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 13 – Wide Receivers
*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
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.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 – Wide Receivers
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
A lot of the top stars at wide receiver won’t be available for the main Sunday slate in DFS for Week 8. Adam Thielen, Julio Jones, Keenan Allen, Michael Thomas, and DeAndre Hopkins are among the players who are either on a bye or playing in prime time games. That being said, there is still plenty of talent available across the price scale. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players to target, and some to possibly 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
Antonio Brown vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,500
Brown received a season-low six targets in Week 6, but he hauled in five of them for 105 yards and a touchdown. That marked Brown’s second consecutive game with at least 100 receiving yards and the fifth time in six contests that he found his way into the end zone. With six total touchdowns this season, he is only three scores away from matching his mark from all of last season. Even with being on a bye last week, Brown’s 72 targets rank sixth-most in the league.
Brown was able to take advantage of the Browns during their first meeting in Week 1, catching nine of 16 targets for 93 yards and a touchdown. The Browns have only allowed nine touchdown passes while generating 11 interceptions, but they have allowed the seventh-most passing yards per game (279). This game being played at home does work in Brown’s favor since his quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has historically played better at Heinz Field. While Roethlisberger has posted similar yardage totals at home and on the road this year, he has seven touchdowns and two interceptions in three home games compared to five touchdowns and four interceptions in three road contests.
A.J. Green vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,000
Even with the Bengals’ offensive struggles in Week 7, Green still put up great numbers. He received a season-high 14 targets, converting them into seven receptions for 117 yards. That marked Green’s third straight game with at least 10 targets and the fourth time this season that he has finished with at least 85 yards. However, he did fail to reach the end zone for the third straight week.
While it is a bit concerning that Green has struggled to score touchdowns lately, he did record five of them across his first four games. He’s also finished with at least eight touchdowns in every season of his career in which he has played all 16 games. This is a prime matchup for him to find his way into the end zone again with the Bucs allowing the most passing touchdowns (18) in the league despite already having their bye week.
Tyreek Hill vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $8,600
Hill didn’t have a great performance yardage wise last week, catching seven passes for 68 yards. His 9.7 yards-per-reception was his second-lowest mark of the season. On the bright side, he still had 10 targets, marking the third time in the last four games that he had at least that many. Also, he scored a touchdown to bring his total to seven for the year, matching his mark from all of 2017.
The Chiefs offense leaves most of their skill players with significant upside with Hill maybe having the highest ceiling of them all. His 15.5 yards-per-reception rank him inside the top 20 in the league and his seven touchdown receptions are more than any other player. The Broncos have been much better at defending against the pass than the run this season, but Hill still has a high enough floor in this potent offense to be worth considering in cash contests.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Emmanuel Sanders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,500
The addition of Case Keenum at quarterback hasn’t exactly gone as well as the Broncos had hoped for, but he’s certainly provided a significant boost for Sanders. Last year, Sanders caught 47 of 92 targets for 555 yards and two touchdowns across 12 games. Through seven games this season, he has 46 receptions on 61 targets for 601 yards and three touchdowns. He had just a 51.5% catch rate last year, but that mark stands at 75.4% this season.
Sanders did leave their Week 7 game after injuring his ankle, but he’s had extra time to recover with that game being played on Thursday. All indications are that he should be able to play Sunday and the Broncos will certainly need him to try and keep pace with the Chiefs offense. The Chiefs defense did play much better against the Bengals. but they’ve still allowed the second-most passing yards per game (317).
Tyler Boyd vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $6,700
Boyd was one of the main players to suffer from the Bengals 10-point performance last week, catching three of four targets for just 27 yards. It was the first time this year he received less than five targets in a game and his three receptions were also his fewest since Week 1. He’s been a bit boom-or-bust, posting two 100-yard performances, but also recording three contests with fewer than 50 yards.
The Bengals continue to be short on pass-catching options with Tyler Eifert out for the season and John Ross unlikely to play in this game. That should be great news for Boyd because not only do the Bucs give up a ton of touchdowns, but they’ve also allowed the most passing yards per game (328). Boyd has been on the field for at least 93% of the team’s offensive snaps the last two weeks, so don’t be surprised if he has one of his best performances of the season Sunday.
Christian Kirk vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $4,500
The Cardinals offense is a disaster. They’ve scored fewer than 20 points in all but one game this season, which finally led to the firing of offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. Byron Leftwich now takes over the offensive reins, so it might take a couple of games to see how his play calling shakes out. That being said, it can’t be any worse than things were under McCoy’s tenure.
One player who has played fairly well despite the team’s struggles in Kirk, who has been on the field for 74% of their offensive snaps this season. He’s finished with at least 57 receiving yards in four of his last five games and has received at least five targets in five of his last six. Their offensive futility has resulted in him scoring only one touchdown, but that score did come against these same 49ers in Week 5. The 49ers defense has allowed 16 touchdown passes and recorded just one interception, so this looks like an opportunity to take a chance on Kirk in tournament play.
