Things To Know – DFS Super Bowl 2022 Edition
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images via turfshowtimes.com
Get your cooler filled, your smoker rolling, the salads and desserts made up because it is Super Bowl Sunday! The biggest day in sports every year is finally here, and it’s time to place your bets and set your final DFS lineup of the 2021-2022 season.
The Rams take on the Bengals at home in Inglewood, CA, and we might finally have a Super Bowl that more people have been excited for than in many years. It’s a blast to finally see fresh faces competing for the Lombardi Trophy, and it is hard to argue with the likability of both quarterbacks in this game.
Stafford has been on an uphill battle his entire career, being riddled with poor teams in Detroit, and now he finally has a chance to win the big game. The guy has faced a ton of diversity on and off the field, and its hard not to root for the guy.
Then there is Joe Burrow, probably the most popular face of the NFL the last month. Coming back from a terrible knee injury that has been known to make players less efficient and linger the rest of their careers; Burrow comes back this season and tears it up, leading to a Super Bowl berth for the Bengals, their first in 33 years.
This game rolls in with an over/under that has changed multiple times this week, and as of now (Saturday afternoon) at 48.5 points. If I’m betting on this, I’m taking the under, and that mainly goes into the fact of how stout that Rams defensive line is, but we will get to that later.
All DFS prices as always, come from Draft Kings.
Matthew Stafford (QB) LAR – Let’s touch on the man that is a large part of why the Rams are playing in the Super Bowl. Matthew Stafford has always been a solid quarterback, he was just in a bad situation in Detroit for his entire career up until 2021. The guy has the talent to completely demoralize a secondary, and having the triple crown winner at wide receiver doesn’t hurt. The connection that Stafford and Kupp have has played a major role in the Rams’ success, and I am having a hard time finding a reason to bet against that this weekend. The last 2 games Stafford has put up over 330 yards and 2 touchdowns. He now faces the Bengals, in the biggest game of the year, who have been generous in passing defense. They gave up the 7th most yards this season through the air, and the 3rd most 20+ yard completions. If they aren’t careful, Stafford could very well have the chance to pick the Bengals apart and wipe away their Cinderella season in a hurry during the Super Bowl. He’s a solid Captain option in DFS for the big game. ($10,800 or $16,200 as Captain)
Joe Burrow (QB) CIN – The man on a mission, the man of many nick names, the man of Ohio. Call Joe Burrow what you want, just don’t call him weak. Coming back from an ACL tear, and leading the Bengals to the Super Bowl was no easy task. I say that on the fact that the Bengals have one of the worst offensive lines in football, giving up the 3rd most sacks in 2021 (55). Yet, here they are, in the biggest game maybe in Cincinnati Bengals history. Want to know why? Joe Burrow. The kid is great, and will continue to be great in years to come because of how hardy and talented he is. Sacked 55 times and still had the 6th most passing yards, and 8th most passing touchdowns in 2021. Sadly, I’m not sure that he can repeat that against the Rams. The Rams defensive line is an absolute unit, and when you have quite possibly the best player in the NFL (Aaron Donald), and the 3rd most team sacks this season (50), that magic Burrow has may in fact disappear. However, that doesn’t mean that he can’t rack up fantasy points. The Bengals won’t be able to run in this game, I’m hammering the under player prop bets for Mixon, so that means it’ll be up to Burrow. If that holds true, he is a great option for Captain, and you should add at least 2 pass catchers for the Bengals to your lineup ($10,600 or $15,900 as Captain)
Cam Akers/Sony Michel/Darrel Henderson (RB) LAR – I’m tripling up the Rams backs, and let me tell you why. It’s not because I’m lazy, it’s because the Bengals gave up the 5th least amount of rushing yards this season to teams (1,742). I also feel like the running backs (not just for the Rams) will be close to fantasy irrelevant in this Super Bowl. Akers has looked great upon his miraculous return that no one saw coming, but was added to the injury report for a shoulder, so I think that hurts his production. Sony Michel, had a great season and emerged as the RB1 once Henderson went down, but if he isn’t involved in the passing game he will not be productive running the ball. Then there is Henderson, who is coming off of IR for the game, so I don’t really like starting him in my lineup, but if you do, its a pray he falls into the end zone type of dart throw. To me there just isn’t a hell of a lot of upside on spending dollars on these guys for DFS in the Super Bowl. BUT, if I’m using some money on them to fill a slot, its going to be with Sony Michel. Akers came back as the RB1, he showed that; but he is banged up, and I really like what I saw from Michel this season catching the ball and using his opportunities positively. Like I said, if he is utilized in the passing attack, those PPR points make a big difference. (Akers - $6,400 or $9,600 as Captain | Michel - $5,000 or $7,500 as Captain | Henderson - $1,600 or $2,400 as Captain)
Joe Mixon (RB) CIN – Mixon fans rejoiced all season, and finally got what they have continuously paid for year after year and were for once not let down. Hard to argue with Mixon on the season, he was spectacular, and his involvement in the passing game helped his fantasy value. Now comes the Rams defense, a freaking nightmare for running backs. They gave up the 6th least amount of rushing yards this season, just behind Cincy (1,754) and that doesn’t bode well for Mixon. As I pr-eluded to earlier, I’m hammering the unders for Mixon props on the Super Bowl. I just don’t see a world where Mixon has a successful and/or relevant fantasy game against the Rams. What I also don’t like for Mixon is I think the Rams come out firing and are up early, and that makes a bad game script for a running back in fantasy football. Now. It’s not all terrible. If Mixon is involved in the passing game, much like Sony Michel, he could have a decent game. Screens will be the Bengals friend in the Super Bowl, and if they decide to call them at the opportune moment, Mixon could house one. But, a lot has to line up for that to happen. ($9,600 or $14,400 as Captain)
