It wasn’t the prettiest of Week 1’s in the NFL with several teams searching to find a rhythm on offense. However, we still had some monster receiving performances, including surprising ones by Sammy Watkins and Marquise Brown. Who will be in the winning DFS lineups for Week 2?
Read MoreNFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 – Quarterbacks
Now that the dust has settled on the opening weekend of action in the NFL, it’s time to quickly turn the page and focus on Week 2. We have several intriguing quarterback options across the price scale, setting us up to deploy a few different strategies.
Read MoreNFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 1 – Wide Receivers
While we didn’t see several of the top-tier wide receivers play much during the preseason, most of them should be ready to go for Week 1. There are a lot of juicy matchups to exploit, so let’s highlight some of the best ones to consider.
Read MoreNFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 1 – Quarterbacks
The long wait is finally over! The month of September is here, and with it, comes the start of the NFL season. That also means we have some DFS fun to partake in. Let’s start out by breaking down the quarterback position for Week 1.
Read MoreNFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations – Conference Championships
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
And then there were four. The NFL brings us the Conference Championships this weekend with the top four teams set to face off for a chance to play in the Super Bowl. It also means this will be our last opportunity to play anything other than single-game contests in DFS. Let’s discuss some players who stand out at each position based on their matchups. Of note, there will be no breakdown for defense/special teams. The reason is all four of these teams have great offenses, so don’t overthink the position. Just play whichever team fits into the slot after you’ve selected your offensive players. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NFL Lineup Optimizer to help you build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
QUARTERBACKS
Patrick Mahomes vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $6,600
The Chiefs scored 31 points last week, so Mahomes must have shined, right? Well, not exactly. He did complete 65.9 percent of his passes for 278 yards and did not throw an interception. However, he also didn’t throw a touchdown pass for just the second time this season. Luckily, he chipped in a rushing touchdown, but it was still a disappointing state line, overall. He’ll look to rebound against the Patriots, who allowed 29 passing touchdowns during the regular season. The Chiefs also might be forced to throw the ball more to keep up with the Patriots’ offense, setting up Mahomes to potentially have a nice bounce-back performance.
Tom Brady vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $5,800
This game between the Patriots and Chiefs should be the more fantasy-friendly contest despite the potential for playing in cold conditions. The Chiefs allowed the second-most passing yards per game (273) during the regular season and Brady torched them for 340 yards in Week 6. Even though Brady doesn’t have the benefit of playing this game at home, the potential for a shootout makes him an appealing option if you don’t want to pay up for Mahomes.
RUNNING BACKS
James White vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $5,400
Technically, White is a running back. However, he didn’t receive a single carry last week against the Chargers. That didn’t stop him from having a monster game, though, as he caught 15 of 17 targets for 97 yards. While the 17 targets seem like a crazy number, White actually had four games during the regular season in which he received at least 10 targets, so it’s not as outlandish as you might think. The Chiefs allowed the fifth-most receiving yards (895) to opposing running backs during the regular season, leaving White with tremendous upside once again.
Sony Michel vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $5,600
One of the reasons why White didn’t carry the ball against the Chargers is because Michel was eating them up on the ground. He finished the game with 24 carries for 129 yards and three touchdowns. The lopsided score certainly helped with his workload, but don’t expect him to slow down in his second meeting with the Chiefs this season. The last time they played each other, Michel piled up 106 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. The Chiefs allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game (132.1) during the regular season, setting up Michel with the potential for another monster performance.
