FanDuel Optimal Lineups & Stacks: NFL Week 14

Given that Drew Brees was a massive failure this past week against the Lions, so the GPP stack was off the table. Cash games you likely survived with the high ownership, but also the stellar plays around it. The optimizer was on David Johnson and Melvin Gordon last week as core running backs. We also saw Golden Tate, Travis Kelce, Denver, and Brandon LaFell in the cash lineup. So fairly solid despite Brees' nonsense at home. Week 14 is one of the weirder weeks of the season, given a lack of high totals, and now we have to separate teams playing for something, and teams that have given up, aka the Browns.

Cash & GPP Optimal Lineup

Much like last week, we see that the optimizer has a preferred choice of paying up at both running spots. It is really hard to pass up on both of these names, and really unlike DraftKings, FanDuel allows you to be a bit flexible with salary, and roster both. This is really a high floor and high ceiling move to make this week, especially given that wide receivers of the higher price tags are not in the greatest of spots, outside of Mike Evans. Both Bell and Johnson are used heavily in the passing game, averaging eight targets per game. Johnson has double-digit targets in each of the last three games, and is averaging about 130 all-purpose yards per game. Bell is already the second most targeted back in the league, after missing three games due to suspension. Bell is averaging 145 all-purpose yards per game, and is starting to find the end zone.

Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck are the two quarterbacks in play this week, and while Houston and Seattle are not the most optimal matchups, I do like these two the best. However...I am on Luck more in cash games than I am Rodgers. So that would be my swap. Houston ranks 14th against the pass, and are allowing 2.7 passing touchdowns per game over the last three. The loss of Earl Thomas is a big blow to an injured Seattle defense. You have to go back Week 6 to find a week where Rodgers didn't have multi-touchdown game. The FanDuel algorithm drops the Packers prices down quite a bit this week due to the matchup. Rodgers should draw lower ownership, making him a solid GPP play.

The value wideouts are key this week due to paying up at back, and using a mid-priced quarterback. Golden Tate is coming off of a big week against the Saints, and will draw a solid matchup against Chicago. Tate's price tag hardly went up after last week, and Chicago ranks 14th against opposing WR1s. Emmanuel Sanders has been a boom or bust play, but comes in at an excellent price tag against a really bad secondary. The Titans have a 19.6% DVOA against the pass. He is dirt cheap, and fits well with the lineup construction. Tyrell Williams continued his solid season catching a touchdown last week, and gets a terrific draw against Carolina. The Panthers rank 20th against opposing WR1s. Now Williams is a bit banged up, but showed no ill effects with snap counts. I will continue to trust him here. T.Y. Hilton is a great correlation play with Luck in the GPP lineup and has had a decent stretch against Houston in the past. If Julio Jones sits, Taylor Gabriel gets a bump, but is a boom or bust candidate against a volatile Rams defense.

Vernon Davis is the punt tight end option to make this all fit, which I am okay with against Philly's defense which is trending downward. He is coming off of a six target game, and remains a option with Jordan Reed out. Minnesota and Dan Bailey are also cash game options, and then we see Tampa Bay against New Orleans. The Bucs defense has improved of late, and we will see that test again against the Saints.

GPP Optimal Stack

As mentioned earlier the FanDuel algorithm dropped down the Green Bay prices. Jordy Nelson has a price drop to $7,100, and the same goes for DaVante Adams. This stack is 35% of your salary, which is a great bargain from where Green Bay usually stands. Green Bay is sitting with a 22 team total, which isn't high, but 85% of Green Bay's touchdowns come through the air. We also get the same running back plays, and also a value Golden Tate. This stack should be at low ownership given the matchup.