adam.sardinha1@gmail.com 
Are you ready for NFL Week 17 DFS? I cannot believe it has gone by this quickly. The regular season is just about over. But here we are back at it to win some money on DraftKings! We will go through each matchup game-by-game in the main slate, and I will give my best buys via DraftKings prices. With it being Week 17, this is the week that the players with the information take home the gold. Stay focused all the way up to lock.
This week is heavily focused on teams playing to get into a playoff spot versus teams that have essentially nothing to play for. Team with nothing to play for are 21-13 against the spread since 2013. The Eagles, Cowboys, Steelers, Titans, and Raiders all need to win to get in and some need additional help. But that does not mean their opponents will just rollover.
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NFL Week 17 DFS Early Games
ATLANTA FALCONS @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
This may look like a smash spot for the Atlanta Falcons’ passing game, but the Buccaneers have been so much better on defense. They shut down the Texans last week and over the past four weeks have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the quarterback position. In the last two weeks, they have allowed the third-fewest. They have also maintained their stout run defense by allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. Consider this Tampa Bay defense held Matt Ryan ($6,500) to less than 10 fantasy points back in Week 12, Ryan is easily avoidable.
Russell Gage ($4,400) actually saw the most usage in that Week 12 matchup with ten targets, eight receptions, and 76 receiving yards. Since the Calvin Ridley injury, Gage has operated as the clear no.2 wide receiver with the second-most routes run, and six targets in each game. He is getting some coach love too and with three rushing attempts in the last two weeks, the coaches are trying to find ways to get him the ball. The Buccaneers still rank bottom-ten in fantasy points allowed to the wide receiver position over the past four weeks.
The Falcons DST ($3,400) is also playing Jameis Winston who is approaching the 30 touchdowns, 30 interceptions club. They need to be considered in GPPs, because of the matchup and the fact that they have scored at least nine fantasy points over the past three weeks. They are forcing turnovers and getting to the quarterback. Vic Beasley, who now has eight sacks this season, has piled up 5.5 of those since the bye week. Grady Jarrett has 6.5 sacks on the year with 3.5 coming in the last seven games.
On the Tampa Bay offensive side, they actually face a slightly uphill battle. Atlanta has allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers over the past four weeks. Since Week 8 only two quarterbacks (Kyle Allen and Jameis Winston) scored at least 20 fantasy points versus Atlanta.
Jameis Winston ($6,600) is priced up this week and obviously has upside considering he is most likely going to pass for 5,000 yards this season. But we saw him unable to connect on a few deep shots downfield that he has done with Godwin and Evans in the lineup. Regardless if he connected on a few more of those deep passes his stat line would have been that much better. This guy still scored 18 fantasy points in DraftKings despite playing a terrible NFL game so I am willing to go back to Winston in Week 17 especially if his ownership is lowered after he failed to reach expectations last week.
Breshad Perriman ($6,700) is operating as the number one with 7.25 targets per game, four touchdowns, and over 70 receiving yards in his last four games. Justin Watson ($4,900) filled in for Godwin in Week 16 and had ten targets, five receptions, and one touchdown. Godwin roasted the Falcons from the slot back in Week 12.
The best play for the Buccaneers could actually end up being O.J. Howard ($4,300). He saw seven targets last week and despite the resurging Falcons’ defense, they have been vulnerable versus tight ends. Factoring out last week versus Jacksonville where they do not use a tight end, the prior three weeks tight ends averaged 92 receiving yards. Also over the past four weeks, the Falcons have allowed the second-most yards to tight ends, fourth-most targets, fifth-most receptions, and second-most red-zone targets.
I do like the Buccaneers DST ($3,100) as a nice pivot off the Ravens DST ($3,100). They have averaged 13.2 fantasy points per game over the past five weeks. Tampa Bay is also going to come ready to play. “Eight-and-eight tastes a whole lot better all offseason,” Bruce Arians said. “So yeah, we talked about it in the locker room right after the game. There [are] no losers in this locker room – let’s make sure of it.”
