Tag: Underdog Fantasy

Primetime DFS Domination: Week 15

Lineup recommendations for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 15 DFS fantasy football primetime slate.

The massive popularity of small DFS slates has propelled us to expand our DFS coverage. I will give you my favorite lineup for the Primetime Slate each week. We will release these as soon as both sites release their pricing.

Recommended Primetime DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Sam Darnold ($6.6k), RB Josh Jacobs ($7.4k), RB Zach Charbonnet ($6.0k), WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($6.2k), WR Jordan Addison ($5.9k), WR Keenan Allen ($5.4k), TE Tucker Kraft ($4.0k), FLEX Sincere McCormick ($5.1k), DST Las Vegas Raiders ($2.5k)

FD Lineup: QB Caleb Williams ($7.1k), RB Josh Jacobs ($8.2k), RB Zach Charbonnet ($6.7k), WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($8.1k), WR Jordan Addison ($6.4k) WR Keenan Allen ($6.2k), TE Brock Bowers ($7.6k), FLEX Sincere McCormick ($6.0k), DST Las Vegas Raiders ($3.3k)

Caleb Williams is the best pivot from Sam Darnold at QB. I don’t hate any of the six, but it will be hard to trust Kirk Cousins based on his recent performances. I feel better about using Desmond Ridder in the revenge game. Both Jordan Love and Geno Smith would be solid plays, but I’m afraid both teams will lean on their running games.

Your RB1 needs to be Bijan Robinson or Josh Jacobs. AT RB2, you can consider Aaron Jones (back), but I’d be afraid of him being limited in the game. The logical move is just to use whichever back starts for Seattle. I’m fading D’Andre Swift (groin). I also do not trust Swift’s backups Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Travis Homer (lack of talent) in a tough matchup. Sincere McCormick is officially starting for the Raiders, bypassing Alexander Mattison on the depth chart. I recommend using McCormick at flex. You can ignore Mattison. If you want to punt at RB2 or flex, use Cam Akers or Tyler Allgeier.

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Justin Jefferson is going to be too expensive to use unless you go dirt cheap at RB. If you don’t use him, you need to use Jordan Addison at WR2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be my primary WR1. Drake London is the obvious alternative. You also can use Jayden Reed or DK Metcalf (shoulder). That said, I don’t trust either of them. DJ Moore and Darnell Mooney are my favorite WR2 pivots. At WR3 use Keenan Allen. He’s ready for a gigantic game, and his ownership percentage should be lower after a poor performance last week. The other WR3/flex options are Ray-Ray McCloud, Rome Odunze, Romeo Doubs (concussion) if he plays, Christian Watson, and Jakobi Meyers (ankle). If Doubs is out, I also could see using Dontayvion Wicks. The punt options are Tre Tucker, Tyler Lockett, and Jalen Nailor. I just don’t see any obvious need to use a punt at WR on this slate.

Kyle Pitts has a gorgeous matchup, but his own family wouldn’t trust him enough to play him at this point. Cole Kmet has been equally hair-pulling in his usage. I’m putting my faith in Tucker Kraft. T.J. Hockenson is the best pivot. I’d love to fit Brock Bowers in at TE or flex, but to do so you will have to spend down at RB2 or WR2, and I don’t love that. Noah Fant and AJ Barner have a good matchup, but they neuter each other statistically. If I want a punt, I’d rather use Michael Mayer or even Josh Oliver.

Primetime DFS Domination: Week 14

Lineup recommendations for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 14 DFS fantasy football primetime slate.

The massive popularity of small DFS slates has propelled us to expand our DFS coverage. I will give you my favorite lineup for the Primetime Slate each week. We will release these as soon as both sites release their pricing.

Recommended Primetime DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Joe Burrow ($7.3k), RB Chase Brown ($6.7k), RB Rico Dowdle ($6.0k), WR Ja’Marr Chase ($8.5k), WR CeeDee Lamb ($7.3k), WR Joshua Palmer ($4.0k), TE Will Dissly ($3.8k), FLEX Noah Gray ($3.4k), DST Dallas Cowboys ($2.6k)

FD Lineup: QB Joe Burrow ($8.4k), RB Chase Brown ($7.8k), RB Rico Dowdle ($6.8k), WR Ja’Marr Chase ($9.5k), WR CeeDee Lamb ($8.1k), WR Joshua Palmer ($5.4k), TE Will Dissly ($5.1k), FLEX Noah Gray ($5.2k), DST Dallas Cowboys ($3.5k)

If I pivot from Joe Burrow, it will probably be with Cooper Rush. That said, all four QBs are in play. I prefer Patrick Mahomes to Justin Herbert, especially if Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder) is out.

