Bottom of the Barrel Special Saturday Edition
12/18/20
Chris Robin https://twitter.com/DetroitBeastie

We’ve had Monday night football, Tuesday night football, Wednesday football, Thursday football and of course Sunday football. Now we have Saturday night football! What a treat! The season hasn’t gone accordingly to plan but we’ve had a season. That’s the most important thing.

I have always been partial to NFL football on Saturday’s. When you’re a child with no real responsibilities everyday is Saturday. As an adult with nothing but responsibilities it’s quite different. Watching professional football on Saturday instantly makes it feel like a holiday. No where to go. No where to be and nothing to do. We can lay around most of the day and take it in while not feeling awful about it.

We are a few weeks away from Christmas and this year has been challenging to say the least. I believe you owe it to yourself to unplug this Saturday and rest. Take the day to recharge and recoup. I’m aware one day and two football games isn’t going to undo all the stress and anxiety that is 2020 but we must start somewhere.

Bottom of the Barrel has always been for the low-owned and cheaply priced players. The special Saturday edition is going to be a tad different. With only four teams playing our options are limited when compared to a full 10+ team slate. Let’s call this a full slate discussion. Even better, a full slate dissection!

QUARTERBACK

Aaron Rodgers GB vs CAR (21st)(FD-$9,200)(DK-$7,300)

Rodgers at home in December is a different breed! We’ve seen a vintage Aaron Rodgers in 2020. 3,685 passing yards with 39 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. He’s been unbelievable in tandem with stud WR Davante Adams. Noting witty to say here. We all know what to expect for Rodgers on Saturday. I’m going to say 260 yards and 3 TD passes vs CAR.

Josh Allen BUF @ DEN (19th)(FD-$8,400)(DK-$7,200)

After sitting down to write the notes for this article I thought it was easy. It was a breeze. Then when I sat down to type this out and come up with my projections and fun fancy blurbs I was stumped! If you’ve read B&B at any point in the season, then you know I never mention the studs! This article is nothing but studs! It’s a very odd thing! What do I say? What do I do with my hands? The Denver Broncos are middle of the pack defensively but when it comes to QB they are allowing 18 or more points to QB’s so far in 2020. Oh boy.

Teddy Bridgewater CAR @ GB (5th)(FD-$7,300)(DK-$5,200)

Realistically, there is little to no reason to pivot off Rodgers and Allen. Yet what’s the point of this article if it was that simple? You know me better then that! Teddy playing in GB Saturday night isn’t the direction our DFS lines should go. The Packers are holding opposing QB’s to the fifth-fewest points per game. When it comes to DFS I’m nuts and sometimes borderline crazy. Only reason to roster Teddy B is for salary relief. Which doesn’t really make sense give the small slate. Unless you’re maxing out GPP’s on Saturday steer clear of Bridgewater.

Drew Lock DEN vs BUF (24th)(FD-$6,800)(DK-$5,000)

What’s odd is the fact I’d prefer Lock over Teddy. Want to know why? It’s simple! The propensity for a higher upside game is there. Teddy and his ceiling are completely capped in GB. While Lock is fresh off a career high in touchdowns (4) and a seasonal high in completions over 25 yards (5). That was last week though and Saturday is a big boy math-up for the Broncos and Drew Lock.

RUNNING BACK

Aaron Jones GB vs CAR (25th)(FD-$8,200)(DK-$7,300)

Over the years of consistently playing DFS I’ve noticed sometimes it’s not always about crunching numbers and projecting DvP matchups. What I have to say here about Aaron Jones is very elementary. Jones was projected off the charts in Detroit in week 14. He did find the endzone, but it wasn’t the slate breaking performance we expected. For that simple fact I’m projecting Jonesy to go crazy Saturday at home. It’s just screaming to me! I can’t shake the thought of a three-touchdown game. Do with that what you will.

