RADIO
Hey everyone, it's playoff time! While the season-long fantasy season is over, it's a great time to keep it rolling and try to make some money in DFS! With that in mind, this article will be more DFS-centric for the playoffs. Welcome to our Wild Card Round matchup analysis and start/sit column for fantasy football.
We'll be analyzing every game on the Wild Card slate, helping you optimize your daily fantasy lineups and take down your opponent. Be sure to check back regularly for any updates on player injuries or other pertinent information.
Frank Ammirante will be covering the Saturday games, while Justin Carter will take you home with his analysis of the Sunday games. If you have any additional questions, follow us on Twitter @FAmmiranteTFJ and @juscarts, and feel free to ask away. Let's help guide you to that DFS victory!
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
Matchups Analysis - Saturday Games
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
Matchups We Love:
RB Jonathan Taylor ($8,800 FanDuel, $7,900 DraftKings)
Taylor had a fantastic finish to his rookie season, totaling 741 yards on 119 carries (6.23 YPC) and seven touchdowns in his last six games, ranking as RB3 in fantasy points per game during that span. He takes on a Bills Defense that ranks 17th in run DVOA, allowing 23.8 fantasy points per game to running backs (17th). Taylor should be the focal point of the Colts' offense here, making him the top running back on the slate.
QB Josh Allen ($9,000 FanDuel, $7,500 DraftKings)
Allen is the most expensive quarterback on the slate for good reason, as he finished the year as QB2 in fantasy points per game. In his last five games, he's completed 129-of-184 passes (70.1%) for 1,516 yards (8.24 Y/A), 15 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He's also added 115 rushing yards and two touchdowns. While the Colts rank eighth in pass DVOA, they have allowed 24.9 fantasy points per game (24th) since their Week 8 bye.
WR Stefon Diggs ($8,700 FanDuel, $7,700 DraftKings)
Diggs finished his debut season in Buffalo as the WR3 in fantasy points per game. He posted a 29.32% target share (third) and 1,713 air yards (second). Since their bye, the Colts are allowing 38.5 fantasy points per game to wide receivers (20th). Diggs is currently dealing with an oblique injury, but he'll be able to play. He's the top wide receiver on the slate.
Matchups We Hate:
WR T.Y. Hilton ($6,200 FanDuel, $5,000 DraftKings)
Hilton re-established himself as the WR1 in Indy down the stretch, catching 27-of-43 targets for 435 yards and five touchdowns in his last six games, ranking as WR15 during that span. He has a tough matchup here against CB Tre'Davious White and a Bills defense allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Philip Rivers loves to spread the ball around, so we need to avoid the most expensive Colts wide receiver here.
RB Zack Moss ($5,500 FanDuel, $4,600 DraftKings)
RB Devin Singletary ($5,300 FanDuel, $4,300 DraftKings)
The Bills pass the ball 60% of the time (14th) and Josh Allen accounted for 102 of 268 team carries (38%), including eight rushing touchdowns. That really limits the upside of this backfield committee, especially against a Colts Defense that ranks ninth in run DVOA, allowing 21.7 fantasy points per game to running backs (11th). If you're playing either of these backs, you're hoping for a Bills blowout or rushing touchdown. I'd look elsewhere for contrarian plays.
TE Dawson Knox ($4,900 FanDuel, $3,200 DraftKings)
Knox has put up at least four targets and 25+ yards in four consecutive games, but he has a tough matchup against a Colts defense that has locked down tight ends, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. I would look elsewhere if I decided to roll with a cheap tight end on this slate.
Other Matchups:
QB Philip Rivers ($6,900 FanDuel, $5,400 DraftKings)
Rivers can be a nice contrarian play with the Colts as seven-point underdogs in a game with a 51-point total. We could see the Colts fall behind, forcing them to air it out to play catch up. The Bills are tied for 13th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks, but Rivers will have low ownership and is worth a look if you want to save money on a quarterback.
RB Nyheim Hines ($5,600 FanDuel, $4,700 DraftKings)
Hines can be a pivot play from Jonathan Taylor if you believe that the Bills will control this game and force the Colts to play catch up with check-down passes. Hines has totaled at least 50 yards in four straight games, so he's absolutely worth a look in this one. The Bills have allowed 6.0 yards per target to running backs (22nd). If you want to get contrarian, you can even play both Colts running backs in your lineup.
