Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Total: 46
Raiders: 21.5
Chiefs: 24.5
This stands to be one of the games of the week, if not the year. We tend to believe the total will go higher than the number, but there is talent on both defenses, too. This game will be close and competitive throughout, so we probably should expect more of a shootout.
Latavius Murray should be busy in both the running and passing games, giving him a strong game on volume against a Chiefs defense that is sixth worst against the run. It shouldn't be forgotten Murray missed the previous meeting this season with the Chiefs. We start our projections at 100-combined yards and a TD from him.
Derek Carr is also facing the fourth-worst team against fantasy quarterbacks and this game will be competitive late, but the Chiefs have been far tougher on QBs at home, so we are going to modestly project a 250-2 day for Carr. We will also fade Amari Cooper and take the value of the resurgent Michael Crabtree against the Chiefs defense that has somewhat quietly giving up the most fantasy points to wide receivers. At TE, Clive Walford just hasn't been a consistent enough threat to consider, especially in a tough road matchup.
Spencer Ware will be a very high-exposure play against a Raiders defense he ripped for a season-high 24-131-1 in mid-October. Even if the Raiders stack the box on him and dare Alex Smith to throw, Ware will be a factor out of the backfield. The Raiders' Murray has a better price, but both backs are going to get volume and the 100-1 combined day. Ware, if should be noted, was not used as heavily as he's usually used at Atlanta, so it signals a huge workload for him in an important home division game in prime time.
The potential return of Jeremy Maclin (groin) clouds some of the WR plays for the Chiefs. We likely need to fade the rookie Tyreek Hill if Maclin starts, and only consider Albert Wilson if you're looking for a bargain-basement punt play at the position.
At tight end, Travis Kelce will be a premium option, particularly with Rob Gronkowski now taken off the top of the price list. Kelce has gone over 100 yards receiving in each of the past three games, drawing heavy volume with Maclin sidelined. The Raiders are 11th-worst against fantasy TEs, so expect a steady 6-60-1 performance from Kelce – albeit at very high ownership.
The contrarian play is the Kansas City defense, which offers value, even if the Raiders doesn't surrender sacks and turnovers. This game is in a hostile environment in prime time, so it could inspire some rare defense points – at low ownership and price, mind you – for the Chiefs.
We like this game for DFS points, especially if you're loading up on the running backs here.
Minnesota Vikings at Jacksonville Jaguars
Total: 39.5
Jaguars: 18.25
Vikings: 21.25
Holy yuck. Two pretty good defenses facing two fairly inconsistent, if not inept, offenses. You really have to love football to watch this game, much less play any of it in DFS.
The obvious play is the Vikings defense against the turnover-prone Jags, but you're going to face heavy exposure on that play in GPPs. WR Stefon Diggs and TE Kyle Rudolph are good, but QB Sam Bradford is not – especially not against a Jags defense that is quietly No. 4 overall in the NFL and No. 2 against the pass.
Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata for 50 yards and a TD apiece? Sure, that's doable, but it won't win you any GPPs.
The Jags side is a complete punt. The running game stinks, even if Yeldon might be a decent bet for 50 yards and a TD, too.
Allen Robinson comes to you at a nice price, but he is downgraded by the likelihood of having to line up against Xavier Rhodes, who shuts everyone down.
We say play the Vikes D in cash game, and otherwise do something else than play this game. Go pick out a Christmas tree or something.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Total: 46.6
Texans: 20.25
Colts: 26.25
Even though the Colts return home to where they are much better DFS plays, we just cannot see them having as easy of a time against the Texans as they did against the New York Jets on Monday night. The Texans are still in this and they are still capable defensively, especially against the pass (No. 5 in the NFL).
Our favorite play on either side is Lamar Miller (ankle) against the Colts run defense, which is bottom 10 against fantasy RBs. This lines up to be a high-volume game both run and pass for him and his price is modest for the 20 carries and season-high targets we project from him. If the Texans score – and the Colts don't shut people out – it will be with Miller.
