Finally, (every day fantasy) soccer is upon us, and we get a deal with to kick off what all the time guarantees to be a season of compelling motion with hovering highs and crushing lows. The reigning Tremendous Bowl champion Buccaneers play host to America’s Crew on Thursday Night time Soccer, because the Cowboys intention to tug off a Week 1 upset. Las Vegas books opened the overall at 53 with the Bucs favored by six, so NFL DFS gamers may very well be in for a barnburner to usher within the 2021 NFL season and the start of a hopefully profitable yr of enjoying FanDuel single-game contests.
FanDuel’s single-game DFS contests do not function any notably quirky guidelines, however this is a fast recap: The purpose complete for the “MVP” is multiplied by 1.5, however he does not any extra cash just like the “Captain” in DraftKings Showdown contests. FanDuel’s default scoring is half-point PPR and four-point passing TDs, and there are no bonuses for 300-yard/100-yard video games like on DraftKings.
MORE FD SINGLE GAME: The right way to win a FanDuel single-game contest
FanDuel Single-Sport DFS Picks: Cowboys vs. Buccaneers
$60,000 finances, want at the very least one participant from every crew
MVP (1.5x factors): QB Tom Brady, Buccaneers ($16,000)
Brady eclipsed 30 FanDuel factors on 4 events final season and delivered one other 29.9-point efficiency for good measure. Brady’s resume speaks for itself, however there are causes to be much more bullish on him in 2021. Not solely is he more healthy after addressing a knee harm he performed via final season, however he’s getting into 12 months 2 in head coach Bruce Arians’ scheme and doing so with a full complement of weapons. He’ll produce huge factors, so we’re high quality with him as a possible chalky MVP choose.
MORE TNF: DK Showdown lineup | FD single recreation lineup | Begin-Sit
FLEX: QB Dak Prescott, Cowboys ($15,500)
Typical knowledge suggests a bigger share of the sector will title Brady their MVP. For those who’re within the temper to zig, swap the 2 signal-callers. Prescott actually has query marks forward of this opening matchup. How’s the arm? How a lot will he run? Will the offensive line points harm him? An absence of dashing manufacturing is a district risk and a priority, however he was capable of put up 29.5 FD factors and 38.3 FD factors, respectively, in Weeks 4 and 5 final yr with out doing a lot along with his legs. He has a slimmed down Ezekiel Elliott, an enviable trio of receivers, and two strong TEs to lean on, so we’ll financial institution on huge manufacturing as Dallas tries to maintain up with Tampa.
WEEK 1 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | Yahoo | FanDuel
FLEX: WR Chris Godwin, Buccaneers ($8,600)
Contemplating his comparatively excessive wage in a matchup that options quite a few enticing large receivers, it could be straightforward to shrink back from Godwin. Issues weren’t all the time clicking for Godwin in 2020, thanks partially to a camp harm, however he was nonetheless fairly environment friendly per goal. Don’t let final season’s disappointing marketing campaign idiot you. Godwin could be very a lot able to pouring in 20-plus FD factors on any given evening. On this explicit construct, fantasy homeowners may choose to swap in Amari Cooper ($12,000) or CeeDee Lamb ($10,000), as nicely.
WEEK 1 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Working again | Large receiver | Tight finish | D/ST | Kicker
FLEX: Okay Ryan Succop, Buccaneers ($8,500)
It is by no means enjoyable including a kicker to your lineup, however in a recreation with such a excessive projected complete, Succop ought to get sufficient alternatives to make a fantasy affect. Plus, he ought to give us some differentiation and “positive” factors in a recreation the place we might simply be guessing with Dallas WRs or Bucs RBs.
WEEK 1 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Working again | Large receiver | Tight finish | D/ST | Kicker
FLEX: TE Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers ($7,500)
Gronk has a knack for arising huge in highlight video games. We’re hoping he will get unfastened for a rating — or two, if the fantasy gods are smiling on us like they had been within the Tremendous Bowl final yr — and we are able to unleash a signature Gronk spike on our opponents.
