FanDuel Single-Game Daily Fantasy Football Helper: Week 1 Sunday Night (Buccaneers at Cowboys)
In a unique fantasy format, single-game slates feature five flex spots with identical scoring to the main slate. However, kickers are included in these contests, and there is an "MVP" roster slot. The MVP receives 1.5-times his total fantasy points, making this spot crucial.
Our Brandon Gdula has done a deep dive on single-game strategy, and we have projections for the single-game slate if you select the game from the slate tab. It's worth checking out both of those things before you make your lineups.
MVP Candidates
Tom Brady ($16,000) In an offense that dropped back a league-high 67.2% of the time last season, Tom Terrific stands as numberFire's top option with a 19.7 FanDuel point projection and a slate-high 1.23 value rating. Even after several offensive line injuries during training camp and preseason, our models project expect Brady to record 24.5 completions for 274.4 yards and 2.2 touchdowns on 37.9 pass attempts in a favorable offensive environment with Week One's fifth highest team total at 26.5 and fourth best game total at 50.5.
Dak Prescott ($15,500): Despite suffering a scary foot injury during practice, Prescott will suit up in a favorable pass-heavy spot that allowed him to record 28.4 FanDuel points and induced him to pass an eye-popping 58 times in last year's matchup against Tampa Bay. With a 18.5 projection, Prescott ranks second overall by four points as well as Sunday night's second-best value with a 1.19 rating.
CeeDee Lamb ($14,000): In a clear alpha role with Amari Cooper traded and Michael Gallup inactive, Lamb leads our expectations among tonight's pass catchers with 6.2 receptions for 82.1 yards on 9.5 targets. With unproven depth behind him, it's realistic to expect Lamb to be heavily involved regardless of game script as he leads his team by more than three expected targets.
Mike Evans ($14,500): Even with Chris Godwin expected to play with a snap count, Evans still rates fourth overall with a 14.0 fantasy point projection versus a Cowboys' unit ranked 20th in passing yards allowed per game last season. With today's second highest receiving expectation including 5.4 receptions for 73.9 yards, Tampa Bay's reliable red zone threat contains even more upside when analyzing his slate-high 0.65 receiving touchdown projection.
Leonard Fournette ($13,500): In a potential three-down role, Fournette deserves MVP consideration with 18.8 expected touches for 82 scrimmage yards and 0.68 projected touchdowns.
Flex Considerations
Ezekiel Elliott ($13,000): With 17.0 expected touches for 76.1 yards, the Cowboys' 27-year old running back rates sixth overall with a 12.2 FanDuel point projection. Considering his team-high 22 touches including five receptions inside the ten-yard line last season, Elliott offers underrated upside with a 0.59 touchdown expectation.
Chris Godwin ($12,000) / Russell Gage ($11,000) / Julio Jones ($10,500): While all three wideouts likely to share snaps, Tampa Bay's offense often utilized 11 personnel or three wideouts on 69% of their offensive plays last season. With little target competition from their tight ends this season, Godwin presents the most upside even in a potential restricted role with 6.6 targets while Gage and Jones are not far behind with 5.5 and 4.9 respectively.
Tony Pollard ($9,500): In a potential expanded role including passing catching responsibilities, the Cowboys' versatile back is another sneaky option with today's third highest value rating at 1.17 and a well-rounded expectation including 9.3 rushing attempts for 41.2 yards and 2.9 receptions for 21.6 yards on 3.8 targets.
Dalton Schultz ($9,000): Ranking second among his team in receiving with 4.3 receptions for 42.1 yards on 6.2 predicted targets, Schultz could see an uptick on his 74% route participation last season with Michael Gallup inactive for their season opener.
Noah Brown ($7,500): In a starting role as Dallas' second wideout, Brown offers sneaky value with a 0.85 value rating and a 6.3 projection including 2.9 receptions for 33.7 yards on 4.8 targets. During his one start in a similar role last season, the 26-year old was able to haul in six receptions for 53 yards while commanding nine total targets.