At RB1, you can swap out Chase Brown with Isiah Pacheco. This swap opens up the ability to spend more at WR3 or TE. Kareem Hunt and Gus Edwards are the replacement RB2 choices. Kimani Vidal would be the punt option, but the matchup makes him unnecessary.

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I love buying both Ja’Marr Chase (ankle) and CeeDee Lamb (shoulder). You must roster at least one of the two. The pivot would be Tee Higgins (or spending up for Travis Kelce at TE). McConkey is dealing with multiple injuries, but if he suits up, he could also be your WR2. You have five options at WR3: DeAndre Hopkins, Xavier Worthy, Quentin Johnston, Brandin Cooks, and Joshua Palmer. Palmer fits the budget best, but you can use any of them if you spend less on WR2. Andrei Iosivas, Jalen Tolbert, DJ Chark Jr., Mecole Hardman (knee), and KaVontae Turpin are the punt plays.

By opting for the double-TE lineup featuring the discount players Noah Gray and Will Dissly, you still leave little room for flexibility. To upgrade to Kelce, you must find savings elsewhere. Mike Gesicki is cheaper and easier to substitute. Jake Ferguson (concussion) will return. He can be a pivot from Dissly, and Luke Schoonmaker‘s value shrinks.

Primetime DFS Domination: Week 13

Lineup recommendations for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 13 DFS fantasy football primetime slate.

The massive popularity of small DFS slates has propelled us to expand our DFS coverage. I will give you my favorite lineup for the Primetime Slate each week. We will release these as soon as both sites release their pricing.

Recommended Primetime DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Josh Allen ($7.8k), RB Christian McCaffrey ($8.2k), RB Nick Chubb ($6.4k), WR Jerry Jeudy ($5.9k), WR Amari Cooper ($5.2k), WR Devaughn Vele ($4.4k), TE David Njoku ($5.4k), FLEX Mack Hollins ($3.6k), DST Buffalo Bills ($3.0k)

FD Lineup: QB Josh Allen ($9.0k), RB Christian McCaffrey ($8.8k), RB James Cook ($7.8k), WR Jauan Jennings ($6.1k), WR Courtland Sutton ($7.1k), WR Amari Cooper ($6.1k), TE Dawson Knox ($5.0k), FLEX Jerry Jeudy ($5.8k), DST Cleveland Browns ($4.1k)

If Brock Purdy (shoulder) plays, he instantly becomes the top pivot. That said, you may consider not using him if the weather is atrocious in Buffalo. Bo Nix is the other pivot option. I don’t like Jameis Winston against Denver. If Brandon Allen starts, downgrade all the Niners except George Kittle.

San Fran’s run defense is not the elite unit of yore. James Cook is a serviceable pivot from Christian McCaffrey. Nick Chubb is the clear RB2 this week, unless you spend less elsewhere to fit in both McCaffrey and Cook. I don’t trust either Broncos RBs (Javonte Williams and Audric Estime). Fortunately, you shouldn’t have to use either of them, unless you want to squeeze Kittle in at TE. Jerome Ford, Ray Davis, and Jaleel McLaughlin are punt options, but, again, you shouldn’t have to go that far.

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Unless you go dirt cheap, your WR1 will be Deebo Samuel or Courtland Sutton. At WR2 and WR3, you are choosing two of Jerry Jeudy (in the revenge game, albeit against Patrick Surtain II), Jauan Jennings, Khalil Shakir, Amari Cooper, Cedric Tillman (concussion), and Keon Coleman (wrist). You also can punt with Devaughn Vele, Mack Hollins, Curtis Samuel, or Elijah Moore. Watch the Buffalo weather, if winds and heavy snow occur during the game it will increase the value of both Samuels (and the tight ends) and decrease the value of the field stretchers.

George Kittle is pricey, and the matchup isn’t optimal. Still, he is an elite TE. Spending down at RB1 or WR2 should get him under your cap. If the weather is bad, he would be in for a load of targets. Dalton Kincaid (knee) is out, so Dawson Knox gets an enormous boost and is the top TE pivot on the slate. Plus, his price allows you to get both top RBs in on FD if you avoid David Njoku. Denver just released their most talented (although oft-injured) TE. This leaves Adam Trautman, Lucas Krull, and Nate Adkins … YUCK!

