Tag: underdog

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.

If you have made it into your full-season fantasy playoffs, congratulations! Better luck next year if you find yourself on the outside looking in. Regardless of your lot in life there, the DFS slates are here for everyone. This week is notorious for both the expanded player pool to choose from thanks to no byes and the expanded player pool of competitors buying in to scratch the itch of their regular fantasy season being Kaput. With more competition, enter your lineups early and often before the contests fill up.

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 Tua Tagovailoa ($6.1k), RB Chase Brown ($7.2k), RB Rico Dowdle ($6.1k), WR Tyreek Hill ($7.4k), WR Davante Adams ($6.9k), WR Devaughn Vele ($4.2k), TE Stone Smartt ($2.6k), FLEX Chuba Hubbard ($6.5k), DST New York Jets ($3.0k)

FD Lineup: QB Aaron Rodgers ($7.1k), RB Chuba Hubbard ($7.5k), RB Rico Dowdle ($7.1k), WR Tyreek Hill ($8.7k), WR Davante Adams ($7.9k), WR DeAndre Hopkins ($6.5k), TE Stone Smartt ($4.5K), FLEX Zach Charbonnet ($6.7k), DST Cincinnati Bengals ($4.0k)

FB Lineup: QB Joe Burrow ($7.0k), RB Brian Robinson Jr. ($6.1k), RB Chuba Hubbard ($6.0k), WR Ja’Marr Chase ($8.1k), WR Tyreek Hill ($7.2k), WR/TE Davante Adams ($6.5k), TE Stone Smartt ($3.0k), FLEX Rico Dowdle ($5.8k), SUPERFLEX Aaron Rodgers ($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 – Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson are the top two options. Josh Allen is in play, but don’t expect anywhere near last week’s numbers. Fortunately, there also are three cheaper plays that I like just as much as those three. Tua Tagovailoa is my favorite play of the week. Kyler Murray and Justin Herbert (leg/ankle) also have great matchups. Aaron Rodgers, Bryce Young, Will Levis, and Cooper Rush are all punt options.

Fantasy four-pack

Joe Burrow, Bengals @ TEN ($7,300 DK, $8,600 FD) On the season, Tennessee has allowed the fewest passing yards. That said, they have given up 37% of their season-long total over the last four weeks. Over his last five games, Burrow has 18 passing TDs.

Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ NYG ($8,300 DK, $9,000 FD) The Giants have allowed the fifth-most QB rushing touchdowns. They also have allowed eight QBs to run for 20 yards or more and three to top 40 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Jackson is averaging over six YPC, while also passing for the second-most TDs.

Josh Allen, Bills @ DET ($8,500 DK, $9,500 FD) Detroit ranks seventh-worst in rushing yards allowed to QBs and Allen has 50-plus rushing yards in three of his last four games. It won’t be the ceiling game of last week, but Allen will still find his way to three total scores.

Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins @ HOU ($6,100 DK, $8,300 FD) No team has allowed more passing TDs than Houston. The struggle will continue this week as Tua is riding a four-game smoldering streak where he is averaging 325 passing yards and 2.8 TD/game. Stack him with either of his top WRs and/or Jonnu Smith.

Sleepers

Aaron Rodgers, Jets @ JAX ($5,400 DK, $7,100 FD) Despite playing through a maligned season, Rodgers is still top-10 in passing TDs. It helps that he has two elite WRs. Only two teams have given up more passing TDs, and only one team has surrendered more passing yards than Jacksonville. So, the old man should have one of his best games of the year.

Cooper Rush, Cowboys @ CAR ($5,200 DK, $6,800 FD) Since Week 11, Rush is ninth in passing yards and 10th in passing TDs. Carolina has allowed a league-worst 29.8 points per game and Dallas is second-worst at 28.2 points per game. This game could be a sneaky points fest.

Running back

Weekly strategy – Derrick Henry and Joe Mixon are the only two expensive backs I like this week. That said, I’d rather save here and spend big at WR. Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, and Brian Robinson Jr. will fill most of my lineups. You also can use whoever starts for Tampa Bay or Rhamondre Stevenson. If Breece Hall (knee) remains out, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis would have some value as punt plays. Jaleel McLaughlin and Kimani Vidal fit that role as well.

Fantasy four-pack

Derrick Henry, Ravens @ NYG ($8,300 DK, $9,200 FD) The Giants are allowing 4.9 YPC and the fourth-most 141.7 rushing yards per game. Let’s see them try to stop Henry, who is averaging just under six YPC. 

Joe Mixon, Texans vs. MIA ($7,800 DK, $9,000 FD) Over the last four weeks, the Dolphins have allowed the third-most RB receptions and the second-most RB receiving yards. Mixon is on fire right now, scoring 11 times in his last eight games.

