RADIO
Stacking is one of the most popular methods to maximize your points in a GPP (guaranteed prize pool) tournament. This makes sense, as pairing a quarterback with a wide receiver or tight end is one of the most obvious positive correlations in DFS.
Of course, this strategy isn't without risk. One of the most popular stacks last week was Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr with either of his starting wideouts, Amari Cooper or Michael Crabtree, against the Detroit Lions. This seemed ideal for a GPP lineup -- a moderately-priced quarterback and receiver, both with major upside against a beatable secondary.
So, naturally, Carr finished with 169 yards and no touchdowns, Cooper with one catch for four yards, and Crabtree with six catches for 50 yards. The majority of lineups with Raiders stacks likely didn't cash. The goal here is to identify stacks for Week 12 that will pay off, sorted roughly from most expensive to least expensive.
High-Priced Stacks
Arizona QB Carson Palmer and WR Larry Fitzgerald at San Francisco
If you're going to pay up for a specific stack in Week 12, this is one you'll want. Palmer and Fitzgerald have proven to be matchup-proof this season, but a meeting with the reeling 49ers is simply too enticing to pass up. Palmer has thrown for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in each of his last three games, and Fitzgerald torched San Francisco for 134 yards and two scores in a Week 3 rout.
The 49ers were just shredded by Russell Wilson, so Palmer shouldn't have any problems. You'll want some exposure to the Cardinals in this matchup, and Palmer and Fitzgerald are the top two options. They won't come cheap, though, and should be highly-owned.
New York Giants QB Eli Manning and WR Odell Beckham Jr. at Washington
Cam Newton and his cast of misfit pass catchers just dabbed all over the Redskins' defense this past Sunday. Expect to see Beckham Jr. join the dance party in Week 12. In the first meeting back in Week 3, Beckham finished with seven catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. The stud second-year wideout has at least one touchdown in six of the Giants' 10 games this season, and at least 100 yards in five (including the last three). In other words, he's red hot.
Manning is 16-6 in his career against Washington, a stat that bodes well for his fantasy success this Sunday. He passed for 279 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 3 meeting. There's little reason to think both Manning and Beckham won't at least match their previous outputs.
Moderate Stacks
Detroit QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson vs. Philadelphia
Note: The Lions and Eagles play on Thanksgiving. I'm still including this stack because, quite simply, Megatron is the Thanksgiving King. He's the all-time leader in touchdowns scored on Thanksgiving (eight) and he put on a show with 146 yards and two scores in a win over the Chicago Bears last season.
Johnson is a less risky pick than Stafford, to be sure. But the Lions are facing an Eagles defense that just surrendered five touchdown passes to Jameis Winston. Stafford will likely toss an interception or two, but at his reasonable price level, he boasts one of the highest ceilings.
Houston QB Brian Hoyer and WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. New Orleans
Next up in the Saints' yardage giveaway, the Houston Texans. Mr. Hoyer and Mr. Hopkins, come on down! New Orleans' defensive struggles have been well documented this season. This is a situation that fantasy owners simply must take advantage of.
Coach Bill O'Brien confirmed Monday that Hoyer would return to the starting lineup after missing Sunday's win over the New York Jets with a concussion. Hopkins has shown to be both matchup and quarterback-proof, turning in elite numbers each and every week. Hopkins costs a pretty penny, but pairing him with the cheap Hoyer can help offset that.
San Diego QB Philip Rivers and WR Stevie Johnson/TE Antonio Gates at Jacksonville
This past Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs marked the first time this season that Rivers failed to throw for at least one touchdown or 200 yards. Do not expect a repeat of that this week against the Jaguars.
Rivers still sits on the expensive end of quarterbacks, but both Johnson and Gates can be had at reasonable prices. Gates should rebound from a one-catch outing against a generous Jaguars secondary that was just burned by Delanie Walker. Johnson is coming off back-to-back seven-catch games, but should have a strong chance of reaching the end zone for the first time since Week 2.
Tennessee QB Marcus Mariota and TE Delanie Walker vs. Oakland
The Raiders have struggled against opposing tight ends this season. Meanwhile, Walker leads the Titans in receptions and yards and has firmly established himself as Mariota's top target. It's easy to overthink or overanalyze matchups. This is not one of those times -- it's really as obvious as it seems.
True, Oakland shut out Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron this past Sunday, but Walker is a far more reliable and consistent threat. Best of all, both Mariota and Walker will come at reasonable prices.
Bargain Stacks
Cleveland QB Josh McCown and TE Gary Barnidge vs. Baltimore
It's another lost season in Cleveland. Johnny Manziel was supposed to start Monday night before being benched Tuesday after video emerged of him allegedly partying during the Browns' bye week. McCown returns to the starting lineup, which is fantastic news for Barnidge. In McCown's six starts from Week 3 through 8, Barnidge averaged six catches for 85 yards and a touchdown in each game. Those are elite tight end numbers.
The McCown-Barnidge combo isn't flashy, but has tremendous upside against a porous Ravens defense. And, of course, they will be dirt cheap.
Baltimore QB Matt Schaub and WR Kamar Aiken at Cleveland
It's 2015 ... and we have a Matt Schaub sighting. This is the very definition of a GPP dart toss -- just throw these two in a lineup and hope for the best. For the cheap prices though, the upside is there.
Aiken has at least five receptions and 50 yards in each of the last three games. Aiken will undoubtedly be Schaub's top target in the passing game, so he'll have a chance to score a touchdown. Schaub isn't likely to light up the scoreboard, but if he can give you 200 yards and two touchdowns, he'll more than return value. And his minuscule price tag opens up flexibility for the rest of your lineup.