Thanksgiving DFS Domination

Lineup recommendations for DraftKings and FanDuel for the Thanksgiving Day DFS fantasy football slate.

Every year, we give thanks for the ability to belly up to the turkey buffet and stuff ourselves to the gills. We also give thanks for the ability to stuff our wallets to the gills with a second helping of DFS deliciousness. Just be careful not to fall asleep before making your late swaps.

Recommended Primetime DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Cooper Rush ($4.8k), RB Josh Jacobs ($7.0k), RB Rico Dowdle ($5.5k), WR CeeDee Lamb ($7.3k), WR Jayden Reed ($5.7k), WR Keenan Allen ($5.1k), TE Jonnu Smith ($4.3k), FLEX De’Von Achane ($7.7k), DST Chicago Bears ($2.3k)

FD Lineup: QB Caleb Williams ($7.2k), RB Josh Jacobs ($7.8k), RB Rico Dowdle ($6.1k), WR CeeDee Lamb ($8.6k), WR Keenan Allen ($6.5k), WR Jaylen Waddle ($6.3k), TE Luke Schoonmaker ($5.0k), FLEX De’Von Achane ($9.0k), DST Chicago Bears ($3.5k)

FB Lineup: QB Caleb Williams ($5.9k), RB Jahmyr Gibbs ($7.4k), RB Rico Dowdle ($5.5k), WR CeeDee Lamb ($7.2k), WR Keenan Allen ($4.6k), WR/TE Tyreek Hill ($7.3k), TE Jonnu Smith ($4.2k), FLEX De’Von Achane ($7.5k), SFLEX Cooper Rush ($5.4k)

Considering their tricky matchups, I don’t love the price tag on Tua Tagovailoa, Jordan Love, and Jared Goff. Still, they each offer some variance from my preferred pair of Caleb Williams and Cooper Rush. To use one of the more expensive options, you must go cheaper elsewhere (likely RB1 or WR2). Tommy DeVito (assuming his arm is fine) is cheaper than everyone else, consider a lineup featuring him alongside two of Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, and Theo Johnson (back).

At RB1, you are choosing between Josh Jacobs and Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs gets a huge bump if David Montgomery (shoulder) ends up missing this game because of his shoulder. For RB2, it comes down to either Tyrone Tracy Jr. or Rico Dowdle. I prefer Dowdle. D’Andre Swift is on my bench this week. I’m going with De’Von Achane as my FLEX. His price and late-game status give you the ability to sub in anyone if the early game goes afoul. Based on recent usage, Roschon Johnson and Jaylen Wright are the only safe punts.

If you don’t use CeeDee Lamb at WR1, replace him with either Malik Nabers or Tyreek Hill. I’d prefer to fade Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) in an abysmal matchup. Jameson Williams, DJ Moore, Jayden Reed, and Jaylen Waddle are my WR2 choices. I’m leaning toward Reed with Romeo Doubs (concussion) likely out. At WR3, you can swap in Rome Odunze, Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, Christian Watson, or Brandin Cooks (knee). If Cooks doesn’t play, Jalen Tolbert also becomes a WR3 threat. Punt options to consider are Dontayvion Wicks, Tim Patrick, and Kalif Raymond.

Jonnu Smith has a great matchup and a solid price. I may fade him to save money on FD. If I do, it will be for Tucker Kraft or Luke Schoonmaker. You could also opt for Sam LaPorta. His value will be astronomical if St. Brown misses this game. Theo Johnson is a potential punt, but one that isn’t necessary. Avoid Cole Kmet at all costs.

Primetime DFS Domination: Week 12

Lineup recommendations for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 12 DFS fantasy football primetime slate.

The massive popularity of small DFS slates has propelled us to expand our DFS coverage. I will give you my favorite lineup for the Primetime Slate each week. We will release these as soon as both sites release their pricing.