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs. DAL ($6,500 DK, $7,500 FD) Jonathon Brooks (ACL) retore his ACL, leaving this backfield entirely in the hands of Hubbard. Since Week 3, Chuba has scored and/or topped 100 total yards in nine of 11 games. Dallas is giving up the third-most 141.9 rushing yards per game. All of that will go to Hubbard.

Josh Jacobs, Packers @ SEA (N/A DK, $8,200 FD) Seattle allows 145 combo yards per game to opposing RBs. Meanwhile, Jacobs has been getting fed at the stripe, scoring eight times in his last four games.

Sleepers

Rico Dowdle, Cowboys @ CAR ($6,100 DK, $7,100 FD) Over the last three games, Dowdle is averaging 121 combo yards per game. Carolina is dead last against the run. They have given up 210 more total yards to opposing RBs than the next-worst team. They also have allowed the most total TDs to the position. 

Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders @ NO ($6,200 DK, $7,300 FD) Robinson has been up and down all season, but he has scored a TD in seven of the 10 games that he has played. Only the Panthers have allowed more RB rushing TDs, so another score is definitely in play.

Wide receiver

Weekly strategy – Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb (shoulder), and Tyreek Hill are the top choices. You need to roster one of them, and I support taking two of them. The cheaper WR2 pivots would be Davante Adams, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., and if he plays Ladd McConkey (leg). At WR3, I like Amari Cooper, Adam Thielen, Calvin Ridley, Jaylen Waddle, and Joshua Palmer (if McConkey doesn’t play). Tim Patrick, Devaughn Vele, Jalen McMillan, Van Jefferson, and Nelson Agholor are the only deserving punt plays. 

Fantasy four-pack

Tyreek Hill, Dolphins @ HOU ($7,400 DK, $8,700 FD) Hill has scored in four of five games. Since Week 8, Houston has given up at least 60 total yards to every WR1 they have faced, and four have scored.

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals @ TEN ($8,400 DK, $9,400 FD) Chase leads the league in both receptions and receiving yards. Since Week 10, he is averaging a ridiculous 36.5 PPR points per game. Tennessee is very good against the pass, but over their last four games, opposing WR1s are averaging 19.5 PPR points.

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ CAR ($7,300 DK, $8,400 FD) A shoulder injury continues to hamper Lamb. That said, he still leads the league in targets while ranking third in both receptions and receiving yards. This game will have a ton of points, so stack everyone here.

Davante Adams, Jets @ JAX ($6,900 DK, $7,900 FD) Since Week 9, Adams has led the Jets in every receiving category. Jacksonville cannot stop anything. They have allowed the fourth-most WR receptions and receiving yards.

Sleepers

Calvin Ridley, Titans vs. CIN ($5,900 DK, $6,000 FD) Ridley has more than twice as many targets as the next closest receiver on the Titans. With this volume, he should produce against a Bengals defense, allowing the sixth-most passing yards. 

Adam Thielen, Panthers vs. DAL ($5,400 DK, $6,100 FD) In the three games since returning from injury, Thielen is averaging 6.7-86. He also has a TD (and should actually have two). I’ve already discussed the potential points in this one and like a game stack here with at least five legs.

Tight end

Weekly strategy – David Njoku (hamstring) is my favorite TE play of the week. Unfortunately, he is trending towards missing this contest. Watch his status. If he misses this game, his understudy, Jordan Akins, becomes a nice punt option. I would also like Trey McBride, Jonnu Smith, and Travis Kelce if I were to pay up here. Hunter Henry, Pat Freiermuth, and Jake Ferguson are much cheaper pivots. If you punt the position (or need a cheap flex) consider Chig Okonkwo and Stone Smartt.

Fantasy four-pack

Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ CLE ($5,700 DK, $6,700 FD) Cleveland has allowed an average of 7-72 to the position over the last four weeks. Kelce also feels way overdue for a TD here.

Trey McBride, Cardinals vs. NE ($6,000 DK, $7,500 FD) Speaking of overdue for a TD, McBride has not scored a receiving TD, despite catching 80 of his 106 targets. New England has allowed four TE touchdowns in their last six games, so maybe this is the week. 

Jonnu Smith, Dolphins @ HOU ($5,400 DK, $6,900 FD) Over their last four games, Houston has allowed an average of 5.8-75-0.5 to the position. Meanwhile, over his previous four games, Smith is averaging 7-86-1.

Sam LaPorta, Lions vs. BUF ($4,400 DK, $6,000 FD) LaPorta’s usage has been sporadic, but he has six or more targets in each of the last four games that he has played. Those targets have amounted to meager yardage numbers, but he did score three times. With the clear highest combined line on the slate, the scoring should continue here.