Cooper Kupp (WR) LAR – Here’s the deal, I won’t waste your time on Cooper Kupp. You know who he is, what he did this season, and what he most likely will do in the Super Bowl. He is a must start. It doesn’t matter the fantasy format, it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter. You’re starting him and you’re liking it. Look for Kupp and Stafford to continue their electric connection, especially against the Bengals who as mentioned gave up the 7th most yards through the air this season. Hit the over on his bets, set him in your DFS lineup, and thank yourself Monday morning. ($11,600 or $17,400 as Captain)
Kareem Elgazzar, The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORKS via cincyjungle.com
Ja’Marr Chase (WR) CIN – The best rookie season for a wide receiver in the history of the NFL. That statement and title now belongs to Ja’Marr Chase. The wide-out who according to the media during training camp and pre-season couldn’t see the ball. Now I’d love to believe that was all a ploy and something to make the rest of the NFL less worried about him. But now he is in the biggest game of his life, against a solid defense, and in a crazy environment. Nothing to worry about right? I’m not sure. I don’t think that the Rams will completely shut down Chase, but I don’t think there is a chance he has one of those eruptions of fantasy points type of game. Burrow will have to distribute the ball around to his weapons, because you know they’ll key on Chase. I think he has a solid game, and he is a great pair with Burrow if you take Burrow as you Captain, but I think you need to expect to see less production from him. But he should make enough to have a positive impact on your DFS lineup. ($10,400 or $15,600 as Captain)
Tee Higgins (WR) CIN – Honestly, Higgins is probably my favorite Bengals wide receiver in this game. The last 2 games Higgins has had 19 targets and 14 catches for 199 yards. Is this because people are blanketing Chase? Maybe. Is it because the defense they’re playing benefits Higgins over Chase? Possibly, and actually, that is my reasoning for this game. The Rams love a zone defense in the secondary, especially in the red zone. You know who gets more targets, receptions, and touchdowns in zone defenses for the Bengals in that type of situation? Tee Higgins. He is my favorite prop bet this game, my favorite Bengals pass catcher this game, and maybe my favorite DFS play period. I think Higgins has a solid game; and is a must start in your DFS lineup, and may actually be a very sneaky Captain. He’s also dirt cheap. ($7,600 or $11,400 as Captain)
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR) LAR – Will all of you Cleveland fans please shut up now about how Beckham was the problem and how Baker Mayfield is the King of Ohio and all this insane nonsense? Mayfield is trash, he’ll always be trash, and you’ll never win anything with him under center. End rant. Going to the Rams was the best possible thing OBJ could’ve done, not only for him, but for the Rams as well. He most definitely helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl, and if you think otherwise you’re honestly as delusional as Browns fans and should see a Doctor. The last 2 games OBJ has seen 19 targets for 15 targets and 182 yards. Odell is a sneaky great play this game. He has become one of the main targets in the red zone, and now that Tyler Higbee is out, I think Beckham is without a doubt the main beneficiary to that injury. Higbee magnetized red zone targets, and the fact Beckham had some already just tells me he will pick up what Higbee dropped. Expect a good game from OBJ, and quite possibly a very very sneaky solid WR2 performance. ($8,400 or $12,600 as Captain)
A couple of names I want to throw out there that I think can benefit your team if you’re running low on cash for your DFS lineup.
Van Jefferson (WR) LAR – He has been quiet this post season, but with the absence of Higbee, there could be an opportunity for him to pick up some targets. Also, with the Bengals awful generosity to give up huge passing plays and Jefferson being a deep threat, he might sneak past the secondary. ($5,200)
Kendall Blanton (TE) LAR – Blanton is a very deep dart throw. If you’re super low on cash, and need to fill your spot, Blanton will step in for the injured Higbee in this game, but with only 11 catches on the season, its a terrifying play. ($4,600)
Tyler Boyd (WR) CIN – Boyd had a good season, and I think if you can get him in your lineup with another Bengals receiver you will be fine. The reason I didn’t do a bigger piece on him is because of the recent production. 9 targets for only 6 catches and 36 yards in the post season. Like I said though, Burrow is going to have to distribute the ball around, and Boyd may see an uptick in targets if Chase and Higgins can’t get open. ($5,400)
I can’t believe this is my last DFS blog on the season. I can’t thank everyone enough for tuning in and checking out my banter on a weekly basis. I’m more or less grateful for this opportunity and I hope that I was able to help some of you this year and possibly win you some cash.
I’ll continue to bring you blogs and pieces throughout the off-season, as you all know, the fantasy season is never really over. If you want to be competitive and win, you have to do the work. So stay tuned, I’m not going anywhere!
Good luck, enjoy yourselves, and I hope you all finish the season strong and cash in a solid DFS check.
Oh, and I’m sorry in advance to you Bengals fans…
Rams 30, Bengals 21
Here’s to high floors and scores!
SKOL
- JD