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NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

We’ve only got three games in the NBA on Thursday, leaving us with very few value options to choose from. That being said, there are still some players to highlight who have favorable matchups that are still worth considering. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18

Darren Collison, IND at LAL
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $4,700

It looks like the Pacers will be without Victor Olaipo (knee) once again. Collison hasn’t seen a significant increase in playing time, but he is averaging 7.6 assists across five games with Oladipo out compared to 4.8 assists for the season, overall. His 16.6 percent usage rate isn’t all that appealing, but Collison might be able to contribute enough across the board Thursday in this matchup against a Lakers team that plays at the fifth-fastest pace (103.9 possessions per game).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC at SAC
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,900

An injury to Avery Bradley opened up a starting spot for Gilgeous-Alexander that he has yet to relinquish. Don’t expect him to lose the job anytime soon, either, since he is averaging 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, three assists and one steal across 11 games. His usage rate is also 19.7 percent as a starter, up from 15.6 percent when he was coming off of the bench. Both the Clippers and the Kings are in the top-eight in the league in pace of play, which could leave Gilgeous-Alexander with a few more opportunities to provide value.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18

Buddy Hield, SAC vs. LAC
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,700

Hield was limited to 25 minutes a game last year, but the Kings are giving him a chance to shine this season with 31 minutes a night. He hasn’t let them down, averaging 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per contest. His usage rate of 24.4 percent has remained largely unchanged from last year, but it’s the second-highest on the team behind Harry Giles (26.7 percent). This game could be a shootout with Hield right in the center of it all.

Aaron Holiday, IND at LAL
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,700

Holiday was awful against the Suns on Tuesday, going 1-for-6 from the field for two points and two assists across 15 minutes. Prior to that, he had averaged 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and two assists across four games with Oladipo out. There is certainly risk involved with putting Holiday into your entry, but it might be one worth taking based on his price. Of note, he is only eligible at shooting guard on FanDuel as he is listed at point guard on DraftKings.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at LAL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,300

If you’re looking for an efficient scorer, look no further than Bogdanovic. His 19.2 percent usage rate is nothing to write home about, but he’s shooting 54.2 percent from the field and 53.5 percent from behind the arc. Strangely enough, he is shooting a career-low 79 percent from the charity stripe, but he’s still averaging 15.6 points per game. He’s taken on more offensive responsibilities with Oladipo out, making him another Pacer to target Thursday.

Doug McDermott, IND at LAL
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,500

McDermott has not been able to live up to the hype of being the 11th-overall pick in the 2014 Draft and is now on his fifth team. He’s mostly a three-point specialist, shooting 40.5 percent from behind the arc for his career. Normally he doesn’t get many shot attempts, but he’s been more involved due to the absence of Oladipo. Across his last five games, McDermott is actually averaging 13.8 points. At near the minimum price on both sites, McDermott could provide some value in tournament play.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18

Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. GS
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,500

With the Warriors lack of size up front, this would appear to be a game in which Ibaka will receive significantly more playing time than Jonas Valanciunas. Across five games in which Ibaka has logged at least 30 minutes, he is averaging 17.6 points, six rebounds, and 1.4 blocks. He’s not overly cheap, but this could still be a matchup to exploit.

Thaddeus Young, IND at LAL
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,500

Young had a minuscule 15.7 percent usage rate through his first eight games but has been more involved with an 18.1 percent usage rate across his last 13 contests. He’s another one of the players on the Pacers to see a bump in productivity with Oladipo out, averaging 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across the last five games. His upside isn’t nearly as high as Ibaka’s, but he also provides a little more savings for your budget, leaving him in the discussion at power forward.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/29/18

Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC vs. LAC
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,900

Cauley-Stein has hit a rough patch, averaging 9.4 points and 6.8 rebounds over his last five games. However, it should be noted that two of those contests were blowouts in which he logged 18 and 23 minutes, respectively. The Clippers have allowed the fifth-most DraftKings points per game and the eighth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers, so this might be just what the doctor ordered to get Cauley-Stein back on track.

Boban Marjanovic, LAC at SAC
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $3,500

Marcin Gortat (back) was a late scratch for Wednesday’s game against the Suns, opening up a spot start for Marjanovic. He recorded 12 points and 12 rebounds and is now averaging nine points and nine rebounds across four starts this season. He’s clearly not going to log as many minutes as Montrezl Harrell even if he starts Thursday, but Gortat being out again would make Marjanvic a great option in tournament play.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 – Wide Receivers

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

There are no more bye weeks left this season, leaving a packed schedule for Week 13 in the NFL. The Saints, Steelers, and Chargers all playing in primetime does take a few of the top-tier wide receivers out of the equation for the main Sunday slate in DFS, but there are still plenty of great options. Let’s dive into the position and highlight some players to consider, and avoid, as you craft your lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 - Wide Receivers

DeAndre Hopkins vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – NRG Stadium
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,200

With their win over the Titans in Week 12, the Texans have now won each of their last eight games. Even though they pulled out the victory, Hopkins had a quiet performance by his standards. He only received six targets, which tied the mark for his fewest in a game this season. He did haul in five of them for 74 yards but failed to score a touchdown for the first time since Week 5.

The Texans scored 34 points against the Titans, but it wasn’t exactly a great matchup for Hopkins considering the Titans allow the eighth-fewest passing yards per game (230) in the league. Things swing much more in his favor against the Browns, who allow the fourth-most passing yards per game (284). With his stellar touchdown upside, Hopkins makes for a great option in cash contests despite his lofty price tag.

Tyreek Hill vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $9,100

There have been few regular season games as exciting as the matchup between the Chiefs and Rams was in Week 11. The two teams combined for an insane 105 points and Hill was certainly heavily involved in the action, catching 10 of 14 targets for 215 yards and two touchdowns. His 21.5 yards per reception actually marked the fifth time this season that he finished a game with at least 20 yards per reception.

The Chiefs have a lot of talented players, but Hill is one of the main reasons why their offense is so explosive. Not only does he have blazing speed, but he’s an excellent route runner. He already has 11 receiving touchdowns this year, which is only two away from tieing his mark from his first two seasons in the league, combined. The Raiders are tied for the second-most passing touchdowns allowed (25), leaving Hill with tremendous upside once again.

Adam Thielen vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $8,000

After recording at least 100 receiving yards in each of his first eight games, Thielen had cooled off with 88 total receiving yards across two games heading into Week 12 against the Packers. That proved to be just the matchup that he needed to get back on track, catching eight of nine targets for 125 yards and a touchdown. In two games against the Packers this season, he had 20 receptions, 256 yards, and two touchdowns.