WR Zach Pascal ($5,300 FanDuel, $3,700 DraftKings)
WR Michael Pittman Jr. ($5,100 FanDuel, $3,500 DraftKings)
If you want to target a Colts wide receiver, you would be wise to go with one of their two cheaper options. Pascal has come on of late, catching 10-of-16 targets for 184 yards and three touchdowns in his last three games. Pittman has put up only 11 targets, seven receptions, and 85 yards during that span. We've seen his upside though (seven receptions, 101 yards), so he's definitely in play as well.
TE Trey Burton ($4,700 FanDuel, $2,800 DraftKings)
TE Jack Doyle ($4,500 FanDuel, $2,900 DraftKings)
TE Mo Alie-Cox ($4,300 FanDuel, $2,600 DraftKings)
Burton (42.42% of snaps, 10.68% target share) and Doyle (57.02% of snaps, 6.95% target share) form the tight end committee that also includes Mo Alie-Cox (48.88% of snaps, 7.69% target share). Doyle (12 receptions, 125 yards) has been more consistent than Burton (eight receptions, 79 yards, one touchdown) and Cox (seven receptions, 66 yards) in the last four games. Burton (96.7% of snaps) has run the most routes during that span, so he's the best option against a Bills defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
WR Cole Beasley ($6,000 FanDuel, $5,300 DraftKings)
WR John Brown ($5,700 FanDuel, $4,700 DraftKings)
WR Gabriel Davis ($5,000 FanDuel, $4,000 DraftKings)
WR Isaiah McKenzie ($4,900 FanDuel, $3,300 DraftKings)
Beasley is nursing a knee injury, so his status is in doubt for this week. If he misses the game, McKenzie (six receptions, 65 yards, two touchdowns in Week 17) could be a tournament dart throw. If Beasley plays, consider him a WR3. Brown is the best option out of this group as he returned to action last week and caught a 32-yard touchdown pass. With Colts cornerback Xavier Rhodes covering Diggs, I can see Brown stepping up this week. Davis is a promising rookie, but with Brown back in the lineup, the usage won't be there.
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Matchups We Love:
RB Cam Akers ($6,100 FanDuel, $5,100 DraftKings)
Akers dominated the usage with John Wolford under center last week, totaling 21-of-24 running back carries (87.5%). Expect the Rams to continue to lean on their rookie running back this week - even if Jared Goff plays, it's hard to think that he'll be at 100 percent. The Rams' best chance of winning this game is by playing stout defense and controlling the clock with the running game. Malcolm Brown (four touches last week) and Darrell Henderson (zero touches last week) have been phased out of the offense, so they are not in consideration. The Seahawks rank seventh in run DVOA, but we're betting on volume over matchup here.
Matchups We Hate:
QB Jared Goff ($7,000 FanDuel, $6,000 DraftKings)
QB John Wolford ($6,200 FanDuel, $4,900 DraftKings)
Goff's status remains in doubt for this game, as he's still dealing with a thumb injury. Sean McVay stated that he will not announce a starting quarterback this week, so this is clearly a situation to avoid. Either way, whichever quarterback plays will likely act as a game manager with a run-heavy approach. The Seahawks Defense has had a dramatic turnaround, allowing only 23 points or less in seven consecutive games.
WR Robert Woods ($6,700 FanDuel, $6,200 DraftKings)
WR Cooper Kupp ($6,400 FanDuel, $6,000 DraftKings)
WR Josh Reynolds ($4,800 FanDuel, $3,600 DraftKings)
We need to downgrade the Rams' wide receivers because of the question marks surrounding their passing game right now. We also need to consider how good the Seahawks defense has been in recent weeks. In their current seven-game hot streak, they are allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. The last time these two teams met, Reynolds (eight receptions, 94 yards) led the way - as the cheapest option, he's my preferred play in DFS. If you're playing in a playoff pool with a season-long style, I would rank them as such: Kupp, Woods, and Reynolds. However, this is a situation with limited upside and a volatile floor, so I would steer clear.
QB Russell Wilson ($7,400 FanDuel, $6,600 DraftKings)
During this seven-game stretch of stout defensive play, Wilson has slowed down in fantasy production, ranking as QB15 during that span. The Rams rank fourth in pass DVOA, allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. This game is a projected slugfest with a 42.5-point total, so it's not a good spot for Wilson in DFS. While you're still starting him in conventional playoff formats, he's merely a contrarian play for the Saturday slate.
