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We're onto the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, so there are still opportunities for fantasy football enthusiasts to take part in single-game DFS contests. The regular season meeting between Josh Allen and Joe Burrow came to a scary end with the serious injury to Damar Hamlin, but their teams are set to face off in Round Two of the playoffs.
This Bengals-Bills contest features big-name fantasy superstars are both sides, but many of them carry hefty price tags, so we'll have to dive deep into this slate. Buffalo is a 5.5-point favorite in this AFC battle, with the game total set at 48.5. Allen and Burrow look to be the future of the AFC alongside Patrick Mahomes, and they'll battle it out for a potential matchup with Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game. What more could you want for a DFS single-game contest?
I will be providing you with daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the Bengals vs. Bills NFL DFS showdown slate on January 22nd. These NFL DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on both DraftKings and FanDuel. If you have any questions, sign up for a premium RotoBaller NFL package and chat with our NFL DFS analysts or find us on Twitter!
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MVP/Captain Plays
Josh Allen - QB, $17,700 (DK), $17,500 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2022 Stats: 4,283 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 762 rushing yards, and seven rushing touchdowns.
- 27.1 DK points per game.
- The Bengals allow the fourth-fewest DK points to QBs.
While both defenses in this matchup are strong against quarterbacks, matchup stats don't carry much weight when two elite signal-callers get together. Even if Allen struggles in the passing game, he's a threat for 60-plus rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns every week. Buffalo barely survived a game against the Skylar Thompson-led Dolphins, so I expect a much sharper game from Allen after the Wild Card wake-up call. Allen is going to cost you, so being creative with later selections is key.
Ja'Marr Chase- WR, $17,100 (DK), $14,500 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2022 Stats: 134 targets, 87 receptions, 1,046 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns (13 games).
- At least 79 receiving yards in nine of 13 games.
- The Bills rank 25th against fantasy wide receivers (DraftKings).
If you're looking for the pass-catcher with the highest ceiling in the NFL, look no further than Chase in his second season as a pro. Whether Chase catches double-digit passes or reaches his ceiling with a handful of deep balls, he's an electric player to build your DFS lineup around. Chase had a 266-yard receiving game as a rookie and looks to be all the way back from the mid-season injury that cost him a few games this season.
Other Captains/MVPs: Joe Burrow, Stefon Diggs, Tee Higgins
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DFS Flex Plays
Joe Burrow - QB, $10,800 (DK), $16,000 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2022 Stats: 4,475 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 257 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns.
- 23.6 DK points per game.
- The Bills allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points to QBs (DraftKings).
Burrow has flashed his ceiling on many occasions over the last two seasons, but it's worth noting he'll carry a bit more risk into this AFC Divisional Round matchup. Cincinnati already lost right tackle La'el Collins, but could now be without left tackle Jonah Williams (knee) and guard Alex Cappa (ankle). While Burrow has performed at a high level with lackluster offensive line play before, this matchup is extra concerning. Even so, his ceiling mightily outweighs his risk, and hopefully, some DFSer will be hesitant to trust him here.
Stefon Diggs - WR, $11,200 (DK), $13,500 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2022 Stats: 154 targets, 108 receptions, 1,429 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
- 21.1 DK points per game.
- The Bengals allow the eighth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers (DraftKings).
Here's another matchup that isn't ideal, but Diggs is matchup-proof when he's on and there's a chance DFSers will overthink this selection. Diggs was a bit cold in the latter part of the 2022 regular season, but he's totaled 14 receptions for 218 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. He's a volatile receiver and a large chunk of the field might opt to save money with Gabe Davis, but Diggs is still Allen's No. 1 option and has plenty of upside to be worth the price tag.
Other Flex Options: Tee Higgins, Gabriel Davis, Dawson Knox, Joe Mixon
DFS Value Plays
Tyler Boyd - WR, $5,400 (DK), $8,000 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2022 Stats: 82 targets, 57 receptions, 762 receiving yards, and five touchdowns.
- 5+ targets in 10 of 16 games.
Boyd has played third-fiddle to Higgins and Chase over the last two seasons, but he still has reached a handful of boom performances. Expect Buffalo to find a way to take one of Higgins or Chase out of the game and Boyd to fill in as the volume receiver with plenty of touchdown upside.
Cole Beasley - WR, $1,800 (DK), $6,000 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2022 Stats: seven targets, six receptions, and 35 yards (regular season).
- Five targets, two receptions, 35 yards, and one touchdown vs. the Dolphins last week.
Beasley is far from a flashy pick, but since the studs are very expensive in this matchup, you're likely going to have to take a cheap, low-floor option somewhere in your lineup. While Beasley played just four games in the regular season, he has proven chemistry with Josh Allen in crucial situations. Beasley drew five targets despite running just 23 routes last weekend, so there's a chance he'll have a more significant role as the Bills advance in the playoffs.
Other Value Plays: James Cook, John Brown, Bills DST
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