Sleepers

Jake Ferguson, Cowboys @ CAR ($3,800 DK, $5,400 FD) Ferguson is finally fully healthy. Now, he faces the Panthers, who have allowed a league-worst 10 tight end scores.

Stone Smartt, Chargers vs. TB ($2,600 DK, $4,500 FD) With Will Dissly (shoulder) out, Smartt gets to pillage a Buccaneers defense that has allowed the second-most yards to opposing TEs. After replacing Dissly at halftime last week, Smartt caught all three of his targets for 54 yards. I’d take two times that this week.

Are you in need of a respite after spending the holiday with your family? Perhaps the best cure for the holiday blues is to plop down in front of the TV for six hours while eating leftovers – and what can make that even better? When you’re watching football on that TV and have money on the game!

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 Justin Herbert ($5.6k), RB Tony Pollard ($6.3k), RB Bucky Irving ($5.8k), WR A.J. Brown ($8.3k), WR Nico Collins ($7.9k), WR Quentin Johnston ($5.0k), TE Cade Otton ($4.5k), FLEX Mark Andrews ($3.9k), DST New York Jets ($2.5k)

FD Lineup: QB Justin Herbert ($7.9k), RB Christian McCaffrey ($8.8k), RB Bucky Irving ($7.2k), WR A.J. Brown ($8.8k), WR Ladd McConkey ($6.3k), WR David Moore ($5.1k), TE Cade Otton ($6.2K), FLEX Gus Edwards ($5.9k), DST New York Jets ($3.7k)

FB Lineup: QB Baker Mayfield ($6.3k), RB Bucky Irving ($5.9k), RB Gus Edwards ($3.7k), WR A.J. Brown ($7.6k), WR Mike Evans ($7.1k), WR/TE Ladd McConkey ($5.6k), TE Cade Otton ($4.7k), FLEX Christian McCaffrey ($7.8k), SUPERFLEX Justin Herbert ($5.7k)

*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 – Baker Mayfield, C.J. Stroud, and Jalen Hurts are the top options. Kyler Murray, Matthew Stafford, and Justin Herbert (my favorite) are the top pivots. Will Levis and Bryce Young are the punt options.

Fantasy four-pack

Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ BAL ($7,700 DK, $9,200 FD) Baltimore has allowed 400 more passing yards than the next closest team. They also have allowed the third-most passing TDs. Hurts has only scored two total TDs in the last two games. This should keep his ownership reduced. Stack him with A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert.

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers @ CAR ($6,600 DK, $8,500 FD) Mayfield has scored the third-most total TDs among all QBs and Carolina has allowed the fourth-most total TDs to the position. He won’t have to throw in this game, but he will, especially if Carolina can keep it close. Four total TDs are on the table.

C.J. Stroud, Texans @ JAX ($6,400 DK, $8,000 FD) One team to have allowed more total QB touchdowns than Carolina is Jacksonville. They also have allowed the second-most passing yards and the third-most QB rushing yards. In three career games versus Jacksonville, Stroud is averaging 310-2, with an additional 26 rushing yards per game and one rushing score.

Josh Allen, Bills vs. SF (N/A DK, $9,000 FD) Over the last two weeks, Allen has only three total TDs. Fortunately, he has kept his value up by posting over 100 rushing yards during that span. San Francisco has been very solid against the pass this season, but they have allowed the seventh-most QB rushing scores.

Sleepers

Justin Herbert, Chargers @ ATL ($5,600 DK, $7,900 FD) The $7,900 price tag on FD hardly qualifies as a discount, but his DK price rocks. Atlanta has allowed multiple passing TDs in every game since Week 4. Meanwhile, Herbert has multiple TDs in four of his last five games. 

Will Levis, Titans @ WAS ($5,000 DK, $6,700 FD) Levis is playing YOLO ball right now, throwing for eight completions of greater than 20 yards over his last two games. Meanwhile, Washington has allowed eight passing TDs of greater than 20 yards, including three in their last four games.

Running back

Weekly strategy – Christian McCaffrey and Joe Mixon are both pricy but safe RB1 options. To save money, pivot to Kyren Williams. I’m concerned about chasing points with Saquon Barkley and will fade him. At RB2, use Tony Pollard, assuming Tyjae Spears (concussion), remains out. Otherwise, consider Chuba Hubbard, Bucky Irving, and Rhamondre Stevenson. There are three injury-replacement punt options: Jeremy McNichols, Braelon Allen, and Gus Edwards.

