NFL $6,000+ Monday Best Buys
With 14 games on the NFL’s premier day of football, there is plenty of talent to select for the Draftstars NFL $6k Monday competition. Whether it’s picking those players in a rich vein of form or those with a favourable matchup on the day, the is plenty of opportunities to win big.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford ($13,950)
Without question a strong contender for the NFL MVP award this season, Stafford put up huge numbers again last weekend against New Orleans, who struggle defensively much like his opponent this week Chicago. With no rushing game, Stafford has been the key in Detroit’s success this year and this week’s matchup with the 3-9 Bears is yet another opportunity for him to excel.
Running Back
Matt Forte ($12,550)
It’s been a lean few weeks for Forte, who like the Jets, have struggled immensely on offense. With a combined 52 rushing yards over the past fortnight, Forte is in a form slump, however his Week 14 matchup could be the perfect catalyst to get his season back on track. The 49ers have allowed a whopping 169.3 rushing yards per game – by far the worst in the league.
Jeremy Hill ($12,450)
With Giovanni Bernard out for the rest of the season, Hill is the number one back in Cincinnati without the worry of sharing carries. This week he faces the team which he scored his best figures of the year against in Cleveland, whereby he ran for 168 yards and a touchdown in Week 8. Given Cleveland allow the third most points to the running back position, it’s likely Hill is in for another big game.
Wide Receiver
Dez Bryant ($13,400)
After returning figures of 84 yards and a touchdown against one of the league’s in-form cornerbacks in Xavier Rhodes, Bryant could build on his success against the Giants who rank 10th in production allowed to opposing receivers. With an average of 20.05 points over the past month, Bryant’s form is simply too good to ignore.
Doug Baldwin ($12,850)
Officially the most efficient receiver in the NFL, Baldwin has gone from strength to strength despite having either a touchdown or 100-yard game only once in his past night games. As the Seahawks build towards the post-season, Baldwin will continue to see production, however this week against Green Bay’s defence which ranks 30th to production to opposing receiver will reap better rewards than the short yardage he earned against Carolina
Tight End
Tyler Eifert ($11,750)
Eifert had just one catch for nine yards in the Bengals’ earlier matchup with Cleveland this season in his first game back from injury where he saw limited action. Now, having returned to his best, Eifert has history against the Browns having scored three touchdowns and 53 receiving yards in a single game last season. After a touchdown in each of his last two games, he could again wreak havoc against the team who allow the second-most fantasy points to the tight end position.
Flex
Thomas Rawls ($10,250)
Seattle finally established a running game last week on the back of Rawls who reclaimed his mantle as the Seahawks’ number one back. After scoring two touchdowns and rushing for 106 yards last week against Carolina, Rawls is returning to his 2015 form which saw him earmarked as the perfect replacement for Marshawn Lynch. With the Seahawks looking to establish a well-rounded offense, expect Rawls to see around 15 carries against Green Bay.
Taylor Gabriel ($6,350)
Gabriel moved up the depth chart in the Falcons’ receiving core to the number two position behind Julio Jones, and despite producing just 9.40 points last week, is still copping five to six targets a game. With Jones in doubt, Gabriel should see even more production this week against Los Angeles who have allowed 100-yard receivers in back to back games.
Defense
Pittsburgh Steelers ($5,900)
The Steelers’ defence has become reminiscent of their glory days in recent weeks having held Cleveland, Indianapolis and the New York Giants to a combined 32 points. The players and coaches have already stated their first prerogative is to stop the run – something they’ll need to do against the league’s number one rushing offense in Buffalo. Yet if they can do that, they’ll succeed, and can match Buffalo’s passing game which ranks last in the NFL.
The Lineup
QB: Matthew Stafford ($13,950)
RB: Matt Forte ($12,500)
RB: Jeremy Hill ($12,450)
WR: Dez Bryant ($13,400)
WR: Doug Baldwin ($12,850)
TE: Tyler Eifert ($11,750)
FX: Thomas Rawls ($10,250)
FX: Taylor Gabriel ($6,350)
DEF: Pittsburgh Steelers ($5,900)
Cash Remaining: $550
NFL SCORING SYSTEM:
OFFENSE
Pass TD = 4 pts
1 Pass Yard = 0.04 pts
Interception = -1 pts
1 Rush Yard = 0.1 pts
Rush TD = 6 pts
1 Receiving Yard = 0.1pts
Reception TD = 6 pts
Reception = 1pt
Return TD = 6 pts
2 pt Conversion = 2pts
Lost Fumble = -2pts
DEFENSE
Sack = 1 pt
Interception = 2 pts
Fumble Recovery = 2 pts
Touchdown = 6 pts
Safety = 2 pts
Blocked Kick = 2 pts
Kickoff/PR Touchdown = 6 pts
Points allowed – 0 = 10 pts
Points allowed – 1-6 = 7 pts
Points allowed – 7-13 = 4 pts
Points allowed – 14-20 = 1 pt
Points allowed – 21-27 = 0 pts
Points allowed – 28-34 = -1 pt
Points allowed – 35+ = -4 pts
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