RADIO
Week 9 Monday Night Football is here, and the Dallas Cowboys (4-3) are heading North to take on the New York Giants (2-6) in a divisional matchup of two big rivals. Back in Week 1, the Cowboys rolled the Giants 35-17 at home, but that was a much different Giants team, as rookie quarterback Daniel Jones is now under center.
At times, the Cowboys have looked like one of the NFL's best teams, but they also dropped a game, in this stadium, to the New York Jets, who just lost to the Miami Dolphins yesterday. Meanwhile, the Giants, are on a four-game skid after they won two in a row in Jones' first two starts.
Whether you're playing on FanDuel or DraftKings, the slightest lineup constructions can make all the difference. Choosing one player over another is the difference between winning a little or a lot. So, let's look at how we're going to construct our lineups.
DFS Quarterbacks - Week 9 Picks
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys - FanDuel $15,000/ DraftKings $10,400
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has struggled at times during big games, but there is one time where he typically doesn't. That's when he's playing against bad teams. Thus far, the Giants are a bad team. In the first matchup between these two teams, Prescott had over 400 yards and four touchdowns. His offensive line is healthy, and the Giants still don't have a ton of talent in the defensive secondary to slow Prescott down.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants - FanDuel $13,500/ DraftKings $8,000
If you're putting Jones in your lineup this week, it's likely because you're on a budget because you spent up at other spots. Before last week's 322 yards, four-touchdown performance, he had turned the ball over at least once in every game while never throwing for more than one touchdown. This Cowboys team has been soft at times this year, but they're a top-10 unit against the run and the pass. Unless you're on a budget, you should fade Jones this week.
DFS Running Backs - Week 9 Picks
Saquon Barkley, NYG - FD $14,500/ DK $11,400
The consensus number one running back coming into the year missed some time due to an injury, but he's back. Last week, he hauled in eight catches and a touchdown, and he's due to make it happen again. The Cowboys linebackers have a lot of speed, but they have been taken advantage of by athletic running backs this year. Barkley figures to be a major part of this offense, and, with bonuses for yardage and full-PPR, he's a lock for Monday night.
Ezekiel Elliott, DAL - FD $14,000/ DK $11,600
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott held out this offseason and got paid. Through seven games, he's been one of the more consistent running backs in the NFL. He's scored one touchdown in all but one game so far, and he's gone for over 100 yards in four out of seven games. He's matched up with the Giants, who are giving up 122.4 yards per game on the ground. He's a little pricy, but he's also worth it in a game where Dallas will likely be leading.
Tony Pollard, DAL - FD $6,000/ DK $3,600
Picking the third running back for this game was a little difficult, but I'm ultimately going with Cowboys running back Tony Pollard. Pollard has gotten at least four carries in every game. More importantly, when he's gotten carries in blowout wins, namely against the Miami Dolphins, he went off. If the Cowboys get up big early, Pollard could get an increased workload, and, at this lowered price tag, he can give you a lot of value.
DFS Wide Receivers - Week 9 Picks
Amari Cooper, DAL - FD $13,000/ DK $10,000
If you're playing Dak, you have to stack him with wideout Amari Cooper. Cooper has been Dak's main target since he was traded to Dallas last season. In the six full games that he's played this season, as he left the Jets game with an injury, Cooper has been feasting. He's up to over 600 yards and five touchdowns on the year. The Giants don't have a cornerback that can stick with Cooper consistently, and, as long as he does his work early, he should have a solid game.
Golden Tate, NYG - FD $11,000/ DK $6,800
With wide receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion) sidelined for this week, the top wide receiver threat for the Giants is Golden Tate. Tate has gone for at least 80 yards in each of the last three games, including going for over 100 and a touchdown against the elite New England Patriots Defense. Tate gets this spot due to attrition. With no other real wide receiver of note available, Tate is the guy that gets the nod.
Michael Gallup, DAL - FD $10,500/ DK $7,400
In the games where Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup has performed his best, it was when he was able to catch the deep ball. In the two games where he went over 100 yards this year, he had at least one catch of 40+ yards. The Giants don't have a safety that can help over the top, especially with Cooper on the other side taking that secondary help. If the Giants focus on stopping Cooper, Gallup could be in for a good game.
DFS Tight Ends - Week 9 Picks
Evan Engram, NYG - FD $10,000/ DK $7,800
Shepard is out which means that tight end Evan Engram's stock just shot way up. Engram is the second-best player on this offense, and Jones will find ways to get the ball in his hands. He's caught three touchdowns on the year, and he has over 400 yards as well. Engram's size and athleticism make him a tough cover for every team, and he's a near must-start every week. As long as you have the money to get him in your lineups, make sure he's in there.
Jason Witten, DAL - FD $7,500/ DK $5,200
Cowboys tight end Jason Witten may be the most consistent player in football this season. He's finished with at least three catches in every single game this season, and he's seen at least four targets in every game. If you're in a budget crunch and looking for a guy that will score some points, that's Witten. He's going to get a few targets catching most of them. Plus, if you're lucky, he'll score his first touchdown since back in Week 2.
DFS Defenses - Week 9 Picks
Cowboys Defense - DK $5,400
Unlike some of the other teams in recent Monday night football matchups, the Cowboys defense isn't screaming must-start at you. They generate some pressure, and they have the athletes to make some plays. However, they're not the Patriots or Pittsburgh Steelers, who played the Miami Dolphins last week. If you spend big, you could look to slide Dallas in. However, you shouldn't force yourself to start them unless you need to.
