The NFL season is off to the races and not short on action out of the gates. Following a thrilling Thursday Night opener in which Isaiah Likely was just a few shoe sizes too large to produce a game-tying touchdown as time expired –– we have a Friday Night matchup to take in.
The Philadelphia Eagles are set to face off with the Green Bay Packers in the first game to take place in South America. Philadelphia enters as 2-point favorites in the matchup while Green Bay is a +110 underdog on the Moneyline. The game total is set at 49.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.
There are far more ways to get involved in the action than just traditional betting. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Football!
Eagles vs Packers Pick6 Plays
The Eagles are coming off a brutal season collapse in which they went from looking like the best team in football to a first-round playoff exit in a matter of weeks. After their 10-1 start, Philadelphia free fell to a 1-5 close to the season and were upset by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the opening round of the playoffs. The organization made changes at both the coordinator positions and added Saquon Barkley in the offseason in hopes of returning to Super Bowl threats this season.
Green Bay enters on the opposite end of the spectrum of momentum. They finished the season going 8-2 in their final 10 games with Jordan Love taking significant leaps forward in his game. Over this stretch of play, Love threw for 18 touchdowns, just one interception, and 268.8 yards per game. With a strong receiving core around him, the foundation is built for Love and the Packers to build off their 9-8 record last season.
With the stage fully set, here are my picks for Week 1’s Friday Night Football Pick6 slate.
Saquon Barkley More Than 86.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards
Saquon Barkley is set to make his Eagles debut after terrorizing them in the NFC East for the past six seasons. The Eagles handed the former Penn State product a three-year contract worth $37.5 million with $26 million guaranteed this offseason. Philadelphia has traditionally been an organization to turn its nose up at investing heavily in the running back position, and this type of deal is telling regarding the level of impact they believe Barkley can make.
With Kellen Moore making his debut as offensive coordinator, there is still a great deal unknown about how the touches will be split up. But Barkley should be counted on to make an impact in both the rushing and receiving game for Philadelphia. While his opportunity may be limited more than some Eagles fans desire, he will have no problem clearing the 86.5 rushing and receiving yardage mark. This is the best offensive line that Barkey has played behind and for the first time in his career, he is not the number one priority of the opposing defense. Look for him to break off a few big plays and put his fingerprints on this game.
Jordan Love More Than 254.5 Passing Yards
The Packers have been patient in their developmental approach with Jordan Love and the early signs look to be paying off. Entering his 4th season, Love has played in just 27 total games and last year was his first time serving as the full-time starter. He took significant steps forward throughout the season and has a chance to carve out his spot as one of the next class of star quarterbacks.
Love has an impressive group of wide receivers including Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks. This youthful group each strikes fear into the opposing defenses for different reasons and will all be looking to take a stride forward this year in their development.
Looking back at last season, Love threw for an average of 244.6 yards per game. However, he eclipsed 255 passing yards in seven of the final nine games of the season. It looked as if the Utah State product flipped the switch in his processing of the game. The Eagles have some questions in the secondary with a pair of rookies, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, each expected to play key roles. Veteran James Bradberry also suffered an injury late in camp leaving them more limited on available options. Look for Love to build off last season’s success and tally more than 255 yards passing in his 2024 debut.
Josh Jacobs More Than 61.5 Rushing Yards
One of the Packers’ biggest moves of the offseason was adding running back Josh Jacobs. The former Raiders standout battled injuries last season but led the entire league in rushing in 2022 with 1653 yards on the season. Green Bay split carries across their backfield with AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones each rushing for over 600 yards
The opportunity is there for Jacobs to earn the opportunity as the bell-cow running back in Green Bay. This is especially the case with second and third string running backs MarShawn Lloyd and Emmanuel Wilson each being listed as questionable. Look for the Packers to lean on their new $48 million man and for Jacobs to eclipse 62 yards rushing on the ground.
DeVonta Smith More Than 58.5 Receiving Yards
The Philadelphia Eagles have a diverse passing attack that can punish teams in a variety of ways. However, this sometimes dilutes the awareness of how talented individual players are.
This is the case with DeVonta Smith. The former 10th overall pick has eclipsed 1000 yards in each of the past two seasons and would be looked at as a number one wide receiver on several teams. Smith has an extensive route tree and can line up all over the field. While he still exceeded 58.5 receiving yards in eight of the 16 games he played last season, look for Kellen Moore to further unlock Smith in the new-look Eagles offense. Flashback to the 2022 season and Smith eclipsed 58.5 yards receiving in 10 games including going over 100 in five of these.
Look for Smith to start the season out on the right foot and record more than 59 receiving yards in the opening matchup.
A.J. Brown More Than 5.5 Receptions
While Smith will make his production felt, A.J. Brown will continue to headline the Eagles receiving group. The three-time Pro Bowl wideout has eclipsed 100 targets in each of the past five seasons and had a career-high 106 receptions last year. Brown tallied six or more receptions in 11 of the 17 games he played in last season. Expect this level of production to continue and for the Eagles to continue to get more creative in ways to get the ball in their playmaker’s hands.
There is room for everyone to eat within this Eagles offense. However, Brown will remain the alpha and continue to grow his chemistry alongside Jalen Hurts. The duo have had a relationship dating back well before their time in the NFL and navigated some frustrations last season. Expect the new offense to have them back on the same page and Brown to have at least six receptions in the opening game.
Jake Elliott More Than 7.5 Kicking Points
Jake Elliott has quietly been one of the best kickers in the NFL over his seven seasons in the NFL. Just last season, Elliott ranked 6th in the NFL in fantasy points tallied with 156 on the season –– or an average of 9.2 points per game.
With the Eagles offense expected to take a leap forward in production, Elliott will be one of the primary beneficiaries. He also will have an increased opportunity for field goals in the opening game as the Eagles face off with a stingy Packers defense as their offense still looks to get on the same page. Green Bay ranked 10th in the NFL in points allowed and held opponents to a 53.97% success rate (13th in the NFL) in the red zone last season. If the Eagles are held to a pair of field goals and score two touchdowns, Elliott will reach more than the 7.5 kicking points. 20 points feels incredibly realistic for this Eagles offense and look for Elliott to deliver in his opportunities.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of 2 to 6 players and select whether or not you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing between 2-6 players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you can not pick the same player twice and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
Apple DraftKings Pick6 App
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is seanbarnard) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
