Week 10's Sunday Night Football game features a clash between the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys. Following the main slate of action, fantasy enthusiasts can stay involved throughout the night by playing in FanDuel's Sunday night's single-game contests.
For those unfamiliar, single-game slates feature five flex spots with identical scoring to the main slate. However, kickers are included in these contests and there is an "MVP" roster slot. The MVP receives 1.5-times his total fantasy points, making this spot crucial.
Bookmakers currently peg the Cowboys as 3.0-point favorites with a 48.0-point over/under. With a projected high-scoring affair in store, here are the notable matchups to target on this slate.
MVP Consideration
Ezekiel Elliott ($14,500) - One of fantasy's top assets, Ezekiel Elliott comes in $500 cheaper than Dak Prescott. Already averaging 23.6 touches per game, Elliott should benefit from playing as a home favorite in this contest. Minnesota ranks 10th in run defense, according to our schedule-adjusted metrics, but Elliott remains capable of exploiting any matchup. Plus, the Vikings recently showed leaks, allowing Damien Williams to rush for 125 yards last week, though a lot of that came on one play. With volume driving his production, Elliott looks like a solid target at MVP tonight.
Kirk Cousins ($14,000) - With quarterback carrying added importance on single game slates, Kirk Cousins provides some salary relief over Prescott. Cousins also draws the superior matchup as the Cowboys rank among the bottom-12 in pass defense, per our metrics. Cousins enters this game completing 68.8 percent of his passes for 246 passing yards per game. With the Vikings projected to trail, volume should benefit Cousins, and he's in play for the MVP slot.
Stefon Diggs ($12,000) - For those looking for lesser-owned MVP play, Stefon Diggs provides a direct pivot off Cousins and still gives you access to Minnesota's pass game. While Diggs only averages six targets per game, his ceiling remains undeniable. Three times this season, Diggs eclipsed 140 yards receiving, showing his slate-breaking ability. With a positive matchup against Dallas' struggling secondary, Diggs could provide leverage in the caption slot tonight, and he could see a boost in volume without Adam Thielen.
Value Plays
Jason Witten ($8,000) - Remarkably still playing despite his advanced age, Jason Witten averages 76 percent of Dallas' snaps on the year. Witten also averages five targets per game, including a nine-target week last time out. While Witten no longer possesses big-play ability, he has recorded 50 receiving yards or a touchdown in six games this year. Minnesota is vulnerable to enemy tight ends, allowing the ninth-most yards to the position this year (523).
Bisi Johnson ($7,500) - With Thielen out a week ago, Olabisi Johnson stepped up and played 83 percent of Minnesota's snaps, giving him three straight weeks with a snap share above 70 percent. In these games, Johnson has 13 combined targets, with five coming in the red zone. A touchdown here would put Johnson in a lot of winning lineups.
Kyle Rudolph ($6,500) - Surprisingly priced below Irv Smith Jr., Kyle Rudolph continues to play more snaps and receive more volume in the pass game. In the Vikings' last three contests, Rudolph has played at least 75 percent of the Vikings' snaps while ranking behind only Diggs in targets. Rudolph is a massive red zone weapon, with five red zone targets over the last three games, including three in Week 9. With touchdowns carrying elevated importance on single-game slates, Rudolph is a solid target as a salary-saving option.
Matthew Gajewski is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Matthew Gajewski also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username mgajewski. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.