DeAndre Hopkins and TE C.J. Fiedorowicz are both strong value plays on volume, especially if you see the Colts as being red hot and ready to run away with the AFC South division. If the Colts score points, Miller, Hopkins and Fiedorowicz should pick up garbage time stats – even if they have to deal with the 250-2 talent cap of QB Brock Osweiler.
The Colts side has a number of intriguing plays, not the least of which is TE Dwayne Allen coming off his three-TD effort Monday. Sure, he will get defensive attention, but the quality of the Texans' pass defense makes Allen a sneakier weapon than wideouts T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief.
Frank Gore should get volume and a short TD run or two, which makes him a favorable play at his price. The Texans are so good against the pass, teams have to run the ball on them, and they have.
We wouldn't be as psyched about plays Andrew Luck at his price, as we see him of more of a 250-2 performer in this matchup. The value in this game likes with the RBs and TEs.
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
Total: 43.5
Bears: 18.25
Lions: 25.25
This one lines up perfectly for the Lions, as the Bears are going off a rare victory and the upstart Lions are red-hot defensively and playing at home.
If the Lions can slow down Drew Brees and the Saints in New Orleans, surely they can beat up the Bears in a still-important division game at home. Load up exposure on the Lions defense, which is somehow modestly priced.
The Lions are one of the toughest run defenses in football, giving up just a fantasy-low three rush TDs to fantasy RBs, so we likely have to fade Jordan Howard. It will be tough to get volume with so many potential three-and-outs with Matt Barkley at QB.
After Marquess Wilson (groin) went from fantasy star to just four snaps last week, we cannot trust anyone in the Bears passing game. Trust Wilson, he'll go down. Trust Cameron Meredith or Eddie Royal (toe), Wilson will rise again. Frankly, it's all bad news against a much-improved Lions defense that is far too underrated in fantasy and the NFL right now.
The Lions have a wide array of places they can go with the football and most of them are dealing with some kind of injury issue. It makes trusting any of their options tough, especially because the Bears are a better defense than you or anyone likely give them credit, too.
We like the Lions to score points, so consider Theo Riddick and Anquan Boldin the best of their limited plays because of their veteran steadiness. Many will be jumping all over Golden Tate after his huge performance against the Saints, but the Bears will likely give him their defensive attention and healthy returns of Marvin Jones (quad) and TE Eric Ebron (knee) potentially loom.
We love the Lions in this one, but we will go with the sure things on their board: The D/ST and K Matt Prater.
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
Total: 42.5
Bengals: 23.75
Browns: 18.75
This stands to be another bountiful week for Bengals DFS plays, particularly since the volume is so concentrate on a few trustworthy fantasy options. This also happens to be the Browns, who actually might get some explosive plays from the QB position to push the scoring pace up on both sides.
Jeremy Hill is our favorite RB play of the week, getting 20-plus carries against a Browns defense he torched for 168 yards and a TD on just nine carries in the past meeting this season. Hill is also getting Giovani Bernard's (knee) receiving targets, too. This is a don't-miss opportunity with Hill.
Also, Tyler Eifert has been performing at peak levels since A.J. Green (groin) went down (he is still out, too). Eifert has TDs in the past two games and should have multiple red-zone targets in this one as Hill pushed the modest Bengals offense into scoring position early and often.
Downfield, we don't love Andy Dalton for a 300-3 effort, but we like him enough in this matchup to consider Brandon LaFell and/or Tyler Boyd DFS sleepers at WR.
The combination of all this goodness of matchup gives us a chance to jump on the Bengals defense and K Mike Nugent, too.
For the Browns, a return of Robert Griffin III should be intriguing to watch. We wouldn't necessarily play him in the cold, but we might consider some exposure to stud WR Terrelle Pryor and rookie Corey Coleman. If you are as bullish on the Bengals as us, you should like the plays of Pryor, TE Gary Barnidge and receiving-down RB Duke Johnson getting volume in garbage time.