Fantasy four-pack

Joe Mixon, Texans @ JAX ($8,000 DK, $9,500 FD) Over their last three games, Jacksonville has allowed 602 rushing yards and five rushing TDs. Mixon laid a goose egg last week. This, paired with his high price, should keep his ownership down. Before that dud, Mixon had scored 10 TDs over his prior six games. He also topped 100 total yards in five of the six games. 

Christian McCaffrey, 49ers @ BUF (N/A DK, $8,800 FD) McCaffrey continues to underperform since his return from injury. Brandon Allen‘s presence is the reason for last week’s performance. Brock Purdy (shoulder) is has a chance to return this weekend, so that would help CMC return to his pre-injury status as the best RB in football, but missed most of the year comes with rust to remove. It will help that Buffalo ranks in the bottom two in RB receptions, receiving yards, and receiving scores allowed.

Derrick Henry, Ravens vs. PHI ($7,800 DK, $9,000 FD) Only one team (the Chargers) has allowed fewer total TDs to opposing RBs than Philly. That said, they have allowed a rushing TD in back-to-back games. Plus, this is Derrick Henry. Last week was the first time he had not scored at least one TD all season. His opponent, not surprisingly, was the Chargers. Even in that shutout, he reached 140 yards.

Kyren Williams, Rams @ NO ($7,200 DK, $8,400 FD) Williams’ production has waned since the return of Los Angeles’ top WRs. That said, he scored last week against a tough Philadelphia defense. This gave him at least one TD in eight of 11 games. Meanwhile, since Week 5, New Orleans has allowed 28 PPR points per game to opposing RBs.

Sleepers

Tony Pollard, Titans @ WAS ($6,300 DK, $7,000 FD) This tout comes down to whether or not Tyjae Spears (concussion) plays. Over their last four games, Washington has allowed 156 combo yards per game to opposing RBs. If Spears is out, this will all go to Pollard, making him a slate-breaker. Even if Spears plays, Pollard should score and approach 100 total yards.

Bucky Irving, Buccaneers @ CAR ($5,800 DK, $7,200 FD) Over their last two games, Irving leads all Buccaneers backs in every category. He also has scored twice. Carolina is the worst team in the league against opposing RBs, allowing an average of 29.5 PPR points to the position this season. 

Wide receiver

Weekly strategy – A.J. Brown and Nico Collins are the top two WRs. I’d love to roster both of them, but to do so, you must go cheap at RB1. The Rams’ duo are the top pivots. At WR2, choose from Mike Evans, Marvin Harrison Jr., Ladd McConkey, and Drake London. I would stack one of those four with my QB. To save money, consider Calvin Ridley, Darnell Mooney, or Michael Pittman Jr. I wouldn’t stack them, though. Xavier Legette, “Iron Hands” Quentin Johnston, Rashod Bateman, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are the best choices for WR3. You also can use Demarcus Robinson there if you don’t use Puka Nacua or Cooper Kupp. Other punt options include Noah Brown, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and David Moore. 

Fantasy four-pack

A.J. Brown, Eagles @ BAL ($8,300, $8,800 FD) Baltimore has allowed the most receiving yards to the position this season. In addition , the Ravens have allowed the second-most WR touchdowns and receptions. They have particularly struggled with WR1s, allowing 11 TDs to that spot over their last eight games.

Nico Collins, Texans @ JAX ($7,900, $9,100 FD) Jacksonville has allowed 10 passing TDs of greater than 20 yards this season. Collins should get in on the fun this week as he has posted 19-255-2 on 24 targets against this defense in their last two meetings.

Puka Nacua, Rams @ NO ($7,600 DK, $8,700 FD) You can use Nacua or Cooper Kupp. Only four teams have allowed more WR receiving yards this season. Ignoring the game where he was ejected, Nacua has averaged 8-111 since returning from the IR.

Mike Evans, Buccaneers @ CAR ($6,700 DK, $8,300 FD) In his first game back, Evans led the Buccaneers in receiving yards. With his sea legs back, expect Evans to go off here. Against Carolina, he has scored and/or topped 90 yards in 11 of 19 career meetings.

Sleepers

Xavier Legette, Panthers vs. TB ($5,100 DK, $5,800 FD) The Panthers have spread the ball around all year, but Legette leads them in all the pertinent receiving categories. The Buccaneers offense will force Carolina to throw the ball to keep up. I would consider David Moore here, too, if Jalen Coker (quad) remains out.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans @ WAS ($4,300 DK, $5,900 FD) Westbrook-Ikhine has surpassed three receptions in exactly one game this season. Still, he has scored in six of seven games. A 35% conversion rate is unsustainable, but enjoy the fun while you can.