If you’re playing a Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Giants DFS lineup for Sunday in Week 8, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve analyzed each team’s highest-probability game scripts to assess the most likely outcomes, including which players are in line to thrive more than anticipated or fall short of expectations.
The following recommended fantasy football lineup (for tournaments, 50/50, or head-to-head competitions) aims to lock in a relatively high floor while maximizing upside.
Seahawks Considerations
While discussing cheap DFS options in last week’s Chargers-Seahawks matchup, I floated Marquise Goodwin as a better bet than D’Wayne Eskridge or any other inexpensive option. I never expected Goodwin to score twice, but it’s also a reminder that sometimes the difference between winning big and losing big comes down to which little-utilized player we add.
And Seattle has more affordable contributors than most teams. That doesn’t make them safe, but it means if we construct a front-loaded lineup featuring Kenneth Walker III and the Giants’ two heavy hitters, we’ll have plenty of “solid” guys to choose from among Seattle’s pass catchers.
That might mean Goodwin, especially if DK Metcalf remains hobbled. Or we might double up on TEs Noah Fant and Will Dissly, who are No. 3 and No. 4 in team catches and receiving yards, respectively.
What about Geno Smith? Isn’t he a “heavy hitter,” too? It depends. He hasn’t thrown as much the past few weeks, and his total yardage has dropped each game since Week 3.
Coincidence? Maybe. But more likely, defenses are adjusting after his early-season breakout. Plus, the reliable Walker has made it easier for Smith to choose his spots more than force the action.
Giants Considerations
Let’s not dwell too much on the Giants — not because this 6-1 squad isn’t fascinating to study (they are). Rather, there are two known commodities on this team: Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones. Barkley has been a must-start in DFS since it was clear he was back to his old self in mid-September.
For Jones, it’s taken more time. Despite lacking the receiving personnel most other QBs enjoy, his offensive line has given him plenty of time to throw — or run, as he’s on pace to crush his career carries and rushing yards.
MORE: Fantasy Impact for Giants and Chiefs Following Kadarius Toney Trade
As I wrote this summer for PFN Pass subscribers, “it will be interesting to see if the Giants encourage Jones to play more aggressively on the ground.” This would mean the difference between an ordinary QB looking for a backup job next season or a starter deserving more starts in 2023 and beyond.
Only a handful of teams have allowed QBs to run on them more than the Seahawks. So locking in Jones and Barkley seems reasonable.
That will leave us with important questions about the receiving corps, especially with Daniel Bellinger sidelined. Can we trust any wideout, particularly as some of their DFS prices climb? Or could Bellinger’s backup be one of this slate’s top bargains?
Top DFS Lineup for Seahawks vs. Giants
Today, we’re playing DraftKings “Showdown Captain Mode,” which includes one player who earns 1.5 times his scoring output, plus five Flex players.
The following NFL betting recommendations are based on proprietary PFN predictive analytics pulled from decades of NFL historical data. Using this data, I’ve built dozens of models showing actionable probabilities of better-than-expected and worse-than-expected outcomes.
Captain: RB Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks ($16,200)
The finalists for Captain are Walker and Barkley. Both are high-floor, high-ceiling options. They’re expensive, but because we have many mid-priced options to choose from, we can afford to pay a 1.5x premium on Walker, who once again has 100+ yard, one-TD potential.
Flex: RB Saquon Barkley, Giants ($11,800)
Not much more needs to be said. Realistically, only an injury can slow him in a plus matchup while operating in a run-heavy offense.
Flex: QB Geno Smith, Seahawks ($10,400)
I’ve gone back and forth between Smith and Daniel Jones ($10,600). Probably can’t afford both in this lineup, unless we take uber-cheap fliers (i.e. guys getting one or two looks a game) for our final two spots.
Don’t get caught up in Jones’s blowup performance last week. Both of these quarterbacks have comparable ceilings. I’m giving the home-field Smith the edge.
Flex: TE Will Dissly, Seahawks ($5,000)
Last week, Goodwin came in under $3,000. This week he’s $8,000. So simply put, we cannot afford him unless we part ways with one of our “big three.” Will Dissly offers solid 10-point upside, and . . .
Flex: TE Noah Fant, Seahawks ($3,600)
. . . Dissly is a terrific hedge for Noah Fant. Before last week’s surprisingly comfortable victory over the Chargers, when a positive game script reduced the need for an active passing attack, Dissly and Fant had combined for 5+ receptions and 12+ fantasy points in five of six games. I like pairing these two in this slate.
Flex: TE Chris Myarick ($2,800)
Finally, with Bellinger sidelined, let’s roll with Chris Myarick. Nothing flashy. Highly TD-dependent. But given Bellinger’s high-leverage usage before going down, and given Myarick’s two looks last week, I think three or four catches are realistic, making him a likely bargain.