Recommended Primetime DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Justin Herbert ($5.5k), RB Derrick Henry ($7.7k), RB Saquon Barkley ($8.2k), WR Cooper Kupp ($7.3k), WR Quentin Johnston ($5.0k), WR Rashod Bateman ($4.3k), TE Will Dissly ($3.5k), FLEX Mark Andrews ($4.1k), DST Philadelphia Eagles ($2.9k)

FD Lineup: QB Justin Herbert ($7.4k), RB Derrick Henry ($9.2k), RB Kyren Williams ($8.3k), WR Puka Nacua ($8.6k), WR Quentin Johnston ($6.1k), WR Rashod Bateman ($5.5k), TE Will Dissly ($5.1k), FLEX Mark Andrews ($5.4k), DST Philadelphia Eagles ($4.2k)

Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson are both great QBs, but they do not work financially this week. To fit one of them, you will be dumpster diving at WR or RB. Matthew Stafford is the realistic pivot, although his matchup isn’t great.

On DK, you can afford both Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry. On FD, you can afford only one of them. Both Kyren Williams and J.K. Dobbins are solid fill-ins, and one will be adequate as your RB2 on FD (I prefer Williams). Gus Edwards, Kenneth Gainwell, and Jerome Hill (concussion) are your punts if you want to roster Jackson or Hurts. You also could use Keaton Mitchell if Hill is out.

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At WR1, A.J. Brown and Puka Nacua/Cooper Kupp are the pivots. You should start one of the Rams, and their costs make them virtually interchangeable. For WR2, I’d love to use Zay Flowers, but his presence will demand fiscal prudence elsewhere. You can pivot to Ladd McConkey (shoulder), if he suits up. If McConkey is a no-go, Joshua Palmer can fill in at WR3, otherwise, Demarcus Robinson and Jahan Dotson are your options there. Nelson Agholor (illness), Tutu Atwell, Derius Davis, Johnny Wilson, and Tylan Wallace are all dart-throw punts.

Will Dissly should be a lock at TE. You can use Mark Andrews or Dallas Goedert as a replacement for Dissly or play them in your flex slot. Isaiah Likely, Colby Parkinson, and Davis Allen are discount punts.

Primetime DFS Domination: Week 11

Lineup recommendations for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 11 DFS fantasy football primetime slate.

The massive popularity of small DFS slates has propelled us to expand our DFS coverage. I will give you my favorite lineup for the Primetime Slate each week. We will release these as soon as both sites release their pricing.

Recommended Primetime DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Justin Herbert ($5.5k), RB Joe Mixon ($8.0k), RB Rico Dowdle ($6.0k), WR Ja’Marr Chase ($8.8k), WR Tank Dell ($6.8k), WR  Quentin Johnston ($5.2k), TE Will Dissly ($3.3k), FLEX Dalton Schultz ($4.0k), DST Dallas Cowboys ($2.4k)

FD Lineup: QB Justin Herbert ($7.3k), RB Joe Mixon ($9.3k), RB Chase Brown ($6.8k), WR Ja’Marr Chase ($9.6k), WR Tank Dell ($7.2k), WR Quentin Johnston ($6.0k), TE Will Dissly ($5.0k), FLEX Gus Edwards ($5.0k), DST Dallas Cowboys ($3.5k)

The pricing essentially locks Justin Herbert in at QB. If you want to use Joe Burrow or C.J. Stroud, you will need to dramatically  pivot down at RB2 or WR3. I don’t particularly trust either Dallas QB, but if Cooper Rush starts, there is a path (albeit a thin one) to a Rush-CeeDee Lamb stack if you go cheaper at WR3.

Joe Mixon should be the RB1. You can opt for two of J.K. Dobbins, Chase Brown, and Rico Dowdle if you want to improve at QB or WR2. Otherwise, choose one of that threesome at RB2. You also can use Gus Edwards, the punt RB2 option, at flex.

Nico Collins (hamstring) and Lamb are the WR1 pivots. Frankly, I don’t love either of them over Ja’Marr Chase. If I were going to use either, I’d put them at WR2 and pinch pennies elsewhere. Tee Higgins is the other WR2 pivot if you want to go QB-plus-two with Burrow and Chase. You can use either Ladd McConkey or Joshua Palmer over Quinton Johnston at WR3. The punt WR options are Jalen Tolbert, Xavier Hutchinson, Andrei Iosivas, John Metchie, and Robert Woods. The Texans’ backups get a boost in their replacement value if Collins remains out.

I don’t see a path to fitting Jake Ferguson (illness) under the cap. That said, if he ends up out because of his illness, you could use Luke Schoonmaker as a punt option here or at flex. Mike Gesicki and Dalton Schultz are the clear TE pivots this week. Gesicki gets a major boost if Tee Higgins suffers a setback from his quad injury. Similarly, Tanner Hudson also would see a boost if Higgins were to be limited.