Monday Night Football DFS Preview: Ravens at Raiders
Monday Night Football DFS Preview
With the NFL back in action, the season debut of Monday Night Football offers a chance for the nation to focus on two teams after an action-packed opening Sunday.
The Baltimore Ravens are four-point favorites on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders. Both teams have some unknowns heading into their season-opener. The Ravens have been snake-bitten recently by injuries, including to running backs J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill. Cornerback Marcus Peters also suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is questionable to play as of Monday morning with an illness.
Look for Lamar Jackson and company to try to establish their run game despite missing key pieces. They have added veterans Latavius Murray, Le'Veon Bell, and Devonta Freeman to their backfield room, but expect Ty'Son Williams to carry the load as the veterans still get acclimated to their new team.
Baltimore added to its receiving core this offseason with Sammy Watkins and rookie Rashod Bateman giving them some more weapons on the outside joining pass-catchers Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown. The Ravens should be able to impose their will on the Raiders' defense and churn out yards on the ground in what has been a run-heavy offense since Lamar Jackson took over as quarterback.
On the Raiders side of the ball, Darren Waller remains the top target for Derek Carr. If Jacobs has to sit, expect Kenyan Drake to step in as the lead back. Las Vegas paid him nice money this offseason to add to the running back room. Wide receivers Bryan Edwards and Henry Ruggs are expected to have an increased role in the offense in year two, but it remains to be seen who will emerge as a complement to Waller on the outside.
Monday night should be exciting and that means a chance to move on from the daily fantasy main slate on Sunday and play some showdown slates. Here is a look at some players to target. All prices are from Draftkings.
Quick Links
Captain pick
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens ($18,600)
Jackson's upside is well-documented because of his rushing ability. He had three games last season in which he rushed for more than 100 yards and he scored seven rushing touchdowns during the regular season last year. That rushing potential gives Jackson a floor that most other quarterbacks do not have. With added weapons on the outside and Mark Andrews working the middle of the field, Jackson has every opportunity to continue to improve as a passer. You will obviously have to pay up big to make him your Captain on Monday, but he is the surest bet to produce and he also comes with the upside for a huge night. You can look for value elsewhere in your lineup.
Flex Plays
Ty'Son Williams, RB, Baltimore Ravens ($6,800)
Williams has a good price for someone who is expected to be a bell-cow (at least in Week 1). He has a huge opportunity in Week 1 against a defense that can be suspect against the run. An undrafted free agent in 2020 out of BYU, Williams spent all of last season on the Ravens' practice squad. He turned heads this preseason and with all the injuries is the last remaining piece that has familiarity with the team and the offense. That is not to say, that Murray or Bell can't take away touches, but Williams looks headed toward a big workload on a team that emphasizes the running game.
Sammy Watkins, WR, Baltimore Ravens ($5,200)
Watkins can be frustrating at times, but he is still a very good receiver, who has a history of big Week 1 performances. Last season with the Chiefs, Watkins was targeted nine times and put up 21.5 Draftkings points in the season-opener. Look for him to come out strong again this season as a target for Lamar Jackson. He could offer a good return on his price as someone proven on the outside.
Bryan Edwards, WR, Las Vegas Raiders ($5,600)
It remains to be seen how much of an opportunity Edwards, a second-year man out of South Carolina, will have in this offense. The passing game runs through Waller, but someone needs to emerge on the outside and Edwards is the safest bet. Off-season acquisition John Brown is out of the picture now after asking for his release, so it looks to be the Edwards and Ruggs show at the starting receiver spot. Edwards has good physical tools and has looked good this preseason. The Ravens are a tough pass defense, but Edwards is priced well for someone who can be the team's top outside threat in the passing game.
Hunter Renfrow, WR, Las Vegas Raiders ($2,800)
Renfrow offers some salary relief if you decide to spend up for Lamar Jackson as your Captain. Renfrow's role in the offense is unchanged as the top slot receiver. He received six or more targets in seven games last season and is someone that can produce a solid stat line as a dependable short-yardage target. He doesn't have the upside that some other receivers possess, but he is someone who can give you some good bang for your buck and allow you to spend up elsewhere.
Brian Buckey
Brian Buckey is an avid fantasy sports player dating back to his first fantasy baseball league in junior high school, with fantasy experience in all four of the major sports. Brian currently is a sports writer for The Toledo Blade newspaper in Toledo, Ohio where he grew up. Brian is a proud Indiana University graduate, with a degree in journalism and is excited to provide fantasy analysis for FantasyData.