Football is back. Is there a sweeter three-word sentence in the English language? If so, I haven't discovered it yet. After seven months of waiting, the National Football League returned last week, and it wasted little time in delivering great drama, as we were treated to six games that were decided by two points or less. There were plenty of impressive fantasy performances, most notably down in New Orleans, where stacking Drew Brees with Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, or both likely paid off handsomely in daily fantasy contests.
Stacking, or pairing multiple players from the same NFL team, is a perfect way to maximize your point production, which is crucial in larger GPP (guaranteed prize pool) tournaments. As we gear up for Week Two, let's examine some notable stacks, sorted loosely by salary.
Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests for Week 2. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!
High Priced Week 2 DFS Stacks
New York QB Eli Manning and WR Odell Beckham Jr. vs. New Orleans
New season, same old Saints defense. Well, at least through one week, that certainly appears to be the case. New Orleans struggled to slow down Oakland's offense in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, so it's unlikely that they'll pose much of a threat to Beckham and company.
If you recall, the Saints and Giants combined for the most wild shootout of the 2015 season, with New Orleans winning 52-49 at home. These two teams probably won't combine for 101 points again ... but we also won't definitively rule it out. You'll want some exposure to this game, and a Manning-Beckham stack is a prime way to get it.
Atlanta QB Matt Ryan and WR Julio Jones at Oakland
Another game to target on this week's slate is the Falcons-Raiders matchup. Both teams boast potent offenses and middling defenses. Oakland's defense is still expected to be solid, but as last week showed us, offenses can still move the ball against it.
Jones had a relatively quiet opener, catching four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. The hope is that, with free-agent signee Mohamed Sanu also having a nice game (five receptions, 80 yards, touchdown), more space will open up for Jones to break out.
Oakland QB Derek Carr and WR Amari Cooper vs. Atlanta
The Las Vegas total for the Raiders-Falcons game (49.5) is one of the highest on Week 2's slate, so expect plenty of points to be scored. Jones, one of the brightest stars in the NFL, should be a popular play, so it makes sense to at Oakland's rising star at receiver as well.
Cooper was dominant in Week 1, turning six receptions into 137 yards. Carr will continue to look his way early and often in games. The ownership percentages might be high with these two, but you'll want some exposure regardless.
Moderately Priced Week 2 DFS Stacks
Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green at Pittsburgh
What's not to love about this play? Green torched the Steelers' secondary last season, tallying at least 110 yards and a touchdown in both regular-season meetings. He remains the unquestioned No. 1 target in the Bengals' passing game.
Dalton is reasonably priced, considering his ceiling against a suspect defense. This is a stack that won't break the bank, but should still return nice value.
Houston QB Brock Osweiler and WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. Kansas City
Let's be clear -- Hopkins won't come cheap. Osweiler, of course, will come at a discount compared to most other quarterbacks, so he helps offset Hopkins' price tag.
The Chiefs' defense is solid, but as we saw last week, teams can move the ball against it. The hope here is that DFS players react to last week's production from rookie Will Fuller, who finished with three more targets and 53 more receiving yards than Hopkins. If the public stays on Fuller, Hopkins represents an elite contrarian play.
San Diego QB Philip Rivers and RB Danny Woodhead vs. Jacksonville
What's this? A rare quarterback-running back stack? Yes, indeed. While it's typically not a great idea to pair a quarterback and running back from the same team, exceptions can be made when the running back is a dynamic pass-catcher.
Woodhead certainly fits that bill. He finished with 80 receptions for 755 yards last season, and caught five passes for 31 yards in the season opener. The loss of top wide receiver Keenan Allen to a torn ACL opens up even more opportunities for Woodhead, who should be busy in a high-scoring game against the Jaguars.
Bargin Week 2 DFS Stacks
Tennessee QB Marcus Mariota and TE Delanie Walker at Detroit
Mariota was OK in the season opener, passing for 271 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, but Walker was frustratingly quiet with just three receptions for 42 yards. Look for that to change in Week 2.
While Mariota targeted rookie wide receiver Tajae Sharpe a team-leading 11 times last Sunday, Walker is still a critical component of the Titans' passing game. Also keep in mind that the Lions' defense surrendered three touchdowns to tight ends in its opener. That bodes well for Walker.
Denver QB Trevor Siemian and WR Emmanuel Sanders vs. Indianapolis
There are a few factors to consider here, but the main one is fairly straightforward -- the Colts' defense is terrible. Indianapolis simply lacks impact players on the defensive side, and that makes it a unit to target each and every week in fantasy.
Siemian didn't light the world on fire in his first start, but he played better than his final numbers indicate (178 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions). Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas could be limited by a hip injury, so that makes Sanders the high-upside play for GPPs.