NFL Week 8 is wrapping up with a game between the Giants and Steelers on Monday night football. These teams could not be trending in more opposite directions if they tried as the Giants are 2-5 and have lost of their last 4 games, while the Steelers are 5-2 and are coming off of back to back double digit victories. The Giants have put up just 10 total points in their last 8 quarters while the Steelers have put up 69 points in their last two games. Not surprisingly, I think the Steelers will beat the Giants in this game – as I would imagine most do – but the question is – how will this impact DFS for this game? Every primetime game is magnified and here are my 4 best plays for Monday night football in week 8.
The first play is Daniel Jones higher than 24.5 rushing yards. Daniel Jones is averaging 26 rushing yards per game this year and is averaging 38 rushing yards per game over his last 3. There’s a couple of reasons why I like this play but it boils down to the Steelers pass rush. The Giants offensive line is already down one of the best left tackles in the league in Andrew Thomas and it was noticeable against the Eagles in week 7. Jones has 11 rushing attempts in two of the last 3 games and it’s due in some part to the offensive line not being able to routinely hold up. The Steelers pass rush is one of the best in football and I fully expect Daniel Jones to be running for his life throughout this game. Not only that, but I think the Steelers can get up on the Giants early and force them to play from behind. In turn, I think there will be several plays where they force Daniel out of the pocket and he picks up 7 or 8 yards on a run. When quarterbacks are playing against a team with a fierce pass rush – I love the rushing yards play because there is a lot of opportunity for them to run. Daniel Jones higher than 24.5 rushing yards is the first play
George Pickens higher than 69.5 receiving yards is the next play and this is another play I like for a few reasons. George has had at least seven targets in each of the last five games and in his first game with Russell Wilson – he went for over 110 yards and a touchdown. Russ clearly trusted him last week against the Jets, and I think he will trust him again against the Giants. George Pickens is one of the best receivers in football and we’ve known that for a while. It’s just a matter of him having a good quarterback to be able to consistently throw him the football. I think this will be the start to what could be a career year for George Pickens. Believe it or not – it’s right before a contract year and if George performs the way I think he will on prime time – I like George Pickens higher than 69.5 receiving yards.
Malik Nabers higher than 69.5 receiving yards is another play I like and it’s for a few reasons. Nabers is already one of the best receivers in football and he is making a lot happen out of a not great situation. Nabers has only played in five games, but he has cleared this line in three of his five games. One of the only games he did not clear 69.5 yards was back in his NFL debut in which he had 66 yards. Had he had one more target and one more reception – he probably would have cleared higher than 69 1/2 receiving yards. Nabers only had 41 receiving yards last week, and I think he will be back in week eight against the Steelers. One other thing to consider with this play is there could be a lot of garbage time. Within garbage time would mean targets for Malik Nabers, and he would easily clear this line. I like Malik Nabers higher than 69.5 receiving yards.
Najee Harris higher than 63.5 rushing yards is the 4th play and here’s why. Najee did not start the year hot and I was very critical of him after the loss to the Cowboys. He had just 270 rushing yards on 82 carries and was averaging a paltry 3.3 yards per carry – which is awful. However he now has back to back 100 yard rushing games and looks like a completely different player. He also has had a rushing touchdown in each of the last two games and the big difference in Najee’s play has been fun to watch. And I am also genuinely happy for him as it’s a contract year – and if he keeps this up – he will get paid. But the big reason as to why I like Najee higher than 63.5 rushing yards was a combination of opportunity + game flow. I think there’s a real chance the Steelers are up double digits entering the 4th quarter and if Najee has at least 14 rushing attempts – which he has had in all but one game this season – he should be able to hit 64 rushing yards in order to clear this total. I like Najee Harris higher than 63.5 rushing yards
A $10 entry using this lineup would pay $114 on Underdog. New users who use code “GFB” also get up to $1,000 in bonus cash. There’s also a play where if Russell Wilson has over 0.5 yards – it cashes! This can be found on Underdog using code “GFB” when you sign up! You can also get up to a $100 deposit match on ParlayPlay and Sleeper when you use code GFB! Let’s have a great Monday night in week 8!
