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Building a Draft Kings Lineup on Revenge Street
By Jen Ryan

(Lineup Tool: https://www.footballdiehards.com/fantasyfootball/dailygames/Lineup-Generator.cfm)

I have never been shy about the fact that I buy into the revenge game narrative. There is just a little more incentive whenever a player faces his former team, especially if their departure was not amicable. When I looked at this week’s slate of games I already knew that Carson Palmer was going to be facing the Cincinnati Bengals, who once upon a time refused to grant Palmer the trade he requested. Fast forward a few seasons and here we are with Palmer thriving in Arizona. I am a sucker for a revenge game and will be playing him in multiple lineups this weekend. I am also playing his teammate Jermaine Gresham. He has done next to nothing this season but this is a revenge game for him as well, and Palmer knows that. I always reserve my one, fun, out-of-the box lineup that I get a little risky with. Below is my lineup I constructed on Revenge Street with both of the former Bengals who are now Cardinals.

Darren McFadden – RB - $5,000
Even though McFadden is slightly dinged up it is hard not to play a $5,000 running back who is averaging over 23 carries per game over his past four games. The Dallas Cowboys seem to acquire and release a new running back each week but McFadden has managed to stick around. The matchup against the Miami Dolphins is a juicy one; only the San Diego Chargers allow more points to rushers than the Dolphins. The return of Tony Romo should only elevate McFadden’s play.



Charcandrick West – RB - $4,500
I just mentioned the worst team in football against the run is the San Diego Chargers. Bargain-back West faces them this week. He is averaging close to 24 points over his past three games and could easily shatter his 30 point performance from last week. West figures to be highly owned, which should keep me on pace with my opponents.

Julio Jones – WR - $9,300
Jones is the top-priced receiver on Draft Kings and rightfully so. It is my opinion that it is never a bad idea to pay up for him. Vontae Davis is not an ideal matchup for Jones but that does not really matter. He will be hammered with targets all day and should have no problem putting up points. He may not hit value per say but I will be playing him regardless.

Mike Evans – WR - $7,300
Receivers have enjoyed a ton of success against the Eagles’ secondary this season and have scored in each game but one. Evans is already a matchup nightmare with his size and physicality. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is doubtful and Vincent Jackson is a game-time decision this weekend. Evans should see his usual double digit targets and I have a feeling he will get his elusive second touchdown of the season.

Calvin Johnson – WR - $7,200
I may be higher on Johnson than any other receiver this week. He should be fresh coming off the bye week and should be able to manhandle Oakland’s corners. I realize they have only allowed four touchdowns to receivers this weekend but I just feel like he is due for a big game. He has not scored since Week 7 and has a single 100-yard game this season. Regression is coming and if it comes this week I’ll be in business.

Keshawn Martin – WR - $3,000
This is purely a pivot play off of Danny Amendola. Everyone and their mother will probably roster him this weekend and Martin could, hopefully, be a sneaky play. I have him in my flex due to his 8:30PM kick off so he may not make it on my final roster, but I always love a risky play. He is about as risky a play as Gresham is so I am going true boom or bust here.

Seahawks – D/ST - $4,000
I rarely pay up for a defense, let alone the top-priced unit, but this play feels worth every penny. With the Legion of Boom getting Blaine Gabbert at home I just could not resist. Carlos Hyde is also less than 100%. Division games can always be tricky but if all the 49ers offense can come up with is a few field goals then I’ll take it.

While I do not expect this lineup to be the one that wins me the cool million dollars I do like its chances of winning me a few dollars. You just never know with daily fantasy sometimes which is why I always reserve that one lineup to have some fun with. If Carson Palmer and Jermaine Gresham take a stroll down Revenge Street together and make a pit stop in the end zone it will all be worth it for me, and for them as well I would imagine.