Jordy Nelson vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,700
This season has been a lost cause for the Raiders. The team traded away their best defensive player in Khalil Mack just before the start of the year and now they have dealt Amari Cooper to the Cowboys. Add in the fact that Marshawn Lynch was just placed on IR and this offense is severely lacking playmakers.
One of the last men left standing is Nelson. Outside of his 173-yard performance in Week 3, Nelson hasn’t finished with more than 50 receiving yards in another game this year. The good news is that he does have three touchdowns and he was tied with Cooper with 31 targets, so he could be even more involved moving forward. The Colts have been scoring in bunches of late, so the Raiders might need to lean on Nelson and the passing game to keep pace.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Sammy Watkins vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $4,600
Watkins is coming off one of his better performances of the season in Week 7, catching four of seven targets for 74 yards. He has upside, but he also is very inconsistent, finishing with 21 yards or fewer three separate times. Hill and Travis Kelce are the clear top receiving options for the Chiefs, with both having at least 60 targets compared to Watkins’ 40. His price on DraftKings is somewhat reasonable based on his inconsistencies, but he’s still risky. Considering Boyd is close to the same price as Watkins on FanDuel, it might be prudent to avoid him all together there.
Marvin Jones Jr. vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,800
The Lions have three talented wide receivers, but they use a ton of three-receiver sets, helping Jones be on the field for 98% of their offensive snaps. With that being said, Jones’ 37 targets are third behind Golden Tate (57) and Kenny Golladay (43). Jones is only averaging 45 receiving yards per game, as a result, which is a far cry from his career-high 68.8 yards per game last year. The Seahawks have allowed the third-fewest receiving yards per game (206), leaving Jones with very little upside.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 3 – Wide Receivers
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Early bird special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
Through the first two weeks of the season, there have been 25 instances where a wide receiver has finished with at least 100 yards in a game. Not only have they been racking up yardage, but 13 wideouts have at least two touchdowns so far. There should be plenty of productive performances this week, as well, so let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players to target, and some to possibly 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
Michael Thomas vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $8,900
Thomas has been dominant through the first two weeks, hauling in 28 of 30 targets for 269 yards and three touchdowns. While his 93.3% catch rate is certainly not sustainable, the amount of passes he is getting thrown his way is going to remain high. He received 121 targets in his rookie season and followed that up with 149 targets last year, which was tied for sixth-most in the NFL.
The Falcons haven’t allowed much production from wide receivers so far, but they haven’t exactly faced a ton of talent. Week 1 brought a matchup against an Eagles team missing their top wideout in Alshon Jeffery due to injury. Last week they faced the Panthers, who have some promising young talent in Devin Funchess and D.J. Moore, but they are still trying to establish themselves as reliable options. Expect Thomas to have a high floor considering his massive role in the Saints offense, especially since his seven red zone targets are the second most in the league this year.
Stefon Diggs vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – U.S. Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $7,700
Diggs had a fairly quiet performance in Week 1 with only 43 receiving yards, but he still received six targets and scored a touchdown. He had a massive game Sunday against the Packers, catching nine of 13 targets for two touchdowns. He’s quickly developed a strong relationship with Kirk Cousins, who has already thrown for 669 yards through two games. Case Keenum did a nice job for the Vikings last year, but Cousins presents a higher-upside quarterback for Diggs and the rest of the Vikings receivers.
This stands out as a great matchup against the Bills, who are one of the worst teams in the league and have problems keeping their offense on the field. They also don’t have the strongest secondary and even went through the debacle of Vontae Davis retiring at halftime last week. There is some concern that the Vikings will be running the ball a lot during the second if this game gets out of hand, but Diggs should still get enough opportunities to provide significant value.
Tyreek Hill vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $8,500
The Chiefs offense looks like a video game. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been amazing out of the gate, throwing 10 touchdown passes without an interception. He also has a 69.1% completion rate. He has plenty of weapons around him, but Hill might be the most dangerous. Hill has shown his big-play ability often through the first two weeks, totaling 259 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. He’s averaging 21.6 yards per reception.
The 49ers will have their hands full with the Chiefs offense. They are coming off a poor showing against the Lions where they allowed Matthew Stafford to throw for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Both Golden Tate and Kenny Golladay finished with at least 89 receiving yards in that contest. This should be another high-scoring game when you consider how poorly the Chiefs defense has played, as well, so don’t hesitate to add Hill to your lineup.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Will Fuller vs. New York Giants
Stadium – NRG Stadium
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $5,900
Fuller missed Week 1 due to a hamstring injury, which was a big blow to the Texans offense. He returned in style for Week 2, catching eight of nine targets for 113 yards and one touchdown. His presence has made a huge difference for Deshaun Watson who has averaged 35.4 fantasy points per game in his career in games that Fuller has played compared to just 17.4 fantasy points per game without him.
The Giants have done a nice job limiting receiving yards this year, but they haven’t exactly faced two offensive juggernauts in the Jaguars and Cowboys. They have a strong cornerback duo of Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple, but they don’t have much depth past those two players. Apple is currently dealing with a groin injury and it looks like a real possibility that he won’t be able to play this week. If he can’t, the Giants are going to be hard-pressed to slow down Fuller. He’s a lock for me if Apple sits, but Fuller can still provide value even if Apple is ultimately able to play.
Nelson Agholor vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,100
Agholor only had 33 receiving yards in Week 1, but his role in the Eagles offense was clear as he hauled in eight of 10 targets. He received another 12 targets last week and was able to cash that in for eight receptions, 88 yards, and a touchdown. The Eagles were dealt another injury at receiver during that game as Mike Wallace suffered a leg injury that has since landed him on IR.
Jeffery’s status for Week 3 is still uncertain, but if he doesn’t play, Agholor is again going to get all the targets he can handle. He’ll also be catching passes from Carson Wentz for the first time this season. Although Wentz will be playing for the first time in nine months after suffering a torn ACL, the Eagles have been very calculated with his recovery and held him out until they felt comfortable that he was completely healthy. Wentz might be a little rusty, but Agholor still has plenty of upside at this price.
Marquise Goodwin vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,500
The 49ers offense was expected to take a significant step forward with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm for an entire season. One of his most talented weapons is Goodwin, who unfortunately suffered a quad injury Week 1. Although he did return to that game, the injury forced him to miss Sunday’s contest against the Lions. While it’s still unclear if he will play in Week 3, it’s encouraging that he was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
Goodwin has a tremendously high ceiling. His full-season pace based on the five games that Garoppolo started last year would have put him at 138 targets, 93 receptions, and 1,229 yards. If he can return for Sunday, the sky is the limit against the horrid Chiefs secondary that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers through two games.
Dede Westbrook vs. Tennesee Titans
Stadium – TIAA Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,600
The Jaguars lost Marquise Lee to injury before the season began, dealing a tough blow to their wide receiver group. Westbrook and Keelan Cole have emerged as their top-two options so far with Westbrook receiving at least five targets in both games this year. He’s averaging 14.9 yards per reception and has already scored a touchdown after reaching the end zone only one time all last year.
In an impressive win against the Patriots last week, the Jaguars threw the ball 45 times. Some of that had to do with the fact that running back Leonard Fournette sat with an injury. With Fournette likely back this week, don’t be surprised to see them run the ball more. Even if that’s the case, Westbrook is still a cheap option worth considering for your entry because the Titans have allowed the second-most yards (469) to opposing wide receivers.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Keenan Allen vs. Los Angeles Rams
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,300
There is no question that Allen is one of the focal points of the Chargers offense. Over the first two games of the season, he’s recorded 14 catches on 19 targets for 175 yards and a touchdown. When healthy, he’s one of the best receivers in the league. However, this is a very tough matchup against the Rams and their stingy secondary that is led by Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. No wide receiver has posted more than 28 receiving yards against them this year. Considering the cost required to add Allen to your entry, it might be best to spend your money elsewhere.
Sterling Shepard vs. Houston Texans
Stadium – NRG Stadium
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,500
The Giants have a lot of talented skill players on offense, which was going to limit Shepard’s involvement, to an extent. To make matters even worse, their porous offensive line has left Eli Manning with very little time to work in the pocket. They aren’t moving the ball well or scoring many points, which has led Shepard to only eight catches and 72 yards through the first two weeks. Until they show more signs of life on offense, taking a chance on one of their secondary pass-catching options like Shepard seems like an unnecessary risk to take.
NFL DFS: Best Lineup Stacks for Wild Card Playoff Weekend DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Football
*Chris Tierney – cstcst*
NFL DFS: Best Lineup Stacks for Wild Card Playoff Weekend DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Football
Welcome to Wild Card weekend! The stakes ramp up on Saturday as the 2018 edition of the NFL playoffs open in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon. There are some intriguing matchups this weekend which we’ll dive into each a little bit below. Put your favorite recommendations from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the NFL Player Lab.
Tennessee at Kansas City (-8.5, 44)
Vegas Implied Final Score:
Kansas City 26
Tennessee 18
Key Injuries:
- Demarco Murray has been ruled out meaning Derrick Henry will get the majority of touches out of the backfield for the Titans.
- Albert Wilson was nicked up during the win over Denver but all signs point to him playing this week.
DFS Chalk: Kareem Hunt, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Derrick Henry, Alex Smith, Chiefs Defense
DFS Value: Eric Decker, Delanie Walker, Albert Wilson, Corey Davis, Marcus Mariota
Kansas City has gotten well over the past four weeks after a four-game losing streak nearly derailed their season. The teams they beat during this winning streak? The Raiders, Chargers, Dolphins and Broncos. One winning record out of the bunch. The Titans also stumble into the playoffs having lost three of their final four. Two of those came in Western time zones in hard fought games against Arizona and San Francisco, and they also dropped a close contest at home to the Rams before clinching this spot last week at home against Jacksonville. This matchup looks evenly matched on paper and while chilly, the forecasted 28-degree weather is not awful for offensive players.
Atlanta at Los Angeles (-6.5, 48.5)
Vegas Implied Final Score:
Los Angeles 27.5
Atlanta 22
Key Injuries:
- There are no injuries of significance to monitor in this game.
DFS Chalk: Todd Gurley, Robert Woods, Rams Defense, Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu
DFS Value: Sammy Watkins, DeVonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Austin Hooper
The biggest DFS decision of the week is whether to fade Todd Gurley, who finished the Regular Season as the top RB in Fantasy Football. He is very expensive across all formats this weekend and has certainly earned his price tag. He will feature on Saturday and his success or lack thereof will likely dictate GPP formats before Sunday games even kick off. Early projected ownership reports have a majority not paying the massive price tag. Personally, I’ve yet to decide which way I’ll end up going but this is likely the central decision to Wildcard DFS. Gurley would need to hit the 25-30 point mark to return GPP value, which while doable, is hardly something to bank on. The Rams defensive weakness is against the run game and I expect the Falcons to attempt to control the ball and play keep away from the Rams in this one. The Rams are legit and are a very dangerous offense capable of taking what the defense gives them.
Carolina at New Orleans (-7, 48.5)
Las Vegas Implied Score:
New Orleans 27.25
Carolina 21.25
Key Injuries:
- The Saints tight end situation is a bit murky, and while a complete potential flier, it might be worth paying attention to.
DFS Chalk: Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, Greg Olsen, Michael Thomas
DFS Value: Cam Newton, Christian McCaffery, Ted Ginn, Mark Ingram
In our opinion, this sets up as the most interesting game on the weekend slate. These two teams met the first weekend in December with New Orleans prevailing by 10 points. In that game, the Saints ran for 148 yards and Brees threw for 269 yards with Kamara accounting for over 120 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 14 touches. In that game, the Panthers defense was visibly frustrated with their inability to wrap up Kamara. The Panthers will have one focus this week and that will be limiting and tackling the Saints lightning bolt offensive weapon. That could open the rest of the field for Brees and his wideouts, which sure seems like a good GPP route. Of course, the Panthers are a talented team very capable of winning and moving on here. Cam is scrambling once again, which makes him an elite option. While the Panthers are lacking at the WR position, Christian McCaffery and a healthy Greg Olsen make up for it. This game is a coin flip and brings plenty of fantasy options with perhaps the best chance of ‘shooting out’.
Buffalo at Jacksonville (-9, 39.5)
Las Vegas Implied Score:
Jacksonville 23.80
Buffalo 16.30
DFS Chalk: LeSean McCoy (if healthy), Leonard Fournette, Jags defense
DFS Value: Kellan Cole, Blake Bortles, Dede Westbrook
LeSean McCoy is likely to give it a go on his bum ankle, and without his presence, the Bills are a tremendous longshot to even threaten the Jaguars in this spot. Many are down on the Jags after a rough finish that saw them drop two in a row to end the season. The Jags are an interesting team heading into the postseason and they do two things well that win Championships. They have the best talent on defense in the AFC and can run the football. The game script here should allow Fournette and the Jags defense to shine all while awarding a home fan base that hasn’t seen a home playoff game in a decade. On paper, the Jags sure look like a team that no one wants to host in the Divisional Round.
OVERALL:
Top DFS Chalk Selections: Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville, Todd Gurley, RB, LA Rams, Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City
Top GPP / Value Selections: Christian McCaffery, RB, Carolina, Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta, Austin Hooper, TE, Atlanta, Eric Decker, WR, Tennessee
Top GPP Contrarian Stack: Cam Newton, Christian McCaffery, Greg Olsen
Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations for Week 14
*Mike Barner*
Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations for Week 14
There are some great matchups for Week 14 of the NFL, including the Minnesota Vikings against the Carolina Panthers and the Philadelphia Eagles against the Los Angeles Rams. While those should be exciting, let’s try to add even more excitement to your weekend by coming away with some money in daily fantasy football. Put your favorite recommendations from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the NFL Player Lab.
**QUARTERBACKS**
Alex Smith vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
DraftKings = $6,500
FanDuel = $8,200
After a couple of rough games, Smith and the Chiefs offense came alive against the New York Jets Sunday after head coach Andy Reid relinquished play-calling duties to their offensive coordinator. Smith finished with one of his best games of the season as he threw for 366 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 70 rushing yards. While the rushing yards came on one long run, it was encouraging to see Smith regain his early season form with the passing game. Week 14 brings a great matchup against a Raiders defense that he torched for 342 yards and three touchdowns earlier this season. That shouldn’t be much of a surprise as the Raiders have allowed 20 passing touchdowns this year while hauling in only one interception. Look for Smith to keep his improved play going for at least one more week.
Derek Carr vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
DraftKings = $6,400
FanDuel = $7,700
Considering Carr was without Amari Cooper (concussion/ankle) and Michael Crabtree (suspension) last week, the fact he was still managed to throw for 287 yards and a touchdown is noteworthy. Crabtree will return this week, giving Carr a big weapon back even if Cooper isn’t healthy enough to play. Carr had his best game of the season against the Chiefs in Week 7 when he threw for 417 yards and three touchdowns. The Chiefs have struggled to defend the pass all season, allowing the fifth-most net passing yard per game (253) in the league. This could be a high scoring affair that benefits both quarterbacks Sunday.
Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Houston Texans
Stadium = NRG Stadium
DraftKings = $5,500
FanDuel = $7,000
Although he didn’t throw a touchdown, Garappolo’s first start for the 49ers had to be considered a success as he threw for 293 yards against a Chicago Bears defense that is tough against the pass. Garoppolo has already been named the starter for Week 14 and probably will start for the rest of the season. Sunday brings a favorable matchup against a Texans defense that has allowed the third-most passing touchdowns (23) in the league. He may not have the best weapons around him, but his opponent Sunday gives him value at this price.
**RUNNING BACKS**
Le’Veon Bell vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – Heinz Field
DraftKings = $9,100
FanDuel = $8,800
Bell has been a monster in the passing game of late, totaling 26 receptions on 31 targets for 251 yards in his last three games. While his numbers are down overall from last year, it’s pretty hard to argue against playing a guy averaging 129.9 total yards per game. The Ravens have shown to be an excellent defense against the pass, but they are middle of the pack in terms of defending the run. Bell torched them for 186 total yards and two touchdowns in Week 4, so roll with him again this week.
Rex Burkhead vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
DraftKings = $5,900
FanDuel = $6,400
Burkhead has scored five touchdowns over the last four games, finally establishing a big role in the Patriots offense. While best known for his pass catching abilities, he has still received at least 10 carries in three of his last four games. The Patriots will be without all-world tight end Rob Gronkowski due to a suspension this week, leaving a huge hole in their passing attack. Expect Burkhead to fill some of that void, making him an even better option for your lineup this week.
Kenyan Drake vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
DraftKings = $5,400
FanDuel = $6,200
Drake was the featured back last week with Damian Williams (shoulder) out against the Denver Broncos. Drake cashed in his opportunity, rushing for 120 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries. He also showed value in the passing game, hauling in three of five targets for 21 yards. Williams is questionable at best for Week 14, so Drake could be in for another heavy workload. While going up against the Patriots high-powered offense leads most opposing teams to have to throw a lot to catch up, Drake should still provide value based on his role.
**WIDE RECEIVERS**
Tyreek Hill vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
DraftKings = $7,100
FanDuel = $7,800
Hill was the main beneficiary of Smith’s improved play last week as he went off for 185 yards and two touchdowns. It marked Hill’s third game with at least 100 yards this season and fifth with at least six receptions. One of those came against the Raiders earlier this season when he had six catches on eight targets for 125 yards and a touchdown. With the Raiders struggles to defend the pass already detailed, don’t be surprised if Hill goes off again this week.
Marvin Jones Jr. vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
DraftKings = $6,800
FanDuel = $7,000
Jones had a respectable performance Week 13 as he recorded four receptions on eight targets for 90 yards. While some may have considered it a let down based on his recent big games, you shouldn’t as he had to face the tough Ravens passing defense. There are no such worries this week against a Buccaneers team that allows second-most net passing yards per game (267) in the league. Jones had five touchdowns in four games heading into last week, so don’t be surprised to see him get back to his scoring ways in Week 14.
Kenny Stills vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
DraftKings = $4,900
FanDuel = $5,700
While the Dolphins are in the bottom-seven in the NFL in points scored, Stills can still provide you with value. Not only does he have at least 67 receiving yards in three of his last four games, but he has also received at least six targets in six of his last seven games. With the Dolphins often down big, they turn to the pass to play catch up. Expect them to throw a lot this week in an effort to keep up with the Patriots. As a result of team’s playing from behind, the Patriots defense has actually allowed the fourth-most net passing yards per game (255) in the league. At this reasonable price, Stills is someone you should consider this week.
Marquise Goodwin vs. Houston Texans
Stadium – NRG Stadium
DraftKings = $5,100
FanDuel = $5,700
Goodwin played well in Garoppolo’s first start as he hauled in all eight of his targets for 99 yards. It actually marked his fourth-straight week with at least 68 receiving yards. With the 49ers lacking talent at wide receiver, Goodwin has already set career-highs in targets (70), receptions (35) and receiving yards (677) this season. With all of the poor quarterback play the 49ers have had, expect his 50% catch percentage to increase with Garoppolo now at the helm. Considering the favorable matchup the Texans present, Goodwin could be an excellent value play.
**TIGHT ENDS**
Evan Engram vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $6,000
FanDuel = $6,600
Engram has been the main beneficiary of all the injuries the Giants have suffered at wide receiver, putting together an excellent rookie campaign. He’s become a target monster as he’s had at least seven passes thrown his way in six of the last seven games. Playing in an offense that really struggles to score, Engram has an impressive six touchdowns this season. He’s developed a nice relationship with Eli Manning, so Manning regaining his starting spot Sunday should only help Engram’s cause. Manning may have some extra motivation after being benched last week, so Engram could be in for a big performance.
Jason Witten vs. New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $4,700
FanDuel = $5,800
Witten has owned the Giants historically, hauling in 153 catches for 1,548 yards and 14 touchdowns in 29 career games against them. He was excellent against them Week 1 when he recorded seven receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. Although the Giants have been better at defending the tight end the last two weeks, they are still among the worst in the league on the season as a whole. With the success Witten has had against them, he could be a nice cost-effective option if you can’t afford Engram.
**DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS**
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – StubHub Center
DraftKings = $3,600
FanDuel = $5,100
The Chargers defense has provided excellent value of late, posting nine sacks, 10 interceptions and two fumble recoveries over their last four games. That’s not good news for the Redskins, who have been decimated by injuries across their offense. The Redskins showed signs of all their injuries catching up with them last week as they could only score 14 points against the Cowboys. This should be another strong performance by the Chargers defense Sunday.
Tennessee Titans vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – University of Phoenix Stadium
DraftKings = $3,200
FanDuel = $4,800
The Titans have put up a few ugly defensive performances this season, but they have righted the ship some the last two weeks against bad offenses in the Colts and Texans. Week 14 brings another struggling offense in the Cardinals who are missing several key players. If it wasn’t bad enough with Carson Palmer (arm) out, Adrian Peterson (neck) couldn’t play Week 13 and may not be able to play this week either. If he can’t go, the Cardinals are going to really struggle to score. The price is right to take a chance on the Titans if you want to save a little money on defense.
Draftkings NFL Cash & GPP Lineup Daily Fantasy Football Week 11
Draftkings NFL Cash & GPP Lineup Daily Fantasy Football Week 11
Week 11 means we’ve made it to the end of the bye weeks! Only four teams are on bye this week, and they are the 49ers, Jets, Colts, and the Panthers. We typically three of those four defenses for Quarterbacks but this week we have a fair amount of options on the Draftkings main slate. A big note for this slate is that the Patriots and Raiders game will be played in Mexico City where the stadium sits over 7,000 feet above sea level. There could be a chance that players get tired as the game progresses.
The Draftkings main slate is without a few really good games this week, which means the PrimeTime slate should be a lot of fun this week. The Sunday Night Football game features the 1st seed Eagles at Dallas in a division rivalry, while the Monday Night game has the Falcons going to Seattle.
Get our NFL Seasonal package for 50% off for a LIMITED TIME using code “NLA5017”
Vegas:
Since Vegas has become such a huge part of the DFS community and is where most DFS players start their research, I decided to write up a portion outlining the big Vegas numbers. All Vegas totals will be taken from Fantasy Labs Vegas page on Wednesday.
This week there are currently two games with a game total over 50 with the Patriots and the Raiders sitting at 53.5 and the Redskins at the Saints sitting at 51. These two games are above the rest of the pack with three games sitting with a total over 44. The Bills at Chargers (44), Chiefs at Giants (45), and the Rams at Vikings (45.5).
There are three games that Vegas has as over a touchdown favorite. The Chiefs led the way with as 10 ½ point favorite over the Giants, The Saints and Jags are tied for second on the main slate with a 7.5 point edge over the Redskins and the Browns, respectively. And the Patriots are 7 point favorites against the Raiders. There are four teams with implied team totals over 24 points. The Chargers (24), Vikings (24), Chiefs (27.75), Saints (29.25), and the Patriots (30.25).
I encourage you to check out the Fantasy Labs page on Sunday morning to see if there are any drastic changes to these game totals. Of course, Lineup Labs subs have access to this information in the player pool. Let’s dive into the slate.
Quarterbacks:
This is a pretty good week for Quarterbacks. There are plenty of good options at the high priced tier, and a few good value plays. Starting with Drew Brees.
Drew Brees (DK $ 6,800) – Brees is the 2nd highest priced quarterback on the DK main slate. Brees is in an ideal spot as a home favorite with a high team total (29.25) and a high total (51). Brees has historically done well at home and Washington ranks in the middle of the pack in aFPA to quarterbacks this season. Brees will likely be one of the most popular quarterbacks on the slate with his price reaching a season-low 6.8K. The concern here is that the Saints are not the same Saints team that we could on to throw the ball 40-50 times per game. The Saints are passing the ball only 52% of the time this season compared to 64% of the time last season. Brees has not attempted over 30 passes since week 7 against the Packers. Brees is always a threat to have a huge game at home. He will be popular so fade him at your own risk.
Alex Smith (DK $6,700) – If you are fading Brees, don’t overlook Alex Smith. Smith is about the same price as Brees and has similar Vegas numbers. Chiefs are big favorites (10.5), have a high total (27.75), and are facing a putrid Giants defense that just allowed CJ Bethard to score 26 DK points against them. The Giants are 30th in the league in aFPA to quarterbacks this season and have gotten burned by Jared Goff, Russell Wilson (on the road), Trevor Siemian, Philip Rivers, and Jameis Winston the past six weeks. This Giants team is #bad, and the Chiefs will have no problem with them coming off of a bye (Andy Reid is 16-2 lifetime coming off of a bye). I’d lean more on Smith than Brees because the Chiefs have a 57% rate and Smith provides some rushing upside. Smith is my favorite QB this week.
Blaine Gabbert (DK $4,900) *expected to start* – I know, you probably threw up in your mouth and are skipping over this section. But Gabbert is getting his first start of the season against the Texans. The Texans rank 29th in aFPA allowed and have been burned for more than 20 points in four of the past five weeks by quarterbacks. Gabbert looked okay this past preseason, completing 61% of his passes and a QBR of 85.9. Bottomline is you’re probably not going to roster Gabbert here, but he’s super cheap and is going up against a bad Texans’ defense and has plenty of weapons to make plays for him.
Cash:
Smith, Brees, Brady, Carr
GPP:
(Above) Cousins, Rivers (if active), Cutler, Gabbert
Running back:
There isn’t a clear standout running back on this slate, so there isn’t an incredibly priced up player like we saw last week at $9,800. This week Gurley (8.4K) is the highest priced back and Fournette (8.2K), Ingram (8.1K), and Hunt (8K) all round out the $8,000 range.
Leonard Fournette (DK $8,200) – Fournette burned me last week in his first game back. He was in an ideal spot and threw up a complete dud in my lineups. I generally don’t like playing running backs against the Browns, but this is a situation where I’m watching the weather very closely. Winds are expected to reach upwards of 20MPH on Sunday in Cleveland, and the Jags already hate putting the ball in Blake Bortles’ hand. The Jags run a league-high 51% of the time and are 7 ½ points favorites. If the weather holds up as it looks right now, this could be a sluggish game that Fournette ends up touching the ball around 30 times.
Kareem Hunt (DK $8,000) – I think Hunt will be the most popular top priced running back of the four mentioned above. The Giants rank 27th in aFPA for running backs and Kareem Hunt is a huge favorite with one of the highest implied team total. He’s not a bad play by any means, I just really like getting my exposure to this Chiefs offense through the passing attack. Also, I’ve seen Hunt turn into a 2-down back and be replaced by Charcandrick West more than I’m comfortable. In the Chiefs, las game Hunt saw his snap count dip from 67% to 54%. He still got 5 targets in the game, but only touched the ball 13 times. I understand that Hunt is in a good spot, I just like the passing attack more for KC. This could be a week that I venture away from the top priced running backs.
Alvin Kamara (DK $7,500) – Kamara just might be my favorite running back this week. He’s $600 cheaper than Mark Ingram and gives me exposure to both the Saints passing and rushing attacks. The past two weeks Kamara is only playing in 39% of the snaps but is receiving 92% of the targets out of the backfield. He’s combined for 40% of the running back targets with 33 compared to Ingram’s 38. Although the snaps are quite even, Brees looks to Kamara often, and on a PPR format like DK, Kamara only needs about 5 catches for 50 yards to put him on pace to reach value.
Rex Burkhead ($3,600), Dion Lewis ($4,200), James White ($4,700) – The trio of Patriots running backs are going to be somewhat popular. Burkhead might carry the highest ownership with his 3.6K price tag. But to try to figure out which running back, Bill Belichick will use, is anyone’s guess. Last week Burkhead led the three backs in snaps with 51% (Lewis 30%, White 16%, Bolden 3%). Lewis led the team in rushing attempts with 50% (Burkhead 36%, White 7%, Bolden 7%). Burkhead was tied with White in targets with 3 targets apiece (Lewis had 0). At the end of all this the touches brokedown this way – Lewis 14 touches, Burkhead 13, White 5, and Bolden 2. Like I said, anyone’s guess who will emerge here. I’d imagine Burkhead would be the best player because of his ability to catch and rush the ball, along with his low price. But it’s very tough.