It was only a matter of time before Thielen got hot again, especially since his 124 targets are second in the league only to Julio Jones (125). Thielen has also taken a significant step forward in the touchdown department with eight of them this year after posting nine across the last two years, combined. The Patriots have allowed the eighth-most passing yards per game (270) to go along with 22 passing touchdowns, so don’t be surprised if Thielen comes away with another highly productive afternoon.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 - Wide Receivers

Julian Edelman vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $7,100

The Patriots had no problem putting away the Jets in Week 12, which may have been part of the reason why Edelman received a season-low five targets. It should also be noted that this was tight end Rob Gronkowski’s first game since Week 8. Even with his lack of involvement, Edelman still came away with four receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Edelman has only played in seven games this year, but he already has 61 targets and has been on the field for 88 percent of the Patriots offensive snaps. He even has three touchdowns, matching his mark from all of last season. The Patriots have their full complement of weapons right now, which is going to make things tough on opposing defenses. Even with more mouths to feed, Edelman is going to get enough targets to warrant consideration in tournament play.

D.J. Moore vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,600

With Devin Funchess (back) out for Week 12, Moore was on the field for 92 percent of the Panthers offensive snaps and received a season-high nine targets. He made the most of his opportunity, hauling in eight passes for 91 yards. His rookie campaign got off to a quiet start, but Moore has now received 22 targets across his last three games.

This has the potential to be a monster game from Moore. If Funchess is unable to return, Moore will again receive all the work he can handle. The Bucs have one of the worst secondaries in the league, allowing 274 passing yards per game to go along with a league-high 26 touchdowns through the air. He’s not overly expensive on either site, making Moore a prime target to outproduce his price point if Funchess sits.

Courtland Sutton vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,200

The Broncos scored 24 points against the Steelers last week, but Sutton was very quiet with one catch on three targets for 14 yards. The Broncos did most of their damage on the ground, which led Case Keenum to attempt just 28 passes. He wasn’t that accurate, either, with only 15 completions. If you’re looking for a silver lining from Sutton’s performance, he was at least on the field for 74 percent of their offensive snaps.

The trade of Demaryius Thomas to the Texans seemed like a prime opportunity for Sutton’s production to take off. He’s certainly spending more time on the field, but he only has seven receptions for 149 yards across his last three games. If there was ever a time for him to have a breakout performance, this is it. The Bengals are having a hard time slowing anyone down right now and have allowed the second-most passing yards per game (292) to go along with 25 passing touchdowns.

Seth Roberts vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,000

Just about nothing has gone right for the Raiders this year. They’ve traded away a couple of their best players and have also been decimated by injuries, especially at wide receiver. Roberts is one of the few healthy players they have left standing at the position. Even so, he only received three targets in Week 12 against the Ravens, catching two of them for 54 yards.

This game could get ugly in a hurry against the Chiefs. If that’s the case, the Raiders are going to be throwing the ball a lot in an effort to make a comeback. The Chiefs have allowed the most passing yards per game (297), so even though the Raiders don’t have a lot of weapons, they might be able to move the ball some. Roberts doesn’t have a ton of touchdown upside, but there is some appeal here for tournament contests at this cheap price.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 - Wide Receivers

Allen Robinson II vs. New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,700

The Bears still won in Week 12 without Mitch Trubisky (shoulder), but Robinson wasn’t very productive with two receptions on four targets for 37 yards. He was one of their key offseason acquisitions, but Robinson doesn’t always have a ton of fantasy value with 39 yards or fewer in four of his last six games. It looks like Trubisky will be unable to play again Sunday, potentially leaving Robinson with another quiet performance.

Sammy Watkins vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,400

Watkins was able to take the field in Week 11 despite dealing with a foot injury, but he only logged five snaps. Even though the Chiefs are coming off of their bye week, Watkins is still battling the injury and didn’t practice Wednesday. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to push him to play a lot of snaps Sunday against a bad team in the Raiders, so stay far, far away from him in DFS, even if he is active.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/28/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

The NBA brings a loaded slate Wednesday with 10 games. The Pelicans, Rockets, Bucks, and Sixers are among the teams in action, leaving a ton of the top talent as options for your DFS lineup. In order to fit those in, you’ll also need the right mix of cheap value plays. Below are two players at each position that stand out as having matchups to possibility capitalize on. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/28/18

J.J. Barea, DAL at HOU
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,000

Barea is only averaging 20 minutes a game, but that hasn’t stopped him from being extremely productive. His 27.1 percent usage rate is actually the highest on the team, helping him average 10.9 points per contest. He also does a great job of facilitating the offense for their second unit with 5.8 assists per night. Both Dennis Smith Jr. (wrist) and Luka Doncic (illness) are listed as questionable, so Barea could be in line for a significant increase in playing time if either or both of them were unable to play. Even if they do take the floor, Barea is an appealing option at this price.

D.J. Augustin, ORL at POR
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,300

Augustin’s 15.4 percent usage rate isn’t great, but he’s still been able to average 10.3 points per game in large part because he is logging 27 minutes a night. The Magic don’t have any other viable options to start at point guard, which has also resulted in Augustin averaging 5.4 assists per contest. His upside isn’t great, but Augustin has a secure enough role to be worth considering in tournament play.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/28/18

Eric Gordon, HOU vs. DAL
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,800

The key to this game is the status of Chris Paul (hamstring). If he is forced to miss his third straight game, Gordon will once again be a part of the starting five. He’s thrived in that role this season, averaging 19.9 points and 3.4 rebounds across seven games. His usage rate is 25.2 percent as a starter, which is up from 22.3 percent as a member of the second unit. Gordon’s price has jumped up after a couple of great performances, but he’s still worth adding to your lineup if Paul sits.

Jordan Clarkson, CLE at OKC
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,100

Clarkson had a strange performance against the Timberwolves on Monday where he scored just four points on five shot attempts. Clarkson has a 28.6 percent usage rate and hadn’t attempted fewer than 10 shots in any previous game this year, so chalk it up as just one off night. The Cavaliers are going to need him to score in bunches to keep this game close against Russell Westbrook and company, so don’t be surprised if Clarkson has a bounce-back scoring effort.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/28/18

E’Twaun Moore, NO vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,000

Moore was already an important part of the Pelicans success, but he became even more vital after they lost starting point guard Elfrid Payton (finger). Jrue Holiday has been assuming the point guard duties with Payton out, shifting Moore over to shooting guard. Although he might not get a lot of headlines, Moore is averaging 15.8 points per game while shooting 54.4 percent from the field. The last time these two teams met Saturday, Moore scored 19 points. Since both of these teams are in the top-six in the league in pace of play, expect Moore to have plenty of opportunities to score again during their rematch.