Damien Williams vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,400
Everything went right for Williams last week against the Colts. He received a season-high 25 carries with Spencer Ware (hamstring) once again inactive and made the most of his opportunities by piling up 129 yards. He also recorded a rushing touchdown and caught five of six targets for an additional 25 yards. With teams having to focus so much on the Chiefs’ passing game, it’s hard to slow down Williams, as well. They also move the ball up and down the field so well that Williams is left with plenty of scoring opportunities. Even if Ware returns this week, expect Williams to receive the bulk of the carries once again.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Michael Thomas vs. Los Angeles Rams
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,200
Thomas entered last week with an extremely favorable matchup against an injury-riddled Eagles’ secondary. He certainly didn’t disappoint, catching 12 of 16 targets for 171 yards and a touchdown. The 16 targets were very encouraging to see because the Saints have been known to spread the ball around at times this season. Even though this isn’t as favorable of a matchup, Thomas had no problems against the Rams in Week 9 when he recorded 12 receptions on 15 targets for 211 yards and a touchdown. He’s by far the best receiving option on the Saints and stands out as the wide receiver with maybe the highest upside of anyone in action Sunday.
Julian Edelman vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $6,600
The Patriots suffered a significant loss when Josh Gordon had to leave the team. Rob Gronkowski has appeared to be a shell of his former self, which has required them to lean even more heavily on Edelman. He was plenty involved last week against the Chargers, catching nine of 13 targets for 151 yards. He now has a total of 52 targets across their last five games. Edelman stands out as a stellar play against the porous Chiefs’ defense.
Phillip Dorsett vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $3,900
With only two games, viable cheap options are few and far between. However, your budget won’t allow you to load up on stars, so you need to take chances somewhere. Dorsett might be a risk worth taking after he caught four of five targets for 51 yards and a touchdown last week. He now has a touchdown in back-to-back contests and doesn’t receive a ton of attention from opposing defenses since they have to try and slow down Edelman, Gronkowski, Michel, and White. If he finds his way into the end zone again here, he could be a difference maker in DFS.
TIGHT ENDS
Travis Kelce vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $7,100
If there was ever a week to pay up for Kelce, this is it. The other options outside of him are not very exciting. He came through with seven catches for 108 yards last week after totaling at least 100 yards in a game five times during the regular season. Expect the Patriots to try and key in on shutting him down, but he receives so many targets that his floor is still exceptionally high. The Patriots also allowed eight touchdowns to tight ends during the regular season.
Rob Gronkowski vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,100
It looks like Gronkowski’s days in the NFL are numbered. He’s having a hard time getting open and isn’t nearly involved offensively as a result. He only had one target last week, marking his third straight game with three or fewer targets. The clear choice at tight end is Kelce, but if you decide you want to load up elsewhere, Gronkowski is a dart throw with some upside since the Chiefs were destroyed for 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns by tight ends in the regular season.
Author Bio:
Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations – Divisional Round
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
With Wild Card Weekend in the books, the NFL moves on to the Divisional Round of the playoffs this week. There will be some excellent offenses in action, which could set up for a high scoring weekend in DFS. Let’s discuss some players who stand out at each position based on their matchups. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NFL Lineup Optimizer to help you build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
QUARTERBACKS
Patrick Mahomes vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $7,000
The Chiefs couldn’t have asked for anything more from Mahomes this season. He not only brought them back to the playoffs in his first season as a starter, but he threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns. There were some concerns heading into the season that Mahomes could be prone to throwing interceptions, but that never really came to fruition as he finished with only 12 picks. He had the highest floor of any quarterback in DFS, throwing for at least two touchdown passes in all but two games. With the Chiefs running game still dealing with the loss of Kareem Hunt, their chances of advancing to the next round rest squarely on Mahomes’ shoulders. Look for him to come through with another productive outing.
Nick Foles vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,400
Foles and the Eagles are at it again. They went on the road last week and knocked off a tough Bears team, 16-15. Foles carried over his playoff success from last year, throwing for 266 yards and two touchdowns. Yes, he threw two interceptions, as well, but his overall stat line is still impressive considering his opponent. Now he’ll get to face a Saints team that tied for the third-most passing yards allowed per game (269) during the regular season. At this cheap price, rolling with Foles in tournament play is a viable option.
