NFL DFS Week 6: The Sunday Crossword

Not only were the scores high in the DraftKings Week 5 Millionaire Maker, but the players that scored were very well owned. Sky-high percent ownership plays like Tom Brady (this week's price: $8,100—ouch!), Le'Veon Bell ($8,500), Devonta Freeman (plays Thursday night), and Dion Lewis ($5,800) all came through, along with clever plays like Marquess Wilson ($4,000), Willie Snead (plays Thursday night), and Doug Martin (bye). If you wanted to make money in the GPPs last week, everyone on your team needed to score.

For this week, the salaries are finally catching up to the production, and the puzzle is looking more diabolical. That, in turn, makes choosing players more fun than ever. The cheaper plays are not as attractive as they were in the first month of the season, and I'm predicting a much more level percent ownership field. Even Week 6's NFL matchups are challenging.

After the top few running backs, RB salaries fall precipitously this week; wide receiver salaries stay expensive a couple pages deep. Every tight end you'd want costs big money, even Gary Barnidge ($4,400) and his thighmasters. And quarterbacks at just about any price point have scored well all season long, making it hard to justify paying big dollars for one.

Atlanta and New Orleans play on Thursday night; Tampa Bay, Oakland, Dallas, and St. Louis have their byes.

Here are some players who look attractive this week.

QB

Tom Brady ($8,100) – Are you made of money?

Eli Manning ($6,800) – An attractive upper-middle-class play, if you must

Blake Bortles ($5,200) – I know! We're getting sucked into his matchup against Houston

Jay Cutler ($5,200) – Lots of weapons to throw to as Detroit falls apart

Colin Kaepernick ($5,000) – Minimum-priced and playing a terrible Ravens pass defense

RB

Matt Forte ($7,100) – Very rich but often satisfying

Arian Foster ($7,000) – Ten targets last week!

Eddie Lacy ($6,300) – Starting to get cheaper and if not now against the Chargers, then when?

Dion Lewis ($5,800), LeGarrette Blount ($4,400) – Traditionally a Blount game against the Colts, but Lewis has the talent

Charcandrick West ($4,000) – The new toy is priced so nicely

WR

DeAndre Hopkins ($7,700) – Houston throws to him again and again and again and again

Julian Edelman ($7,600) – Can't stop taking him

Brandon Marshall ($7,100) – Was hoping he'd be cheaper

Allen Robinson ($5,900), Allen Hurns ($5,000) – Which one? Both? Neither? So hard to pick

Eric Decker ($4,900) – Now that's better

Anquan Boldin ($4,300) – Hot last week and great matchup

TE

Gronk ($7,600) – Tough price and burned people last week, but watch him bounce back

Tyler Eifert ($4,900) – Hot and cold

Antonio Gates ($4,600) – Dream start to his season

Julius Thomas ($4,000) or Delanie Walker ($3,600) – You may find yourself priced into them

Derek Carrier ($2,500) – If you're broke

DEF

Broncos ($3,700) – Double digits every week

Packers ($3,200) – Can get to the quarterback

Jets ($3,100) – Washington can't play two good games in a row, can they?

Browns ($2,200) – Jeez, Peyton! Broncos offense is third-easiest against opposing defenses

My DraftKings Ticket

Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Arian Foster, DeAndre Hopkins, Julian Edelman, Eric Decker, Julius Thomas, Anquan Boldin, Browns defense