GREEN BAY @ DETROIT LIONS
The Green Bay Packers have a chance to get the number one seed in the NFC playoffs this week, so you know they will come out firing versus the lowly Lions. Over the past four weeks, the Lions have allowed the second-most fantasy points to the wide receiver position and 11th-most versus the running back position. Davante Adams ($8,000) has seen double-digit targets in seven of his last eight games. Adams has scored in his last three games playing in Detroit.
Allen Lazard ($4,000) is a nice pay-down option at wide receiver. He saw a season-high nine targets last week and is clearly emerging as the number three option behind Adams and Aaron Jones ($8,200). Number two receivers have put up some solid numbers versus the Lions lately. DaeSean Hamilton (6-65-1), Breshad Perriman (5-113-3), Anthony Miller (9-140-0), and Randall Cobb (4-115-1).
Jamaal Williams ($5,500) is questionable so if he missed you would have to have heavy exposure to Jones. Jones scored over 50 fantasy points in the last game that Williams missed back in Week 5 versus Dallas. On the side of the Lions, there is not much to like here. Packers allow the second-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, and if David Blough cannot move the ball you cannot highly invest in Detroit. The only player I would consider is Kenny Golladay ($6,300) in GPPs. He is coming off a season-high 12 targets and Golladay has averaged almost 100 yards per game versus the Packers.
CHICAGO BEARS @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Vikings are locked into the number six seed and cannot move up or down in the standings regardless of any outcome in Week 16. Kirk Cousins is not sure if he will play or even knows if he is going to play. With that in mind, it is very difficult to trust any Vikings players. Mike Boone ($5,300) looks to be in charge of the running back room with Mattison and Cook still dealing with nagging injuries, but he was a mega-bust on Monday night and loses pass work to Ameer Abdullah ($3,900). With the Vikings resting guys, it really only maybe creates narratives where you could use Laquon Treadwell ($3,000) and Irv Smith Jr. ($2,800) as punt play options. If the Vikings do intend to fully rest their starters then the Bears DST ($2,100) is an absolute bargain deal with them playing all of their guys.
There are other Bears’ players you can actually play in this game that could produce. David Montgomery ($5,100) finds himself in a good matchup as the Vikings have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs over the past four weeks. Their pass defense has also been an Achilles heel for them all year so Allen Robinson ($7,200) and Anthony Miller ($5,800) should thrive. Robinson is a target machine with 46 targets in the last four weeks. The Vikings have allowed the third-most red-zone targets to receivers over the past four weeks.
CLEVELAND BROWNS @ CINCINNATI BENGALS
Do the Browns have a chance to show up in this game un the last game of the year versus the Bengals? The Browns have been so bad versus the run as of late, and the Bengals have the seventh-most rushing yards per game over the past three weeks. The Browns have allowed fourth-most fantasy points to running backs over the past four weeks, and the second-most fantasy points over the past two weeks. No team has allowed more red zone touches to running backs than the Browns over the past four weeks. Joe Mixon ($7,200) has seen at least 23 touches in four straight games. In that same aspect while the Browns have been bad versus running backs they have been much better versus wide receivers (fifth-best) in the last four weeks.
The Bengals have already locked up the number one seed so at this point Zac Taylor has to be coaching for his job, so I expect a full effort from this Bengals squad. John Ross ($4,500) looks to be back to full playing time and I think this is a week to surely go back to him. He saw 13 targets total last week, led all players with 283 air yards in Week 16 and his average depth of target was 21.8. For his price with the upside he offers, he is someone you want to have heavy exposure to this week. Every game he has played this season he has either gone above 15 fantasy points or scored less than seven. Boom/bust at it’s finest.
