Week 9 FanDuel NFL Tournament Pivots
Quarterback
Chalk
Well, you don't need me to tell you that Thursday's injury news wiped the quarterback chalkboard clean. With Deshaun Watson out for the season with an ACL tear, his high ownership numbers will have to be divvied up to other players. The most likely candidates to fill the void are actually the highest-priced quarterbacks in Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, and Dak Prescott.
Wilson is coming off a huge game against Houston. Brees has a home game against one of the worst passing defenses in the league. With Ezekiel Elliott suspended, Prescott will be leaned on more against a very beatable Kansas City secondary in what may be the highest scoring game of the week. Alex Smith may also get some ownership love in that game. Jacoby Brissett may have had some appeal before Watson went down, though I expect his numbers will drop off as he will likely have to pass much less than he would have had Watson been playing.
Pivots
Jameis Winston, $7,700 (at New Orleans Saints)
There are a couple of things going against Jameis Winston having high ownership numbers this week. First, his health is a concern. He's been dealing with a shoulder sprain and still doesn't look close to 100%. Secondly, the New Orleans Saints have been playing solid defense.
Saints’ pass defense over the past 5 weeks: 158.8 yards per game allowed (best in the NFL), 3 TDs allowed, 9 INTs. Lock down play.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 1, 2017
Despite this solid play, they are still giving up the 16th-most FanDuel points per game to quarterbacks on the season and have allowed three players to put up at least 300 yards and 3 touchdowns. In two career starts in the dome, Winston has scored 18.6 and 18.5 points, respectively. We project him for 19.6, which would be a return of over two-and-a-half times value.
Tom Savage, $6,000 (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
Look, on the one hand, this is Tom Savage. He has thrown for a total of ZERO career touchdowns. And there is this...
Don't see QBs drop back like this. Tom Savage legit just unathletically walking backward in slow motion. Actually made me laugh. #Texans pic.twitter.com/wQMTB3ujOs
— Nick Mensio (@NickMensio) September 13, 2017
On the other hand, his opponent this week has allowed opposing quarterbacks to score at least 15.24 points in every game season. This includes players such as DeShone Kizer, Blake Bortles, and Jared Goff, who has cooled down considerably since a hot first few weeks.
Nobody is going to want to use him, but the matchup is as good as it can possibly get and he has a ton of weapons at his disposal. He may be the riskiest option this week, but the upside is there for the taking. At only $6,000, he's at least worth a look as a punt in tournaments.