Jeff Green, WAS at NO
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,000

The Wizards are going to be shorthanded up front again with Dwight Howard (lower body) already ruled out. While Green doesn’t play the same position, he is still in line for added playing time. Green is also one of their better rebounders, averaging 5.2 rebounds in just 25 minutes a game. His scoring upside isn’t great, but this game should be played at a fast enough pace to make him someone to at least consider if you want to go really cheap at small forward.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/28/18

Marvin Williams, CHA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,500

Williams is only averaging 25 minutes a game this season, but he’s logged at least 31 minutes in each of his last three games. That’s especially encouraging since the Michael Kidd-Gilchrist returned from injury Monday. Across five games in which Williams has logged at least 30 minutes, he is averaging 14 points. 8.2 rebounds, and one block. He’s also had plenty of success in two previous matchups against the Hawks, averaging 20 points and 10.5 rebounds.

Richaun Holmes, PHO at LAC
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,400

Holmes makes this list for the second straight night after scoring eight points to go along with seven rebounds and two blocks Tuesday against the Pacers. Over the last five games, Holmes is now averaging 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and two blocks. His role is secure as the primary backup to Deandre Ayton and the Clippers have some size up front with Montrezl Harrell, Marcin Gortat, and Boban Marjanovic, so expect Holmes to get enough playing time to provide value at this price.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/28/18

Tristan Thompson, CLE at OKC
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $6,300

Thompson isn’t overly cheap, but center is usually one of the tougher positions to fill in terms of value plays, especially on FanDuel.  Thompson continues to dominate the minutes in the middle for the Cavaliers and should be set there for a while with the news that Kevin Love (toe) isn’t eyeing a return until January. Facing Steven Adams isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but Thompson should at least be a threat to post a double-double Wednesday.

Cody Zeller, CHA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $4,100

If you want a cheap play with significant upside, Zeller is not your man. However, he does have a relatively high floor with averages of 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per contest. The Hawks are not a good team by any stretch of the imagination, but they do have size up front with Dewayne Dedmon and Alex Len. When these two teams met Sunday, Zeller finished with seven points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block in 28 minutes.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

We’ve passed the last bye weeks of the season, so Week 13 will bring a full slate of games in the NFL. With plenty of options to wade through, let’s dive right in and highlight a few running backs that stand out with favorable matchups, and a couple to avoid. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 - Running Backs

Kareem Hunt vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $7,800

With all of the prolific passing numbers put up by the Chiefs and Rams in Week 11, Hunt didn’t get a lot of work on the ground. He did make the most of his opportunities, carrying the ball 14 times for 70 yards. His involvement in the passing game wasn’t great, either, but he did turn his four targets into three receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. With that score, Hunt already has 14 total touchdowns.

There are few running backs with as high of a floor as Hunt. Not only does the Chiefs offense put him in a lot of great positions to score touchdowns, but he is averaging 109.3 total yards per game. The Raiders have allowed the most rushing yards per game (151.4) in the league, so expect Hunt to have another excellent performance Sunday. The only cause for concern with him is if the Chiefs jump out to a big lead and rest Hunt in the fourth quarter. However, if they do score a lot early, it could be in large part because of Hunt’s efforts.

Christian McCaffrey vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $8,800
Draft Kings = $8,800

McCaffrey couldn’t have looked any more dominant than he did last week against the Seahawks. They had no answer for him on the ground, allowing him to rack up 125 yards and a touchdown on just 17 carries. Things were equally as impressive for McCaffrey in the passing game, catching all 11 of his targets for 112 yards and another touchdown. If you rostered him in DFS or season-long, you likely came away as a winner.

It’s highly unlikely that McCaffrey matches that performance this week, but this is a matchup for him to exploit against the Bucs. They’ve allowed 14 rushing touchdowns this year and four more scores through the air to opposing running backs. When these two teams met in Week 9, McCaffrey finished with 79 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, and 78 receiving yards on five receptions.

Aaron Jones vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $6,700

The Packers are slumping right now, but it certainly isn’t due to the play of Jones. He was effective again in Week 12 against the Vikings, rushing 17 times for 72 yards and a touchdown. While his 21 receiving yards weren’t great, it was important that he received five targets. With his role starting to expand as we head down the stretch, Jones has received at least five targets in three straight games.

The talent level seemed pretty obvious with Jones, but it took a while for the Packers coaching staff to give him the lead role. That time is finally here with Jones being on the field for at least 74 percent of their offensive snaps in each of the last three games. There’s no reason to believe that will change this week, setting him up for possibly a career day against a Cardinals team that has allowed the most rushing touchdowns (16) and third-most rushing yards per game (144.8).

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 - Running Backs

Phillip Lindsay vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $5,400

Don’t look now, but the Broncos have won back-to-back games against two tough teams in the Chargers and Steelers. Their passing attack has been awful this year, but Lindsay has established himself as a weapon on the ground. Despite receiving just 14 carries in Week 12, Lindsay ran for 110 yards and a touchdown. That’s particularly impressive considering the Steelers are allowing only 4.2 yards-per-carry for the season, overall.

Next up for Lindsay and the Broncos is a matchup against a Bengals team that just lost their starting quarterback for the year and might still be without their best wide receiver in A.J. Green (toe). Their struggles likely won’t be limited to their offense, though, since they have allowed an average of 37.8 points over their last five games. They particularly struggle in the running game, allowing 147.5 rushing yards per game to go along with 14 touchdowns.

Gus Edwards vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $4,800

If you play in season-long fantasy, a player like Edwards coming out of nowhere to play well can help propel you into the playoffs if you were lucky enough to snap him up off waivers. He was heavily involved again Sunday versus the Raiders, carrying the ball 23 times for 118 yards. His usage in the passing game has been non-existent, but it’s hard to argue against his success with 233 rushing yards over two games since assuming the lead running back role.

The key to Edwards’ success might be Lamar Jackson remaining as the Ravens quarterback. With Jackson’s own ability to rush the ball, the duo creates a nightmare for opposing defenses. Initial reports indicate Joe Flacco (hip) isn’t ready to return, so it’s hard to see Edwards’ role fading with Jackson still running the offense. The Falcons allow the third-most yards-per-carry (5.1), making Edwards a potential steal in DFS, especially at his price on DraftKings.