TE Jacob Hollister ($4,700 FanDuel, $2,700 DraftKings)
TE Will Dissly ($4,400 FanDuel, $2,600 DraftKings)
TE Greg Olsen ($4,300 FanDuel, $2,500 DraftKings)
The Seahawks have a trio of touchdown-dependent tight ends that are only long-shot punt plays on this Saturday slate. If Olsen is able to play, it will make the situation even more difficult to project, but I would prefer using him since he would be the cheapest of the three. The Rams have allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends this season.
Other Matchups:
TE Tyler Higbee ($5,400 FanDuel, $3,400 DraftKings)
TE Gerald Everett ($4,600 FanDuel, $3,000 DraftKings)
Higbee has come alive in recent weeks, catching 16-of-23 targets for 200 yards and two touchdowns in his last five games, ranking as TE15 in fantasy points per game during that span, with Everett coming in at TE38. Despite this gap in fantasy production, Everett (13.64%) actually has a higher target share than Higbee (13.07%) during this stretch. The tight ends could act as a safety valve for Goff or Wolford against a Seahawks defense that ranks 13th in fantasy points per game allowed to the position.
RB Chris Carson ($7,000 FanDuel, $5,900 DraftKings)
The Rams rank third in run DVOA, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs, but we can expect Carson to be the focal point of the Seahawks' attack here. It's clear that Pete Carroll prefers to lean on the running game more during playoff football. This should be a low-scoring game, so Carson's upside is capped, but he remains a lukewarm play in this one.
WR D.K. Metcalf ($6,900 FanDuel, $6,700 DraftKings)
WR Tyler Lockett ($6,800 FanDuel, $6,900 DraftKings)
The Rams are allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey has limited Metcalf to eight receptions and 87 yards in two meetings this season. While Metcalf has the higher upside due to his big-play ability, Lockett looks like the safer play because he'll line up in the slot. Consider both of them volatile WR2s in this projected low-scoring game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Football Team
Matchups We Love:
WR Chris Godwin ($7,800 FanDuel, $7,000 DraftKings)
WR Mike Evans ($7,600 FanDuel, $6,500 DraftKings)
WR Antonio Brown ($6,500 FanDuel, $6,100 DraftKings)
The Bucs' passing game has come alive in the last two weeks, with Godwin (nine receptions, 120 yards, two touchdowns), Evans (16 receptions, 291 yards, two touchdowns), and Brown (nine receptions, 128 yards, two touchdowns) each putting up strong fantasy production. The Bucs are optimistic that Evans will play this week, so all hands will be on deck for the wild card round. Washington ranks second in pass DVOA and have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers, but they'll have their hands full in this one. I expect at least one of the Bucs' wide receivers to have a strong game, it's just tough to decide who - my bet is on Godwin.
TE Logan Thomas ($6,400 FanDuel, $4,900 DraftKings)
Thomas is the top tight end on the Saturday slate, ranking as TE5 in fantasy points per game this season. In his last five games, Thomas has been targeted 49 times, which is second among tight ends, behind Darren Waller and ahead of Travis Kelce. The Bucs rank 23rd in fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends, and the volume is there for another strong performance from Thomas.
Matchups We Hate:
QB Alex Smith ($6,500 FanDuel, $5,100 DraftKings)
The Bucs are a pass-funnel defense, but Smith has 11.14 fantasy points per game since Week 9 (QB33), so we can't trust him, even in a game where Washington projects to be playing from behind. There's not enough upside to use Smith in any format, even if you wanted to pay down at quarterback in DFS tournaments.
Other Matchups:
QB Tom Brady ($8,000 FanDuel, $6,900 DraftKings)
Brady has really come alive lately, completing 94-of-136 passes (69.1%) for 1,333 yards (9.8 Y/A) with 12 touchdowns and one interception in his last four games, ranking as QB5 in fantasy points per game during that span. Washington has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and their pass-rush is strong, which keeps Brady as a lukewarm play, but he's the second-best option on the Saturday slate.
RB Ronald Jones II ($6,700 FanDuel, $5,500 DraftKings)
Jones returned to action last week and led the running backs in snaps (53.73%) and touches (12). He takes on a Washington defense that ranks 11th in run DVOA and has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs, but this projects as a positive game script with the Bucs as eight-point favorites. Jones is firmly in play as an upside RB2 and is worth a look in any DFS format.
