Tag: fantasy-football-week-16

Did you get Cooper’ed last week? Whether it was Amari or Kupp, looking at that goose egg in the live scoring box is disheartening. It’s even more gut-wrenching when you know that if that zero had just produced his weekly average, you would have gone from a minimal profit to a four-figure payday. For me, it was the Grinch, Amari, who put the coal down my stocking. So, unfortunately, my wallet did not grow three sizes last week.

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: QB Aaron Rodgers ($5.6k), RB Jahmyr Gibbs ($7.5k), RB Jerome Ford ($5.6k), WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($6.0k), WR Davante Adams ($7.1k), WR Keenan Allen ($5.3k), TE Brenton Strange ($3.5k), FLEX Chuba Hubbard ($6.8k), DST Tennessee Titans ($2.6k)

FD Lineup: QB Cooper Rush ($7.0k), RB Chuba Hubbard ($7.1k), RB Jahmyr Gibbs ($8.3k), WR CeeDee Lamb ($8.5k), WR Keenan Allen ($6.2k), WR Jalen McMillan ($5.8k), TE Brenton Strange ($5.2K), FLEX Bucky Irving ($7.8k), DST Atlanta Falcons ($4.0k)

FB Lineup: QB Aaron Rodgers ($5.6k), RB Jahmyr Gibbs ($7.3k), RB Chuba Hubbard ($5.9k), WR Davante Adams ($6.7k), WR CeeDee Lamb ($7.1k), WR/TE Mike Evans ($7.0k), TE Hunter Henry ($3.9k), FLEX Bucky Irving ($5.9k), SUPERFLEX Cooper Rush ($5.3k)

*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

Weekly strategy – With many teams making QB changes this week, there are several cheap options to choose from. Unfortunately, you get what you pay for. Mac Jones and Aidan O’Connell are the only cheap QBs to trust. Still, this is the week to use one of the proven options. Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Baker Mayfield (hamstring) are the top choices. Sam Darnold, Cooper Rush, and my favorite option of the week, Aaron Rodgers, are the pivots. Just use one of those six and don’t get too cute here.

Fantasy four-pack

Josh Allen, Bills vs. NE ($8,700 DK, $9,400 FD) New England shut out Arizona last week, but before that they allowed 11 total QB scores over their prior three games. Meanwhile, Allen has 13 total TDs over his last three games.

Joe Burrow, Bengals vs. CLE ($7,500 DK, $8,300 FD): Burrow has three or more touchdowns in six straight games, giving him eight such games out of 14 to start the season. Cleveland will not slow down this train; expect at least three TDs once again. 

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers @ DAL (N/A DK, $8,100 FD) Dallas has allowed the third-most total TDs to the QB position. They have especially struggled with QBs who can run. Mayfield (hamstring) isn’t exactly Michael Vick, but he has three rushing TDs and averages 19 rushing yards per game. Plus, he has seven passing scores over his last two games. Stack him with Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan.

Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ WAS ($7,800 DK, $8,600 FD) Washington held Hurts in check back in Week 11. Of course, that came at the altar of Saquon Barkley, posting nearly 200 total yards and two scores. That also was one of only three games in which Hurts did not have multiple TDs. He’ll get back on track here, with two total scores being his floor.

Sleepers

Aaron Rodgers, Jets vs. LAR ($5,600 DK, $7,300 FD) Over the last four weeks, only four teams have allowed more total TDs to the position. Quietly Rodgers has moved into the top seven in passing TDs. I expect another pair of scores here.

Mac Jones, Jaguars @ LV ($5,200 DK, $6,800 FD) Jones has a couple more games to end this season as an audition for the second act of his career. Over the last three weeks, he has posted a pair of two-TD games. Meanwhile, five of the last seven QBs to face Vegas have scored at least twice.

Running back

Weekly strategy – Do you trust Jahmyr Gibbs to handle a full workload? I do. At this price, I cannot imagine not playing him. If I do pivot, it will be with Chase Brown or Bijan Robinson. James Conner and Bucky Irving are the other two players I can see playing there. At RB2, use one of Rico Dowdle or Chuba Hubbard. There are three potential punt plays Jerome Ford, Patrick Taylor Jr., and Alexander Mattison.

Fantasy four-pack

Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions @ CHI ($7,500 DK, $8,300 FD) Over the last four weeks, Chicago has allowed a league-worst six total TDs to the RB position. Plus, the Bears are allowing 169 combo yards per game over that stretch. Gibbs and David Montgomery (knee) were splitting just under 35 combined PPR points per game. If Gibbs gets even three-fourths of that, he will be golden. 

Bijan Robinson, Falcons vs. NYG ($8,100 DK, $8,900 FD) Obviously, all the eyes will be on Michael Penix Jr. He proved an elite passer in college, and New York is talent-challenged, so he may find success here. Robinson will be a large part of that passing game. Over their last four games, the Giants are third-worst in RB receptions and receiving yards allowed.

Chase Brown, Bengals vs. CLE ($7,700 DK, $8,200 FD) Only six teams have allowed more rushing TDs to opposing RBs. Meanwhile, Brown has now scored at least once in six of his last seven games (coinciding with Zack Moss‘ season-ending injury). In the other game, he finished with 143 total yards. 