As for the Browns, it’s really difficult to trust anyone here with just all the constant disfunction. The Bengals do still rank via DVOA fifth-worst versus the pass and fifth-worst versus the run. However, when the Bengals play at home, opponents are running against them more than anything else. They rank in the bottom-eight in the league in rushing yards allowed to running backs over the past four weeks. So I am going to pass on Cleveland’s passing attack, and buy into the fact they will go in, run the ball a ton, get Nick Chubb ($7,500) the rushing title, and move onto 2020. Chubb has been the one bright spot on this disaster of a team and after his worst game in Week 16, he is definitely worth going back to in this spot.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Kansas City weakness is still through their run defense. So Austin Ekeler ($6,200) seems like a player the Chargers will want to feature with him in reach of 1,000 yards receiving. Mike Williams ($5,000) is also approaching the milestone. The team is aware of this “It would be special for those other two to get to 1,000…within the game plan,” offensive coordinator Shane Steichen said. “If it happens, that would be great for them, but all three of those guys, Austin, Keenan, and Mike do a heck of a job week in and week out. It’s a special group.”
The quarterback echoed the OC’s talk by saying “Certainly you’d love to see Mike (Williams) get over 1,000 (receiving yards) and Austin (Ekeler) get over 1,000 (receiving yards),” Rivers said. Hunter Henry ($4,500) is in a good spot with the Chiefs allowing the most targets to the tight end position. Should be considered in cash formats. He had 6-69 with a two-point conversion back in Week 11 when these teams played earlier in the season.
The Kansas City pass defense is excellent as they have allowed the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and second-fewest to wide receivers over the past four weeks. The Chiefs DST ($3,700) is in a nice spot to produce at home at Arrowhead which has essentially been a house of horrors for Philip Rivers. He has thrown multiple interceptions in his last two games in Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes ($7,200) finally has all his options at his disposal with the return of Damien Williams ($4,700) who is vastly underpriced despite being the lead back in the Chiefs backfield. I do not think that Travis Kelce ($7,000) is worth paying up for this week. He has never had many boom games versus the Chargers and safety Derwin James is back in the lineup for LA.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ CAROLINA PANTHERS
The Saints DST ($4,000) is expensive this week, but for the right reasons. Carolina over the past four weeks has allowed the most fantasy points to defenses. We also saw last week Alvin Kamara ($7,800) look like his old self, by scoring two touchdowns, which has basically his real only downfall this season; lack of touchdowns. That should easily change with the matchup at Carolina who have allowed a whopping 25 rushing touchdowns which are nine more than the second-worst team (16).
Kamara put up 19.2 fantasy points on 20 touches the last time played the Panthers, without even scoring. He has seen roughly 15-20 touches in each game since Week 11. Since becoming a starter Kamara has always totaled at least 100 yards from scrimmage when he has played Carolina. The latest news out of New Orleans is that the Saints will their starters with a shot at No. 1 or 2 seed, so there should not be too much concern surrounding Kamara’s workload.
Christian McCaffrey ($10,000) has been the best player in fantasy football all season, and that should not change in Week 17. He is approaching a number of statistical NFL records, but especially the 1,000 receiving yards record which he needs just 67 yards to achieve. Look for the Panthers to feed him early and often to get him into the record books. D.J. Moore ($6,600) is dealing with a concussion, so that would elevate several other Panthers’ receivers to relevance. The Saints over the past four weeks have allowed the third-most fantasy points to the wide receiver position. Chris Hogan ($3,300) actually filled in the role left by Moore and ran the second-most routes (40) behind CMC on the team in Week 16.
MIAMI DOLPHINS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Dolphins have allowed the third-most fantasy points to the quarterback position over the past two weeks. Tom Brady ($6,000) averages more points at home (19.6) and has shown ceiling in these plus matchups at home. Brady has thrown for at least three touchdowns in his last three home games versus the Dolphins. Over the past four weeks as well the Dolphins have allowed the most fantasy points to the wide receiver position.
In the Patriots first matchup versus Miami, we saw them gameplan specifically to get Antonio Brown more involved. I think you could see something similar here in Week 17 with N’Keal Harry ($4,200). It makes too much sense for them to not try and get him going as the Patriots head into the postseason. Additionally, Mohamed Sanu ($4,100) has stated that he has not even scratched the surface of what he can to do in the Patriots’ offense. Again if he were ever to have a massive game, it would come versus the Dolphins.
