The New England Patriots, sitting at 2-2, will face the undefeated Buffalo Bills this Sunday night. The Bills are heavily favored, with a spread of 8.5 points. It’s worth noting that although the Lions have scored more points than the Bills, the latter have had to contend with some pretty weak defenses like the Ravens, Jets, Dolphins, and Saints.
The Patriots had a strong showing last week, trouncing the Panthers 42-13. It was impressive to observe their scoring capability in that matchup. Even though Drake May only attempted 17 passes, he still managed to have a solid fantasy performance, thanks to his second rushing touchdown this season.
This Sunday night matchup presents challenges for the Patriots, especially in terms of running the ball as freely as they might like. Surprisingly, that has been one of the more effective ways to attack the Bills this season. On the flip side, the Patriots have a strong running defense, but they’ll need to contend with a robust Bills offensive line that has been effective in stopping James Cook and the Bills’ running game.
Now, let’s dive into some top DFS picks for this weekend’s game.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Patriots (Flex $9,200, CPT $13,800)
Diggs is the top receiver for the Patriots, though he doesn’t play the majority of snaps typical for a No. 1 receiver. He had his best performance last week, garnering 7 targets for 101 yards. While the matchup isn’t ideal, this is a bit of a revenge game for him against his former team, and considering the potential for the team to be playing from behind, he might be a solid choice.
Josh Allen, QB, Bills (Flex $14,200, CPT $21,300)
Allen’s high price tag is justified due to his dual-threat capabilities. Each week he plays, his value in both rushing and passing remains immense. He distributes the ball fairly well among his receivers, which somewhat diminishes the long-term appeal of any single one of them for the captain spot. Despite that, Allen maintains significant fantasy value for the Bills’ passing game.
James Cook, RB, Bills (Flex $xx, CPT $xxx)
Cook has been impressive this season, with only Christian McCaffrey surpassing him in PPR fantasy points. The Patriots have struggled to contain rushing, allowing under 50 yards in some matchups, which suggests Cook has a real opportunity this week. The Bills will likely rely on him to help control the game.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots (Flex $7,200, CPT $10,800)
Stevenson has faced fumbling issues that have affected his playtime. However, he stands out among the running backs, including Trevion Henderson and Antonio Gibson. While Henderson’s price isn’t the best value, Stevenson is more affordable, saw significant snaps last week, and is crucial as the team tries to establish the run game even if they find themselves trailing.
Kayshon Boutte, WR, Patriots (Flex $5,800, CPT $8,700)
Boutte’s usage dropped significantly after his impressive Week 1, but he has shown his value as a solid receiver for Drake May. Given the expectation that the Bills’ linebackers will be stretched thin, there’s potential for another receiver to step up, and Boutte could very well be that guy this week.
Defense/Special Teams, Bills (Flex $9,900, CPT $6,600)
The Bills’ defense and special teams could be worth considering, especially given their status as 8.5-point favorites. If the game plays out as predicted, with Drake May needing to throw often, the Bills’ defensive unit may capitalize and produce valuable fantasy points.
