Daily Fantasy Football October 31: DFS Stock Up, Stock Down

Halloween is thought of as one of the spookiest days of the year, but setting a daily fantasy football lineup can be scary, too.

At least three NFL players should send you running away screaming, but consider throwing on a different costume and returning to the house of three others.

The list factored in recent news, matchups and trends as well as expected roles and injuries. Use the following information as a guide when setting a DraftKings lineup for Week 8 of the 2015 NFL season.

Stock Up: Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers ($6,600)

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The San Diego Chargers are frustratingly mediocre, but that means Philip Rivers gets to throw all game long.

In fact, he's launched at least 38 passes and eclipsed the 300-yard bonus in each of the last four outings, averaging 28.8 points. Rivers has tossed 10 touchdowns to just three interceptions during that time.

Rivers' Week 8 opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, have surrendered at least 275 yards and two touchdowns to Carson Palmer, Colin Kaepernick and Luke McCown. Not only is Rivers as good or better than all three, he also throws the ball more often.

On paper, it doesn't get much safer than the Chargers gunslinger.

Stock Down: Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans ($5,400)

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota participated in practice throughout the week, but the rookie has been ruled out of Sunday's game, per the Tennessean.

Mariota's absence—while not necessarily unexpected—is disappointing. He would've taken the field opposite a Houston Texans defense that allowed 238 yards and four touchdowns to the Miami Dolphins last week.

That was in the first half alone.

Zach Mettenberger will step in for Mariota once again, and the LSU product has some appeal. But if Mariota were on the field, his inexpensive efficiency would've been a major draw against an awful defense.

Stock Up: Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers ($4,100)

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Jonathan Stewart ran for a season-high 125 yards on 24 carries last week. However, the Carolina Panthers back didn't receive much attention because he didn't reach the end zone.

Cam Newton and Mike Tolbert combined for three 2-yard scores, each running once and connecting for another through the air.

History shouldn't repeat itself on Monday when Carolina hosts the Indianapolis Colts, which ceded 5.8 yards per carry and three touchdowns to the New Orleans Saints. Indianapolis, per FF Toolbox, has given up the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs.

Stewart's matchup and expected volume of carries should pay dividends.

Stock Down: Darren McFadden, Dallas Cowboys ($3,800)

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The Dallas Cowboys are a mess without Tony Romo, and the changes to the backfield won't turn around the team's fortune.

According to Desmond Purnell of NFL Media, Joseph Randle will not play on Sunday. That makes Darren McFadden, whose 152 yards were a personal-best since 2011, the starter for now.

Consequently, McFadden at his $3,800 price will likely be a popular name in DFS lineups. But Dallas is taking on the Seattle Seahawks—otherwise known as the second-best fantasy run defense.

Don't overthink it. He's not going to produce.

Stock Up: Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts ($5,500)

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Indianapolis' offensive problems continued until garbage time in Week 7, when Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton connected for a pair of long touchdowns. Hilton will draw a little more attention this week because of it.

But it won't merely come from DFS participants. Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer said the Panthers' star cornerback Josh Norman will shadow the Colts wideout.

The last time an elite corner (Darrelle Revis) locked up with Hilton, Donte Moncrief did alright—one might say. He destroyed the New York Jets for seven receptions, 122 yards and a touchdown, posting 28.2 DFS points.

The receivers who have had the most success against Carolina—Vincent Jackson, Brandin Cooks, Nate Washington and Allen Hurns—are often No. 2 targets.

Moncrief is better than each of those four, and Andrew Luck is a better quarterback. The trends can hardly get more favorable.

Stock Down: James Jones, Green Bay Packers ($5,700)

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James Jones has done a respectable job filling a portion of Jordy Nelson's void on the Green Bay Packers, and the veteran has even tallied 17.1 DFS points per outing.

But all good things must come to an end. Jones is a touchdown-dependent receiver. In three of his six appearances, Jones has managed two receptions or less but saved his fantasy day by reaching the end zone in each one.

Good luck doing that against the Denver Broncos, whose secondary could be the NFL's best in reality and certainly in fantasy. According to FF Toolbox, Denver has allowed the fewest yards and just one touchdown to wide receivers, and only two teams have allowed fewer catches.

Unless you're locked into another Jones touchdown, cheaper options with more intriguing matchups are available. Like Donte Moncrief, for example.

Enter the DraftKings $1.25M Play-Action Contest this weekend. Use Promo Code BLEACHER REPORT when you sign up.

Follow Bleacher Report CFB and DFS writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.