San Diego Chargers at Carolina Panthers
Total: 49
Chargers: 24
Panthers: 25
This is a game the public has pushed the number up and we agree: This is going to be a good one for DFS plays. Both sides have some weapons on offense and both sides have some issues in the secondary that can make for a wild game.
The Chargers' Melvin Gordon is a strong play for volume via the pass, if not 100 yards rushing, The Panthers are coming off getting exposed by Thomas Rawls and what was a struggling Seattle Seahawks running game. Regardless of a Luke Kuechly return, Gordon is going to be a threat via the pass and to score in a game we believe should be wide open.
Philip Rivers is a strong play against the disappointing Panthers defense, which is bottom five against fantasy QBs. If you like Rivers, you have to consider his favorite targets at TE Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry, if not a surging Tyrell Williams (four TDs in four games), too.
All of the Panthers' primary options are in play, especially the value-priced Cam Newton at home and TE Greg Olsen, who has been lurking in the DFS weeds. Olsen is much better at home and has seen his price come down at a time fantasy needs him to step ahead of the TE class with Rob Gronkowski (back) out. Newton-Olsen is a strong stack for volume, while Kelvin Benjamin and Jonathan Stewart are also candidates to get a TD if not multiple in a rebound game for the Panthers.
About the only things we don't love in this game are the defenses and kickers as we watch the ball fly and DFS points pile up.
Arizona Cardinals at Miami Dolphins
Total: 43.5
Cardinals: 22.75
Dolphins: 20.75
The line recently moved to the Cards, a sign there is optimism on the David Johnson-led squad. One things has been certain in fantasy: Start every week's like with Johnson. The Dolphins are the third-worst run defense in football and there isn't a price Johnson's volume doesn't play well at in any DFS format.
The question is whether you're playing Carson Palmer as his bargain price, along with any number of his targets. We actually love a stack of Palmer-Johnson, WR Larry Fitzgerald and TE Jermaine Gresham. The Dolphins are sixth worst against fantasy TEs and 11th worst against QBs.
Then, if you love all that for the Cards, you have to assume the Dolphins will score right? Well, not so much. The Cards boast the NFL's No. 2 defense, and the No. 1 defense, Baltimore, absolutely embarrassed the Dolphins – albeit on the road.
The Dolphins' strength lies in its offensive line, which is getting healthier after a bad stretch. We would tend to wait before we trusted Jay Ajayi in DFS again, but if you're setting a number of lineups, he might not be a bad contrarian play at home. The Cards are No. 2 against fantasy RBs, so Ajayi's ownership should be modest in GPPs.
If you're stacking the Cards and you want to play a Dolphin in a bad matchup, we say Jarvis Landry is the best value on volume – especially if the Cards put up easy points behind Johnson and Palmer. Landry will be good for 7-80 if not better.
The mere fact the public moved this line from a pick-em to the Cards makes us believe it is a good week to load up on the road team in offensive-friendly climatic conditions.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills
Total: 46.5
Steelers: 24.75
Bills: 21.75
This should be a rock-em, sock-em game in the cold, which gives both running backs a chance to play up to their premiums and leaves you to potentially look away from the QBs and the passing games.
Le'Veon Bell is the hottest player in fantasy and faces a matchup that favors him for heavy volume and TD potential. The Bills have given up the third-most rushing TDs to fantasy RBs this year, mostly because of the quality of their secondary. Bell has gone over 100 yards rushing and averaged about 180-combined yards amid his hot three-game stretch. He might not get there again, but his volume will make him worth the heavy price.
We cannot say the same for Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and even the emerging Ladarius Green against the Bills' secondary. It is No. 8 against the pass and that is after a woefully slow start. The only saving grace for the Steelers' passing game might be if the frozen mix forecast is more snow than freezing rain. If it's cold enough to snow and stick, there is a great likelihood there can be big plays in the passing game because of slipping defenders.