RUNNING BACKS
Ezekiel Elliott vs. Los Angeles Rams
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $8,200
The Cowboys don’t have a great offense, but Elliott can cover up a lot of holes. He was the key to their win over the Seahawks last week, carrying the ball 26 times for 137 yards and a touchdown. He was also plenty busy in the passing game, catching four of five targets for an additional 32 yards. With at least 100 total yards in nine straight games, Elliott is a safe bet to be productive. The Rams’ defense has had their problems stopping the run and ended the regular season allowing the most yards-per-carry (5.1) in the league.
Marlon Mack vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $5,800
Andrew Luck grabs a lot of the headlines for the Colts, and rightfully so. His return to form is the main reason that they have been successful. However, Mack was just as important last week against the Texans, rushing for 148 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. He’s now logged at least 24 carries in three of their last four games, averaging 135.3 yards. He’s also had a nose for the end zone, scoring at least one touchdown in five straight contests. The Chiefs allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game (132.1) and tied for the third-most rushing touchdowns allowed (19) this year, setting up Mack with another opportunity to shine.
Darren Sproles vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,400
Oddly enough, Sproles received more carries than any other Eagles’ running back last week against the Bears. He turned his 13 carries into just 21 yards, but that workload says something about how the team views him within their offense. He was on the field for 56 percent of their offensive snaps, compared to 41 percent for Wendell Smallwood and one percent for Josh Adams. With how well the Saints have stopped the run this year, it’s hard to see any of their running backs rushing for a lot of yards. However, the Eagles might have to throw a lot to keep up with the Saints offense, so that game script would seem to favor Sproles. Even at this late stage of his career, he is still a dangerous pass catcher out of the backfield. If you’re looking for a cheap option in tournament play, Sproles has some upside.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Michael Thomas vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $7,900
Overall, Thomas had a spectacular season with 125 receptions on 147 targets for 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns. However, a lot of his damage came early in the year. He was fairly quiet down the stretch, posting 49 yards or fewer in four of his last six contests. The Saints spread the ball around quite a bit, which sometimes didn’t leave Thomas with a ton of opportunities. With that being said, don’t let that shy you away from deploying him this week. The Eagles secondary is a mess and was torched by Allen Robinson for 10 receptions, 143 yards, and a touchdown last week. Nothing against Robinson, but he’s not in the same league as Thomas. The Eagles have their work cut out for them.
Alshon Jeffery vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $5,800
The return of Foles at quarterback has done wonders for Jeffery. Before Foles took over in Week 15, Jeffery only had two games all season with at least 80 receiving yards. However, with Foles at the helm, he reached that mark three times across four contests. Considering how banged up the Eagles’ defense is and how well the Saints play at home, there is a good chance that the Eagles are going to have to score a lot to keep this game close. That should lead to plenty of targets for Jeffery.
Dontrelle Inman vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,800
T.Y. Hilton stands out as by far the best receiving threat on the Colts. Behind him, they haven’t really had a consistent producer. Inman hasn’t received a ton of opportunities, but he enters this contest with a touchdown in each of his last three games. He received a total of 15 targets during that stretch and was on the field for 70 percent of the Colts’ offensive snaps last week, highest among all other wide receivers behind Hilton. With how poorly the Chiefs’ defense has played, don’t overlook Inman if you need a cheap option in tournament play.
TIGHT ENDS
Eric Ebron vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $5,500
Ebron was only on the field for 49 percent of the Colts’ offensive snaps last week, but that didn’t stop him from catching another touchdown. Even though his yardage production has been hit-or-miss, he’s still a great option in DFS based on his touchdown production. This is about as juicy of a matchup as it gets against a Chiefs team that allowed 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns to tight ends this year.
Rob Gronkowski vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,600
Are we seeing the demise of Gronk? He scored just three touchdowns during the regular season, marking the first time in his career where he scored fewer than eight touchdowns during a season in which he played at least 10 games. His 52.5 receiving yards per game was also the second-lowest mark of his career. His upside isn’t what it once was, but he’s still an important part of the Patriots’ offense. Ebron is the safe pick, but if you’re looking to save some even more money at tight end, Gronkowski is a viable option during such a limited slate.
DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS
Los Angeles Rams vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $3,000
The Rams defense can give up some points, but that doesn’t mean they are a bad option. They finished with 18 interceptions during the regular season, which tied for the third-most in the league. They also posted 41 sacks, led by star tackle Aaron Donald. The Cowboys are by no means an offensive juggernaut, even with one of the best running backs in the league on their team, setting up the Rams with the potential to be one of the better defensive plays of the weekend.
New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $2,600
The Chargers running back situation is concerning. Melvin Gordon has been banged up down the stretch and suffered another knee injury last week against the Ravens. He returned to that contest and is expected to play this week, but he might not be 100 percent healthy. Austin Ekeler was ineffective as he battled a groin injury last week, rushing 11 times for just 29 yards. Playing in Gillette Stadium in the playoffs is no easy task, so it’s hard to imagine this being one of the better offensive performances of the year from the Chargers.
Author Bio:
Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio and DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 17 – WR, TE, DEF/ST
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
After discussing some quarterbacks and running backs who could be in line for big performances, it’s time to highlight some wide receivers, tight ends and defenses/special teams to target in Week 17. 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.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Antonio Brown vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,700
The Steelers late-season collapse has left them needing to win in Week 17 and get some help to make the playoffs. That’s great news for DFS purposes because that means it will be business as usual for Brown and the rest of their starters. Brown destroyed the Saints last week, catching 14 of 19 targets for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He’s been a touchdown machine, in general, totaling a career-high 15 scores for the season. The Bengals have allowed the second-most touchdown passes (31) and the third-most passing yards per game (276) in the league, so look for Brown to thrive again Sunday.
Julian Edelman vs. New York Jets
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $7,600
Edelman was certainly busy last week with Josh Gordon no longer with the Patriots, catching six of 10 targets for 70 yards and a touchdown. He’s received at least 10 targets in six of his last eight games and should be locked in for a huge role again Sunday. The Patriots haven’t had much to play for in the last week of the regular season in recent years, but they do this week as they are still trying to secure a first-round bye. They even have an outside chance of clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Jets have allowed the seventh-most passing yards per game (255), making Edelman an excellent target.
Kenny Golladay vs. Green Bay Packers
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $6,600
The Lions have struggled to put points on the board, scoring 17 points or fewer in each of their last five games. Golladay hasn’t found his way into the end zone in any of those contests, but that doesn’t mean that you should ignore him in DFS. He’s their top receiving option right now and he still gets plenty of targets. He only had six catches for 58 yards last week against the Vikings, although he did receive 15 targets. The Packers have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, so this could be a great opportunity for Golladay to end his season on a high note.
Jordy Nelson vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,900
Nelson was a valuable contributor in the Raiders defeat of the Broncos last week, catching seven of 10 targets for 75 yards. With the Raiders lacking talent at wide receiver due to injuries and the trade that sent Amari Cooper to the Cowboys, Nelson has been one of their main pass-catching weapons. He had plenty of success against the Chiefs in Week 13, posting 10 receptions for 97 yards. Considering how poorly the Chiefs continue to play defensively, this is a prime spot to deploy Nelson in tournament play.
TIGHT ENDS
Travis Kelce vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $7,200
Back-to-back losses have put the Chiefs in a position where they still need to win Sunday to clinch their division and gain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. If they don’t win, then they are going to need a lot of help to achieve both feats. That sets them up to play this game like normal, which is great news for Kelce. He’s only posted 115 receiving yards and no touchdowns across their two losses, but he gets an excellent matchup against the Raiders, who have allowed 998 yards and nine touchdowns to tight ends this year. The last time these two teams met, Kelce torched the Raiders for 12 receptions, 168 yards, and two touchdowns.
Evan Engram vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $5,300
Injuries have put a damper on Engram’s second season in the league, but he’s come on strong with Odell Beckham Jr. (quadriceps) out. Across the three games that Beckham has missed, Engram has 17 receptions for 239 yards. The Cowboys have nothing left to play for in Week 17, so they might rest some of their top defensive players in preparation for the playoffs. The Giants are only playing for a high draft pick, so they might not rush Beckham back for this contest, either. If Beckham sits, Engram has plenty of upside.
