Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) Weekly: The NFL in Week 13

Melvin Gordon $7,400

The Chargers get a home game against the win-less Browns this week, and Gordon should feast like it’s Thanksgiving all over again.  The Browns defense hasn’t been horrible on the year, but they are still in the bottom half of points averaged against by opposing running backs.  This is primarily due to them being down and having opposing teams control the clock on them.

Last week Gordon had 21 carries for 65 yards, but the Chargers dominated through the air, and his output was hindered.  He is still averaging 17.7 fantasy points-per-game on the year with nine touchdowns and 698 yards on the ground.  This week the Chargers are heavy favorites and Gordon could even more useful than his average.

For the year he has only recorded a single game under fourteen rushing attempts, and this trend should continue against the hapless Browns. Gordon is a true three-down back in the NFL, and many people forget he is just as dangerous catching ball out of the backfield as he is taking the hand-off.  Gordon on the year has 38 receptions for 273 yards and four touchdowns.  This week look for him to add to both his rushing and receiving touchdown total as he goes off for 150 yards on the ground and a touchdown as well as 50 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Jordan Howard $6,500

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Last week was the second time Howard rushed for seven yards or less.  This has become a disturbing habit as he has turned out a few duds this season.  Going against the 49ers though seems to be a cure-all for running backs.

The 49ers are dead last in the league at giving up points to opposing running backs.  They are also 30th in rush yards against per game giving up 129.5 as well as last in the league in points against.  All this leads to the Bears being able to run the ball and control the clock and get Howard more than 25 touches.

Even with two games of seven yards or less he is still at 847 yards on the season as he has four games of over 100 yards.  Surprisingly though half of those games have come against strong defenses in  Pittsburg and Baltimore.  This week watch for Howard to putt it all together and the Bears realize they need to let him lose to win the game.  He will hit the 150 yard mark for the second time this year and have a pair of touchdowns.

Adrian Peterson $4,800

While not the fantasy stud of years past Peterson has remained the focal point of the Cardinals offensive attack since coming over from Minnesota.  After his first week explosion in a Cardinals uniform, All-Day has been relatively quiet only averaging 8.7 fantasy points-per-game.  Even with this in mind, he is continuing to get an average of over 20 touches a game. Volume spells fantasy success.

This week the Cardinals have to host one of the more explosive offenses in the league in the Rams.  While this means bad things in blow-out games, the Rams are still the 31st ranked team in points given up to opposing running backs.  They have given up an average of 123.3 yards-per-game to backs on the season and Peterson should be the next to crack the 100-yard mark against them.  Watch for Peterson to break his touchdown drought and score his second multi-touchdown game of the season in-route to over 100 yards.