Mike Davis CAR @ GB (28th)(FD-$7,400)(DK-$6,500)

Another case of projections and crunching DvP numbers, Mike Davis is the second highest priced RB on Saturday. When I’d prefer MG3. Over the past few days, I’ve seen some very spirited tweets regarding Davis. I had no idea being a Mike Davis loyalist was a thing. Who am I to judge? Last I checked this is America and you’re allowed to do as we please! On paper the match-up is fantastic! The Packers give up the 5th highest points to opposing RB’s. I’m not putting Mike down or telling you to fade. Promise. Let’s just temper our expectations.

Melvin Gordon III DEN vs BUF (16th)(FD-$6,000)(DK-$5,200)

Before we get into Melvin Gordon just know I know. I know him and Phil Lindsay are just about splitting work. If I may have a moment of your time, I’d like to discuss why I’d prefer MGIII this week. So, in week 14 MG3 had 16 total touches compared to Phil’s 11. Yet Gordon recorded six total first downs last week. MG3 is clearly the preferred red zone and goal line back. Not to mention offers more, way more, upside in the passing game. In a game that will be closer than most expect, I wouldn’t be shocked to see upwards of 18+ total touches.

Devin Singletary BUF @ DEN (23rd)(FD-$5,300)(DK-$4,100)

At the start of the season we were left scratching our heads in terms of who the heck to use. Fast forward to week 15 and we’re right back where we started. Your guess is as good as mine in terms of who see’s more work in Denver on Saturday. If you’re asking me, I’d choose Devin here cause he’s cheaper.

Zack Moss BUF @ DEN (23rd)(FD-$5,700)(DK-$4,500)

I could be lazy and tell you to see Devin Singletary blurb but that would be rude. The only positive I can pluck here is the fact Denver’s defense usually gives up close to 100 yards a game to opposing RB’s. To me, that doesn’t fly here! There isn’t one favorite back. So now what? Logically I’d think we just split it down the middle. 50 yards for Moss and 50 yards for Devin. So here we are again, back where we started.

Phillip Lindsay DEN vs BUF (16th)(FD-$5,100)(DK-$4,000)

There is no real reason to roster Phil Lindsay Saturday. I’m sorry to my Phillip Lindsay fans. He averaged a meager 2.4 yards a carry in Carolina last week. He has no role in the passing game. Why would you punt the RB position on such a small slate? Let’s say he scores a touchdown Saturday, which is best case scenario, I highly doubt it effects your lineup’s ability to cash. Hard pass.

Jamaal Williams GB vs CAR (25th)(FD-$5,200)(DK-$4,800)

If you could promise me ten or more targets and touches for J-Will on Saturday, I’d be all in. Guess what? I’m all in anyways. The Packers are playing so flipping well this season it’s just fun thinking ahead to positive game scripts. I said this same exact thing last week and I’ll say it again here. Packers get ahead early in this one and they just feed both Jones and Williams. I have no issue stacking both GB running backs.

WIDE RECEIVER

Davante Adams GB vs CAR (14th)(FD-$9,500)(DK-$9,400)

C’mon now. I won’t waste your time. We both know what to do here.

Stefon Diggs BUF @ DEN (10th)(FD-$8,200)(DK-$7,900)

C’mon now. I won’t waste your time. We both know what to do here. Diggs has now caught 100 passes this season. He’s been unbelievably good in his first season with Buffalo. Did you catch the story about Diggs and Allen when they play video games? No matter what their doing if one dies in Call of Duty the other drops what war their fighting to make sure they revive the other. No DFS implication. Just find it cute.

Robby Anderson CAR @ GB (5th)(FD-$6,700)(DK-$6,200)

Green Bay is allowing the fifth fewest points to opposing WR’s but that doesn’t affect my opinion on rostering his Saturday. Robby currently sits at 996 receiving yards and will no doubt eclipse 1,000 yards Saturday, in Green Bay, for the first time in his career. At this point in the season, given all the awfulness of 2020 I like this. It’s a feel-good story. No issue if you have 100% exposure to Robby tomorrow.