It makes too much sense for them to not try and get him going as the Patriots head into the postseason. Miami is also allowing 4.8 yards per attempt on the ground so potentially you could see the ground game also potentially work out here for the Patriots. Sony Michel ($4,900) has rushed for over 88 yards with 20 carries in each game the last two weeks but just has not found the end zone. With Elandon Roberts now playing full back for the Patriots there seems to be a resurgence in their ground attack. The Dolphins over the past four weeks have allowed the fourth-most rushing attempts. The Patriots DST ($4,300) is expensive but with Ryan Fitzpatrick out there throwing #YOLO balls he might throw a few interceptions.
Speaking of Ryan Fitzpatrick ($5,800) you figure that the flame he is bringing to the Dolphins offense is going to flare out and that could easily happen this week. For that reason, I am off DeVante Parker ($7,100), but instead on Albert Wilson ($4,200). Wilson went 6-6 out of the slot for 72 yards last week and we saw Cole Beasley get similar production from the slot a week prior. I am also willing to go back to Mike Gesicki ($4,000) who ranks fourth in the NFL in air yards at tight end behind only Mark Andrews, Zach Ertz, and Travis Kelce. He ranks second over the past two weeks and he is coming off a season-high 12 targets.
NEW YORK JETS @ BUFFALO BILLS
The Bills have announced that they will play their starters for an undetermined amount of playing time in Week 17, despite the fact they cannot move anywhere from the five seed. Matt Barkley, however, is a competent back-up quarterback and can put up points versus this porous Jets’ secondary so there is sneaky value in some lower pieces on the Bills’ depth chart. Barkley, handed the Jets a 41-10 loss last year at MetLife Stadium. Apparently, the Jets have not forgotten that though, as safety Marcus Maye said the defense owes him.
I am not in love with the Bills’ run game versus the Jets. New York leads the league in net yards per play allowed on first down at just 4.2 yards and also leads the NFL in opponent first-down efficiency, giving up four yards or more on first down just over 40 percent of the time. The Jets hand opponents’ negative outcomes on run plays more than 14 percent of the time, which is also a league-leading mark. Le’Veon Bell ($5,800) should be considered in GPPs, as a pay-down option at running back, but it’s worth noting that his best game all season (23.2 fantasy points) came versus the Bills in Week 1. Buffalo could be resting guys and the Bills have allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to backs over the past four weeks.
Jamison Crowder ($5,100) is at a good price and has at least seven targets over the past four weeks. He also got 17 targets the last time he played the Bills back in Week 1. For some of the Bills’ back-up players to keep an eye on include both T.J. Yeldon ($3,000) and Duke Williams ($3,000). If they are active they could both see significant snaps. Vyncint Smith ($3,200) would see a boost if Demaryius Thomas ($3,400) is ruled out again.
NFL Week 17 DFS Late Games
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Leonard Fournette ($7,000) has been very difficult to trust over the past three weeks failing to surpass 15 fantasy points despite getting at least 18 touches per game. However, Fournette remains heavily involved in the passing game and that should continue versus the Colts who have allowed the most receptions and targets, to running backs over the past four weeks. Fournette had seven catches versus them back in Week 11. D.J. Chark ($5,800) lit up the Colts the last time played them going 8-104-2. The Colts over the past four weeks have allowed the seventh-most points to receivers.
Jack Doyle ($4,100) has been quiet as of late, scoring under five fantasy points in three straight weeks, but the matchup is better this week versus Jacksonville. Over the past four weeks, the Jaguars have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points and fourth-most receiving yards to the tight end position. The Jaguars’ run defense also ranks dead-last versus running backs over the past four weeks. Marlon Mack ($6,900) was in a similar spot last week and came through with 95 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Jaguars’ run defense has been a mess, ranking near the bottom of the league in rushing, yards per carry allowed, rushing touchdowns allowed and run plays of 20 and 40-plus yards allowed. It allowed at least 100 yards rushing to its opponent in six of the last seven games, and has allowed four (nearly five) 200-yard rushing performances.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ NEW YORK GIANTS
Over the past four weeks, the Giants have allowed the second-most fantasy points to the quarterback position. They have zero interceptions and have allowed ten passing touchdowns. Carson Wentz ($6,100) in a must-win game is starting to heat up with over 21 fantasy points in four straight weeks. In Week 14, Wentz scored 23.9 points versus the Giants. The last time Wentz started at the Giants he threw for three touchdowns and 278 yards.
