NFL DFS Week 6: Vikings vs. Bears

The NFL DFS action keeps heating up as we dive into Week 6. In this edition, we’re taking a deep dive into the showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears. Get ready for some high-stakes fantasy football action as we explore the top plays for DraftKings and break down the key strategies to dominate your competition.

Game Overview

Date and Time: Sunday, October 15th, 1 p.m. Eastern
Over/Under: 44

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of DFS strategy, let’s touch on some key points regarding this game.

Injury Impact: The Vikings have taken a hit with Justin Jefferson landing on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. He’ll be sidelined for the next four weeks. This absence might have ripple effects, so keep an eye on how it impacts their offensive dynamics.
KJ Osborne’s Opportunity: KJ Osborne has been busy, running 194 routes this season, ranking seventh in the league. A substantial portion of those routes have come from the slot (121). This suggests that both Jordan Addison and Brandon Powell could see increased involvement, especially from 11 personnel.
Vikings’ Offensive Pace: Minnesota likes to play with extreme pace, boasting the third-fastest overall pace at 25.8 seconds per play. They also lean heavily towards passing, ranking first in pass attempts per game at 40.8 and fourth in pass rate over expectation. This could set the stage for some high-scoring DFS opportunities.
Bears’ Defensive Approach: The Chicago Bears have been mixing things up on defense. While they were initially heavy on man coverage, they’ve shifted towards more zone coverage. They’ve been less successful in man coverage, allowing 9.7 yards per target, compared to 7.1 in zone coverage. Keep this in mind when assessing player matchups.

Now, let’s break down some key players to watch for your DFS lineups.

Top Plays for DraftKings

Jordan Addison

Addison has a 16.9% targets per route run rate and 39 fantasy points per route run against zone coverage this year. With Jefferson out, he’s likely to see an increase in targets and utilization. Keep an eye on Addison as a potential DFS gem.

TJ Hockenson

Hockenson has been a natural zone-beater in his current role. While his average depth of target (aDOT) is relatively shallow, he relies on accumulating targets and finding the end zone. His role in the absence of Jefferson could see an uptick in targets per route run.

Brandon Powell

Powell’s familiarity with head coach Kevin O’Connell could work in his favor as he steps into an increased role from 11 personnel for the Vikings. This connection might keep him on the field in three-wide sets, making him a viable DFS option.

Chicago’s Game Plan

The Chicago Bears seem intent on developing Justin Fields into a pocket passer who can also utilize his mobility. Fields’ unique skill set has led to some promising game logs for key pass-catchers like DJ Moore and Cole Kmet.

DJ Moore: Moore ranks among the league leaders in various receiving categories, including yards per route run, total air yards, yards after catch, and share of available air yards. He’s a top-tier option in DFS, especially against the Vikings’ pass defense.
Cole Kmet: Kmet is another reliable target for Fields. He ranks fifth in yards per route run among tight ends. With a concentration of targets on these two players, they could be excellent DFS plays.

FAQ

Q1: What’s the current status of Justin Jefferson’s injury? A1: Justin Jefferson is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and is expected to miss the next four weeks.

Q2: How does the Vikings’ offensive pace compare to other teams? A2: The Vikings play with extreme pace, ranking third-fastest in the league with an average of 25.8 seconds per play.

Q3: What defensive scheme have the Chicago Bears primarily used this season? A3: The Bears have shifted from primarily using man coverage to zone coverage. They’ve been less successful in man coverage, allowing 9.7 yards per target.

Q4: Who are the top DFS plays for this game? A4: The top DFS plays to watch include Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson, and Brandon Powell for the Vikings, and DJ Moore and Cole Kmet for the Bears.

For more DFS insights and strategies, don’t forget to check out OneWeekSeason.com to dramatically improve your DFS play. You can also explore the following useful tools: