With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, we face “Byepocalypse 2: Bye Harder with a Vengeance.” Six fantasy-relevant teams are playing outside the main slate, and five of the six teams on bye have multiple fantasy-relevant stars. Question No. 1 for everyone is “To Saquon, or not to Saquon?” Like one of the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books I read as a child, once you’ve made that decision, turn to one of two future pages to build the rest of your roster.
Recommended DFS lineups
*Note: FanDuel and Fanball include the Sunday night game on their Main Slate. DraftKings doesn’t include them, so the pricing is listed as N/A.
DK Lineup w/Barkley: QB Aidan O’Connell ($4.8k), RB Saquon Barkley ($9.0k), RB Isaac Guerendo ($5.4k), WR Drake London ($6.4k), WR Jakobi Meyers ($5.6k), WR Amari Cooper ($5.1k), TE Cade Otton ($4.4k), FLEX Brock Bowers ($6.5k), DST Tennessee Titans ($2.8k)
DK Lineup w/o Barkley: QB Jalen Hurts ($7.8k), RB Alvin Kamara ($8.0k), RB Bucky Irving ($6.6k), WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($6.3k), WR Keenan Allen ($5.6k), WR Sterling Shepard ($4.0k), TE Tommy Tremble ($3.0k), FLEX Tyrone Tracy Jr. ($5.8k), DST New Orleans Saints ($2.9k)
FD Lineup w/Barkley: QB Will Levis ($6.6k), RB Saquon Barkley ($10.0k), RB Bucky Irving ($7.7k), WR Drake London ($7.9k), WR Keenan Allen ($6.4k), WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine ($6.2k), TE Cade Otton ($5.6K), FLEX Isaac Guerendo ($5.2k), DST New Orleans Saints ($4.4k)
FD Lineup w/o Barkley: QB Jalen Hurts ($9.2k), RB Alvin Kamara ($9.2k), RB Bucky Irving ($7.7k), WR Drake London ($7.9k), WR Keenan Allen ($6.4k), WR Amari Cooper ($5.7k), TE Grant Calcaterra ($4.3K), FLEX Isaac Guerendo ($5.2k), DST New Orleans Saints ($4.4k)
FB Lineup w/Barkley: QB Baker Mayfield ($6.2k), RB Bucky Irving ($6.3k), RB Saquon Barkley ($8.5k), WR Drake London ($6.5k), WR Mike Evans ($7.0k), WR/TE Jakobi Meyers ($5.3k), TE Cade Otton ($4.6k), FLEX Tony Pollard ($5.4k), SUPERFLEX Aidan O’Connell ($5.2k)
FB Lineup w/o Barkley: QB Jalen Hurts ($7.5k), RB Alvin Kamara ($7.3k), RB Tony Pollard ($5.4k), WR Justin Jefferson ($7.4k), WR Jakobi Meyers ($5.3k), WR/TE Keenan Allen ($5.2k), TE Cade Otton ($4.6k), FLEX Bucky Irving ($6.3k), SUPERFLEX Sam Darnold ($5.9k)
*Note: Player salaries are color-coded based on expected output. Red = Less than 2.5x value, Black = 2.5x value, Green = Greater than 3x value.
| Quarterback | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Allen | $8,000 | $8,900 |
| Jalen Hurts | $7,800 | $9,200 |
| Baker Mayfield | $6,400 | $8,100 |
| Tua Tagovailoa | $6,300 | $8,300 |
| Brock Purdy | $6,200 | $8,000 |
| Patrick Mahomes | N/A | $7,900 |
| Sam Darnold | $6,100 | $7,600 |
| Kyler Murray | $6,000 | $7,800 |
| Russell Wilson | $5,900 | $7,700 |
| Justin Herbert | N/A | $7,500 |
| Geno Smith | $5,800 | $7,400 |
| Matthew Stafford | $5,700 | $7,200 |
| Caleb Williams | $5,600 | $7,300 |
| Kirk Cousins | $5,500 | $7,000 |
| Jameis Winston | $5,400 | $6,900 |
| Aaron Rodgers | $5,300 | $6,800 |
| Bryce Young | $5,200 | $7,000 |
| Derek Carr | $5,100 | $7,100 |
| Mac Jones | $5,000 | $6,700 |
| Will Levis | $5,000 | $6,600 |
| Aidan O’Connell | $4,800 | $6,700 |
| Drew Lock | $4,700 | $6,500 |
| Tommy DeVito | $4,200 | $6,500 |
Quarterback
Weekly strategy – Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, and Baker Mayfield are the top options. Sam Darnold and Russell Wilson are the “top” pivots. Kirk Cousins has been awful of late, but he gets a juicy revenge-game narrative. Looking at those so-so pivot plays, use one of the punts: Mac Jones, Will Levis, or Aidan O’Connell.
Fantasy four-pack
Jalen Hurts, Eagles vs. CAR ($7,800 DK, $9,200 FD) Not surprisingly, DeVonta Smith‘s (hamstring) injury has hampered Hurts’ performance in recent games. Smith is on pace to return this week, but now Hurts will be without Dallas Goedert (knee). Against the Panthers, it won’t matter. The only question is whether he will rush for his three TDs or throw for them.
Josh Allen, Bills @ LAR ($8,000 DK, $8,900 FD) Allen can run for TDs. He can throw for TDs. Heck, he can even catch laterals and take them to the house. The only thing he didn’t do last week was return a kick for a score. At least the weather won’t limit him this week. Build a stack of Allen with whoever starts at TE and Amari Cooper.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs. LV ($6,400 DK, $8,100 FD) These two pass defenses are currently tied, each allowing a seventh-worst 21 passing touchdowns. When two bad passing defenses lock horns, points typically come in bunches. Build an uber-stack with either QB and two weapons on each side.
Sam Darnold, Vikings vs. ATL ($6,100, $7,600 FD) The story of this game will be the Kirk Cousins revenge-game narrative. Still, Darnold has more passing TDs and fewer INTs than Cousins. Atlanta has fallen on defensive hard times lately allowing multiple passing TDs in seven of their last eight games.
Sleepers
Kirk Cousins, Falcons vs. MIN ($5,500 DK, $7,000 FD) Minnesota has allowed fewer passing scores than Atlanta, but they have allowed the fifth-most passing yards. Cousins has been in a slump, but never underestimate the power of the revenge game. Cousins will have little difficulty picking apart an opportunistic but undermanned Vikings secondary.
Aidan O’Connell, Raiders @ TB ($4,800 DK, $6,700 FD) Only one team has allowed more total TDs to the QB position. This includes giving up 16 total scores to the position over their last six games. O’Connell is coming off a tremendous performance against a much tougher KC defense. He may well finish as a top-10 QB this week, provided a midweek illness doesn’t limit the young QB.
| Running back | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | $9,000 | $10,000 |
| De’Von Achane | $8,200 | $8,700 |
| Alvin Kamara | $8,000 | $9,200 |
| Bijan Robinson | $7,500 | $8,900 |
| James Cook | $7,400 | $8,500 |
| Kyren Williams | $7,300 | $8,400 |
| Breece Hall | $7,000 | $8,300 |
| Kenneth Walker III | $6,800 | $7,900 |
| James Conner | $6,700 | $7,600 |
| Bucky Irving | $6,600 | $7,700 |
| Aaron Jones | $6,500 | $7,300 |
| Tony Pollard | $6,400 | $7,500 |
| Chuba Hubbard | $6,200 | $7,000 |
| Najee Harris | $6,000 | $6,900 |
| Isiah Pacheco | N/A | $6,700 |
| Nick Chubb | $5,900 | $6,500 |
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. | $5,800 | $6,600 |
| D’Andre Swift | $5,700 | $6,300 |
| Kareem Hunt | N/A | $6,300 |
| Travis Etienne Jr. | $5,600 | $6,400 |
| Gus Edwards | N/A | $6,000 |
| Jaylen Warren | $5,500 | $5,900 |
| Isaac Guerendo | $5,400 | $5,200 |
| Rachaad White | $5,300 | $6,200 |
| Ray Davis | $5,200 | $5,400 |
| Alexander Mattison | $5,100 | $5,700 |
| Tank Bigsby | $5,100 | $5,800 |
| Braelon Allen | $5,100 | $5,400 |
| Kimani Vidal | N/A | $5,100 |
| Kenneth Gainwell | $5,000 | $4,900 |
| Jerome Ford | $4,900 | $5,400 |
| Raheem Mostert | $4,900 | $5,100 |
| Devin Singletary | $4,800 | $5,500 |
| Zach Charbonnet | $4,800 | $5,300 |
| Ameer Abdullah | $4,700 | $5,800 |
| Jonathon Brooks | $4,700 | $5,600 |
| Cam Akers | $4,600 | $5,200 |
| Sincere McCormick | $4,600 | $5,500 |
| Trey Benson | $4,500 | $5,000 |
| Tyler Allgeier | $4,500 | $5,600 |
| Tyjae Spears | $4,400 | $5,600 |
| Roschon Johnson | $4,300 | $5,300 |
| Blake Corum | $4,200 | $4,800 |
| Zamir White | $4,200 | $5,000 |
| Cordarrelle Patterson | $4,100 | $4,300 |
| Ty Johnson | $4,100 | $4,900 |
Running back
Weekly strategy – Whether to use Saquon Barkley is the ultimate question. If you don’t use him, you should our Kyren Williams at RB1. The pivots would be Bucky Irving and Tony Pollard. I also could see using one of them at RB2 if you go cheap at WR. Isaac Guerendo also will see heavy ownership at RB2 and FLEX. To seek variance from the masses, trust Tyrone Tracy Jr. instead. The only punts to consider are Kenneth Gainwell and whoever starts for the Raiders.
Fantasy four-pack
Saquon Barkley, Eagles @ CAR ($9,000 DK, $10,000 FD) The best RB in football facing the worst rushing defense in recent history. What could go wrong here? This feels like either a 250-yard, four-TD game or an absolute bust where everyone scores but him. Choose wisely.
Alvin Kamara, Saints @ NYG ($8,000, $9,200 FD) Taysom Hill (knee) is out for the year. Maybe now the Saints will allow Kamara to score a TD. The Giants are allowing a league-worst 5.1 YPC and they have given up six rushing TDs over the last three weeks. AK41 is the clear pivot from Barkley.
Kyren Williams, Rams vs. BUF ($7,300 DK, $8,400 FD) Buffalo is allowing 4.9 YPC. This is nearly a full yard per carry more than Williams averages. Still, we are playing him for the TDs. He has scored in all but three games.
Bucky Irving, Buccaneers vs. LV ($6,600 DK, $7,700 FD) Since Week 8, Irving (back, hip) has a nearly 3-to-2 opportunity advantage over Rachaad White. As long as the hip issue doesn’t linger, he should post his third-straight 150-total-yard performance.
Sleepers
Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants vs. NO ($5,800 DK, $6,600 FD) No team is allowing more YPC than New Orleans, and only three teams have allowed more RB rushing scores. Due in part to a few fumbles, Tracy has recently seen a dip in usage. Still, he has scored in four of his last seven games.
Isaac Guerendo, 49ers vs. CHI ($5,400 DK, $5,200 FD) Can we say 100% ownership? Much like Barkley, this chalk could blow up in everyone’s face. That said, are you going to be the one who sits on the sideline as Guerendo does his best Christian McCaffrey (knee) impersonation? Over the last four weeks, Chicago has allowed over 24 PPR points per game to opposing RBs.
| Wide Receiver | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| A.J. Brown | $8,100 | $9,300 |
| Justin Jefferson | $7,800 | $9,200 |
| Puka Nacua | $7,700 | $8,600 |
| Mike Evans | $7,200 | $8,400 |
| Tyreek Hill | $7,100 | $8,200 |
| Cooper Kupp | $7,000 | $8,500 |
| Malik Nabers | $6,900 | $8,300 |
| George Pickens | $6,800 | $7,500 |
| Davante Adams | $6,700 | $7,300 |
| Garrett Wilson | $6,600 | $7,200 |
| Drake London | $6,400 | $7,900 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | $6,300 | $8,000 |
| DK Metcalf | $6,200 | $7,600 |
| Ladd McConkey | N/A | $7,000 |
| DJ Moore | $6,100 | $6,600 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | $6,000 | $6,800 |
| Deebo Samuel Sr. | $5,900 | $7,100 |
| Khalil Shakir | $5,900 | $6,500 |
| Brian Thomas Jr. | $5,800 | $6,900 |
| DeVonta Smith | $5,800 | $7,400 |
| Calvin Ridley | $5,700 | $6,300 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | N/A | $6,100 |
| Jerry Jeudy | $5,700 | $6,100 |
| Jakobi Meyers | $5,600 | $6,700 |
| Keenan Allen | $5,600 | $6,400 |
| Xavier Worthy | N/A | $6,000 |
| Darnell Mooney | $5,500 | $5,900 |
| Jaylen Waddle | $5,400 | $5,900 |
| Adam Thielen | $5,300 | $5,900 |
| Jordan Addison | $5,300 | $6,000 |
| Jauan Jennings | $5,200 | $6,400 |
| Amari Cooper | $5,100 | $5,700 |
| Quentin Johnston | N/A | $5,700 |
| Cedric Tillman | $5,100 | $5,800 |
| Keon Coleman | $5,000 | $5,600 |
| Rome Odunze | $5,000 | $5,600 |
| Xavier Legette | $4,900 | $5,500 |
| Elijah Moore | $4,800 | $5,600 |
| Joshua Palmer | N/A | $5,400 |
| Wan’Dale Robinson | $4,800 | $5,400 |
| Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | $4,700 | $6,200 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | $4,600 | $5,800 |
| Tre Tucker | $4,600 | $5,300 |
| Ray-Ray McCloud III | $4,500 | $5,500 |
| Ricky Pearsall | $4,500 | $5,000 |
| Parker Washington | $4,400 | $5,800 |
| Darius Slayton | $4,300 | $5,300 |
| Tyler Lockett | $4,300 | $5,600 |
| Demarcus Robinson | $4,200 | $5,700 |
| Michael Wilson | $4,100 | $5,300 |
| David Moore | $4,000 | $5,300 |
| Sterling Shepard | $4,000 | $5,400 |
| Curtis Samuel | $3,900 | $5,500 |
| Mike Williams | $3,800 | $5,200 |
| Cedrick Wilson Jr. | $3,700 | $4,900 |
| Justin Watson | N/A | $4,900 |
| Jalen Coker | $3,700 | $5,100 |
| DJ Turner | $3,600 | $4,800 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | N/A | $4,800 |
| Tyler Boyd | $3,600 | $5,000 |
| Jahan Dotson | $3,500 | $4,700 |
| Mack Hollins | $3,500 | $5,400 |
| Jalen Nailor | $3,400 | $5,000 |
| Trey Palmer | $3,400 | $4,900 |
| Tutu Atwell | $3,400 | $4,900 |
| Calvin Austin III | $3,300 | $5,500 |
| Kevin Austin Jr. | $3,300 | $4,800 |
| Greg Dortch | $3,200 | $4,800 |
| Van Jefferson | $3,200 | $4,700 |
| Johnny Wilson | $3,000 | $5,000 |
Wide receiver
Weekly strategy – A.J. Brown is a solid play, but both Mike Evans (hamstring) and Drake London have a higher floor. Justin Jefferson has struggled in recent weeks as he has been triple-teamed. This may be his return to the glory game. I just wish his price was less. At WR2/WR3, you have several options. My favorites are Marvin Harrison Jr., Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers (ankle), Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Darnell Mooney. The punt choices include Parker Washington, Sterling Shepard, and Ray-Ray McCloud.
Fantasy four-pack
A.J. Brown, Eagles @ CAR ($8,100, $9,300 FD) Carolina is infinitely better against the pass than the run. Of course, that isn’t saying much considering how wretched their run defense has been in 2024. They have allowed back-to-back WR1s to score, so don’t be surprised if Brown does for the second time in his last three games.
Mike Evans, Buccaneers vs. LV ($7,200, $8,400 FD) Over their last three games, Vegas has allowed an average of 6.3-83-1 to opposing WR1s. Meanwhile, Evans (hamstring) scored in his second game back from injury, giving him seven TDs in nine games.
Drake London, Falcons @ MIN ($6,400 DK, $7,900 FD) Possession receivers, like London, have eviscerated the Vikings all season. Kirk Cousins knows all the holes in this secondary, and he will continue to pepper London with targets. Since Week 10, only one WR has averaged more targets per game than him.
Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. ATL ($7,800 DK, $9,200 FD) Speaking of targets, Jefferson has received eight or more looks in nine of his last 10 games. Unfortunately, he hasn’t scored since Week 7. Atlanta has allowed the third-most WR receiving touchdowns, so JJ could get back into the end zone here.
Sleepers
Jakobi Meyers, Raiders @ TB ($5,600 DK, $6,700 FD) Despite a revolving door at QB, Meyers (ankle) has remained a legit WR2 all season. Since Week 8, Meyers has been top-10 among WRs in both targets and receptions. The ankle issue popped up on Thursday, so monitor his status going into this game. If he plays, chalk him up for a floor of 8-90.