The tight ends for the Eagles will surely be heavily involved as well as the Giants have allowed the most fantasy points to the tight end over the past four weeks. Zach Ertz ($6,000) and Dallas Goedert ($4,900). Ertz is dealing with a rib injury so Goedert could see an uptick in work similar to last week and at his price will be tough to get off in this spot in cash games. The Eagles promoted Richard Rodgers from the practice squad which does not bode well for Ertz’s availability in Week 17. Miles Sanders ($6,800) even with the return of Jordan Howard figures to still be heavily involved in the offense as he should be.
The Giants have struggled to stop running backs in the passing game allowing the fifth-most receptions, fifth-most targets, and second-most red zone touches. Greg Ward ($4,700) is also continuing to operate as the team’s number one wide receiver and the Giants have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game over the past two weeks.
On the side of the Giants, you want to go back to their wide receivers in this spot. The Eagles have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers over the past four weeks and just placed Ronald Darby on injured reserve. The best value looks to be Golden Tate ($5,100), who led the team in targets (11) and receiving yards who are operating more as the primary slot receiver. Avonte Maddox is the primary slot cornerback for the Eagles and is a weakness in that secondary. Also if Darius Slayton ($4,900) plays he is worth going back to in GPPs as the primary outside receiver. You can also bring it all together with Daniel Jones ($6,400) at quarterback.
The Eagles defense plays much worse on the road where they allow 7.9 yards per attempt versus just 5.8 at home. The Eagles allow 288.4 passing yards per game on the road versus 196.4 passing yards per game at home. They rank fifth-worst in sacks on the road per game and allow 2.6 passing touchdowns per game which is highest in the NFL. Kaden Smith ($3,700) also continues to produce with Jones under center averaging 15.73 points per game when he has been the starter with Jones at quarterback.
TENNESSEE TITANS @ HOUSTON TEXANS
The most probable outcome for the Texans here is that they actually end up resting the majority of their starters because they need to win and the Chiefs need to lose for them to move up to the three seed. However, the wrinkle here is that the Chiefs play at 1 PM, so the Texans will know before they play if they actually have anything to play for at all. That being said with Texans’ players they are straight up avoided in cash formats but are interesting as late-swap options in GPP formats if Kansas City loses.
Win-and-in teams in Week 17, always seem to flop. So though it seems like a smash spot for the Titans skill players it may not be so simple. Still, the matchup on paper looks good. Ryan Tannehill ($6,800) has been an elite quarterback and playing at home versus Houston who has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to the quarterback position over the past four weeks. Derrick Henry ($8,100) also looks good to go and again Houston is a matchup that can be exploited especially with Tennesse at home.
Houston has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to the running back position over the past four weeks. A.J. Brown ($7,000) had 13 targets the last time he played Houston, so he is a great guy to pair Tannehill with. Houston also allows the seventh-most fantasy points to the tight end position over the past four weeks. Jonnu Smith ($4,200) has seen more involvement lately and has 60 or more receiving yards in the last two weeks. Tajae Sharpe ($4,300) would get a boost if other Titans receivers miss the game in Week 17.
There could be some value in some back-up Texans players that could see more work like Keke Coutee ($3,300) and DeAndre Carter ($3,500). Do not expect much from the top guys like Deshaun Watson, and DeAndre Hopkins. You could see a case where Duke Johnson ($4,300) sees a featured role if the Texans rest Carlos Hyde. Make sure you tune into the inactive report for Houston before they kick off at 4:25 pm.