Lamar Miller vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – NRG Stadium
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $4,600

Miller burst out for a 97-yard touchdown run in Week 12 against the Titans, helping propel him to 162 rushing yards for the game, overall. He only received 12 carries, but it marked the third time in his last five games that Miller rushed for at least 100 yards. It’s no coincidence that he ran for a touchdown in each of those contests, which accounted for all three of his rushing touchdowns this season.

Miller is peaking at the right time for Texans, which has helped them reel off eight straight wins after starting out 0-3. Alfred Blue does cut into his carries, but Miller has been on the field for at least 62 percent of the Texans offensive snaps in five of his last six games. During that stretch, Blue didn’t log more than 48 percent of their snaps in any contest. The Browns have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (131.8) to go along with 15 rushing touchdowns, making Miller a great target in tournament play.

Jalen Richard vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,300

Looking at Richard’s line from Week 12 doesn’t exactly install a whole lot of confidence in playing him for Week 13 in DFS. He only had one carry for one yard and caught two of four targets for an additional 15 yards. The Raiders were down big early, but Richard still couldn’t get much going in the passing attack with the Raiders having to throw a lot in an attempt to catch up.

If you want to roll with Richard, make sure you do so with the understanding that he won’t provide much in terms of rushing yards. He did post 61 yards on the ground in Week 11 against the Cardinals, but that’s more than half of his total for the entire year. His main source of value is in the passing game with a career-high 53 receptions on 63 targets. The Raiders should have to throw a lot in an attempt to keep up with the Chiefs high-powered offense, meaning Richard might be more involved then their primary rusher, Dough Martin, who only has 17 targets all year.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 - Running Backs

Tevin Coleman vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,500

Coleman was completely shut down on the ground by the Saints last week with only six yards on eight carries. His three catches for 17 yards weren’t great, either, but he somewhat salvaged his line with a receiving touchdown. The Saints have arguably the best rushing defense in the league, so it’s not a surprise that Coleman struggled. Things won’t get much easier for him in Week 13 against the Ravens, who allow the third-fewest rushing yards per game (92.1).

Peyton Barber vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $3,700

Barber has reached the end zone in both of his last two games while racking up 153 yards on the ground. The Bucs have struggled to run the ball most of the season, but that didn’t stop them from giving Barber 18 carries in both of those contests. This isn’t shaping up to be a matchup to exploit, though, against a Panthers team that is allowing just 4.1 yards-per-carry. When these two teams met earlier in the year, Barber had only 31 yards on 11 carries.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/27/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

There are only five games in the NBA on Tuesday, which doesn’t exactly leave for a ton of viable cheap value play options. We might have to dig a little deeper than normal, but here are a couple of players at each position that stand out as viable options. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/27/18

Trey Burke, NY at DET
FanDuel =$6,100
DraftKings = $4,700

The Knicks sure don’t make rostering their players in DFS feel comforting. They frequently change up their rotations with Burke maybe being the poster child for this practice. He sat out three games entirely towards the beginning of November, but he’s logged at least 26 minutes in five of their last six games. It’s going to be hard for the Knicks to bench him now since he averaged 23.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and four assists over those five contests.

Cory Joseph, IND at PHO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,600

With Victor Oladipo (knee) out the last four games, Joseph has averaged 10 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest. He’s an excellent defender and the primary backup to starting point guard Darren Collison, so Joseph still has secure minutes even if Oladipo does return Tuesday. This also has the potential to be a blowout against a bad Suns team, which could afford Joseph some added opportunities in garbage time.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/27/18

Rodney McGruder, MIA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,900

The Heat are going to be thin in their backcourt again Tuesday with Goran Dragic (knee) and Tyler Johnson (hamstring) already listed as out. That should leave added playing time for a few players, including McGruder. His production has slowed down a bit since the start of the season, but he’s still averaging 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and three assists per contest in November. Since the Hawks play at the fastest pace (106.7 possessions per game) in the league, McGruder is a viable option to consider due to his high minute’s floor.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, LAL at DEN
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $3,600

Caldwell-Pope’s playing time is down significantly this year at 21 minutes per contest. However, the injury to Rajon Rondo (hand) has allowed him to take on a more prominent role. Across five games since Rondo was injured, Caldwell-Pope has averaged 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals over 27 minutes a game. His upside might not be as high as McGruder’s, but he’s also dirt cheap on both sites.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/27/18

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at PHO
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,900

The Pacers destroyed the Jazz on Monday with Bogdanovic once again playing a key role in their success. He only attempted nine shots, but he still scored 15 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists, and one steal. If Oladipo can’t play again Tuesday, Bogdanovic stands out as a great value play option. However, even if he does return, Bogdanovic is still someone to consider based on this limited slate.

Juancho Hernangomez, DEN vs. LAL
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,800

Hernangomez has really stepped up with Will Barton (groin) on the sidelines. He’s moved into the starting five and has thrived in the role with 12.3 points and seven rebounds per contest. The Nuggets normally play at a slow pace, but they might have to speed things up Tuesday with the Lakers playing at the fourth-fastest pace (104.2). With Hernangomez already receiving more minutes, this could be a favorable spot for him to be productive.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/27/18

JaMychal Green, MEM vs. TOR
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,200

Power forward might be the toughest position of the night if you want to save money, especially if you play on FanDuel. Green began the season as a starter for the Grizzlies, but after missing an extended stretch due to injury, he’s lost his job to Jaren Jackson Jr. However, Green has still been productive off the bench, averaging 8.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across five games. Don’t expect eye-popping numbers from him Tuesday, but he’s still in the discussion for tournament contests.

