The place to spend and save when constructing lineups
Whether or not you’ve got performed Daily Fantasy on Yahoo earlier than or are giving it a strive for the primary time, this column will check out the DFS panorama, revealing whom I like constructing lineups round, stars to fade, undervalued performs and discount bin choices that can assist you assemble a greater group.
Lineup constructing blocks
Joe Burrow ($37) @ Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Burrow has emerged because the NFL’s second-best participant and has averaged 327 passing yards (9.1 YPA) with an 8:1 TD:INT line over his final three video games in opposition to Kansas Metropolis. Chris Jones and Co. could be extra of an issue for Cincinnati’s offensive line accidents this week, however the Chiefs’ coverage was easily the worst within the divisional spherical. Patrick Mahomes’ high-ankle sprain could have an effect on the sport script, however there are simply two video games this weekend, and the NFC matchup might simply grow to be a defensive battle regardless of the same over/underneath to the AFC title recreation.
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Ja’Marr Chase ($37) @ Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Chase has dominated targets since returning in Week 13 whereas trying unguardable at occasions. Opponents had the third-highest go price when dealing with KC this season (and the very best down the stretch), and Chase may be stacked with Burrow. The Bengals might battle to run in opposition to KC’s entrance given its O-line accidents, leaving Chase closely concerned in opposition to a Chiefs protection that allowed the ninth-most fantasy factors to broad receivers throughout the common season.
A.J. Brown ($32) vs. San Francisco 49ers
DeVonta Smith ($27) has emerged as a legitimate co-WR1 in Philadelphia, so Brown and him are both DFS options this week. San Francisco’s protection crushes in opposition to the run however ceded the sixth-most fantasy factors to broad receivers throughout the common season. The 49ers ranked first in DVOA when defending quick passes however just 24th on deeper attempts, an space of the sphere the place Brown excels. With a robust offensive line together with an ostensibly wholesome Lane Johnson, the Eagles ought to be capable to decide their spots to assault downfield. With such a tricky run protection, opponents had the second-highest go price when dealing with the 49ers this season. Brown additionally led all receivers with the highest percentage of his team’s end-zone targets in 2022.
Star to fade
Christian McCaffrey ($38) @ Philadelphia Eagles
McCaffrey was held to only 57 yards on 18 alternatives whereas taking part in by means of a calf damage final week. The Cowboys protection had the third-lowest rush success price in 2022, so CMC will get an improve Sunday (especially as a receiver). However that is nonetheless a tough matchup in Philadelphia in opposition to a run protection that tremendously improved after including Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph midseason and with Jordan Davis getting wholesome — the Eagles protection ranked dead last in rush success rate over the primary 10 weeks this season however have been the second-best within the league afterward. McCaffrey shall be taking part in by means of a calf subject whereas splitting work with Elijah Mitchell (assuming his groin damage cooperates) on a 49ers offense projected to attain the fewest factors this weekend, so (the disrespected) CMC is hard to pay up for in 0.5 PPR DFS as the very best salaried non-QB on the slate.
Undervalued choices
Joe Mixon ($26) @ Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Mixon racked up 123 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches whereas thriving within the snow final week. Even when he doesn’t get pleasure from the identical effectivity on the bottom in Kansas Metropolis, Mixon figures to stay busy as a receiver — he noticed 20 extra targets than any earlier season regardless of lacking three video games this yr. The unfold on this recreation continues to maneuver between the Bengals and Chiefs being slight favorites as a result of Patrick Mahomes’ very actual damage. Mixon is undervalued with a DFS wage 32 p.c cheaper than Christian McCaffrey’s regardless of a recreation script that tasks to be extra favorable.
Jerick McKinnon ($17) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
McKinnon additionally seems undervalued contemplating he completed as a top-six RB (0.5 PPR) in three of the ultimate 5 weeks of the season, together with back-to-back weeks ending because the RB1. He set the NFL document for an RB whereas recording a landing catch in six straight video games (eight complete) to complete the common season but oddly wasn’t focused throughout KC’s divisional-round recreation regardless of playing a season-high in snap share. However the Chiefs determine to rely closely on their working backs Sunday with Mahomes coping with a high-ankle sprain that usually sidelines gamers for weeks. McKinnon is intriguing at an inexpensive $17.
Discount Bin
Hayden Hurst ($14) @ Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Hurst has been busier within the purple zone not too long ago (5 targets over the past three video games) and eventually cashed in his first landing since Week 5 throughout the group’s win in Buffalo. Joe Burrow is more likely to proceed specializing in shorter passes along with his three high offensive linemen injured and in opposition to a KC protection that ranked top-five in stress price. The Chiefs yielded the fifth-most touchdowns to tight ends throughout the common season, so Hurst is a DFS discount this week.