C.J. Uzomah vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $3,500
This disaster of a season is finally getting ready to come to an end for the Bengals. They’ve limped their way to the finish line, losing most of their best skill players on offense. With few options left to throw to, Uzomah caught four of his five targets for 49 yards and a touchdown last week against the Browns. It seems unlikely that the Bengals would push wide receiver Tyler Boyd (knee) to play Sunday, so his absence would once again likely create an expanded role for Uzomah. That would be significant for his production potential since the Steelers have allowed 881 yards and seven touchdowns to tight ends this season.
DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS
Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $3,700
The Seahawks have nothing left to play for having already secured a Wild Card spot. That might lead them to rest several players on both sides of the ball, but this is still a spot to consider deploying them in DFS. The Cardinals have been one of the worst offenses in the league, scoring 14 points or fewer in four of their last five games. They’ve also allowed quarterback Josh Rosen to be sacked at least two times in each of those five contests.
New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $2,100
The Cowboys have already clinched the NFC East and don’t have the ability to secure a first-round bye, so this is a meaningless contest for them. This is a prime opportunity for them to rest some of their starters, especially Ezekiel Elliott, who already has 304 rushing attempts. If he and quarterback Dak Prescott sit for some or all of this contest, the Giants defense has a chance to excel at home against the Cowboys’ backups.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 17 – QB & RB
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
The last week of the NFL regular season is here. Every team plays Sunday, so there are a ton of options to choose from in DFS. Here are some quarterbacks and running back who stand out as potential difference makers. 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.
QUARTERBACKS
Patrick Mahomes vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $7,100
The Chiefs have lost back-to-back games, so they still need to win Sunday to clinch the AFC West and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. That’s great news for DFS purposes since it keeps one of the most potent offenses in the league in play. Despite their recent struggles as a team, Mahomes still has at least two touchdown passes in 10 straight games, boosting his total to 48 for the season. This is a stellar matchup for him against the Raiders, who have allowed the most touchdown passes (34) in the league. The first time these two teams met, Mahomes threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns.
Ben Roethlisberger vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $7,000
With four losses across their last five games, the Steelers find themselves needing to win this game against the Bengals and get a little help to make it into the playoffs. Luckily their part at least sets up well for them to succeed, getting to play at home against the injury-riddled Bengals. Roethlisberger’s home and road splits haven’t been as drastic this season, but he has 18 touchdown passes over seven home games compared to 15 scores across eight games on the road. Not only is the Bengals’ offensive limping heading into their contest, but their defense is tied for the second-most touchdown passes allowed (31) and has allowed the third-most passing yards per game (276).
Josh Allen vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $6,000
The Patriots did a good job bottling up Allen on the ground in Week 16, holding him to 30 yards on five carries. Allen again provided inconsistent production through the air, completing 20 of 41 passes for 217 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Week 17 brings a much easier matchup for him at home against the Dolphins. When these two teams faced off in Week 13, Allen turned nine carries into 135 yards. He also posted his only multi-passing touchdown performance of the year in that game, so he’s at least someone to consider in tournament play.
Derek Carr vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,100
It’s been a lost season for the Raiders, but they’ve actually won two of their last three games down the stretch. Even though they won last week against the Broncos, Carr was held in check, finishing with just 167 passing yards. It should be noted, though, that he only needed to attempt 26 passes with the Raiders jumping out to a big lead early. Prior to that quiet performance, Carr had totaled six touchdown passes and no interceptions across his previous three games. In fact, Carr hasn’t thrown a pick since Week 5. The Chiefs continue to have a swiss-cheese-like secondary, which leaves Carr with significant upside. He certainly had plenty of success against them in Week 13, throwing for 285 yards and three touchdowns.