Richaun Holmes, PHO vs. IND
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $3,300

After the Suns moved on from Tyson Chandler, Holmes emerged as the clear backup center to Deandre Ayton. Holmes has really come into his own of late, averaging 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and two blocks across his last four games. His price on FanDuel isn’t bad, but his price on DraftKings is especially appealing. The Pacers have a lot of size up front, so Holmes might even see a few added minutes, as well.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/27/18

Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at MEM
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,300

The Raptors continue to play matchups at center, which sometimes forces Valanciunas into a reserve role. That shouldn’t be the case Tuesday, though, against Marc Gasol. Valanciunas has still managed to be productive coming off the bench, but he’s been better as a starter with 14.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. ATL
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,500

Adebayo had his best game of the year Sunday against the Raptors, scoring 16 points to go along with 21 rebounds and two blocks across 36 minutes. Hassan Whiteside was limited to just 12 minutes due to foul trouble, which was the main reason for Adebayo’s bump in playing time. Guessing scores can sometimes be tricky when planning your DFS lineup, but this has the potential to be a blowout win for the Heat at home against the Hawks. If that were to be the case, Adebayo could feast in garbage time.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 – Quarterbacks

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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The stretch run of the NFL season is here. There are no teams on a bye in Week 13, leaving a bevy of quarterbacks to choose from in DFS. Let’s examine some players to target and avoid as you craft your lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 - Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $7,600

The last time we saw Mahomes on the field was in Week 11 during that thrilling game against the Rams. He had a monster performance with 478 yards and six touchdowns. Believe it or not, that was actually his second game of the season with six passing touchdowns. The only downside to his performance was that he turned the ball over a total of five times with three interceptions and two fumbles.

The Chiefs enjoyed a bye for Week 12 and now face a much easier opponent in the Raiders. Even though this could become a blowout in which Mahomes isn’t required to throw the ball much late in the game, that doesn’t mean he won’t be very productive along the way. The Raiders get virtually no pressure on opposing quarterbacks and are tied for the second-most passing touchdowns allowed (25) in the league.

Cam Newton vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $6,600

After starting out the season 6-2, the Panthers have lost three straight games. They suffered a tough loss to the Seahawks at home last week, but it was still another productive performance from Newton. He completed 25 of 30 pass attempts for 256 yards and two touchdowns while also chipping in 63 yards on the ground. That marked the fourth time in the last five games that’s posted a completion percentage of at least 72.4 percent and his 10th straight contest with at least two touchdown passes.

Newton gets a stellar matchup this week against a bad Bucs secondary that has allowed the most passing touchdowns (26) and the sixth-most passing yards per game (274). They did play well against the 49ers last week, but facing Nick Mullens and his depleted wide receiver group isn’t exactly a herculean task. The Panthers hung 42 points on the Bucs when these two played each other in Week 9, a game in which Newton had 247 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Jared Goff vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $6,400

As impressive as Mahomes was during their matchup, Goff was just as good with 413 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, and one score on the ground. That marked his second game with at least 400 passing yards this season and the third time in his last four contests that he threw for at least three touchdowns. It’s also important to note that he has just one interception across his last five games.

The Rams also had the luxury of a bye last week and will now travel to Detroit to face a Lions team that is in line for another disappointing year at 4-7. They don’t give up a ton of yards through the air, but the Lions have allowed 24 passing touchdowns compared to just four interceptions. This also has the makings of a potential blowout, but Goff is still a great option in cash contests due to his touchdown upside.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 - Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $6,300

After struggling to score at the beginning of the season, the Seahawks have produced at least 27 points in each of their last three games. Wilson had his best game of the year in Week 12, throwing for 339 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers. That was the first time he topped 300 passing yards in a game, but it was also his seventh-straight contest with at least two touchdowns.

The Seahawks have a run-heavy offense, which sometimes doesn’t always lead to huge yardage totals from Wilson. However, that hasn’t stopped him from throwing for 25 touchdowns, leaving him with a great chance to throw for at least 30 scores for the third time in his career. The 49ers have allowed 23 passing touchdowns and picked off just two passes all season, so expect Wilson to thrive in this contest.

Jameis Winston vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,000

Things couldn’t have gone much better for Winston in his return as the starting quarterback last week against the 49ers. He completed 76.3 percent of his passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns while adding 24 rushing yards. Maybe the most important stat is that he wasn’t intercepted for the first time this season.

The Bucs beat the 49ers comfortably, holding them to just nine points. Don’t expect their defense to play nearly as well against the Panthers, which should require Winston to throw the ball more to keep up. The Panthers are vulnerable through the air having allowed 25 touchdown passes, although it is a bit concerning for Winston that they also have 11 interceptions. His history with turnovers makes him a bit risky, but he still has enough upside to make him a viable option in tournament play.

Lamar Jackson vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $5,900

He didn’t exactly face a tough opponent in the Raiders, but Jackson helped lead the Ravens to another win in Week 12. His passing numbers weren’t stellar, completing 14 of 25 attempts for 178 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. However, he continued to dominate with his legs, rushing 11 times for 71 yards and a touchdown. Through two starts, Jackson has an insane 190 rushing yards.

The Ravens quarterback situation is one to monitor closely. Joe Flacco (hip) has still not been cleared to return, which could lead Jackson to start again in Week 13. Even if Flacco is healthy enough to play, there is no guarantee he regains his starting job. There have already been reports that the Ravens might use both quarterbacks in games. If Flacco is out against the Falcons, this is a great opportunity for Jackson since the Falcons have allowed the seventh-most rushing yards (205) and three rushing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 - Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $5,600

The Falcons couldn’t pull out a win against the Saints last week, but Ryan still played well with 377 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan gets the benefit of playing this game at home and has some great weapons at wide receiver, but this is not a very favorable matchup against a Ravens team that allows the second-fewest passing yards per game (203). Ryan might not be a total flop and isn’t priced overly high on DraftKings, but his price on FanDuel is less than appealing.

Case Keenum vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $5,200

On the surface, this might stand out as a great matchup against a Bengals defense that couldn’t be playing much worse. They’ve allowed the second-most passing yards per game (292) and were just destroyed by the Browns. However, Keenum is having a poor season with 13 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions. He hasn’t thrown for at least 300 yards in a game since Week 6 and has thrown for 205 yards or fewer in back-to-back contests. If you want to take a chance on a cheap option in tournament play, look elsewhere.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

Monday brings seven games on the NBA schedule. The Celtics, Warriors, Rockets, and Pelicans will be among the teams in action, leaving a lot of the top-tier options on the board for your DFS entry. In order to get them into your lineup, let’s examine some cheap value plays to also consider. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18

Collin Sexton, CLE vs. MIN
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,800

Sexton may have run away with the starting point guard job to the point where he might not relinquish it even when George Hill (shoulder) eventually returns. He’s logging 33 minutes per game as a starter with little depth behind him, helping him to average 19.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. The Timberwolves play at the 10th-fastest pace (102.3 possessions per game) in the league, which could lead Sexton with even more scoring chances Monday.