Lastly for the Steelers, their defense has played well in the past three games and gives you value, but our view of the Bills is they will play too conservative in this defensive struggle to make the big mistakes they made a week ago.
The Bills' plays start, and likely end, with LeSean McCoy. Like Bell, he will get 25-30 touches and unlike Bell he offers a bit better value on the price. The Steelers, despite being No. 6 against the run are surprisingly seventh worst against fantasy RBs, giving up 15 TDs in 12 games, including a fantasy-high five receiving TDs. McCoy will get 100-plus yards and a TD in this one, too.
The Steelers are a top-10 team against fantasy QBs, so we are going to advise you to ignore Tyrod Taylor, Sammy Watkins and any other rag-tag Bills target you can come up with.
Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans
Total: 43.5
Broncos: 21.25
Titans: 22.25
How many expected the Titans to be favored over the defending Super Bowl champs in a must-win game in December? This is a new world.
The Broncos' best case of the running game is so badly beaten up that rookie Devontae Booker might be impacted by the recent addition of veteran Justin Forsett off the street. Ouch. It cannot give you any confidence in playing either against the seventh-best run defense and team against fantasy RBs.
That leaves us with Trevor Siemian and the passing game against the sixth-worst defense against fantasy QBs, assuming Siemian (foot) starts in place of Paxton Lynch. While we cannot trust Siemian, the woeful running game and more favorable matchup puts volume on the moderately priced WRs Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Sanders might be more of a GPP Hail Mary, while Thomas is more of a cash-game play.
If Lynch starts, ignore it all on the Broncos side.
The quality of the Titans run game and explosive potential of Marcus Mariota on broken plays tend to lead us to fading the steady Broncos defense, too.
DeMarco Murray comes to us at a nice price here. The Broncos are a scary defense, but that hasn't been the case on the stat sheet against the run – where they are fifth worst and have given up the ninth-most points to fantasy RBs. Murray and perhaps even rookie backup RB Derrick Henry was sound plays. Henry is picking up touches and doing more work at the goal line.
While we love what Mariota has done through the middle of the season, we cannot justify his price against the No. 1 defense in fantasy vs. QBs. That goes for fading most of his WRs and TE Delanie Walker, too. If you play anyone, it has to be the steady Rishard Matthews, who has been more immune to matchup than the others and has a price that belies that fact.
Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
Total: 46.5
Redskins: 24.25
Eagles: 22.25
The Redskins give us some favorable plays coming off a loss and facing an Eagles team that had played well at home, so it drops the prices some of the Redskins' top DFS options for us.
While the Eagles are solid against the run and top 10 against fantasy RBs, Rob Kelley is just too favorably priced for us to ignore. Kelley is going to get heavy volume and some scoring opportunities he wasn't good in the past two even tougher matchups. We are going to jump on Kelley getting 100-plus yards and a TD at a very welcoming DFS price.
Downfield, the Redskins' plays hinge on the health of TE Jordan Reed (shoulder). If he's a go, you can play him as a premium TE and consider Kirk Cousins a value-play QB. If Reed is out, consider Vernon Davis a bargain option but likely fade Cousins.
We like any of the trio of Redskins WRs, especially the steady Jamison Crowder, but this just doesn't look like a game that will be a shootout and force Cousins to jack up deep balls late.
The Eagles plays have some intrigue, especially playing at home against a Redskins defense that is sixth-worst against fantasy RBs and 11th worst against the run. Ryan Mathews (knee) is a huge bargain if he can start over Wendell Smallwood and Darron Sproles. Mathews only needs 60-1 to trump his price, numbers we expect he can easily get, if healthy.
