NFL

Top Lineup Includes Jahcour Pearson, Cody Latimer, and Quinten Dormady

Published

1 year ago

March 25, 2023

darragh

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If you’re looking for Week 6 XFL DFS picks, then you’ve come to the right place. Focusing on Saturday’s Guardians vs. Sea Dragons contest, we’ve analyzed each team’s highest-probability game scripts to assess the most likely outcomes, including which players are in line to thrive more than anticipated or fall short of expectations.

The following two recommended DraftKings lineups (for tournaments, 50/50, or head-to-head competitions) aims to lock in a relatively high floor while maximizing upside. Whatever you decide, good luck.

XFL DFS Considerations

My first national fantasy tournament victory came in 2003 vs. more than 300,000 people. This is what initially got me interested in this business.

Nearly 20 years later, I scored a fifth win by publicly recommending Luis Perez, Abram Smith, Jeff Badet, Charleston Rambo, Cody Latimer, John Lovett, and the Vipers D/ST in last weekend’s DraftKings DFS tournament. If you played this lineup, then you earned a first-place finish out of thousands of competitors.

This result followed a good run to start this XFL season, with four of my previous five recommended lineups hitting between the top 15% and top 1% of tournaments.

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As many of you know, while researching 100+ XFL skill-position players ahead of this season, I drew a few conclusions, which have been applied to each of our DFS slates:

Quarterback play would be more erratic than in the NFL, with lower ceilings across the board.
The looseness of running back depth charts made betting on RBs risky.
Wide receiver depth charts were largely irrelevant, as the opening weeks would determine which supposed No. 1s were actually No. 3s or No. 4s, and which supposed tertiary options were actually target friendly.

The mistake some people make in DFS — as well as fantasy — is chasing points. Look, great players will do great things, sometimes often. But when dealing with DFS salary caps, we can’t lean solely on great players. We also need strong rebound candidates based on matchups and likely usage.

MORE: What Is the XFL? | XFL Schedule

Perez scored a season-high 25.7 DFS points only a week after it appeared Brett Hundley had passed him on the depth chart. Smith roughly tripled his previous season high of 14.6 points. Rambo and Latimer also enjoyed season highs, while Badet had his best showing since Week 1. Likewise, Lovett had his second-best performance.

Everything had to work out perfectly for this lineup to come through. This is why winning DFS tournaments is so dang hard. We often need to zig when others zag, and hope our zigs pay surprisingly huge dividends.

The following two recommended DFS lineups for the Guardians vs. Sea Dragons follow two realistic game scripts. The first assumes Quinten Dormady’s incredible play last weekend in place of starter Paxton Lynch is a sign of things to come — that Dormady is ready to be an effective XFL quarterback. The second assumes Orlando’s defense once again crumbles, with Seattle’s high-end offense going wild.

Top DraftKings DFS Picks for XFL Week 6

Today, we’re playing DraftKings’ “XFL Showdown,” which includes one QB and five flex players. The following primary lineup includes a few tweaks for the secondary lineup. The hope is that one of these will break through.

QB Quinten Dormady, Guardians ($9,000)

Normally Dormady would cost only $6,000. But we’re putting him in our Captain slot, with some degree of confidence that his Week 5 breakout wasn’t a fluke.

It’s incredible to think that earlier this month, he was wrongly accused of giving away his team’s playbook to opponents, prompting the Guardians to cut him. From my perspective, anyone who can go from slandered “villain” to earned hero in only a few weeks has the mental and emotional fortitude to persevere.

Lineup No. 2 features Ben DiNucci in the Captain slot, costing us a whopping $16,200. The idea here is that if Dormady flops, DiNucci has the upside to make his steep cost worthwhile.

QB Ben DiNucci, Sea Dragons ($8,800)

The best XFL passer in terms of yards also leads the league in turnovers. It’s a rough combination. But as always, few QBs have DiNucci’s ceiling, in no small part because his receiving corps is elite across every key metric. Orlando’s defense has been an absolute mess. This is a get-right game for the continually hit-or-miss DiNucci.

MORE: Top 50 XFL Players 2023

Lineup No. 2 pairs DiNucci (as Captain) with Josh Gordon ($9,600). After a couple of moderately quiet weeks versus two tough defenses (Houston and San Antonio), Gordon has massive bust-out potential this weekend.

WR Jahcour Pearson, Sea Dragons ($10,600)

So expensive, and so worth it. Some competitors might be scared off by Jahcour Pearson’s steadily declining production, which hit 21.5 DFS points in Week 1, but only 13.2 last week.

But you know what I see? I see a guy who leads the league with 48 targets and 430 receiving yards. Who cares that Pearson has only one touchdown? He’s getting the opportunities. The points will come.

Lineup No. 2 also includes Pearson. Enough said. I’m all in.

WR Cody Latimer, Guardians ($7,600)

Last week, I wrote, “I think Cody Latimer has been in all six of my DFS lineups this season.” Latimer’s been one of the most underpriced DFS receivers for weeks. Not anymore. But he’s still a mainstay for me, at least until or unless he falls on the depth chart. Latimer belongs in both DFS lineups.

WR Charleston Rambo, Guardians ($8,000)

The Guardians’ prized offensive draft pick in the fall has become a prized offensive asset. Great to see for a team that needed receiving help outside of Latimer. Since this primary lineup assumes Dormady will find success, I’m choosing Rambo over comparably priced Seattle standouts like Morgan Ellison or Blake Jackson.

For lineup No. 2, investing big in DiNucci as our Captain means we have very little salary cap space remaining. Let’s roll with Eli Rogers ($2,600), hoping that his 2-3 catches per game translate to a score in this one.

WR Damion Willis, Sea Dragons ($3,000)

Finally, let’s go with Damion Willis in the final slot of both lineups. He’s coming off his best game of the season, which might seem like point chasing. Instead, I see a guy who could get extra run in a blowout, or 6+ points if things go a bit sour. All told, Willis gives us the financial flexibility to take high-ceiling players elsewhere.

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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.

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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.