Cory Joseph, IND at UTA
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,500

Joseph hasn’t started a game for the Pacers this season, but he’s still averaging 26 minutes a game, just one fewer than starting point guard Darren Collison. Victor Oladipo (knee) has missed their last three games, which left Joseph to average nine points, 3.7 rebounds, six assists and two steals in his absence. If Oladipo is unable to play again Monday, Joseph is a viable option in tournament play.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18

Justin Holiday, CHI vs. SA
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,800

The Bulls have been decimated by injuries in the early going, leaving Holiday to average 35 minutes a game. He doesn’t really excel in any one area, but his high minute’s floor has helped him to average 13.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest in November. This might not be a high-scoring affair between two teams in the bottom half of the league in pace of play, but don’t let that shy you away from using Holiday.

Marcus Smart, BOS at NO
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,100

If there is any team built to deal with injuries, it’s the Celtics with their insane depth. They are off to a disappointing 10-10 start, but some of that might be due to players getting adjusted to new roles. Smart’s playing time is down significantly, but he could be in line for an expanded role Monday with Jaylen Brown (back) listed as doubtful. The last three games in which Smart has logged at least 25 minutes, he’s averaging 15.3 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND at UTA
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,700

Bogdanovic is another player who has seen a boost in production with Oladipo out, averaging 20.7 points, two rebounds, and 2.3 assists across the last three games. He’s shooting a stellar 54.9 percent from the field, overall, this season, which has been boosted by his insane 52.5 percent shooting from behind the arc. That number obviously won’t hold up throughout the entire year, but ride the hot hand while you can, especially if Olidaipo can’t play again.

Jeff Green, WAS vs. HOU
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,000

Injuries to key players are a common theme Monday with the status of Dwight Howard (lower body) still in doubt. Even if he does play, this could be a prime opportunity for Green to take advantage of all the small lineups that the Rockets like to deploy. You might be surprised to learn that the Rockets play at the second-slowest pace (96.8) in the league, but with the Wizards playing at the sixth-fastest pace (104), Green could still thrive with the potential for added playing time.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18

Derrick Favors, UTA vs. IND
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Favors came off the bench for the first time this year Sunday against the Kings, but he still logged 24 minutes, which is right in line with his season average. His production wasn’t impacted by the change, either, with him scoring 11 points to go along with seven rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench Monday, he is still a viable cost-effective option.

Marcus Morris, BOS at NO
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,200

One player who hasn’t really seen his role change this year is Morris. His usage rate is down slightly, but he’s helped make up for that by shooting 48.2 percent from the field. He’s also been one of the Celtics best rebounders with a career-high 6.4 boards per contest. The Pelicans play at the third-fastest pace (105.1), so don’t be surprised if this ends up as one of the Celtics highest-scoring games of the season in the early going.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/26/18

Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. MIN
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,100

Thompson has always been a great rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. He’s not much of a scorer, but his 5.2 offensive rebounds a game has helped him to average 11.1 points per contest. It is a bit disappointing that he’s only averaging 0.3 blocks per contest, but he wouldn’t be priced this low based on his points and rebounds if he wasn’t struggling in that category. Even though his price is climbing, it’s still reasonable enough to warrant considering him for your entry.

Mohamed Bamba, ORL at GS
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,300

There aren’t a lot of great really cheap center options, so if you want to go that route, it will come with some risk. Bamba doesn’t play much behind Nikola Vucevic, but this could be a chance for him to get a few added minutes if the Magic get down big early. The Warriors might be missing some key players, but they are still a much better team than the Magic, especially at home. Across five games in which Bamba has played at least 20 minutes, he is averaging 8.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks.

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/23/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner* 

Now that we’ve had the time to sleep off all that turkey and stuffing, it’s time to get back at it with 14 games in the NBA on Friday, 12 of which will make up the main slate in DFS. There will be a ton of stars taking the floor, so here are some cheap value plays that could be worth pairing with them. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

POINT GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/23/18

Collin Sexton, CLE at PHI
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $5,200

Sexton has been battling a hip injury, but it hasn’t forced him to miss any time. In fact, he played 36 minutes against the Lakers on Wednesday as the Cavaliers continue to wait for George Hill (shoulder) to return. Across the first six games that Hill has missed, Sexton is averaging 17.5 points, three rebounds, and 2.7 assists per contest. His lack of defensive contributions limit his upside, but his minute’s floor still makes him a viable option.

Trey Burke, NY vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,400

It’s hard to figure out what the Knicks are doing on a nightly basis. They continue to change up their rotations, moving players in and out of the starting five to try and find what combinations work best. Burke is back to seeing increased minutes, which has resulted in him averaging 25.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals across his last four games. The Pelicans play at the third-fastest pace (105.1 possessions per game) in the league, which could leave Burke with even more scoring opportunities in this contest.

SHOOTING GUARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/23/18

Jordan Clarkson, CLE at PHI
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,300

Clarkson only played 27 minutes in a matchup against the Lakers on Wednesday, but he scored 20 points to go along with two rebounds and five assists. He attempted 18 shots in that game, which is no surprise considering his 28.9 percent usage rate. The Sixers play at the seventh-fastest pace (103.6), potentially setting up Clarkson for another valuable performance. If the Cavaliers are going to have any chance of keeping this close, they’ll need Clarkson to take all the shots he can handle.

Rodney McGruder, MIA at CHI
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,800

The Heat will continue to play shorthanded Friday with Goran Dragic (knee) and Tyler Johnson (hamstring) out. That leaves them without two of their top ball handlers. McGruder played 36 minutes in their absences Wednesday, scoring 15 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Even though he’s cooled off some after a torrid start, McGruder still has upside in this game against the struggling Bulls.

SMALL FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/23/18

Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. SA
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Another important injury to monitor Friday is the status of Victor Oladipo (knee). He’s missed the Pacers last two games and is questionable against the Spurs. During the previous two games that he missed, Bogdanovic averaged 20.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and one steal. He’s actually scored at least 16 points in each of his last six contests, so he could provide value even if Oladipo does take the floor.

Cedi Osman, CLE at PHI
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Osman has shown promise in an expanded role, but he’s been mostly inconsistent. He recently missed a couple of game due to injury but has logged at least 30 minutes in both of his last two contests, so he should be fine moving forward. After scoring 21 points and grabbing seven rebounds against the Lakers on Wednesday, this is another matchup against a team that plays at a fast pace that could result in a positive state line for Osman.