TE Rob Gronkowski ($6,000 FanDuel, $3,900 DraftKings)
Gronk has taken a backseat in the last four weeks, combining for eight receptions, 118 yards, and three touchdowns. His touchdown equity keeps him in play as a TE1 against a Washington defense allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends. However, if I'm paying him for a tight end in the Saturday slate, I'd prefer to go with Thomas.
RB Antonio Gibson ($6,200 FanDuel, $5,700 DraftKings)
RB J.D. McKissic ($5,400 FanDuel, $4,800 DraftKings)
The Washington running game will have a tough time against a Bucs defense that has allowed 3.36 yards per carry (first). However, they remain lukewarm options because Alex Smith loves to check it down to his running backs, which bodes well in a game where they project to be playing from behind. That favors McKissic, but Gibson could also see some usage in the passing game. Combine that with his touchdown equity (11 rushing touchdowns) and Gibson is firmly in play.
WR Terry McLaurin ($7,100 FanDuel, 6,300 DraftKings)
McLaurin is banged up with an ankle injury which has limited him to 18 receptions, 155 yards, and one touchdown in his last four games. That makes him tough to trust against a Bucs defense that figures to generate pressure on Smith. At the same time, we can expect the volume to be there against this pass-funnel defense, which keeps McLaurin in play as a lukewarm option.
Hi, Justin taking over now. Thanks, Frank!
Matchups Analysis - Sunday Games
Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans
Matchups We Love:
Lamar Jackson (QB, BAL) DK: $7,800, FD: $9,300
The Titans allow the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks and the most points of any team playing in this postseason. This is a pretty easy one for me: Jackson should be able to throw -- and run! -- all over this defense. He's my top fantasy quarterback on this week's slate.
Derrick Henry (RB, TEN) DK: $9,200, FD: $10,200
The thing about Derrick Henry is that I don't care what defense Derrick Henry is playing against, because the 2,000-yard rusher can just bowl over anyone. Henry did decimate this Ravens Defense last playoffs, though obviously comparing between seasons is tough to do. So, how about we compare to his performance against them this season: 28 carries for 133 yards and a touchdown. Henry's not a cheap play in DFS, but he's the running back I feel the best about paying up for.
J.K. Dobbins (RB, BAL) DK: $6,600, FD: $6,800
Last time these teams faced off, Dobbins had 15 carried for 70 yards and a score. Since Week 15, he's 12th among running backs in carries. I think Dobbins is going to go under the radar this week. He shouldn't.
Marquise Brown (WR, BAL) DK: $5,400, FD: $6,300
There was a time when we were all collectively worried about Hollywood Brown. Then he went and had six touchdowns in the past six games. He isn't having huge yardage games and last hit the 100-yard mark in the season opener, but this Titans Defense has some holes in it, even if they held Brown without a catch when they met in the regular season. Let's not hold that against him too much.
Mark Andrews (TE, BAL) DK: $5,200, FD: $7,000
Andrews blew up in that first meeting, with five catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. He's had five or more targets in all but three games this season, with the most recent game being Week 6. Andrews should be in line for a really strong performance this week.
Matchups We Hate:
Corey Davis (WR, TEN) DK: $4,800, FD: $6,400
Great season for Corey Davis, and he had 113 yards in the first meeting of these teams. So, why am I out on him? Because his last couple of games haven't gone so well. He's a fairly boom/bust guy right now and had no receptions against Green Bay. He's failed to hit 40 yards in three of the last four games. Not someone I'd want to use in a Cash game this week, even if might have some GPP appeal.
Jonnu Smith (TE, TEN) DK: $3,200, FD: $9,300
Smith has just four catches in the past two games, and while he had a touchdown in one of those, we're basically at a point where Smith needs a touchdown to really return value. The Ravens let him get one earlier in the year, but they've allowed just five touchdowns to tight ends all year. Are we really betting on Smith to get one again?
Other Matchups:
Ryan Tannehill (QB, TEN) DK: $6,600, FD: $5,200
Tannehill had 259 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception the last time these teams played. He's a good quarterback, but the nature of this Titans offense is that Tannehill doesn't have to post big numbers. He probably won't on Sunday, but he should be efficient and has a chance for a couple of touchdown passes. He's a solid DFS option.
Gus Edwards (RB, BAL) DK: $4,400, FD: $5,700
Edwards needs to fall into the end zone to have major value, but the Titans defense does offer him a chance to do that! Edwards has six on the season and has 27 carries over the past two games, so lots of upside here, even if I like Dobbins better this week.
