Time to take a look at some Monday-Thursday short-slate DFS.

As always, I encourage you to check out Ryan Hallam’s Weekly Previews to get a deeper look into tonight’s action. In the meantime, here’s a snapshot of each game. Take a read and go build some lineups – remember, I only play GPP tournaments for short slates – then come back and compare to the ones I am leaving here as examples. As always, these are meant to serve as a comparison tool for your own lineups. These aren’t to be taken and submitted into contests as your own.

 

Here's a breakdown of the two games involved:

 

Cleveland Browns vs San Francisco 49ers

Spread: 49ers -4.5

O/U: 47.5

 

Defense Rankings:

Browns: Run D – 19th Pass D – 7th

49ers: Run D – 6th Pass D – 2nd

 

Offensive Breakdown:

Passing:

The Browns boast the most name talent in their pasting attack with Baker Mayfield under center, Odell Beckham on the outside and Jarvis Landry in the slot. Mayfield on the season has struggled, completing just 59-percent of his passes while throwing four touchdowns and six interceptions. The 49ers are currently allowing the sixth fewest passing yards per game while being tied for fourth in interceptions with five.  It will be a real test for him tonight against this second ranked pass defense.

As for the 49ers, they have a very balanced approach with five of their nine offensive scores coming through the air. Jimmy Garoppolo has completed 69-percent of his passes this season but is averaging only 249.3 yards per game. He has also thrown four interceptions to go with his five passing touchdowns. The Browns statistically show to have a solid pass defense but their opponents have also been somewhat lack luster, particularly when they faced the Jets so maybe Jimmy G gives them a tougher test.

Rushing:

The running game is something to watch tonight as the 49ers stout run defense will be up against Nick Chubb who just diced up the Baltimore Ravens for 165 yards and three touchdowns in Week 4. Now, I am actually buying in on Chubb tonight because I am unsure if I trust this 49ers run defense given their stats vs opponents faced this season with the Buccaneers, Bengals and Steelers all ranking towards the bottom of the league in rushing this season. This will be the first real test to see just how good this run defense really is.

With the 49ers we have a team that ranks second in total rushing as a team, averaging 175 yards per game and their four rushing touchdowns in just a few behind the league leaders who have already completed Week 5. Tevin Coleman is expected back tonight and he will only add to the mix. I think we expect a healthy dose of Matt Brieda with Coleman and Mostert tonight.

Receiving:

We just saw Landry eat up the Ravens in Week 4, catching eight passes for 167. Beckham however was held to just two catches on seven targets for 20 yards. There is no denying that the Browns passing offense has some work to do and tonight will be a tough test against a strong 49ers defense that is at home and coming off a bye week. We did see Rick Seals-Jones catch a touchdown in Week 4 and he is a sneaky contrarian play as the Browns are without David Njoku .

The receiving group has also left much to be desired with just George Kittle and rookie Deebo Samuel as the only two pass catchers with double-figure receptions and targets on the year. Samuel is definitely an exciting player to consider on today’s slate as he has caught 11-of-14 targets for 147 yards and a score. Marqueese Goodwin and Dante Pettis will be obvious contrarian plays to consider.

 

New York Giants vs New England Patriots

Spread: Patriots -17

O/U: 43

Defense Ranking:

Giants: Run D – 16th Pass – 20th

Patriots: Run D – 2nd Pass D – 1st

 

Offensive Breakdown:

Passing:

There is no doubt that Daniel Jones has breathed new life into the Giants organization but after an impressive debut against the Buccaneers he has since been rather mediocre, throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions while completing about 65-percent of his passes against the likes of the Redskins and Vikings with both of those match ups coming at home. He is now heading into New England for his first prime time game to face the leagues top defense that ranks 1st in interceptions and 1st in sacks this season while allowing a league low 160 yards per game through the air. To top it all off, his No.1 receiver in Sterling Shepard is back in the NFL concussion protocol. Not the best play here.

Brady got back on track in Week 5, throwing for 348 yards and three touchdowns against the woeful Washington Redskins. He now returns home to face a Giants defense that just let Kirk Cousins and Adam Thielen go out and play catch in Week 5. Now, Brady does not have the weapons he once did and his current group is banged up but this should still be at minimum a performance where he throws for 250 yards and two scores.

Rushing:

Well this is going to be the biggest story of the week as the Giants could be getting Saquon Barkley back from the ankle injury that just two weeks ago was reportedly going to cost him the next 6-to-8 weeks. Barkley being healthy adds a totally new dimension to the offense and will help the team’s passing attack to boot. He unfortunately will be returning against the No.2 run defense in the NFL. I am expecting Barkley to actually make most of his impact in the team’s passing attack as they look to keep up with New England’s third ranked scoring offense.

Sony Michel finally had himself a game in Week 5, rushing for 91 yards and a touchdown WHILE finally being involved in the team’s passing attack, catching all three targets for 32 yards. The knock-on Michel has been his lack of receiving ability despite the fact he was a receiving threat in college. With Rex Burkhead still banged up as well as the Patriots receiving group also not 100-percent, we could very well see a lot of Sony Michel in this Week 6 match up against a Giants defense that has really struggled against the run. You can and probably should roster two Patriot running backs this week with James White likely factoring in this week with the injury to Phillip Dorsett weakening the receiving group. White was targeted nine times against the Redskins and 10 times against the Bills, converting 14 of those 19 for catches.

Receiving:

Bad news here for the Giants as Sterling Shepard re-entered the leagues concussion protocol today which definitely puts his status for Thursday’s game in jeopardy. The good thing, Golden Tate is back on the active roster after making his debut in Week 5. Tate got three of his six targets for 13 yards and while I realize those numbers are far from eye popping, it’s the fact that Shepard may not play that should intrigue you. Evan Engram is the obvious other receiving weapon here but New England is usually very good at bottling up an opponents top receiving threat and that could really limit Engram in this match up which leads me to thinking Darius Slay ton is a possible sleeper play here if you honestly feel inclined to roster an offensive player against the Patriots defense.

So Phillip Dorsett was injured in Week 5 and did not practice today. The Patriots also decided to release tight end Ben Watson who many expected to be activated. Julian Edelman is also banged up with a rib injury. I already mentioned that James White is a very solid play this week given his pass catching ability and so will be Josh Gordon as well as Edelman but this could finally be a week where Jakobi Meyers gets additional playing time with Dorsett likely missing this contest. Meyers is my Week 6 dart for the Monday/Thursday contests.