POWER FORWARDS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/23/18

John Collins, ATL vs. BOS
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $4,900

After missing most of the season due to injury, Collins has played in each of the Hawks last three games. They’ve taken a cautious approach with his return, but he started and logged 27 minutes against the Raptors on Wednesday. He won’t be this cheap for much longer and could be in line for even more playing time Friday, making him a great option to consider. Of note, Collins is only eligible at power forward on FanDuel as he is listed at center on DraftKings.

Noah Vonleh, NY vs. NO
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,300

After a two-game stint on the bench, Vonleh has returned to the starting five for the Knicks. He certainly made a case to hold onto a starting job, averaging 15 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks across his last two contests. The key is that he logged at least 30 minutes in both of those games. If he can receive similar playing time Friday, he is definitely a candidate to outproduce his price point.

CENTERS

NBA Daily Fantasy Basketball Sleeper Lineup Picks for 11/23/18

Tristan Thompson, CLE at PHI
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $5,700

With the Cavaliers lack of depth up front, Thompson has been thrust into a significant role. It might not always be pretty, but Thompson is still averaging 10.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per contest. The Cavaliers don’t really have anyone else capable of defending Joel Embiid, so Thompson could get all the minutes he can handle Friday.

Cody Zeller, CHA at OKC
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,100

After being limited to 33 games last year due to injury, Zeller has already played in 17 games this season. His upside isn’t great, but he’s put up respectable numbers with 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per contest. The Hornets do like to use a lot of small lineups, but they might not be able to as much with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle) out again for this matchup. They will also need Zeller to battle with Steven Adams, who logs a lot of playing time for the Thunder.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 – TE/DEF/ST

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

The tight end position could receive a significant boost in Week 12 with Rob Gronkowski (back/ankle) expected to play for the first time since Week 8. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or avoid as you create your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - TE/DEF/ST

Zach Ertz vs. New York Giants
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $6,400

Last week was about as ugly as it could get for the Eagles. Their defense was destroyed by the Saints and their offense looked completely inept, resulting in a 48-7 loss. Even Ertz, who is normally immune to any shortcomings the rest of the offense might have, finished with just two catches for 15 yards. He only had three targets, which is crazy considering he had 16 the previous week and hasn’t had fewer than six in any game this year.

Chalk Week 11 up to basically a worst case scenario for Ertz. He’s already had seven games with at least 10 targets, so he’ll continue to have one of the highest floors of any tight end. When the Eagles faced the Giants in Week 6, Ertz caught seven of nine targets for 43 yards and a touchdown. The Giants defense has traded away a couple of key players since then, setting up Ertz with the potential for an even better performance in their rematch.

George Kittle vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,200

It hasn’t mattered who is throwing passes to Kittle so far this season. He’s emerged as one of the best tight ends in fantasy despite playing for an offense that is riddled with injuries and very short on talent. He lit up the Giants for nine receptions and 83 yards in Week 10, setting a season-high with 10 targets. That marked the third time in the last four games that he has received at least eight targets.

Kittle is a strong play against most teams, but this really stands out as a game for him to exploit a terrible Bucs defense. They’ve struggled in just about every facet of the game, including allowing 747 yards and five touchdowns to opposing tight ends. Even though his price has climbed significantly, Kittle is still a great option for cash contests.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,000

The Jaguars were locking down the Steelers for the majority of their game last week, but couldn’t hold on at the end. The Steelers stormed back from a 16-0 deficit to beat them, 20-16. Facing the Steelers is no easy task, but the Jaguars defense looked primed for a big game with three interceptions and two sacks before ultimately letting the team down.

It was going to be difficult for the Jaguars to replicate the stellar defensive numbers that they compiled last year, so it’s not all that surprising that they have regressed to an extent. They have allowed at least 20 points in six straight games, including two contests where they allowed at least 30 points. Their sack numbers are down, but they have still held opponents to the third-fewest passing yards per game (210). If there was ever a week for them to get back to their dominant form, this is it against a Bills offense that has been anemic for the majority of the season.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - TE/DEF/ST

Nick Vannett vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $2,700

The Seahawks are riding the high of taking down the Packers in Week 11. Their run-heavy offense came through for them again with Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, and Mike Davis combining for 155 yards and a touchdown. Vannett wasn’t very involved, catching just one of two targets for 17 yards. If there was a silver lining from his performance it was that he was on the field for 60 percent of the Seahawks offensive snaps.

There is certainly plenty of risk involved with Vannett. The Seahawks don’t throw the ball much, which has resulted in Vannett receiving three targets or fewer in three of his last four games. However, during that four-game stretch, he also showed his upside with six catches, 52 yards, and a touchdown in Week 9 against the Chargers. This matchup couldn’t be any better against a Panthers defense that allowed a whopping nine touchdowns to tight ends, so don’t overlook Vannett in tournament play.

Cameron Brate vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,600

Brate has largely been an afterthought in the Bucs offense behind O.J. Howard. He’s only received 17 targets all season compared to 48 for Howard. However, Brate will have the position all to himself now after Howard injured his ankle last week and was placed on injured reserve.

The Bucs are lucky to have such a talented backup in Brate. He’s shown an ability to be a major contributor in the past, hauling in 14 touchdowns across the previous two seasons. Even with his limited workload this year, he’s found his way into the end zone three times. Not only is Brate a hot pickup if you play in season-long fantasy, but he’s a great option in DFS for Week 12 at such a cheap price.

Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $2,700

The Bills have come crashing back down to Earth after finally ending their long playoff drought last year. Their offense is significantly devoid of talent and injuries haven’t helped their cause, either. However, they headed into their bye riding the high of a demolishing of the Jets in which the defense had three sacks and two interceptions. The Jets don’t exactly have a lot of weapons on offense and were without Sam Darnold (foot), but the Bills still held them to 10 points.

