QB Aaron Rodgers vs. Atl
Long critiqued for lack of modern tweaks to his passing offense, the Packers relieved Mike McCarthy of his duties. Green Bay’s first McCarthy-less game is against the Falcons, who are a bottom 10 pass defense in about any metric you can find and give 27 points per game. While Atlanta’s offense has fell flat over the past month, their sheer talent leaves the possibility of a shootout. At the end of the day, Aaron Rodgers at 6,000 versus a bad defense doesn’t require much thought.
DraftKings salary: 6,000
RB Nick Chubb vs. Car
Carolina has one of the league’s better run defenses but we’re betting on volume and talent here. Last week’s turnover fest limited Nick Chubb to 12 touches but he had 20 + in each of the four games prior where he compiled 410 yards rushing. He’s also gone from non-existent in the passing game to clearing 30 yards receiving in each of the last three. Look for Chubb to get back on track this week.
DraftKings salary: 6,700
RB Sony Michel @Mia
Clock-killing Patriot running backs have long been one of my go-tos. Even with the return of Rex Burkhead the Pats have not wavered in their commitment to getting Sony Michel carries. The Dolphins have a susceptible run defense (4.7 yards per carry), only score 20 points per game and are 3rd worst in the NFL in time of possession. This is a game New England should grab control of, giving Michel 20 + carries, and multiple-TD upside.
DraftKings salary: 5,900
WR Julio Jones @ GB
Game stacking here with Rodgers locked in at QB. Julio Jones had a really down Week 13 but will only help us in tournament ownership. He’ll likely see a lot of stud young corner Jaire Alexander, and if that gives you any pause (it shouldn’t), he went for six catches 118 yards and a TD versus the primary coverage of maybe this season’s best corner Byron Jones in Week 11. Even with his 18-yard clunker versus the Ravens, Jones averages 110 yards receiving per game.
DraftKings salary: 7,900
WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. Ind
DeAndre Hopkins should get a ton of volume facing a zone-heavy Colts team that’s holding running games to 3.9 yards per carry. With the Texans sporting a similarly stingy run defense this could be a sneaky goldmine for box score output in the passing game.
DraftKings salary: 7,800
WR Chris Godwin vs. NO
Chris Godwin came through with five catches for 101 yards and a touchdown last week and I’m going right back to him w/Desean Jackson still out of the lineup. I expect Marshon Lattimore to shadow Mike Evans in this game, leaving Godwin to matchup with the flammable Eli Apple (don’t tell Annie I said that). If we get anything close to these two teams’ high flying 48 – 40 Week 1 matchup, Godwin could push for 10 targets and all the air yards.
DraftKings salary: 4,900
TE David Njoku vs. Car
I know the box score results weren’t there last week for David Njoku but there was still a lot to like. He played 82 percent of the snaps and ran a healthy 35 routes. This week he’s facing a Panther team that allows the 3rd most fantasy points per game to tight ends. His talent + this opportunity is too good to pass up at this price point.
DraftKings salary: 3,900
Flex Jeff Wilson Jr. vs. SF
Honestly, I don’t care if it was Flip Wilson, I play Shanahan running backs. With no Matt Breida this week and Alfred Morris more of an afterthought…Jeff Wilson should be a lock for 20 touches regardless of game flow. Getting access to this type of volume at this close to the minimum is a no-brainer play.
DraftKings salary: 3,800
Defense Steelers @ Oak
Only the Texans and Titans give up more sacks to opposing defenses than the Raiders. The Steelers rush the passer well and should be playing from ahead a lot in this one. Mix in a couple turnovers and it’s the fantasy goodness we need to win a tourney.
DraftKings salary: 3,000