The passing game is far less certain for Wentz of late, particularly with Jordan Matthews (ankle) banged up and having to face CB Josh Norman. We are much more trusting of Zach Ertz for volume at his price, especially if you see the Redskins putting up points and forcing the host Eagles to play catch-up. Ertz got 15 targets playing from behind last week (9-79-1).
Kelley and a TE (one from either side) are our favorite plays here, but watch Mathews for a sneaky punt play.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Total: 51.5
Saints: 24.75
Bucs: 26.75
This line suggests a Drew Brees-Jameis Winston shootout, but we are skeptical, especially since the Saints are not as explosive away on grass and rookie WR Michael Thomas (foot) is banged up.
There is no opponent Brees cannot rip, though, including a Bucs that is on a four-game roll. We are going to fade the running game against that defense. It has been a top-five unit against fantasy RBs in this four-game stretch and has some good run players in its front seven. Mark Ingram (toe) is banged up, though, so a value play of Tim Hightower to get volume (especially as a pass receiver) might not be a bad one to go with.
Downfield, Brandin Cooks and Coby Fleener are going to be popular plays, especially with Thomas hobbled. Consider them more of cash-game options because of the likelihood of high ownership and modest ceilings in GPPs.
For the Bucs, it is a good week to jump on Doug Martin for 110 yards and a couple of TDs. The Saints have been good against the run, too, in the past 3-5 weeks, but they are still fifth worst against fantasy RBs on the season.
WR Mike Evans and TE Cameron Brate are both high volume plays, so if you're playing them you might as stack them with Winston and hope for the shootout Las Vegas' line is projecting. We tend to believe this game will play a bit disappointing for DFS and under the total, but what do we know? Las Vegas is richer than us.
New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers
Total: 44
Jets: 21
49ers: 23
We would normally say look away, but the 49ers are so bad against the run (dead last) and fantasy RBs (deader than last, if that's even possible), you have to load up on Matt Forte here.
Not only is Forte's matchup as good as it gets, but having Bryce Petty will force volume into the veteran RB's hands to make things more pliable on the young QB. We have to fade everything in the Jets passing game because of Petty, even if the 49ers are awful downfield, too. Brandon Marshall we supposed gets volume, while Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins are bargain plays.
But, meh! Forte and a cloud of dust.
The 49ers' side has a bell-cow option in Carlos Hyde, but he is the one thing the Jets are capable of taking away. As horrible as the Jets are, they are still No. 4 against the run … and that's telling when you consider all the leads other teams playing them have been sitting on.
If you have to play 49ers in this mess, it's Colin Kaepernick for his 250-2 passing, 50-1 rushing potential. But you likely tried that last week against the Bears and got a total of four yards. That's not four points, that's four yards! … Passing! Ugh. Ignore.
TE Vance McDonald and WR Jeremy Kerley are sneaky plays on value, if not volume, because the Jets are so Jetsy. Otherwise, spend your time doing something more useful with your life – like picking the leaves out of the gutters – than paying attention to the garbage here.
Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams
Total: 45
Falcons: 25.5
Rams: 19.5
We would say load up on a Falcons stack, but the woeful Rams are top 10 against fantasy QBs and they haven't given up jack squat against QBs at home. Their worst effort at home to a QB? Ryan Tannehill's 172-1.
Matt Ryan will trump that, so don't be afraid of him going 250-3, using his running backs heavily in the passing game with Julio Jones. A Ryan-Jones stack is as good as any, while Devonta Freeman is hot and Tevin Coleman is under priced and ready to do damage against out of the backfield.
The Rams side will feature some exposure on Todd Gurley in GPPs, but we have long since given up on the Rams offensive line and running game. As much as we like Gurley, he just doesn't get the volume he deserves because the Rams cannot mount anything offensively.
Sure, the Falcons are bottom of the barrel in terms of giving up points in fantasy, but you will be surprised to read this: Only five teams have given up fewer rushing yards to RBs. They are: Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers. Those are championship-caliber front sevens.