RUNNING BACKS
Damien Williams vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,100
Spencer Ware (hamstring) was unable to take the field again last week, setting up Williams to lead the Chief’s backfield. He logged 73 percent of their offensive snaps, finishing with 103 rushing yards on 13 carries. He also caught all seven of his targets for 37 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs do need to win this game as previously discussed, but it shouldn’t exactly be an overwhelming task against the far inferior Raiders. They might not rush Ware back into action, so if he sits, Williams again has significant upside. It’s definitely a favorable matchup with the Raiders allowing the third-most rushing yards per game (143.3).
Chris Carson vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $6,500
The Seahawks have already clinched a wildcard spot, so they don’t really have anything left to play for. That makes rolling with their offensive players a bit of a risky proposition, especially considering the potential blowout factor against a horrid Cardinals squad. Carson does come into this game extremely hot, rushing for 325 yards and four touchdowns across his last three games. Despite not being on the field for more than 59 percent of the Seahawks’ offensive snaps during any of those games, Carson still received at least 22 carries in each contest. The Cardinals allow by far the most rushing yards per game (153.1), so adding Carson to your entry might be a risk worth taking.
Elijah McGuire vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,300
With Isaiah Crowell (toe) out for the season, McGuire is the main man in the Jets’ backfield. He hasn’t been efficient in his two starts, turning 32 carries into just 77 yards. However, he has scored a rushing touchdown in both contests and even chipped in a receiving score last week against the Packers. The Jets also like to use him in the passing game, giving him nine targets over that two-game stretch. Don’t expect his efficiency to improve drastically against the Patriots, but he should get enough volume to once again be a viable option.
C.J. Anderson vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,400
The Rams decided to hold out Todd Gurley (knee) in Week 16, which opened up a starting role for Anderson. He just joined the team a couple of weeks ago, but that didn’t stop him from turning 20 carries into 167 yards and a touchdown. The Rams are still looking to clinch a first-round bye, but this shouldn’t be an overly challenging game playing at home against the 49ers. If Gurley isn’t completely healthy, it makes little sense to play him. If he does play, it also makes little sense to give him a ton of work. Anderson isn’t all that cheap anymore, but he could still provide value Sunday.
Doug Martin vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,400
The Raiders have pretty evenly split snaps in their backfield between Martin and Jalen Richard since Marshawn Lynch (groin) was lost for the season. Martin had his best performance last week against the Broncos, carrying the ball 21 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. While his yardage totals haven’t always been great, he has found his way into the end zone in four of his last five games. The Chiefs allow the fifth-most rushing yards per game (132.5), leaving Martin with some appeal in tournament play based on his cheap price.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 – TE/DEF/ST
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
Another tight end option is off the board with Jack Doyle (kidney) on IR, but the position is still fairly deep with no teams on a bye during Week 13. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or avoid as you create your DFS 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
Travis Kelce vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $7,000
The high-scoring affair between the Chiefs and Rams certainly resulted in a productive performance from Kelce. He received a season-high 14 targets, catching 10 of them for 127 yards and a touchdown. That marked Kelce’s fifth game of the year with at least 10 targets and the fourth time he compiled at least 100 yards. He’s also reached the end zone four times across his last four contests.
Kelce was already one of the best tight ends in the league, but his production has risen to the next level with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. He already has 67 receptions for 914 yards across 11 games after finishing with 83 catches and 1,038 yards all of last season. Even with all the weapons that the Chiefs have on offense, he still leads the team with 101 targets. Kelce is expensive, but he also has the highest floor of anyone at his position.
Jared Cook vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,700
This season can’t end soon enough for the Raiders. They lost again in Week 12 to the Ravens, marking their sixth loss in their last seven games. They allowed 34 points, which didn’t exactly do their injury-depleted offense any favors. Cook is one of the best pass catchers that they have left, but he caught only two of his five targets for 32. He did somewhat salvage his performance, though, with one of those catches resulting in a touchdown.