A.J. Brown (WR, TEN) DK: $7,000, FD: $8,400
Assuming a knee injury doesn't keep Brown out this week, I think we should be cautiously high on a guy who had 10 receptions last week. He caught a touchdown in the first meeting of these teams and has 11 touchdowns on the season, adding even more value to the docket. The matchup itself isn't great as the Ravens allow the third-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, but Brown's got enough upside to play him, though I wouldn't have too much exposure.
Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints
Matchups We Love:
David Montgomery (RB, CHI) DK: $6,900, FD: $8,400
So, I don't actually love this matchup because the Saints have a stout run defense, but if you're playing DFS this weekend, you could do much worse than Montgomery, because Montgomery has something going for him that no other back this weekend has going for him: complete and utter control over this backfield. He was second among running backs in snap rate this season and since Week 14 has 68.22 percent of Chicago's running back attempts. He'll carry this offense like he's Tommy Pickles.
Alvin Kamara (RB, NO) DK: $8,500, FD: $9,000
The thing about Alvin Kamara is that when Drew Brees is his quarterback, you play Alvin Kamara. No one on Sunday's slate has a higher ceiling than Kamara. You should be willing to pay up for him in a good percentage of your lineups because Kamara can do some magical things with the ball in his hands. He'll be the focal point of this offense and run over everyone like Reptar.
Allen Robinson (WR, CHI) DK: $6,500, FD: $7,200
Robinson struggled last week, but let's not forget he already had a six-catch, 87-yard game against the Saints in which he found the end zone. Robinson is a huge part of this offense and while his regular season ended on a sour note, I don't anticipate a repeat of that this week. It's the playoffs. Mitchell Trubisky is going to look Robinson's way plenty of times. He'll dominate the target shares like he's Ginger from As Told By Ginger. Because she's the only character from that show that I can vividly remember, just like Robinson is the only pass-catcher on this Bears team we'll still remember in 10 years?
Jared Cook (TE, NO) DK: $4,600, FD: $5,900
The Bears allow the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. While he definitely has a low floor, he also has seven touchdowns. Boom/bust kind of player, but the Bears Defense makes this a game where he's more likely to boom. Good chance that he makes like a character on Rocket Power and skates into the end zone.
Matchups We Hate:
Mitchell Trubisky (QB, CHI) DK: $5,300, FD: $6,900
How am I supposed to trust Trubisky in a playoff game against this good Saints Defense? Like...really, how? New Orleans allows the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. My prediction: this will be like the time Spongebob went to Sandy's house and wasn't wearing a water helmet and he kept trying to act like things were okay and they were very much not okay. By the end of the game, he'll really, really need water.
Latavius Murray (RB, NO) DK: $4,500, FD: $5,400
Murray had a good game against the Vikings, but had 13 total carries in the three previous games. I definitely lean toward those three games being the ones that are most useful for figuring out what Murray's usage looks like this week. If the bench area is like a stoop, Murray will be Stoop Kid this week and won't leave his stoop, or at least he won't much.
Most Saints Wide Receivers
The Bears allow the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. With Michael Thomas out the first time these teams met, no Saints wide receiver had more than 43 receiving yards. I just don't really see a clear path to fantasy value for the non-Thomas guys. They'll just be supporting characters, like all the random monsters who attend the school in Aaahh!!! Real Monsters and barely seem to exist.
Other Matchups:
Drew Brees (QB, NO) DK: $5,700, FD: $7,800
My wife keeps joking about how Drew Brees needs to get slimed this week. That would be fun. He probably won't be covered in green slime by the end of this game, but if this game were in an outdoor, natural-grass stadium, he might have some green grass on him after he gets sacked a time or two? I don't know, I'm stretching these metaphors now. Anyway, Brees will likely have an efficient day in which he doesn't throw for a ton of yards or touchdowns. He's a fine play, but doesn't have the upside of other guys.
Michael Thomas (WR, NO) DK: $6,300, FD: $6,800
Thomas is back from the IR. Provided he plays, he should be set to be a top wide receiver play on this slate, but I'm also worried about the injury issues and about this Bears defense. It's like CatDog. There are two possible sides here and they're fighting against each other. Which side will win out?
Darnell Mooney (WR, CHI) DK: $3,900, FD: $5,400
Mooney had a good game the first time these teams faced off, catching five passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. But he's dealing with an ankle injury, which could impact his effectiveness, and while he had 11 catches last game, his usage had been a lot lower in the past six games before that. Was it a one-game positive blip, like the one time Eugene on Hey Arnold! had good luck? Or will Mooney have another strong performance?