OAKLAND RAIDERS @ DENVER BRONCOS
Raiders are in a must-win situation in Week 17. Josh Jacobs ($6,300) apparently went under some type of leg procedure but is still expected to play on Sunday. It seems a bit out of the ordinary, but regardless I would avoid Jacobs and instead just hope he is ruled inactive and play DeAndre Washington ($5,300) who continues to be underpriced. When Washington has been the bell-cow he has games with 21.6 fantasy points and 18.6 fantasy points. We also saw a projected dip in production from Darren Waller ($5,400) last week with the return of Hunter Renfrow with just four targets. However, this matchup favors the tight end more so things could swing back in Waller’s favor.
The Broncos over the past four weeks have allowed the eighth-most receptions to tight ends, seventh-most targets, and ninth-most yards. He is between two tight ends that will more heavily be owned so I like him as a pivot in GPPs or a late-swap option off Tyler Higbee for example. Raiders DST ($2,500) is also a decent placeholder if you are waiting to hear if Rams will have all their starting guys active or not.
The Broncos DST ($3,300) at home is a nice option versus Derek Carr. The Raiders also have the third-worst pass defense in terms of DVOA, so it potentially is wheels up for Drew Lock ($5,800) and the Broncos passing game. Philip Lindsay ($6,100) finally showed life last week and is in consideration with the Raiders allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to backs over the past four weeks. Lindsay could earn more than the win Sunday, as he needs just 42 yards to reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second consecutive season. The Broncos will also be getting back guard Dalton Risner who missed the second half of last week’s game.
Courtland Sutton ($6,400) has been on the wrong side of Lock’s low average yards per attempt (6.6), despite seeing ten targets back to back weeks the receiver has not cracked more than 12 fantasy points. Sutton also went for 8-120-0 in his first game versus Oakland. That’s why it has been more of the DaeSean Hamilton ($3,800) show with a season in yards 65 after following up a season-high the week prior with nine targets. However, in the game with it being the Raiders, Lock should be able to throw it more downfield as Oakland has allowed the highest yards per attempt (7.9) this season. That should also correlate with an optimistic viewpoint for Noah Fant ($3,600), who is one of the cheaper tight ends you can play with some confidence.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ DALLAS COWBOYS
The Redskins were missing some of their cornerbacks last week and that showed up on the field when Daniel Jones ripped them up for five passing touchdowns. They have allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks over the past two weeks. They have also allowed the most fantasy points to the running back position. This sets the stage very well for Dak Prescott ($6,300) and Ezekiel Elliott ($8,000). Prescott is averaging over six fantasy points per game more at home (26.6). If the Redskins fail to get healthier in the back end then the Cowboys’ receivers should produce hugely.
Amari Cooper’s ($6,500) fantasy production at home is almost three times his production on the road. Michael Gallup ($5,400) is probably the safer option of the two. He leads the receiver group in routes ran over the past two weeks and air yards. Randall Cobb ($3,900) could dominate out of the slot like we saw last week with Golden Tate when he faced the Redskins. Without their primary slot corner, Tate had five receptions on seven targets for 91 yards out of the slot. Last week Cobb played in the slot 97.6% of the time and saw all of his seven targets there.
The Redskins also rank third-worst versus the tight end position over the past four weeks, so Jason Witten ($3,900) could be a potential punt play, but if you are going to punt at the tight end position you may as well just pay down for Blake Jarwin ($2,900). The Redskins have allowed the most red-zone touches, red-zone targets, and touchdowns to tight ends in that time span.
On the side of the Washington Redskins Case Keenum ($4,500) is going to get the start. He probably has a good chance of putting up some solid stats as well, with the Cowboys allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks over the past four weeks. Terry McLaurin ($6,100) as thrived with Keenum under center and with 81 yards separating him in 1,000 total Keenum should be looking his way. If McLaurin hits 1K he would be the first Redskins rookie to ever accomplish the feat. Steven Sims Jr. ($4,700) has now seen back to back games with at least ten targets and 28 total over his last three games. Chris Thompson ($3,900) also saw a lot of involvement with 12 touches in Week 16. Dallas this season has allowed the fourth-most receptions to running backs.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens DST ($3,100) may not be super popular of a play this week because they are starting backups. However, you need to keep in mind that the Steelers’ offense is starting a third-string quarterback who was just benched. The Steelers have allowed the second-most fantasy points to defenses over the past four weeks. In terms of motivation even though Baltimore is resting starters they are still going to try to win the game. Remember John Harbaugh is 36-12 in the preseason, so even in games that do not matter he wants to win. Robert Griffin III ($5,100) is going to get the start here, but even in the Ravens offense, he seems like a thin play to really pan out.
