• Favorite Titans Stack: QB Tannehill + RB Taylor + WR Brown

Miami Dolphins (17.5) at Buffalo Bills (31.5)

Dolphins:

This stack is more about the Bills, but the Dolphins have a couple appealing running back options. Tua Tagovailoa ($5,500) has thrown six TDs in two starts since returning from injury and has put up 25-plus fantasy points in both games. Jaylen Waddle ($5,600) has drawn 21 targets and scored two TDs in that span. The likely return of DeVante Parker could lessen Waddle's target share, but the Dolphins should be playing from behind and passing for most of the game. Mike Gesicki ($5,000) has drawn 17 targets the last two weeks. He's topped 20 fantasy points in both of those games and looks like one of the better TE plays on the slate considering the position is especially weak this Sunday. He'd be my preferred option from the Dolphins side. 

Bills:

The Bills will be fresh off of a bye and ready to get back on track after a disappointing loss to the Titans in Week 6. They have penchant for blowing teams out and keeping their foot on the pedal once the game's been decided. This should be a get right spot against a Miami team that they crushed 35-0 in Week 2. Josh Allen ($8,100) is the top QB on the slate. He's scored at least 32 fantasy points in three of his last four starts. Stefon Diggs ($8,100) has seen double-digit targets in three of his last four games, and I expect him to go somewhat overlooked at that price tag based on the fact that he's yet to have a true breakout game this season. It's only a matter of time before he goes for 100-plus yards and multiple TDs. Emmanuel Sanders ($5,400) has scored at least 13 fantasy points in four consecutive games and has topped 20 twice in that span. Cole Beasley ($4,900) has also put up 20-plus fantasy points twice in his last four. Tommy Sweeney ($2,900) will start in place of the injured Dawson Knox. He caught a touchdown last time out and can be rostered for near-minimum salary. This is a spot where you can pair Allen with multiple pass catchers and hope he throws for five TDs.

• Favorite Stack: QB Allen + WR Diggs + WR Beasley/WR Sanders + TE Gesicki

Other Stacks to Consider

QB Matthew Stafford + WR Cooper Kupp + TE Tyler Higbee +/- WR Brandin Cooks 

QB Tom Brady + RB Alvin Kamara + WR Chris Godwin and/or WR Mike Evans

QB Jalen Hurts + RB D'Andre Swift + TE Dallas Goedert

QB Joe Burrow + RB Michael Carter + WR Tee Higgins and/or Ja'Marr Chase

QB Justin Herbert + WR Keenan Allen/WR Mike Williams + TE Jared Cook

High-Priced Heroes

• RB Alvin Kamara vs TB ($8,700)

Most won't want to roster Kamara this week considering that Derrick Henry ($8,900) is similarly priced and the Saints have a tough matchup against the Bucs. Kamara looked incredible last week, catching 10 of 11 targets for 128 yards and a TD. Tampa Bay has a great run defense but that's actually part of the reason to like Kamara as it should mean that the Saints will focus on getting him the ball in the passing game. If they're going to stay competitive, Kamara almost certainly has to have a big game as the Saints don't have much else on offense.

• WR Cooper Kupp at HOU ($9,000)

There isn't much else to say about Kupp at this point as he continues to put up staggering numbers. He's drawn double-digit targets in every game this season and has topped 30 DK points in four of seven games. The Rams have a hefty 31.25 implied team total in a matchup with the Texans that they should win comfortably. I've made the mistake of avoiding these spots in the past, but Kupp only needs three quarters to put up a huge score. You can make an argument that he's eclipsed Davante Adams as the top WR in fantasy. 

Honorable Mentions: Stefon Diggs, BUF vs. MIA ($8,100); Kyle Pitts, ATL vs. CAR ($6,300)

Fading the Field

Every week we see at least one or two players who are popular without the backing of a top point-per-dollar projection. Recency bias is often to blame, but in some cases it even makes sense to fade a player with a strong projection, particularly when there are good alternatives at the same position and price range.

• RB Derrick Henry at IND ($8,900)

I like Derrick Henry as much as the next person. I think he's the best RB in the NFL. The reason I'm fading him this week is two-fold. First, he'll be more popular than Alvin Kamara ($8,700) in the same range, so it's a decent spot to get leverage. Second, I'd rather spend up at WR for Cooper Kupp. Partly because I like Kupp and partly because there is more cheap value at RB than there is at WR. Just to reiterate, I still like Henry this week but you always have to make some uncomfortable fades and take a few stands. I'll be looking to A.J. Brown for my Titans exposure instead.  

The Smash Spot

Players in favorable positions to significantly outperform their salary.

• RB Joe Mixon at NYJ ($6,900)

I wouldn't be put off by the rather low 43-point total in the Bengals-Jets matchup. Most of the reason for that number is that the Jets will be starting Mike White at QB. That sets up well for Cincinnati as it should have good average field position and plenty of opportunities around the goal line. The Jets defensive line is bad and the New York offense will struggle to sustain possession. That's a recipe for disaster; expect the Bengals to get an early lead and then lean on Mixon to close the game out. He has upside for 100-plus yards and multiple TDs in this spot. 

Honorable Mentions: Elijah Mitchell, SF at CHI ($5,400); A.J. Brown, TEN at IND ($6,900)

The Bargain Bin

QB Matt Ryan vs. CAR ($5,900)

QB Carson Wentz vs. TEN ($5,700)

QB Tua Tagovailoa at BUF ($5,500)

QB Trevor Lawrence at SEA ($5,500)

QB Teddy Bridgewater vs. WAS ($5,400)

RB Elijah Mitchell at CHI ($5,400)

RB Khalil Herbert vs. SF ($5,400)

RB Kenneth Gainwell at DET ($5,000)

RB Michael Carter vs. CIN ($4,900)

WR Jerry Jeudy vs. WAS (4,900)

WR Cole Beasley vs. MIA ($4,900)

WR Robby Anderson at ATL ($4,700)

WR Laviska Shenault at SEA ($4,700)

TE Tommy Sweeney vs. MIA ($2,900)

TE Dan Arnold at SEA ($2,800)

Injury Situations

• RB Miles Sanders at DET

Sanders is out, meaning Kenneth Gainwell ($5,000) and Boston Scott will share the RB duties. Gainwell and his pass-catching upside makes for a solid option in all formats.

• WR Antonio Brown at NO

Brown will miss a second consecutive game. Mike Evans ($7,000) and Chris Godwin ($6,400) both had big games in his absence and both look good again this week, especially Godwin. 

• WR Julio Jones at IND

Jones has already been ruled out and the Titans backup WRs are banged up as well. Not that he needed one, but A.J. Brown should get a nice usage bump and now looks like one of the better WR options on the slate. 

Weather Watch

Nothing to be overly concerned about this week.