Jimmy Graham (TE, CHI) DK: $3,300, FD: $5,100
REVENGE GAME SZN. Graham gets a playoff game against his former team and while he had just two catches for 13 yards in the first meeting, Graham's touchdown upside makes him an intriguing play this week. Tight end can be a rough place, so a guy with eight regular-season touchdowns going against a defense that isn't particularly great against the position isn't the worst idea. Can the aging Graham get some final glory, like he's Nigel Thornberry airing a final special of his nature show? Will he falter like he's Zim trying to conquer the Earth? Guess we'll just have to find out Sunday.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
Matchups We Love:
Ben Roethlisberger (QB, PIT) DK: $6,100, FD: $7,500
Roethlisberger struggled against the Browns earlier in the season and then didn't play against them last game. But the Browns let Mason Rudolph throw for 315 yards in Week 17, which seems like a good indictment of this defense. They allow the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, so there's also that!
Nick Chubb (RB, CLE) DK: $6,700, FD: $7,700
There are safer DFS plays among the higher-priced running backs, but that doesn't make Chubb a bad option, especially after he had 108 yards and a touchdown last week. His lack of passing game involvement is a slight knock against him, but if you want to pivot off of Henry/Kamara and want someone who just keeps finding the end zone, Chubb is your guy.
Diontae Johnson (WR, PIT) DK: $6,200, FD: $7,000
The Steelers have too many receivers who are viable threats for me to love them all, but if I'm looking to stack someone with Roethlisberger in DFS, I like Johnson as that play. He led the team in targets despite playing one fewer game than the team's other receivers, and while JuJu Smith-Schuster had more catches and touchdowns, Johnson had more yards.
Matchups We Hate:
Baker Mayfield (QB, CLE) DK: $5,400, FD: $6,700
Baker Mayfield had 196 yards last week. He had 119 in his first meeting with Pittsburgh. That's, uhh, not good, and it's a big reason why I'm avoiding Mayfield this week, even when you factor in his improved play in the second half of the season.
James Conner (RB, PIT) DK: $5,000, FD: $6,200
Conner is averaging 23.3 yards per game over the past three games. The Browns allow the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing backs. Avoid this backfield this week.
Kareem Hunt (RB, CLE) DK: $4,800, FD: $5,900
Bad matchup, plus the fact that Hunt hasn't made much of an impact lately. Over the past seven games, Hunt is averaging 23.3 receiving and 29.7 rushing yards per game. I just don't think the floor here is high enough for me to feel comfortable playing much of him.
Rashard Higgins (WR, CLE) DK: $4,100, FD: $5,500
I've already talked about the low passing yardage for Cleveland in the past two meetings. With that in mind, I'm pivoting off of the secondary receivers on this team, because I think there's just too much risk with them.
Austin Hooper (TE, CLE) DK: $3,900, FD: $5,400
The Steelers allow the second-fewest fantasy points in the league to opposing tight ends. Hooper had decent games in the first two meetings though, hitting double-digit PPR points in both. But I'm just not sure he'll make it three-for-three against this defense.
Other Matchups:
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, PIT) DK: $5,500, FD: $6,500
Smith-Schuster's got solid upside and should see plenty of work in the short passing game. He's a good play in DFS, but I just like Diontae Johnson a tad more this week, which is why I've got JuJu down here.
Chase Claypool (WR, PIT) DK: $5,200, FD: $6,100
Claypool hasn't been the most consistent option this year, but in a game where the Steelers passing game should work well, I like Claypool as a boom/bust target in GPPs. You just have to be willing to accept the risk of a total letdown game.
Jarvis Landry (WR, CLE) DK: $6,600, FD: $X,300
We know Baker Mayfield doesn't throw for many yards against the Steelers, but someone has to catch the yards he does throw. Landry had five catches for 51 yards last week and three for 40 in the first meeting. He's a solid floor play who has some touchdown upside after catching three in the final five games of the regular season.
Eric Ebron (TE, PIT) DK: $3,700, FD: $5,500
Ebron has been activated, which is good since Vance McDonald isn't a huge receiving threat. The Browns allow the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends and while they held Ebron to two catches for nine yards in the first meeting, I think he has some nice upside if you want to get someone who isn't Mark Andrews in your Sunday DFS lineup.
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