jason mezrahi 
I’m excited to offer up some of my favorite Week 8 DFS plays for NFL RBs on the main slate, with cash, GPP and some contrarian plays to win you some green!
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Week 8 DFS Running Back – CashGame Plays
Christian McCaffrey, CAR at SF
DK ($9,200) FD($9,600)
McCaffrey benefits from a week off and continued involvementin all aspects of the Carolina offense, and the absence of Cam Newton means he’llget most of the goal line carries as well. The top RB play in any format – evenagainst a tough 49ers run defense – McCaffrey should see 5-10 targets and score20+ fantasy points even if he doesn’t break out with a monster game.
Saquon Barkley, NYG at DET
DK ($8,900) FD ($8,600)
Barkley checks in at 1B when it comes to fantasy upside forWeek 8. He was a full participant in Thursday’s practice at is coming off aWeek 7 return which saw him net 80 total yards against the Cards. This week, hefaces the second-worst fantasy defense vs. RBs and should have his ay with the Lionsin Detroit’s Ford Field.
Leonard Fournette, JAC at NYJ
DK ($7,800) FD ($7,700)
If you want to save a little cash from the top plays I’drecommend landing on Fournette, who has at least 20 carries (29, 23, 20, 29) ineach of his last four games and regular scores 15-30 fantasy points. Bolsteredby his contributions to the passing game and a great matchup against the Jets,Fournette’s fantasy upside may exceed both Barkley and McCaffrey in Week 8.
Week 8 DFS Running Back – GPPPlays
Todd Gurley, LAR vs. CIN
DK ($7,400) FD ($7,400)
Todd Gurley played just 46-of-75 snaps (60.5%) in the Week7 win over the Falcons, so he’s a considerable risk if he keeps such a low workload.But there’s plenty of upside for the Rams lead back against a Bengals team that’sworst in the league versus fantasy RBs. Malcolm Brown has already been ruledout, so I’ll have plenty of exposure to Gurley with some shares of rookierunning back Darrell Henderson as the complementary option.
Chris Carson, SEA at ATL
DK ($7,000) FD ($8,000)
After three straight 100-yard rushing performances, Carsonwas held in check against a tough Ravens’ defense, but he’s a good bet for asolid bounce-back game facing the Falcons. Don’t overthink this. You’ll be gladyou played him in GPPs as part of your core builds. He’s viable for cash gameson DK and is a better GPP play on FD where his price is a bit elevated.
Chase Edmonds, ARI at NO
DK ($6,200) FD ($6,100)
David Johnson is a game-time decision, but we’re to going tolet that cloud our decision to play Edmonds. Johnson was active vs. the Giantsbut saw just one carry. Edmonds has at least 14 DK points in three games in arow, and although this is a tougher road matchup, he’s on my radar.
Marlon Mack, IND vs. DEN
DK ($6,100) FD ($6,800)
Mack had trouble getting into open space against the Texans,but the passing game was really clicking, so they didn’t need his normal groundand pound approach. He rushed 18 times for 44 yards and caught all three of histargets for 12 more in the Week 7 win and has a better matchup at home vs. theBroncos. I’m not expecting huge ownership levels which makes him a good buy forGPPs.
Derrick Henry, TEN vs. TB
DK ($6,000) FD ($6900)
A usually efficient runner with plenty of upside, Henry didn’t get loose against the Chargers last week but did tally at least 20 carries for the third time in his last four games. With the Titans offense looking better with Ryan Tannehill under center, I’m counting on fewer eight-in-the-box looks against this offense and more of Henry’s emblematic “jailbreak” TD runs against TB.
Also consider: Phillip Lindsay, Tevin Coleman, James White (DK)
Week 8 DFS Running Back – ContrarianGPP Plays
Austin Ekeler, LAC at CHI
DK ($5,900) FD ($6,800)
If this ends up being a negative script game, we could see theChargers using a lot more of Ekeler in space, run or pass, than Gordon. He’shad just one dud so far this season, which was Week 6 against Pittsburgh when everythingwent out the window very early in the Chargers’ game plan. He has two games inhis past three outings with at least seven catches, so I have more interest inDK with the full point PPR, especially with the Bears are among the leagueleaders in receptions allowed to running backs this year with 45.
Nick Chubb, CLE at NE
DK ($6,600) FD ($7,700)
Nick Chubb gets the Patriots this week, who have allowedzero touchdowns to running backs thus far, and very few RBs are even worthstarting in New England. But Chubb is a special back, could get a few catches,and he’ll have very low ownership. I think he might be worth a look inlarge-field GPPs as a contrarian play.
Also consider: Le’Veon Bell, Latavius Murray (if Kamara isout), Joe Mixon
Week 8 DFS Running Back – Value/PuntPlays
Royce Freeman, DEN at IND
DK ($5,500) FD ($5,700)
Freeman is becoming a decent DFs option, especially on DK.He has at least 12 PPR points in each of his past two games against Tennesseeand Kansas City, and he has at least four catches in five of his past sixoutings.
Sony Michel, NE vs. CLE
DK ($5,200) FD ($6,500)
Michel is always risky, especially in PPR, since a lot of thepasses head to WRs and James White. IfRex Burkhead (foot) plays this week, that makes the decision even tougher. ButMichel’s getting more work in this offense and has now scored a touchdown infour of his past six games. He’s also facing a putrid Browns defense this weekthat allows the third-most rushing yards per game at 154.
Ty Johnson, DET vs. NYG
DK ($4,900) FD ($5,200)
Ty Johnson should get most of the touches now that KerryonJohnson is on the IR. He’ll share some of the passing game work with J.D.McKissic, who makes sense as a dart-throw punt in large-field GPPs as well, butwe much prefer TYJ facing a Giants defense that has allowed eight running backsto either score or gain at least 100 total yards this season.
David Montgomery, CHI vs. LAC
DK ($4,400) FD ($5,700)
Montgomery has been an overwhelming bust in 2019, includingthe past two games against Oakland and New Orleans when he rushed for acombined 31 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, adding 3-24-0. If he can getinto an offensive groove and find his feet a bit against the Chargers (a team thatstruggles to stop the run), we could see a breakout.
Additional plays: Tarik Cohen, Devin Singletary, LeSean McCoy
Monkey Knife Fight Pick of the Week
Touchdown Dance — Pick the Players that will get the most Total TDs
Goal: 2.50, Prize: 2x
I’m going Todd Gurley, Leonard Fournette and Chris Carson and taking the lock at 2x, but I feel like two of these guys are going to get two TDs each, so the 20x bet is awful tempting.