Consider that MVP Lamar Jackson has his worst fantasy game of the year (14.40) versus these same Steelers. There are also talks that Trace McSorely will get some work in this game as well. I prefer to use some of the other options at running back like Gus Edwards ($4,800) and Justice Hill ($4,600). On Sunday the Ravens need 93 yards to break the Patriots’ single-season record for rushing yards, which was set in 1978. Edwards is going to fill in the role of the first and second down runner, with Hill getting work on pass-catching downs. Both should be used in GPPs, but I prefer Hill because of his athletic profile and upside in the passing game. If Mark Andrews sits also (missed practice Wednesday), Hayden Hurst ($3,200) becomes the best pay-down option at tight end.
For the Steelers, I am still willing to go back to James Washington ($4,600). He has had the best chemistry with Delvin Hodges this season, and just missed on a 44-yard touchdown last week. Over the past two weeks, he ranks third in total air yards. If the Ravens rest some of their starters in the secondary, Washington has a great potential to blow up in this spot. He ranks sixth in the NFL in yards/route run since Week 9. The Ravens run defense is also slightly overrated and with no Brandon Williams, they could easily be exposed if the Steelers are able to get a lead from a quick touchdown from their offense or defense.
James Conner is going to likely miss this contest, so it would appear that either Benny Snell ($4,500) or Kerryth Whyte ($3,300) would lead the backfield in touches. With little confidence in neither of them of to whom will see more volume, I am leaning towards Whyte as he is cheaper, he has been more efficient, and he runs a 4.42 with an alarming high-burst score via PlayerProfiler.com. The Steelers DST ($3,000) is an actual defense, and they will be playing with everything on the line for a playoff appearance.
ARIZONA CARDINALS @ LOS ANGELES RAMS
According to beat writer Cameron DaSilva: he would “be the least bit surprised if Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, Jalen Ramsey, Bobby Evans, and others are either limited in their playing time or don’t see the field at all” against the Cardinals via the Rams Wire. Jalen Ramsey has already been ruled out, Troy Hill missed last week so the Rams could have their two cornerbacks to be: Darius Williams and David Long Jr.
This could be a potential bounce-back spot for Christian Kirk ($4,700), who put up a goose egg last week. The Rams have also allowed the sixth-most rushing yards over the past six weeks, so you should continue to go right back to Kenyan Drake ($7,100) has he continues his amazing resurgence with the Arizona Cardinals. Drake is second to only Saquon Barkley in fantasy sports scored over the past two weeks and has averaged 25 touches in the last two weeks. The Cardinals DST ($2,400) has the potential of going up versus a possible combination of Blake Bortles this week. Giddy up!
As for the Rams offense, I think they are in a pretty good spot here assuming Jared Goff ($6,200) plays the majority of the game. Goff has been much better over the past four weeks, as he has not scored less than 18 fantasy points over that span. Factor in that he smashed Arizona back in Week 13 for 424 passing yards, he should be a great play at home. This game currently has the highest total on the slate (49).
Goff can then be easily stacked with Tyler Higbee ($5,600) who has just been on absolute fire the last four weeks with 100 yards receiving in all of them. It’s a no-brainer that you would want to play him against the Cardinals defense that funnels production to the way of the tight end. Then you add Robert Woods ($7,000) to the stack who has been an absolute target mammoth with at least nine targets in every game since Week 10. Woods crushed the Cardinals when the teams first played this season.
With Kyler Murray also be labeled day-to-day there is a very strong chance he does not play, so leave yourself space to potentially swap into a Rams DST ($3,200) before the afternoon window of games. Stay up to date though with Rams players and if they are going to be rested or not. There will be risks involved with rostering Rams.