Even with their lack of talent at wide receiver, Cook hasn’t been on the field for more than 62 percent of the Raiders offensive snaps in any of their last five games. On the bright side, he does have three touchdowns during that stretch, two of which have come across his last two games. The Raiders might be forced to throw the ball a lot to keep up with the Chiefs, whose defense has actually allowed the most receiving yards to opposing tight ends (812) in the league. This could be a matchup to exploit with Cook.
Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,400
The Seahawks won last week against the Panthers, but their defense did not play well. Christian McCaffrey ate them alive, leading the Panthers to score 27 points. The Seahawks did grab an interception, but they failed to record a sack for the first time this year. With that performance, the Seahawks have now allowed at least 24 points in three consecutive games.
Even though Week 12 wasn’t great, this is about as good of a matchup as you can get for the Seahawks defense. The 49ers only scored nine points against a horrible Bucs defense in Week 11 and will again roll with Nick Mullens at quarterback. After his impressive debut against the Raiders, Mullens has four interceptions and two touchdowns across his last two games. Add in the fact that the Seahawks are at home and they have the potential to be the chalk defense play in DFS.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
David Njoku vs. Houston Texans
Stadium = NRG Stadium
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,300
Njoku has been battling a knee injury but had the benefit of a bye in Week 11. That allowed him to log 67 percent of the Browns offensive snaps in Week 12, resulting in him catching all five of his targets for 63 yards and a touchdown. He’s already surpassed his totals in targets, receptions and receiving tards from his rookie season and could be in line for a productive finish with the changes the Browns have made to their coaching staff.
The key for Njoku for this game against the Texans will be his health. The Browns have continued to take a cautious approach with him in practice, but all indications are that he will be fine for Sunday. The Texans generally have good numbers defending against the pass, but they’ve had trouble with tight ends, allowing 725 yards and six touchdowns to the position. At his reasonable price on both sites, Njoku makes for a great option in tournament play.
Cameron Brate vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $3,700
Brate has had a limited role in the Bucs offense, but all that changed when O.J. Howard (ankle/foot) was lost for the season. In his first game as the team’s top tight end, Brate was on the field for 70 percent of their offensive plays in Week 12. The only skill player with a higher percentage was wide receiver Mike Evans (79 percent). He wasn’t overly involved with just four targets, but he did catch three of them for 26 yards and a touchdown.
The yardage total last week wasn’t what you were hoping for from Brate, but the key is how often he was on the field. The Bucs also won 27-9, so it’s not like they had to throw the ball a lot late in the game. They’ll face a much tougher task this week against a Panthers team that scored 42 points on them in Week 9. One way to attack the Panthers is through the use of the tight end as they have allowed 713 yards and nine touchdowns to the position.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – TIAA Bank Field
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $2,600
The strength of the Colts is quarterback Andrew Luck and their offense, but their defense hasn’t been as bad as initially predicted at the start of the season. While their performance in Week 11 against the Dolphins wasn’t a total flop, it wasn’t great, either, with them allowing 24 points and recording just one sack.
These two teams just faced off in Week 10 but under very different circumstances. Leonard Fournette will have to miss their rematch due to a suspension and the Jaguars have benched Blake Bortles at quarterback. Having Carlos Hyde and T.J. Yeldon does somewhat help offset the loss of Fournette, but Cody Kessler doesn’t exactly instill a lot of confidence at quarterback. If you want to save a few bucks at defense, the Colts are at least worth considering.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Jimmy Graham vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,000
Graham is dealing with a fractured thumb, but he still managed to play last week against the Vikings. However, he was only on the field for a season-low 42 percent of the Packers offensive plays. He finished with just two catches for 34 yards on four targets and will have to deal with the injury again Sunday. The Cardinals defense has done a good job slowing down tight ends already, so this is a situation to stay far away from with Graham.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $2,800
The Ravens took advantage of the Raiders poor offense last week, recording three sacks and returning a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Add in their punt return touchdown and the Ravens came through in a big way. However, they did still allow 17 points and those were their first defensive and special teams scores of the season. This will be a much tougher task on the road against a Falcons team that averages 30 points a game at home.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 – Wide Receivers
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
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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
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
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
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.