Curtis Samuel CAR @ GB (5th)(FD-$6,200)(DK-$4,800)

Labeled a gadget guy, in Bottom of the Barrel early in the season, Curtis has ridden that wave and has been fantastic for real life purposes and fantasy purposes! Looking ahead to Saturday in Green Bay his versatility should serve him. Look for Curtis to catch 5-6 passes and carry the ball 2-3 times. Perfect amount of work for the price.

Cole Beasley BUF @ DEN (10th)(FD-$5,800)(DK-$4,700)

Mr. Cole Beasley! You sir are a gem! The past four games Cole has seen 38 targets! On a very pass heavy offense, it’s going to be tough getting away from Beasley on Saturday. The middle of the field should his playground in Denver!

Tim Patrick DEN vs BUF (11th)(FD-$5,700)(DK-$4,300)

Timmy, Timmy, Timmy can’t you see sometimes your targets just hypnotize me! Another week another touchdown for Timmy P! Which makes six total this season. Last Sunday Tim lead the Broncos in receiving yards, snaps and routes ran. He is absolutely in the conversation as a must start Saturday given the small slate.

Gabriel Davis BUF @ DEN (10th)(FD-$5,400)(DK-$4,000)

Hopefully you’re not getting sick of me talking about the rookie speedster Gabe Davis. Kid has been phenomenal in his first NFL season. Over the last month he’s averaging 15 air yards per target. Has scored in four of the last five games. Buffalo came out Friday to tell us John Brown will not be activated off IR for Saturday’s contest. Denver has been respectful on defense this season but the upside of Davis burning a corner once or twice Saturday is too high!

Allen Lazard GB vs CAR (14th)(FD-$5,600)(DK-$4,100)

Since coming back from injury Lazard hasn’t fully taken over the WR2 job in Green Bay. He’s seeing several targets a game. On Saturday let’s say he sees four targets. Is that enough to consider rostering Allen Lazard? On any other team no.

KJ Hamler DEN vs BUF (11th)(FD-$5,100)(DK-$3,500)

If you believe in Drew Locks big arm then consider KJ. Although his target share isn’t as quite where we want it.

Jerry Jeudy DEN vs BUF (11th)(FD-$5,300)(DK-$3,900)

To be used as a lineup filler on Saturday. Not expecting a huge return on price.

TIGHT END

Robert Tonyan GB vs CAR (24th)(FD-$6,500)(DK-$4,500)

This passing game absolutely goes through Davante Adams. Yet can we call Tonyan the second favorite target of Aaron Rodgers? Let’s review and I’ll let you make the decision! Tonyan has scored a touchdown in four straight games. Tonyan has 4+ targets in seven of the last nine games. What do you think?

Noah Fant DEN vs BUF (29th)(FD-$5,600)(DK-$3,800)

Fant missed last week due to an illness. Be mindful of that but looking head to Saturdays contest the Buffalo Bills are giving up the 6th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. He’s a very safe play in the Saturday only slate.

Dawson Knox BUF @ DEN (6th)(FD-$4,800)(DK-$2,800)

What bums me out is the fact Dawson Knox’s entire week 14 game was defined by his fumble. It’s hard to not consider any pass catching option in this Buffalo offense. Look, I’m realistic and not expecting a slate breaking type of game but at his price on both sites 40 yards on 4 receptions would be perfect.

Two other tight ends I’d consider purely as punts.

Ian Thomas CAR @ GB (7th)(FD-$4,500)(DK-$2,500)

Nick Vannett DEN vs BUF (29th)(FD-$4,600)(DK-$2,900)

That’s it! This is the Saturday slate. Here are a few sample lines for the Saturday ONLY slate!

Did I miss someone?

Any questions or comments?

Find me on Twitter here! https://twitter.com/DetroitBeastie

HAPPY HOLIDAY’S!