Getty Gallery: 3/5
Optimal Lineup
– CAPTAIN: Aaron Jones ($8,100)
– Aaron Rodgers ($11,600)
– Tom Brady ($11,400)
– Julian Edelman ($8,800)
– Jimmy Graham ($6,000)
– Stephen Gostkowski ($3,400)
A lot of people aren't on board with the whole "using kickers in showdown" argument, but I'm more than willing to get behind it. If a kicker who's priced $3,400 scores double-digit DraftKings points (which Stephen Gostkowski has in two of the last three), it's a great return on investment. There are going to be plenty of points in this game and likely quite a few field goal attempts as well. There's a good chance I'll have more ownership in Gostkowski than most will.
Aaron Jones is a name I have circled and I'm hopeful other players don't fully recognize what seems to be happening in Green Bay. Obviously, we know about the trade which sent Ty Montgomery out of town, but Week 7 brought a big change to the team's offense. Jones totaled a season-high with 62 percent of the offensive snaps (per Football Outsiders) as well as his most touches (14) in a single game.
Jones' potential has always been there and it seems the Packers may finally be willing to let the 23-year-old back loose. He totaled 86 yards on 12 carries last game and has averaged at least 5.1 yards per carry in each of the five games he's played in this season. While the Patriots have allowed 675 rushing yards on 159 carries with two touchdowns this season, they've given up the second-most receiving yards to the position at 508 and three scores. It's a great spot for Jones on Sunday night.
As far as the Packers passing attack goes, I opted to pair Aaron Rodgers with Jimmy Graham in this lineup for a few reasons. The matchups of both are solid, considering the Patriots have allowed 17 touchdowns and 2,312 passing yards to opposing quarterbacks. But they're also tied for most touchdowns allowed to tight ends with five, along with 505 receiving yards.
The duo of Rodgers and Graham should have no issue linking up, especially if Davante Adams winds up getting shadowed by Stephon Gilmore. This has the makings of a potential two-touchdown performance from Graham, especially if Rodgers is able to take advantage of the mismatch.
Obviously, the Patriots side deserves some major love on their home field against a very beatable Packers defense. I was able to get Tom Brady in this lineup as well, pairing him with a safe option who also has somewhat of a high ceiling in Julian Edelman. The wideout has either scored or topped 100 receiving yards in each of the past three games and I wouldn't be surprised to see both happen this week.
As far as Brady goes, he's essentially been a different quarterback at home compared to on the road. Per StatMuse, the Patriots quarterback has completed 69.9 percent of his passes at home while throwing for an average of 308 yards with 10 touchdowns in four games. For good measure, he also has two rushing scores.
Let's break down the 150-max line now, which features players with higher ceilings and one or two who may have lower ownership as well.
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DraftKings Picks & Optimal Lineups for Packers vs. Patriots Showdown