If there has been a bright spot for the Bills, it’s been their defense. They’ve allowed the fewest passing yards per game (202) and the 10th-fewest rushing yards per game (99.8). The Jaguars finally have star running back Leonard Fournette healthy, but Blake Bortles has been awful. They’ve only scored an average of 14.7 points across their last six contests, so this could be an opportunity to roll with the Bills defense if you’d like to save a little money at the position.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - TE/DEF/ST

Evan Engram vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,200

Engram didn’t exactly shine last week against the Bucs, finishing with two catches for 66 yards. He only received two targets and was on the field for just 32 percent of the Giants offensive snaps. The problem for Engram is that the Giants have a lot of talent around him. With Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquan Barkley the clear leaders of their offense, Engram doesn’t always get a ton of passes thrown his way. The Eagles have only allowed 370 yards and two touchdowns to tight ends, making Engram an unappealing option in DFS.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $3,300

The Ravens are certainly not someone to avoid based on their matchup. The Raiders have had trouble scoring points and are running out of healthy players. Despite this looking like a prime spot to use the Ravens, it might not be as great as you think. The Ravens had a crazy 11 sacks against the Titans in Week 6, but they only have three sacks across four games since. They also have just five interceptions, which is the sixth-fewest in the league. You’ll have to pay up to get them into your lineup, so it might not be a wise choice based on their inability to provide sacks and turnovers.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 – Wide Receivers

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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The Chiefs and Rams being on byes take away some of the top wide receivers for Week 12, but there are still some great options that stand out at the position in DFS. Let’s highlight a few across the price scale that are worth considering. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH CONTEST OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Wide Receivers

Antonio Brown vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $8,700

The Steelers were down 16-0 against the Jaguars on Sunday but stormed back for a big win on the road. Brown wasn’t exactly efficient by catching five of 13 targets, but he turned in a season-high 117 receiving yards and a touchdown. The yardage total is especially impressive when you consider how well the Jaguars have defended against the pass this season. They’ve allowed just 14 passing touchdowns, as well.

The Broncos aren’t exactly a pushover, either, but they have given up 18 touchdowns through the air. Brown not only leads the Steelers with 109 targets but that mark also ranks third in the entire league. Add in his 11 touchdown receptions and he has one of the highest floors of any receiver in DFS, especially during a week with Tyreek Hill and the Rams receivers unavailable.

Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $8,800

The Giants regrouped during their bye week and have now won two straight games for the first time since December of 2016. They scored at least 27 points in both wins with Beckham leading the charge for their receiver group. After catching four passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns in Week 10, Beckham followed that up with four receptions for 74 yards and another touchdown in Week 11.

Likely the biggest reason for the Giants offensive explosion has been their opponents. They faced the 49ers and Bucs, who have combined to allow 46 touchdown passes. The Eagles overall numbers aren’t nearly as bad, but their secondary is decimated right now by injuries. That led the Saints to score 48 points against them in Week 11. Eli Manning is no Drew Brees and this game is at home for the Eagles, but this is a matchup where Beckham could feast.

Mike Evans vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,700

The Bucs were in catch-up mode against the Giants last week, which helped Evans put up some big numbers during the second half. He finished the game with six catches for 120 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. The Bucs will be making yet another quarterback change for this contest, but Evans certainly has a long-standing relationship with Jameis Winston, so don’t expect it to negatively impact his value.

The thing you love about Evans is that you know he’s going to have plenty of opportunities to produce. Not only is he the Bucs top wide receiver, but their defense gives up a ton of points. This requires their offense to throw a lot to try and keep pace. This is a matchup to exploit against a 49ers secondary that has allowed 21 touchdown passes and recorded just two interceptions all season.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Wide Receivers

Tyler Boyd vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $6,000

Boyd was the Bengals primary pass catcher again in Week 11 with A.J. Green (toe) on the sidelines. He received 11 targets in that contest, marking his second-highest total of the season. However, he wasn’t able to cash in on his opportunity, catching just four passes for 71 yards. He also failed to score a touchdown for the second straight week, which is somewhat surprising since Green missed both of those contests.

Green will likely return for Week 12, which might actually be a good thing for Boyd. He’ll no longer be the focal point of the opposing team’s defense, setting him up with a better chance to shine against lesser cornerbacks. The Browns do have 13 interceptions this year, but they’ve also allowed the third-most passing yards per game (288). While not a completely safe option at this price, Boyd could be in line for a bounce-back performance.

Doug Baldwin vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Bank of American Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,100

Baldwin is going to need to make a late push if he’s going to get at least 100 targets for the fourth straight season. Injuries left him to start off slowly, but he’s finally showing signs of turning things around with some improved health. He had his best performance of the year in Week 11, catching seven of 10 targets for 52 yards and a touchdown. That marked the first time he’s received double-digit targets in a game and his first touchdown.

If Baldwin really is past his injury issues, he could be in for a monster finish. One of the more encouraging stats from his Week 11 performance is that he received three red zone targets. The Panthers haven’t given up a ton of yards through the air, but they have allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns (23). This might be the time to take advantage by putting Baldwin in your lineup before his price starts to climb.

Larry Fitzgerald vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,000

Is there anyone happier than Larry Fitzgerald that the Cardinals made a change at offensive coordinator? Other than David Johnson, probably not. In three games since Byron Leftwich took over, Fitzgerald has compiled 26 targets, 16 receptions, 175 yards, and three touchdowns. Across his first seven games, he had a total of 41 targets, 26 receptions, 255 yards, and one touchdown.

It should be noted that his increased production could also be a product of an easier schedule. He has played the 49ers, Chiefs, and Raiders across his last three contests, none of which defend the pass well. Facing the Chargers won’t be as easy with them allowing 15 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions. With that being said, Fitzgerald should still see enough volume to at least be worth considering in tournament play.

Marquise Goodwin vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,600

There are few people who were as high as I was on Goodwin heading into this season. He was coming off of a great 2017 campaign and looked poised to break out with Jimmy Garopplo at quarterback. However, injuries hit the 49ers early and often, the most significant of which was losing Garoppolo to a torn ACL. Goodwin has battled plenty of his own injury concerns, leaving him with just 17 catches for 339 yards.

If you’re looking for a silver lining with Goodwin, he does have four touchdown receptions. He also caught four passes for 69 yards against the Giants in Week 10 and has now had the benefit of a bye week to rest up. If there was ever a game for him to break out, this is it. The Bucs have allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game (282) and are tied for the most touchdown passes allowed (25), making Goodwin an extremely appealing option at this price.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $7,100

This is more about Allen’s matchup than anything else. He’s playing really well right now with touchdowns in back-to-back games and he has 87 targets already. However, the Cardinals boast a strong secondary that contains star cornerback Patrick Peterson. They’ve allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (218), making Allen a risky option at this price. I’d much rather roll with Mike Evans if you looking for someone in a similar price range as Allen.

Golden Tate vs. New York Giants
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $4,800

After barely playing in Week 10 against the Cowboys, Tate was on the field for 71 percent of the Eagles offensive snaps in Week 11. He didn’t put up a great performance, though, with five catches for 48 yards on eight targets. The Eagles are still working him into their offense, but even in the best case scenario, he’s likely their third receiving option behind Zach Ertz and Alshon Jeffery. His price on DraftKings isn’t terrible, but he seems like a reach based on his price on FanDuel.