Amari Cooper, Bills @ LAR ($5,100 DK, $5,700 FD) Cooper has shed his wrist injury, opening the door for his first big performance since joining Buffalo. Opponents’ top WRs have scored in five straight against Los Angeles. Cooper will make it six.
| Tight End | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Brock Bowers | $6,500 | $8,000 |
| Trey McBride | $6,100 | $7,200 |
| George Kittle | $5,800 | $7,500 |
| Jonnu Smith | $5,300 | $7,000 |
| Travis Kelce | N/A | $6,800 |
| David Njoku | $5,100 | $6,200 |
| Dalton Kincaid | $4,900 | $5,700 |
| Evan Engram | $4,800 | $5,900 |
| Dallas Goedert | $4,500 | $6,000 |
| Cade Otton | $4,400 | $5,600 |
| T.J. Hockenson | $4,300 | $6,300 |
| Kyle Pitts | $4,100 | $5,300 |
| Noah Gray | N/A | $5,200 |
| Will Dissly | N/A | $5,100 |
| Dawson Knox | $3,900 | $5,000 |
| Pat Freiermuth | $3,800 | $5,500 |
| Cole Kmet | $3,700 | $5,200 |
| Noah Fant | $3,600 | $5,000 |
| Grant Calcaterra | $3,500 | $4,300 |
| Juwan Johnson | $3,400 | $5,400 |
| Ja’Tavion Sanders | $3,300 | $4,500 |
| Tyler Higbee | $3,200 | $4,000 |
| AJ Barner | $3,100 | $5,000 |
| Foster Moreau | $3,100 | $4,800 |
| Chig Okonkwo | $3,000 | $5,100 |
| Tommy Tremble | $3,000 | $4,900 |
| Tyler Conklin | $2,900 | $4,900 |
| Colby Parkinson | $2,800 | $4,800 |
Tight end
Weekly strategy – Cade Otton had a dud in a glorious spot last week. This spot is even better. Brock Bowers is much more expensive, but his matchup is equally juicy. Trey McBride and David Njoku are the pivots. If Dalton Kincaid (knee) returns, he gets a soft opponent. Otherwise, Dawson Knox becomes a discount pivot play. The other punt choices are Pat Freiermuth, Will Dissly, and Grant Calcaterra.
Fantasy four-pack
Brock Bowers, Raiders @ TB ($6,500 DK, $8,000 FD) Bowers leads all of football in receptions, and he ranks fourth in receiving yards. Not bad for a rookie on a moribund team. Tampa is allowing the fourth-most yards to the position. I don’t love that FD price, but he is a must-play on DK.
Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. LV ($4,400 DK, $5,600 FD) Prepare to engage a double-TE lineup — in the same game no less. Disregarding a Week 12 tilt when Vegas held Denver’s TEs to one catch and three yards, they are allowing an absurd average of 33.5 PPR points per game to the position since Week 8. Otton has posted back-to-back duds, which should keep his ownership respectable.
Trey McBride, Cardinals vs. SEA ($6,100 DK, $7,200 FD) If we could combine McBride’s receptions and yards with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine’s nose for TDs, we could have the world’s greatest football player. Just two weeks ago, McBride posted 12-133 on 15 targets against this defense.
David Njoku, Browns @ PIT ($5,100 DK, $6,200 FD) Since Jameis Winston took over at QB, back in Week 7, Njoku is third among TEs in targets, fifth in receptions, and second in receiving TDs. Meanwhile, over the last four weeks, Pittsburgh has allowed the fifth-most TE receptions and receiving yards.
Sleepers
Will Dissly, Chargers @ KC (N/A DK, $5,100 FD) Dissly trails only Ladd McConkey (knee) in receptions and targets among Chargers’ pass catchers. McConkey is iffy for this week. If he is out, Dissly should see a spike in usage. Meanwhile, KC has allowed the most receptions and yards to the position.
Grant Calcaterra, Eagles @ CAR ($3,500 DK, $4,300 FD) In the four games that Dallas Goedert (knee) missed earlier this season, Calcaterra was third on the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Carolina has allowed a league-worst nine TE touchdowns, so this could be a sneaky and cheap way to get exposure to this game.