Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
It’s the final Monday Night Football installment of the 2020 season. And to be perfectly fair, it isn’t a good one. For once, however, it is not the New England Patriots who are coasting into the playoffs and expected to beat up on some already-eliminated opponent. This time around, it is the Buffalo Bulls who have clinched the AFC East title while New England has a no chance of making it to the playoffs.
Not too much unlike the Patriots, your fantasy football season may be over for all intents and purposes. Or maybe it isn’t! Whatever the case, daily fantasy remains a tried and true option. Let’s take a look at our six-man lineup for this Monday night showdown, and be sure to check out our full game preview prediction on the side and total.
Captain: Sony Michel, RB, Patriots ($7,000, or $10,500 as captain)
There is a good chance that this contest does not turn into an offensive explosion. That’s why I do not think it is necessary to have one of the bona fide stars for either team in the captain position. In a low-scoring affair, you can potentially get away with putting Michel in this spot and saving some extra cash for later in the roster construct. Obviously a lot of this pick has to do with the status of Damien Harris. If New England’s normal RB1 plays, Michel’s value is diminished in a major way. That being said, Harris is questionable with an ankle injury and appears to still be trending in the wrong direction after missing last week’s loss to Miami. Michel racked up 74 yards on 10 carries in that game, which should inspire some confidence from the coaching staff.
Flex: Josh Allen, QB, Bills ($12,600)
Allen does not need to be your captain, but I struggle to envision a successful fantasy lineup that doesn’t involve Buffalo’s promising quarterback in some shape or form. He has thrown for exactly 4,000 yards with 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2020. The former Wyoming standout has also kept it on the ground for 383 yards and eight more scores. Although many of the Patriots’ defensive numbers are good, they are allowing a less than stellar 7.4 yards per pass attempt.
Flex: Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills ($11,000)
Allen and Diggs have made up one of the NFL’s most dangerous quarterback-receiver combinations this season. Diggs has 111 catches for 1,314 yards and five touchdowns. The former Maryland star has been especially on fire of late, with 130 yards and 147 yards in the past two outings in addition to one TD during this stretch. He has made double-digit catches on three consecutive occasions. Diggs is simply too good right now to pass up.
Flex: Cole Beasley, WR, Bills ($10,000)
Speaking of being productive in recent weeks, Beasley has been targeted at least 10 times in three straight games and in four of the last five. He has made at least eight receptions in three of the last five. The nine-year veteran out of SMU is coming off his fifth 100-yard performance of the 2020 campaign (and fourth in the past eight contests).
Flex: Bills defense ($5,400)
Although defense may not be the main story of the day, Buffalo’s unit should have a decent chance of putting up some impressive stats. Cam Newton is expected to be under center for at least one more game with the Patriots and he is a turnover waiting to happen. The Bills have been all over the place on that side of the ball this year, but recent improvements have been encouraging.
Flex: Lee Smith, TE, Bills ($400)
A relatively cheap captain (Michel) has allowed us to snag a quartet of intriguing plays behind him. Those leave just about nothing left over now, but you might as well throw the remaining chump change on Smith. Buffalo’s backup tight end does have a touchdown in 2020, so you never know when he might find the endzone again….
Pickswise is the home of free NFL picks. Check out the latest NFL props and NFL parlays as well as expert underdog predictions and computer picks.