We would be more excited about the opportunities downfield against the Falcons, who are dead last against fantasy QBs. But again, it is QB dependent. Jared Goff just cannot be trusted enough to consider plays on Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin or Brian Quick. If you have to play anyone for the Rams, consider TE Lance Kendricks because he is cheap and is a safe bet for 5-7 targets from the rookie QB off play-action.
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers
Total: 45.5
Seahawks: 24.25
Packers: 21.25
As much as this is an exciting star-studded game to watch. The matchups actually negative each other and make it a game to fade in DFS.
The Packers are awful in the secondary, but the Seahawks struggle to throw the ball downfield – especially on the road. The Seahawks' running game showed improvement last week, but the Packers are still top 10 against the run and fantasy RBs.
Thomas Rawls and Jimmy Graham are volume plays worthy of any DFS lineup, but we cannot trust QB Russell Wilson's track-record on the road.
Aaron Rodgers' hamstring issue might not hold him out, but the injury and the Seahawks secondary will hold him to 250-2 instead of those huge performances he was posting in the middle of the season. We have to fade Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb for that reason.
Christine Michael against his former team? Nah. James Starks for a rebound? Meh. This is not a game that lights up the scoreboard as much as it lights up the football fan inside us.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
Total: 47.5
Cowboys: 25.25
Giants: 22.25
The Cowboys can clinch the NFC East division with a victory, so expect a heavy dose of Ezekiel Elliott even against the NFL's No. 5-ranked run defense. The Giants are the only team to hold Elliott under 83 rushing yards, but he will get 25 carries and five targets to match his price that should be closer to Le'Veon Bell's if not David Johnson's.
Dez Bryant should also be good for 5-80-1 as he is the big difference between this game and the Cowboys' lone loss on the season to the Giants in Week 1. Fade Dak Prescott and Jason Witten (despite his being a Giant-killer) as this game is all on the shoulders/legs of Elliott and Bryant.
The Giants won't be able to must anything on the ground against the Cowboys' elite run defense that is No. 3 in fantasy against RBs, so consider any of the Giants' passing-game options for volume. If you see the Cowboys controlling the game, the line of scrimmage and the clock, it leaves the Giants with little to do but try to throw.
We like the values of Sterling Shepard and even Victor Cruz, while Odell Beckham is a must-play in prime-time-only DFS contests. Eli Manning has had big games against the Cowboys in his career and he threw three TDs in Week 1 meeting, so consider him a sleeper play among QBs. A 280-3 is in his wheelhouse, even if they lose this one. No, especially if they're losing this one.
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
Total: 45.5
Ravens: 19.25
Patriots: 26.25
As tough as the Ravens have been at times defensively this season, and as good as they have looked of late, this game is going to be a Pats coronation at home in prime time.
Load up on the Pats.
Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon's timeshare ruins the hope of either of their DFS plays against a Pats defense that is No. 6 in fantasy vs. RBs. You could jump on Dennis Pitta, Steve Smith or Mike Wallace – especially after Joe Flacco had a season's-best 381-4 last week – but the Pats are top 10 against fantasy WRs and TEs, too.
The Las Vegas line agrees: The Pats won't be losing this one at home in prime time.
The question is where to put your exposure. Tom Brady is always a safe bet for 300-3 at home, so consider stacking him with Julian Edelman, WR Malcom Mitchell and TE Martellus Bennett. Dion Lewis will get five catches and a TD, too, while LeGarrette Blount is a mediocre play against the Ravens' No. 1-ranked defense, he will get a short TD plunge, too,.
Heck, it is the Brady and the Patriots way to give Chris Hogan some love again. It is all good on Pats plays throughout.
The fact the Ravens are stout defensively might lean you off the Pats, but Brady is just too capable and productive at home … especially against an elite run defense that will force him to throw 45-50 times.
The Pats defense and the elite kickers of both teams are viable plays, particularly in the limited pools of prime-time-only contests.
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