Cash:
T. Gurley, L. Fournette, K. Hunt, M.Ingram, A. Kamara, M. Gordon, R. Burkhead
GPP:
(All Above), C. Thompson, Pats RBs, K. Drake
Wide Receivers:
Michael Thomas (DK $ 7,400) – Thomas is the second highest price wide receiver and will be popular. He’s going to be the conventional stack with Brees. Thomas is 7th in the league with 83 targets, averaging over 9 targets per game. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since week 4 against so we can expect some positive regression for him. The one concern some people may have in rostering him could be ill-advised. People might be concerned that Josh Norman could shadow him, but that is not expected to be the case here. Josh Norman does not shadow receivers and has played all, but a handful of plays on the left side of the defense.75% of Thomas’ snaps are on the right side of the formation so he should avoid Norman for most of the game.
Sterling Shepard (DK $6,300) – Another popular play here with Shepard coming off of a 13 target game and 28 DK points. Shepard has received 22 targets in his last two games and had turned that into some good production (16 catches, 212 yards, 40.2 DK points). The Giants are likely going to be trailing, which will force Eli to throw the ball upwards of 30 times, and that means Shephard is likely to see 10+ targets again. The Chiefs are 31st aFPA to wide receivers so he should be a lock for cash games. His price continues to rise with his production as of late, but you’re looking at a receiver with a floor of 5 catches and 70 yards.
Tyreek Hill (DK $7,100) – This middle tier price range will be popular this week, especially without a clear stud to pay up for. Hill is typically more of a tournament play than a cash game play, but the matchup lines up perfectly for him this week. The Giants are one of the worst teams in the league at giving up the deep ball, and that fits perfectly into Hill’s game. Hill doesn’t have an exceptionally high floor, but his ceiling is the perfect play for tournaments.
Michael Crabtree (DK $6,600) & Amari Cooper ($6,000) – Going a little cheaper from the guys mentioned above, you can’t go wrong with either of the top two receivers for the Raiders. The Raiders are a touchdown underdog in the game with the highest total between two offenses that have the firepower to put up points. We’ve seen Derrick Carr eclipse more than 30 attempts in each of his last four games, including two game of over 49. It’s easy to see the Raiders airing the ball out to either keep up with the Pats or maintain a lead. If Carr is likely to throw 45+ times, these two could be in store for 10+ targets each against a Patriots defense that is much improved but still ranks 29th aFPA to wide receivers.
Value
Jeremy Maclin (DK $4,500) – Maclin caught 8 of his 9 targets last week for 98 yards against the Titans. This week he faces the Packers who rank 28th in aFPA to wide receivers this season.
Bruce Ellington (DK $3,000) – Ellington stepped in for an injured Will Fuller and caught 4 of his 8 targets for 41 yards and a touchdown against the Rams. Ellington is going to face the 2nd corner with Patrick Peterson likely to follow DeAndre Hopkins all over the field.
Cash:
M. Thomas, S. Shepard, T. Hill, A. Cooper, J. Maclin, B. Cooks
GPP:
(All of the Above) D. Hopkins (too cheap), M. Wallace, M. Crabtree, E. Sanders, K. Allen, M. Evans, A. Thielen.
Tight End:
The top-priced tight ends are all in great spots (Kelce, Gronk, Engram). If you can fit one into your lineup, they are the clear top plays of the slate.
Tyler Kroft (DK $2,900) – A nice salary put here. Kroft has done a great job exceeding value since Tyler Eifert went down for the season. This week we get him at a discount after a poor performance in week 10. He faces the Broncos who have a tight end funnel pass defense and rank 30th in aFPA against tight ends. Kroft has scored at least 9 DK points in 3 of his last 4 games.
Martellus Bennett (DK $2,800) – Bennett could be a sneaky pivot off of Gronk. In only a short period time with the Pats, Bennett caught all 3 of his targets for 38 yards last week. You don’t need much at 2.8K, a touchdown and 20 yards will give you a little more than 3X
Cash:
T. Kelce, R. Gronkowski, E. Engram, V. Davis (if Reed is out), T. Kroft
GPP:
(All of Above) J. Cook, B. Watson, J. Gresham, C. Brate
Defense:
LA Chargers (DK $3,000) – The Chargers are facing rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman in his first career start. The Chargers have a great defensive line and should be able to bring pressure on Peterman, forcing sacks and possibly interceptions.
Cash:
JAX, LAC, HOU, ARI, DEN,
GPP:
BAL, KC, NO, CIN