Saquon Barkley, Eagles @ WAS ($8,300 DK, $9,100 FD) As mentioned above, Barkley (knee) went berserk against Washington back in Week 11. He has come back to Earth since the return of DeVonta Smith, but it is still hard to not play him here. Barkley has scored at least once in each of his last five games versus Washington.

Sleepers

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs. ARI ($6,800 DK, $7,100 FD) Hubbard posted his third dud in his last four games. I’m shocked, as the injury to Jonathon Brooks (knee) should’ve reopened the door to his early season success. Arizona has struggled all season with pass-catching RBs and Hubbard ranks 10th in RB receptions this year.

Jerome Ford, Browns @ CIN ($5,600 DK, $6,800 FD) In Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s few career appearances, the rushing game has been pathetic. Of course, half of those games came against elite rushing defenses. Nick Chubb (foot) scored in the earlier meeting against Cincy (during which DTR played), but the entire RB room combined for only 52 total yards. Still, Cincy has been struggling against the position recently, allowing six total scores over their last four games.

Wide receiver

Weekly strategy – Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson are the top pair. Unfortunately, they are both priced outside my planned spending range. I feel more comfortable targeting second-tier guys like Davante Adams, Mike Evans, and CeeDee Lamb. At WR2, I am choosing between Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Malik Nabers, Khalil Shakir, and Brian Thomas Jr. Continue riding the recent success of Adam Thielen and Keenan Allen at WR3. Tim Patrick and Jalen McMillan are the two punts that should outproduce their price point. 

Fantasy four-pack

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals vs. CLE ($8,500 DK, $9,500 FD) Chase is on pace for the WR Triple Crown. Even if you throw out his two Week 1 and Week 2 duds, Chase has more receiving yards and receiving TDs than any other WR. Cleveland held Chase to only 5-55-1 in their earlier meeting. He should approach double that here.

Justin Jefferson, Vikings @ SEA ($8,200 DK, $9,000 FD) After a string of six straight scoreless outings, Jefferson has hauled in three TDs, over his last two games. Seattle has allowed the eighth-most WR-receiving TDs, so Jefferson should keep his scoring run going here.

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys vs. TB (N/A DK, $8,500 FD) Even with a pair of partial games (because of injury) in the mix, Lamb (shoulder) has the most WR targets since Week 6. During this stretch, he has six or more receptions in all but one game. 

Mike Evans, Buccaneers @ DAL (N/A DK, $8,800 FD) This game should be a shootout. Vegas has it tied for the highest combined total. Over the last four weeks, Dallas has allowed the second-most WR receptions and receiving yards. Since returning from his injury, Evans is averaging 6.5-104 with three TDs.

Sleepers

Keenan Allen, Bears vs. DET ($5,300 DK, $6,200 FD) Allen has four TDs in his last four games while serving as the primary red-zone target for Chicago. This stretch includes a Week 13 meeting with Detroit during which Allen finished with 5-73-2. 

Adam Thielen, Panthers vs. ARI ($5,600 DK, $6,200 FD) Since his return in Week 12, Thielen is top-14 in both WR receptions and receiving yards while averaging 6-77. Expect a similar line here, plus a TD.

Tight end

Weekly strategy – As usual, Brock Bowers, George Kittle, and Trey McBride are the best options. T.J. Hockenson is the top pivot. I also like David Njoku (hamstring) if he plays, but I am concerned about the QB situation and his various maladies. Hunter Henry also plays here at a discount price. Brenton Strange‘s (shoulder) participation was limited early in the week, but if he plays it will be hard to avoid him.

Fantasy four-pack

Trey McBride, Cardinals @ CAR ($6,200 DK, $7,500 FD) Kyler Murray has promised that he will get McBride a receiving TD. We’ve heard that one before. Still, if it’s gonna happen, this is the week. Carolina has given up the most TE touchdowns.

Brock Bowers, Raiders vs. JAX ($6,500 DK, $7,700 FD) The return of Aidan O’Connell returns my trust in Bowers. Jacksonville has allowed the third-most TE scores this season, and they have struggled with EVERY legitimate TE that they have faced this year. 

George Kittle, 49ers @ MIA ($6,000 DK, $7,600 FD) Miami had been steady against TEs most of the season. Unfortunately, over their last four games, things have gone pear-shaped. They are averaging 8-85.5-0.5 over that stretch. Kittle has been very reliable this year scoring and/or topping 60 receiving yards in 10/12 games played.

T.J. Hockenson, Vikings @ SEA ($4,800 DK, $5,800 FD) Over the last four weeks, Seattle has allowed the most TE receptions and the third-most TE receiving yards. Hockenson’s stats have been just aight since his return, but his best numbers have come in the easiest matchups. This certainly qualifies as one of those.

Sleepers

Brenton Strange, Jaguars @ LV ($3,500 DK, $5,200 FD) Strange (shoulder) is currently dealing with an AC joint sprain. The timing stinks since he has been solid while filling in for Evan Engram (shoulder). Still, early reports have him playing this weekend. This is great news since Vegas is bottom-four in every significant statistical category against TEs.

Hunter Henry, Patriots @ BUF ($4,100 DK, $5,000 FD) Since Week 7, Henry has been top-seven in TE targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Unfortunately, he has failed to score over that stretch. His odds will improve this week if Buffalo remains without three of their starting DBs who missed last week.